C274 Two Different Contracts

The morning at Lucia Goods began like any other. Employees arrived one after another, greeting their colleagues before settling into their respective departments. The sound of keyboards clicking and quiet conversations gradually filled the building as everyone prepared to begin the day's work. However, the calm atmosphere did not last long. As soon as Alicia arrived at her office, she picked up the intercom. "Faith, could you come to my office for a moment?"

A few moments later, there was a gentle knock on the door. "Come in." Faith entered and greeted respectfully. "Good morning, Director." "Good morning, Faith." Faith noticed that Alicia's expression was calm, yet unusually serious. She couldn't help asking, "Director... is everything alright?" Alicia smiled reassuringly. "Everything is fine." She closed the file on her desk before continuing. "I need you to announce an emergency meeting."

Faith blinked in surprise. "An emergency meeting?" "Yes." "I'd like every employee currently in the company to report to the main meeting hall immediately." Faith hesitated. "Director... is it something serious?" Alicia nodded slightly. "It is important." "But don't worry." "No one is in trouble." Faith let out a sigh of relief. "I understand." "I'll make the announcement right away." She bowed slightly before leaving the office.

Moments later, the company's announcement system came to life. "Attention all Lucia Goods employees. Director Alicia Smith has called an emergency company meeting. All staff members are requested to report to the main meeting hall immediately." The announcement echoed through every department. Employees looked at one another in confusion. "Another meeting?" "I wonder what happened." "Did something go wrong?" "Could someone be getting fired?"

Small conversations immediately broke out as everyone made their way toward the meeting hall. Within minutes, the large hall was almost completely full. Managers. Department heads. Engineers. Programmers. Designers. Security personnel. Even administrative staff. Everyone waited quietly. The atmosphere was tense. Ever since Alicia became Director, everyone had learned one thing... When she called an emergency meeting, it usually meant something important.

A few moments later, the doors opened. Alicia entered first. I followed quietly behind her. The moment she stepped inside, every conversation stopped. The hall instantly fell silent. Alicia walked calmly onto the stage before picking up the microphone. She looked around the room, noticing the nervous expressions on almost every face. A gentle smile appeared on her lips. "Good morning, everyone." "Good morning, Director," everyone answered in unison.

She chuckled softly. "Please relax." "This isn't a business meeting." "I won't be firing anyone today." The hall immediately erupted into relieved laughter. Several employees even let out audible sighs. "I thought my department had made another mistake." "So did I." "My heart almost stopped." Even Alicia couldn't help smiling at their reactions. "I'm glad everyone is feeling a little better." She paused before becoming serious again. "Today, I want to discuss something that concerns everyone's safety."

The room immediately became quiet again. She continued. "I know all of you come to work every day expecting a safe working environment." "That responsibility belongs to the company." "As your Director, it's my responsibility to make sure every one of you goes home safely." She looked around the hall before speaking again. "Recently..." "I've experienced several security concerns." "I won't go into every detail today." "But those incidents have made me realise that simply relying on security guards may not always be enough."

Several employees exchanged confused glances. One employee slowly raised his hand. "Director..." "What exactly do you mean?" Alicia nodded. "That's exactly what I'm about to explain." She changed the presentation behind her, revealing a blueprint of Hall C. "I've decided that Hall C will immediately undergo renovations." Everyone looked at the screen. One employee asked, "What will it become?"

Alicia answered confidently. "It will become Lucia Goods' official Training Hall." The hall instantly filled with whispers. "A training hall?" "For what?" "Are we becoming a sports company?" Faith herself looked puzzled. She slowly raised her hand. "Director..." "I'm sorry, but I don't understand." "You mentioned safety..." "But don't we already have security guards protecting the company?" Another employee quickly added, "Director..." "Are you planning to dismiss our current security team?"

Alicia shook her head immediately. "No." "Our security guards will remain exactly where they are." "They're doing an excellent job." She became serious again. "However..." "Many of you already know that the Mooney family wasn't the only group interested in acquiring Lucia Goods." A few employees nodded. "That means..." "There may still be individuals who aren't happy with the current situation." "I'm not saying the company will definitely be attacked."

"But..." "I refuse to wait until something happens before preparing." The hall became completely silent. Alicia continued calmly. "The purpose of this training hall is simple." "I want every employee who wishes to participate to learn how to defend themselves." "If danger ever comes..." "...you won't be completely helpless." "I want to emphasize something very clearly." "No one will be forced to participate."

She paused before adding, "If you don't wish to train..." "You'll continue your normal duties exactly as before." "Nothing about your employment will change." "But if you wish to learn..." "The opportunity will always be available." Faith slowly nodded. "I understand now." Alicia smiled before continuing. "The training hall will remain open throughout the day." "You'll be free to train before work, after work or during your free time." "However..." "It must never interfere with normal company operations."

Everyone listened attentively. A shareholder then stood up. "Director..." "Will the company be asking us for additional investment to fund this project?" Alicia shook her head. "No." "I'll personally cover every expense." "The renovations." "The equipment." "The instructors." "Everything." The hall became noticeably quieter. Several shareholders exchanged surprised looks.

One of them whispered, "She's paying for all of it herself?" Another nodded slowly. "That's a huge investment." Alicia continued. "The training hall will include several sections." "A fully equipped gym." "A boxing ring." "A self-defense area." "And eventually..." "A firearms training section." The moment she mentioned firearms... The entire hall gasped. "Real guns?" Alicia nodded seriously. "Yes." "Real firearms." "Which is exactly why strict supervision will be required."

She looked around, "The instructors I'll be inviting are experienced military professionals." "They won't treat this like a game." "They'll teach firearm safety first." "Only after that will participants learn marksmanship." "For those who continue advancing..." "Sniper training will also become available." The room fell completely silent. Everyone was carefully absorbing every word.

Finally, another employee stood. "Director..." "If we join..." "Will we receive additional pay?" "And what exactly are the joining requirements?" Alicia smiled. "There will be two different participation contracts." She held up two documents. "The first contract is for employees who simply wish to learn." "You'll train for your own personal safety." "You'll never be required to assist the company outside the training hall." "Your participation is entirely voluntary."

She then lifted the second document. "The second contract is different." "If you choose this one..." "You'll receive more advanced training." "In return..." "If the company ever faces an emergency..." "I may request your assistance." "You could be asked to help defend company property..." "Or protect fellow employees." She looked around seriously. "Every assignment under this contract will be rewarded." "There will be financial compensation and additional benefits."

She paused deliberately. "But I must also be honest." "The second contract carries risks." "It could even cost you your life." "No amount of money is worth accepting lightly." "So before anyone signs..." "Think carefully." "I don't want anyone making this decision emotionally." The hall remained completely silent. Several employees looked thoughtful. Others appeared nervous.

Finally, Alicia concluded. "If no one chooses either contract..." "I'll respect that decision." "In that case..." "I'll recruit and train people from outside the company." "They'll become a dedicated task force available whenever Lucia Goods requires protection." She smiled warmly. "Thank you, everyone." "If there are no further questions..." "This meeting is adjourned."

She handed several folders to Faith. "Faith will distribute both contracts." "Those who wish to sign may do so." "Those who prefer waiting until the training hall is completed may also wait." "If, by the end of this month, no one has joined..." "I'll begin recruiting externally." With that, Alicia stepped away from the podium. The meeting officially ended. Yet... No one moved. Everyone remained seated, silently processing everything they had just heard.

After several moments, I finally caught up with Alicia as we walked back toward the executive offices. A smile spread across my face. "Wife." She looked at me curiously. "Yes?" I laughed softly. "I don't remember us discussing two different contracts." Alicia smiled proudly. "I improvised." I chuckled. "Only you could come up with something like that during a speech." She laughed. "Sometimes inspiration arrives at the right moment."

By the time we reached her office, she casually picked up her phone. Her eyebrows lifted slightly. "Husband..." I looked at her. "What is it?" She turned the screen toward me. "Your brother sent both of us several messages in the group chat." She smiled curiously. "Did you happen to read them already?" I shook my head. "No." "What did he send?"