Chapter 12
“Boss, I get it now! You dress down and skip makeup at work for our sake. You’re afraid we’d be too distracted by your beauty to get any work done p>
“Boss, I think getting fired is the best thing that could’ve happened to you. Now you can launch your career as a superstar. You have my full support p>
“Boss, I have to know who your husband is. He must be the luckiest man alive. Does he just laugh in his sleep all night p>
Though she was their superior, Penelope had always fostered a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, and they felt comfortable joking with her.
She slipped off her sunglasses and gave each of them a playful wink. “Too bad you won’t be able to see this heavenly face anymore p>
A chorus of groans filled the room as they begged her to take them with her.
Jokes aside, Penelope gently reminded them not to call her “boss” anymore. “This is your new boss now,” she said, placing a hand on Rebecca’s shoulder. “She’s my best friend, and I expect you all to treat her as well as you’ve treated me p>
Rebecca stood there like an outsider, an intruder. Though people smiled at her, she could feel the coldness, the hint of mockery behind their expressions.
She stood up, trying to appear graceful. “I’m very excited to be joining the department. I look forward to working with all of you to achieve great things together.” She raised her glass in a toast.
Everyone rose and drank, except for Wilma, who barely touched her lips to the glass, her displeasure obvious.
Rebecca felt she had done her part as the new leader. Just as she was about to say a few more words, Penelope heaved a large woven bag onto the table with a heavy thud.
“Boss, what’s in there, a bag of bricks?” one of her colleagues joked.
Penelope’s expression was cryptic. “Guess p>
The room erupted in wild guesses, the atmosphere instantly lively again.
Then, Penelope opened the bag. The room fell silent. Everyone stared, wide-eyed and speechless.
The bag was filled with cash. Stacks upon stacks of hundred-dollar bills.
Penelope looked at the people who had shared late nights, stressful deadlines, tears, and laughter, with her. They were the only thing she would miss about Stone Group.
“Regardless of the final outcome of the KINY Group project, my part is done. I don’t deserve to keep this bonus all to myself. This belongs to all of us p>
She pushed the money to the center of the table and clapped her hands. “This is one million dollars. One hundred thousand for each of you. Take it p>
But no one moved. They just looked at her, their faces filled with sadness and reluctance to say goodbye.
“This isn’t farewell forever. Now, take the money. I didn’t lug a fifty-pound bag of cash all the way here to waten you cry I did it to see you get the bonuses you all earned
The oldest member of the team was the first to stand and take his share. “Boss, you know we don’t need words between us p>
Penelope smiled and nodded. “No, we don’t p>
One by one, the others followed. When the money was distributed, they all stood
to toast Penelope, wishing her the best in her future endeavors.
As everyone raised their glasses, Rebecca was the only one left out, a mere backdrop to Penelope’s triumphant farewell.
This was exactly the effect Penelope had wanted. She had set the bar Now, if Rebecca failed to measure up both the company and her h colleagues would hold it against her.
Her position wasn’t so easily replaced.