C211 A Test Of Authority

The atmosphere at Lucia Goods Headquarters was far from peaceful. Ever since Director Alicia Smith had failed to report for work that morning, whispers had spread throughout every department. Some employees were worried about her health. Others questioned her commitment. A few... Saw it as an opportunity.

I spent the first hour reviewing several reports that had been forwarded to my office. Although I tried to focus on the paperwork in front of me, my thoughts constantly wandered back to Alicia. Was she eating properly? Had she taken her medicine? Was she resting like the doctor instructed? I sighed quietly. "Wife... please don't push yourself." A knock interrupted my thoughts. "Vice Director?" I looked up.

The HR manager stood outside my office. "The department heads have all gathered." "The meeting will begin in five minutes." I nodded. "Thank you." After straightening my tie, I stood up and slowly made my way toward Boardroom D. The hallway was unusually quiet. Many employees lowered their voices as I passed. Some greeted me respectfully. Others simply watched. By the time I reached the boardroom, nearly every executive had already taken their seats. The Director's chair remained empty.

For a brief moment... Everyone's eyes settled on it. I quietly walked toward my own seat. As Vice Director, my place was immediately beside the Director's chair. The silence inside the room became almost uncomfortable. Finally... I cleared my throat. "Good morning, everyone." The executives greeted me in unison. "Good morning, Vice Director." I nodded politely. "As everyone is already aware..." "Director Alicia Smith is unable to attend today's meeting." "As Vice Director, I will chair today's session on her behalf."

No one objected. At least... Not yet. I slowly looked around the room. Many familiar faces stared back at me. Some appeared calm. Others... Looked as though they had come prepared for a battle. I folded my hands together. "Before we begin..." "I'd like to say something." The room immediately quietened. "I have to admit..." "I'm disappointed." Several executives exchanged puzzled glances. "I expected senior members of this company to lead by example." "Instead..." "I'm seeing experienced employees creating unnecessary confusion before even attempting to understand management's decisions." No one spoke.

I continued calmly. "So..." "I'd like to know." "What exactly is the purpose of today's meeting?" Almost immediately... Thomas Becker slowly raised his hand. I nodded. "Go ahead, Mr. Becker." Thomas stood confidently. "Vice Director..." "With all due respect..." "Our concern isn't personal." "It's simply difficult to understand why a newly appointed Director is already absent on only her second day." He paused briefly. "Does Director Smith truly take this position seriously?" The room fell silent.

Everyone looked toward me. I smiled faintly. "Mr. Becker..." "If my memory serves me correctly..." "My wife warned you yesterday about asking questions that were beyond your authority." Thomas's confident expression stiffened. "And today..." "You've decided to question her again." I leaned back slightly. "So tell me..." "What exactly is wrong?" "Or perhaps..." I smiled lightly. "You're feeling a little... itchy?"

A few executives lowered their heads to hide their smiles. Thomas's face reddened. Before he could answer, Edward McCarthy stood up. "Vice Director..." "I don't believe Mr. Becker intended any disrespect." "We're merely concerned." "A new Director has just been appointed..." "Then suddenly disappears the very next day." "Naturally..." "People begin asking questions." I slowly turned toward him. "And how does that affect either of you?" Edward blinked.

I continued. "Are you shareholders?" "No." "Are either of you members of the Board?" "No." "So why are you behaving as though the company's operations depend entirely on your approval?" Neither man answered. I calmly added, "You're employees." "Just like everyone else sitting in this room." "The Director's attendance..." "Is not something either of you has the authority to question."

The boardroom became completely silent. Several department heads quietly nodded in agreement. Thomas and Edward exchanged uneasy glances. Thomas finally spoke again. "Vice Director..." "After yesterday's meeting..." "I admit Director Smith made several valid observations." "We understand improvements may be necessary." "But..." "Our real concern isn't her absence." "It's yesterday's appointments."

He looked directly at me. "The decision to appoint Chief Inspectors for Development and Production." Edward immediately continued. "Our departments have operated for years without inspectors." "The recent delays are largely due to equipment arriving late." "Those supply issues are beyond our control." "If the equipment shortages are resolved..." "Our current system will function properly again." "There is no need to introduce entirely new management positions."

Thomas nodded firmly. "Exactly." "We respectfully request that yesterday's appointments be suspended." "At least until the equipment problems have been solved." Several executives quietly murmured among themselves. Then another hand rose. Miss Charlie Kinlore... Head of the Finance Department. She stood gracefully. "Vice Director..." "I'd like to clarify something." I nodded. "Please."

Charlie adjusted her glasses. "This isn't about opposing Director Smith." "It's simply a financial concern." "The company has already suffered substantial losses from returned products over the last three months." "Our profits have declined significantly." "If we immediately create additional positions..." "The company must also absorb additional salaries."

She looked around the room. "At the moment..." "I believe every financial decision deserves careful consideration." A number of department heads nodded. I slowly looked around the room. Only then did I realize something. This wasn't spontaneous. The three of them... Had clearly discussed this beforehand. They had come prepared. And today... They intended to pressure management into reversing Alicia's first official decision.

For a brief moment... I honestly didn't know how to respond. Because unlike Alicia... I wasn't the Director. Some of these decisions weren't mine to make. I slowly stood up. The room immediately became silent once more. I looked toward Charlie first. Then Thomas. Finally Edward. A faint smile appeared on my face. "If that's truly everyone's concern..." "Then perhaps..." "We should begin somewhere else." Everyone waited quietly.

I folded my arms. "I'd like Finance to prepare every financial record..." "Every expense..." "Every rejected order..." "And every profit made by Lucia Goods over the past five years." The room instantly froze. No one had expected those words.