Betrayed and Dumped: She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 363

When Sonja called him by his first name in that warm, familiar way, Bruce’s brows pulled even tighter together. At work, he liked to keep things strictly professional. He didn’t mix business with personal life, even if their engagement was just two days away. Doing this in front of all these employees was completely out of line.

He took a slow breath, forcing his frustration down, and his voice came out low and steady. “What’s going on here? Why are you arguing in the hallway so late at night?”

Aiden, the R&D team lead, opened his mouth to explain, but Sonja jumped in before he could get a word out. “Bruce, the R&D team just can’t handle pressure. They’re already talking about going on strike because they say the Skyline Capital project is too much for them. Since they’re so unhappy, I figured I’d make it easy and just fire them all. But instead of being grateful, Aiden storms into my office and starts blaming me. Can you believe the nerve?”

Aiden could barely keep it together. She was twisting everything, and it made him so angry he almost felt dizzy. “Mr. Lamont, that’s not how it happened at all. After we signed the Skyline Capital contract, Sonja told us we had to finish development in a month. She even threatened to cut our year-end bonuses if we didn’t deliver. You know how much work that is, sir. My whole team is already working nonstop, and even then, it’ll take us at least three months. Now she wants us to do it in a third of the time. It’s impossible.”

Sonja crossed her arms and let out a cold little laugh. “If working overtime isn’t enough, then just work around the clock. Treat the office like your home. We’ll provide cots and sleeping bags if that helps. The only real problem is people’s attitude. Aiden, you keep saying you care about your team, but first and foremost you’re an employee here, and then a team lead. Don’t forget where your loyalty should be. Your job is to help the company solve problems, not make excuses.”

Aiden’s voice shook, but he stood his ground. “We’re real human beings, not machines. We have families, parents, kids. Who can really work all day and all night? And Sonja, you’re supposed to be in charge of R&D and sales. You’re a vice president. Have you ever set an example for us? You don’t even work regular overtime. You stroll in at ten, leave at five, and your hours are lighter than the interns.”

Sonja’s face went white, then red. She hadn’t expected Aiden to call her out in front of everyone, not like this. She took a slow breath and turned to Bruce. “You see that, Bruce? The whole team has a terrible attitude. I have every reason to fire them.”

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