The Rise of Damien Whitlock

Chapter4

Corporate Conflict

"I did the right thing! Why was she pointing at me while they all laughed? It must have been someone else," Damien grappled with his thoughts.

“I told you he was just lucky to see the CEO’s good part. He doesn't look like someone who could succeed in tech. world.” Rose said, mocking him.

“But he assisted me with mine; in fact, he did it. I checked, and it seems correct,” Vivian said, trying to be by his side.

“You'd better beg Mr. Jaxon to allow you to do it again before he submits to Mr. Ethan. That would be better for you if you think well.” Rose said.

“Initially, you're not qualified to be a staff, but now, you've ruined the opportunity that you had. Is this the person who has been nominated to represent the company in the upcoming competition? I hope he doesn't bring down the company's reputation.” Jaxon said.

“Can you please allow me to take a look at his work?” Vivian said, her voice was below a whisper.

“Of course, why not?” Jaxon said, shrugging his shoulders.

He wanted everyone to shame him. He left his seat and allowed Vivian to see through Damien's work.

“Oops! This is out of it” Vivian said in disappointment.

“But how come?” She said, facing Damien.

“I did the right thing, maybe something's wrong somewhere,” Damien replied to Vivian.

“That is the worst thing about him, he's boastful, he'd never take to corrections.” Jaxon faced Damien angrily.

Other staff started talking to themselves in favour of Jaxon.

“He's not capable, that was why he applied as an intern. Why would the CEO hire him as a staff?” One of the staff said.

“It's just better that he doesn't represent the company in the competition. If not, I hope we don't lose our standard.” Jaxon said.

“We need to vote, I don't think he's capable.” Another staff replied.

“Maybe he should be laid off instead,” Rose said.

“You're not human. Why would you say that to your fellow?” Vivian angrily faced Rose.

“My fellow? How dare you compare me with this stinking, ugly person.” Rose replied angrily.

“He's far better than you. You can't even reason half of what he could.” Vivian said.

“I can see that from the just concluded assignment. At least he helped you; let's wait to see your result, too. Rose laughed out loud.

“It's okay, please, don't say any word again. I know you are trying to defend me.” Damien said calmly, holding Vivian by her wrist.

“You i***t, can you see what you've caused between colleagues? This has never happened in this office. You have just brought misfortune to the office.” Jaxon faced Damien.

“Excuse me, I'd not said anything despite the trolls she threw at me,” Damien said, pointing to Rose, his heart sank.

“How dare you talk to me that way? Do you know the position I hold in this office? It's over for you. Mr. Ethan needs to hear about how rudely you have been just in less than 24 hours on your first day at work.” Jaxon said, bragging.

Chaos filled the room as Jaxon kept bullying Damien; Rose didn't keep quiet, still throwing loads of words at Damien, and other staff were talking about the incident. Larger members supported Jaxon, and a few were at Damien's side.

“Stop it! What could be the reason for all this rubbish?” Ethan said as he stormed into the room annoyingly.

He did not expect to see the office in such a state of pandemonium, especially when the staff had a deadline to meet for their assignment. Moreover, Jaxon, who's supposed to supervise the task, joined in the nuisance happenings.

“Mr. Jaxon, what were you doing while this was happening? Don't you know your responsibility?” He said annoyingly, his voice loud and aggressive.

“And I promise all of you, I'd fire anyone who's behind turning the office into a market.” Jaxon, give me the report of what happened in three minutes.” Ethan commanded.

“We're sorry, Sir; while I was going through their assignments, I tried to correct Mr Damien's work, but he proved stubborn and has been like that to me, Sir,” Jaxon explained, acting innocent.

Damien's heart raced; he didn't expect just that brief explanation. Moreover, he lied. “I didn't drag anything with him. Did I?” Damien asked himself.

“However, he didn't mention all that Rose said to me; what did I do to him to deserve this hatred.” Damien kept soliloquizing.

“Mr. Damien?” Ethan shouted, he was irked.

“I've never seen a situation where new staff were boastful to whom they met in the office. Not only that but to my own director? It's a pity, you must be fired.”

Damien bowed his head in sadness. He thought that was all for him in the company. How does he prove himself right? Virtually everyone was against him. Even if Vivian proves them wrong, they could all say it was because he helped her with the assignment.

Although Ethan loves intelligent and vast workers, he doesn't tolerate any form of disrespect from the staff.

Jaxon was extremely glad, no amount of assessment could quantify the level of his happiness. At least, his aim is coming to pass slowly, eventually, he would have no rival in the office.

“Excuse me, Sir, please, check the CCTV camera.” Vivian raised her voice from where she was standing.

Initially, she didn't want to say anything because she was mainly involved in the incident and it could cost her job, but she can't stand the guilt if, in the long run, Damien was laid off.

“Really? Vivian, do you mean Jaxon doesn't know his job or he's lying? Ethan asked.

“I didn't mean that Sir, but there is more to it,” Vivian replied.

“OK, let's do that. After all, there was a reason it was placed there.” Ethan agreed.