Chương 157: Chapter 155 – You’re Fired!

Mordak made his way back up to his office. Did not see that one coming, Mordak thought walking down the hall. Sure, I expected to warn Jethro that his behavior the night before at dinner was unacceptable; he had to set an example, but I did not expect to have to terminate him. Getting drunk at a dinner to celebrate a new role in senior management was forgivable. It showed a lack of restraint and judgment though. This was his first offense, I could have let that go. The one thing I can't forgive is incompetence.

"Mr. Blackwood, Sir!" his assistant called out.

"I didn't expect you back…" He paused, looking guilty up at him.

"So… eh… soon," he continued, squeezing his way out from behind the towering, gold‑plated monument to madness.

"I was just polishing you… I mean, your statue," he said, holding up the rag in one hand, then motioning to the nine‑foot statue. Speaking of incompetence…

"Great, you missed a spot! You're fired. Get your ass out of my sight, and before you go, have GR send down a replacement," Mordak said, making large strides to his office.

"Sir?" the assistant muttered, looking at him, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

"Was I not clear?" Mordak yelled.

"Or do you have some kind of mental defect? Or maybe a hearing problem?" he asked, walking back toward him.

"Here, let me make this easy for you to understand either way… I said… you…" he pointed at the assistant, "are fired… kaput… no longer work here. You can use that rag…" he said motioning to the assistant's hand "... to wipe away your tears on your way out… consider it a souvenir."

"Yes, sir." The assistant replied, placing the rag on the desk.

"I will have Goblin Resources send down a replacement right away, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?" Mordak watched the assistant leave with a sense of smug satisfaction, then walked into his office and slammed the door. How could Jethro be so stupid? Something as simple as checking his mail daily for that missing piece… how long had it been there? What condition had it been in when it arrived? His thoughts raced, causing his anger to fester.

Too bad you can't have someone terminated more than once. Mordak picked up the phone and dialed. He sat at his desk, eager for someone to pick up the other end. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"Malik?" he asked.

"Oh Thorne, Malik around? No? Oh okay, so he is still taking care of it. Okay great… yup, do that. Thanks," he said, putting the phone down. He began shuffling through the papers on his desk; a light knock on the door caused him to look up.

"Sir, GR sent me down," the assistant said flatly.

"Yeah, yeah, your desk is out there. Unless you want to be making a trip to GR to get your replacement, I recommend that you go sit at it," Mordak growled.

"Yes, sir," the assistant said, heading back into the reception area.

"Whoa! Wait!" Mordak called out, causing the assistant to turn on his heel and return to the office door.

"Yes, sir? Can I get you something?"

"What's your name?" Mordak demanded.

"Tuthmosis, Sir," he said, giving him a half smile.

"Tuthmosis?" Mordak asked, standing up from the desk.

"Tuthmosis," he rolled the name out over his tongue. Why does that name seem so familiar? he mumbled, looking out the window briefly before turning back to him. Then shrugged his shoulders.

"Eh… Doesn't matter," he said, shaking his head, then looked directly at him.

"Well Tuthmosis, I'm feeling a bit peckish. Somewhere on that desk out there…" he paused, "the idiot you replaced should have a memo out there for my order at McJunky's. Get it here in fifteen minutes, or you're fired!"

"Yes, Sir," Tuthmosis said, digging his fingernails into his palms, trying to maintain control of the rage.

"Will there be anything else, sir?" he asked, forcing a smile.

"Just shut the door behind you on your way out and remember fifteen minutes…"

"Or I'm fired, I get it," he said, shutting the door. Mordak looked at the door, unsure if he wanted to call him back in for talking to him like he had power. How dare he? He shouldn't be so flippant; he should be cowering. His private line began to ring, breaking the silence and his train of thought. He scrambled to pick it up. Anticipation made his arms break out in goosebumps. He raised the receiver to his ear as he sat down, then pressed the red flashing button on the phone.

"Blackwood," he answered.

"Malik?... Good… Great… You're sure?"

"Excellent… Excellent… Nope, I'll let you know… Bye," he said, hanging up the phone. He sat back in his chair, placing his elbows on the armrests and lifting his fingers to his chin. He could feel the smile forming.

"One problem taken care of," he whispered, staring at the wall. Just got to get Wentworth and Elios to fall in line and I will have that place taken over in no time. It will be mine, the people will have no problem relocating there. The question is, do I send the elderly first and make them think it is a new old folks community or… He leaned forward, grabbed a pen and paper, and began writing furiously, an evil smile forming on his lips as he prioritized his plan.