72 Chapter 72 – The Manager’s Misconduct and a
Superior’s Swift Summons
“Please behave yourself!” Aurora’s voice rang through the office as she shot to her feet, her face flushed with indignation.
1 watched Manager Ross’s smile fade, his expression hardening into something ugly and vindictive. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly from uncomfortable to dangerous.
“Excuse me?” Ross’s voice dropped low. “I think you misunderstood my professional interest in your… development.”
Jaxon stood up quickly, his face pale. “Manager Ross, I apologize for any confusion. Perhaps we should reschedule this interview for another day.”
Ross ignored him completely, his eyes fixed on Aurora. “Do you understand how lucky you are to even be considered for this position? There are dozens of applicants with better qualifications than yours.”
I remained seated, observing the situation with growing disgust. This was textbook abuse of power–a man using his position to pressure a woman into compromising herself. The situation was eerily familiar, reminding me of the corrupt officials I’d dealt with back home.
Aurora gathered her resume folder with shaking hands. “I think this interview is over. I’m not interested in a position that requires… whatever you’re suggesting.”
“That’s probably for the best,” Ross sneered. “Banking requires a certain… adaptability that you clearly lack.”
Jaxon placed a protective hand on Aurora’s shoulder. “Let’s go, Aurora. I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
As they turned to leave, I finally stood up. I had no personal attachment to Aurora, but
I despised men like Ross. They were parasites, feeding off their tiny bits of authority at others‘ expense.
“Actually, we’re not quite finished here,” I said, my voice calm but firm.
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Ross finally seemed to notice me properly. “And who exactly are you again?”
“Liam Knight,” I replied, strolling casually to his desk. “I’m new to Eldoria, but I find the city’s business practices… fascinating”
Ross snorted. “This is between me and the applicant. You’re just a spectator who’s overstayed his welcome.”
I smiled thinly, perching myself on the edge of his desk–a deliberate power move that. made his face redden with anger. “No, I don’t think I’ve overstayed anything. In fact, we’re just getting to the interesting part.”
“Get off my desk!” he spluttered.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” I continued, ignoring his outburst. “You’re going to apologize to Miss Sinclair for your inappropriate behavior, and then you’re going to offer her a fair shot at this position–based solely on her professional qualifications.”
Ross’s eyes bulged. He looked at Jaxon. “Langley, get your friend out of my office before I have security throw all of you out! Do you know who I am? I’ve been with Eldoria Bank for fifteen years. I play golf with the regional director every Sunday. I can end your career with one phone call!”
Jaxon took a step back, clearly terrified, but Aurora stood her ground, finding renewed courage in my intervention.
“Mr. Knight, it’s okay,” she said softly. “Let’s just leave.”
I shook my head, my eyes fixed on Ross. “No, Aurora. Men like this don’t change unless they face consequences. They keep preying on vulnerable people because no one stops them.”
Ross stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. “You have exactly ten seconds to get out of my office before I call security. And you-” he stabbed a finger at Jaxon, “-can kiss your promotion goodbye. I’ll make sure you’re stuck in commercial
loans until retirement!”
“Your threats don’t impress me,” I said calmly. “And they certainly don’t excuse your
behavior.”
Ross lunged forward suddenly, swinging a meaty fist toward my face. I easily sidestepped, catching his wrist and twisting it behind his back in one fluid motion.
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Years of cultivation had made such movements second nature. I applied just enough pressure to make him wince without causing actual damage.
“You’re new to Eldoria,” Ross gasped, his face pressed against his own desk. “You have no idea who you’re messing with. I have friends in every major corporation in this city. By tomorrow, you’ll be blacklisted from every bank, every firm, every decent restaurant!”
I leaned close to his ear. “Threats work better when you’re not the one pinned to a desk.”
Aurora and Jaxon watched wide–eyed as I released Ross, who stumbled back into his chair, straightening his rumpled suit with trembling hands.
“You just assaulted a bank manager,” he snarled, reaching for his phone. “You’re finished.
I pulled out my own phone, smiling slightly. “Before you make that call, I think I should reach out to a mutual acquaintance.”
“What acquaintance?” Ross sneered.
“Leopold Shepherd,” I replied casually.
The color drained from Ross’s face. “You’re bluffing.”
I began scrolling through my contacts. “Shall we find out? I imagine Director Shepherd would be very interested to hear how one of his managers conducts interviews.”
Before I could dial, my phone began vibrating in my hand. I glanced at the screen and couldn’t help but smile at the irony. “Well, that’s convenient timing
“Who is it?” Aurora whispered, moving closer.
Theld up the phone to show Leopold’s name flashing on the screen. Ross’s eyes
widened in disbelief.
“Hello, Leopold,” I answered smoothly. “Actually, your timing is perfect. I’m currently in your bank, witnessing something rather disturbing.”
Ross shook his head frantically, mouthing “No, please” as I continued.
“I’m with a friend who came for a job interview with Manager Ross. He’s been making
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Inappropriate advances and threatening her cousin’s career when she refused his dinner invitation.” I paused, listening. “Yes, that Ross. In the investment division.”
Leopold’s voice came through clearly enough that everyone in the room could hear his annoyed response: “This is completely unacceptable. Where are you exactly?”
“Fourteenth floor, corner office,” I replied.
“Okay, please wait. I’m coming right away,” Leopold stated firmly.
I ended the call and slipped my phone back into my pocket, looking directly at Ross, whose face had gone from red to ashen gray in the span of our brief conversation.
“Director Shepherd is coming here? Now?” he whispered, panic setting in.
“That’s right,” I replied, feeling a cold satisfaction at the fear in his eyes. “He seemed quite eager to discuss your interview techniques in person.”
Aurora looked at me in astonishment. “You actually know Director Shepherd? I thought you were bluffing.”
“Mr. Knight doesn’t bluff,” I said simply, watching as Ross frantically began
straightening papers on his desk, as if tidying his workspace would somehow mitigate what was coming.
Jaxon sank into a chair, looking both relieved and terrified. “This is going to be a complete disaster.”
I shook my head. “Not for you or Aurora. But for Manager Ross? I believe the phrase is ‘career–limiting move.”
We all fell silent, watching the second hand tick on the office wall clock. The footsteps. approaching down the hallway sounded like a funeral march to Ross, who had broken
into a nervous sweat.
And they were getting closer.
