The Morning Meeting

As 9:30 in the morning arrived the time of the departmental meeting was wearing thin and soon it commenced.

At the meeting something was odd today. Director Divansh spoke eloquently about the company's business objectives and tasks in exceptionally great detail today.

He recounted the strategic plan in extensive detail so much that the other members of the meeting were feeling bored and a bit surprised because usually he never gave details and if he ever did he would never be this detailed or thorough.

His voice droned on about market penetration strategies, quarterly projections, client acquisition costs, and revenue optimization models.

He even mentioned specific percentages down to the decimal point with unnecessary precision.

He referenced past campaigns and analyzed their success rates thoroughly with examples.

The presentation that normally would take fifteen minutes stretched into forty-five minutes of exhaustive explanation.

But when they thought about who was sitting with them today they understood it immediately why he was making the effort today. Apparently he was trying to flatter the future CEO of the company. The motivation was transparent.

Manager Arjun who still remained blissfully unaware about Alex's true identity sat directly next to him.

He spoke in a low conspiratorial voice barely above a whisper.

"Let me teach you the first trick. If you want to gain the leader's attention you must dare to express yourself boldly.

If you think the leader or director in this case is wrong you must dare to stand up and refute them publicly! You must put forward your own opinions!"

He leaned in closer making sure his words reached only Alex's ears.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he spoke, a nervous habit he displayed when scheming.

His eyes darted around the room checking if anyone else was listening to their private conversation. Secrecy was essential.

"Oh is that so, I understand now."

"Then I will give it a try."

Alex smiled faintly but said nothing more. His expression was unreadable.

This was becoming interesting. He knew there was never an apple that fell free from the sky. This manager must have some motives in encouraging him. The trap was obvious.

But he didn't just care about the consequences because he has something under his sleeves that no one knew.

"Wait for your perfect moment to shine!" Manager Arjun urged again with false encouragement.

His voice took on an almost theatrical quality as he emphasized the word "shine."

He patted Alex on the shoulder with exaggerated friendliness.

His smile widened showing too many teeth. He nodded enthusiastically as if he was genuinely invested in Alex's success and advancement.

Alex nodded calmly without betraying his thoughts.

Then under everyone's shocked gaze Alex stood up deliberately. He stated with complete calm "Director I believe there are some unreasonable aspects to your mission plan!"

For one suspended moment the entire meeting room fell into complete silence. The atmosphere became slightly awkward and tense. Time seemed to stop.

Nobody had expected this development from the newcomer.

The future son-in-law would jump out and object publicly!

For several moments no one dared to speak or breathe.

People exchanged nervous glances across the conference table. Some employees shifted uncomfortably in their seats making the chairs creak. A few covered their mouths to hide their shocked expressions.

Others stared down at their notebooks pretending to write something important. The tension was suffocating.

"Hehe perfect."

"Are you not doomed now?"

"The director was there speaking at length with tremendous confidence in his plans. He spoke eloquently. And you as a mere newcomer dared to oppose him in front of everyone? How could you be so disrespectful to him?"

"If you offend the director like this will he not find some opportunity to fire you?"

Manager Arjun thought to himself with a malicious smile spreading across his face.

His internal satisfaction grew with each passing second. He imagined how this scene would play out perfectly.

He pictured Alex being humiliated and dismissed in front of everyone.

He envisioned himself swooping in to save the situation and earning the director's gratitude and trust.

His plan was unfolding exactly as he had orchestrated it. Victory was close.

At this critical time it was his moment to shine!

He immediately stood up dramatically. Using his position of authority to belittle Alex he scolded loudly for all to hear.

"What do you know as a new intern? The director has over twenty years of experience in the marketing department. Do you think you can argue with that level of expertise?"

His voice rang out with artificial indignation that filled the room. He gestured dramatically toward the director as he spoke. His tone carried the weight of authority mixed with condescension. He made sure every word was loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.

This was what he considered his brilliant strategy coming together.

First it would ruin Alex's career prospects completely.

Second it would indirectly showcase himself as a loyal defender.

Killing two birds with one stone!

Manager Arjun thought he was extraordinarily skilled at workplace schemes! His genius was unmatched.

"Alex!" At this moment Director Divansh stood up slowly. He looked directly at Alex with an unreadable expression.

All the employees present thought the director was about to harshly criticize Alex now.

"I wonder if the director will yell at Alex knowing his special status? Perhaps he will not?"

"Possibly the director cares most about his image. He hates when people contradict him during meetings."

"This manager is genuinely disgusting. Always using others as stepping stones to show off himself."

"I have been scammed by him before using the exact same tactic."

"Damn! Me too! He did the same to me last year!"

"No one in our department likes him at all. Everyone despises him."

However the very next moment Director Divansh's performance left everyone completely speechless!

They witnessed something extraordinary and unexpected.

Director Divansh unusually looked at Alex with a broad genuine smile. He laughed heartily. He spoke with obvious admiration shining in his eyes.

"Haha! Daring to question! Daring to refute! Someone like you deserves our complete admiration! Your courage is commendable! Everyone should learn from this new intern's example! Let us give him a round of applause!"

Everyone looked bewildered and confused by this response.

However they still applauded as directed obediently.

"Clap clap clap!"

The sound echoed through the conference room.

Manager Arjun was absolutely dumbfounded. His world was shattering.

No this could not be!

Surprisingly Director Divansh did not criticize this newcomer at all.

Instead he praised him enthusiastically? This made no sense!

His face went pale then flushed red with embarrassment. His hands trembled slightly at his sides.

His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.

His mind raced trying to comprehend what had just happened. Nothing made sense anymore.

Divansh's gaze swept around the meeting room slowly. Finally it settled on Alex. He smiled warmly with genuine affection.

"You are absolutely correct. This plan does have some flaws. At the time due to severe time constraints I had no choice but to cut some steps from the plan.

You are right to point out that we cannot compromise when dealing with clients. We must put our hearts into the work completely."

After saying this he changed the subject dramatically "Alex! He is officially hired permanently! Promoted immediately to senior level employee status!"

"Let us give him another round of applause!"

The words fell like thunder upon the room.

Throughout the meeting room a thunderous eruption of applause followed immediately.

Led by the director himself the entire audience applauded enthusiastically without question.

Manager Arjun's eyes widened with complete disbelief and horror.

No!

What had just happened? How did events develop like this?

What exactly was this situation! His plan had backfired catastrophically.

Even though he was cursing furiously inside he did not dare show it on his face. He kept smiling falsely with great effort.

His jaw clenched tight behind his forced smile. His fists balled up under the table where no one could see.

Sweat began forming on his forehead despite the air conditioning running.

Every muscle in his body tensed with suppressed rage and humiliation. He wanted to scream.

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Half An Hour Later

The meeting had finally ended mercifully.

Manager Arjun unwilling to give up his schemes pulled Alex into his private office forcefully.

He spoke with false earnestness dripping from every word "Alex did you observe what just happened? It is because of my experience and advice that you got promoted and received a raise so quickly! Now! I am going to teach you the second trick for getting promoted in the workplace."

He closed the door behind them with exaggerated care making sure no one could overhear.

He gestured for Alex to sit in the chair opposite his desk.

He paced back and forth in front of the window trying to appear thoughtful and wise like a mentor.

"Please tell me."

Alex looked at him with a half-smile that suggested he understood everything clearly.

"It is excellent that you are this eager towards your ambition."

Arjun said with a serious expression replacing his earlier smile "The second trick is learning how to report! How to complain strategically!

Report leaders who bring harm to the company! The more you report the faster you will get promoted!"

He leaned forward placing both hands on his desk for emphasis.

His eyes gleamed with what he believed was cunning intelligence.

He spoke slowly making sure each word carried weight and importance.

His expression became grave as if he was sharing some profound corporate wisdom passed down through generations.

Alex pretended to have a grateful face "Manager you are such a good person. Willing to mentor younger colleagues so generously."

"Haha of course."

Arjun laughed heartily with false generosity and pride.

After saying this he also generously gave Alex a USB drive containing supposed evidence against some less than decent people.

He pulled the USB drive from his desk drawer with theatrical secrecy.

He placed it in Alex's palm and closed his fingers around it conspiratorially. He winked as if they were now partners in some important mission together.

His smile stretched wide across his face revealing his satisfaction with his own cleverness and manipulation.

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