My Boss Put Me on Toilet Duty Until a French Tycoon Refused to Meet Anyone Else Chapter 02
The company brought in a new Operations Director from a top-tier corporation. Her name was Seraphina Voss.
During a management meeting, Mr. Boone introduced her to everyone.
“Seraphina is an expert in digital operations. She will lead our company’s operational transformation moving forward.”
Her first order of business was to gather all department heads. She announced the push for digital transformation, cost reduction and efficiency improvement.
She called in all administrative staff for a meeting on her first day.
I was not invited. She said a lobby concierge had no reason to attend.
Right after the meeting, she headed straight for the lobby. The sharp click of her heels echoed across the entire floor.
She stopped directly in front of me and looked me over from head to toe. She stared for five full seconds without uttering a word.
I knew that look well. It was pure disdain.
“You’re the lobby concierge?”
“I am.”
“Your name?”
“Elowen Hale.”
“How long have you worked here?”
“Five years.”
“Five years?” She let out a cold laugh.
“You’ve stayed stuck at this entry-level job for five years. Are you truly incompetent, or just too shameless to move on?”
Her words hit me hard. A few coworkers walking by slowed their steps to listen.
She picked up the paper sign-in logbook and flipped through its pages.
“Handwritten entries? Who still uses something this outdated in this day and age?”
“We have the digital system too, but some clients struggle to use it—”
“Ignoring client limitations just to coddle them?” she cut me off sharply. “Are you here to work, or to act as a personal caretaker for everyone?”
I opened my mouth to explain, but no words came out.
She slammed the logbook back onto the counter with a loud bang.
“Starting tomorrow, the lobby will run entirely on digital tools. Guests will check in via the kiosk, packages go into the lockers, and all calls route to the automated attendant. We no longer need a dedicated staff member here.”
“What work will I do then?”
“You will report to the warehouse. You’ll also take on janitorial work and general facilities support.”
“I’d be doing three separate jobs alone?”
She stared at me as if I was being unreasonable.
“Elowen, let me be honest with you.”
She stepped closer until I could smell her perfume.
“With your age and your education level, no other company would hire you. I’m keeping you on staff out of pity.”
Just then, Lila Mendez walked over. She had listened to the whole exchange, her face pale with shock.
“Ms. Voss,” Lila’s voice trembled. “Elowen has worked here for five years, and she’s done an amazing job. All our clients praise her service. Can’t you reconsider?”
“And who are you?” Seraphina turned her cold gaze toward Lila.
“I’m on the content team.”
“Administrative matters are none of your business. Do you think you have the right to interrupt?”
“I just think—”
“You think? Are you her supervisor? A family member? What gives you the nerve to speak up?”
Three sharp questions left Lila frozen. She stood there, unable to say a single word.
I tugged gently at Lila’s sleeve. “It’s alright. You can go.”
“You’re quite protective of her, I see.” Seraphina emphasized the word longtime with clear malice.
“You want to keep working? Then manage the warehouse, clean the facilities and handle all support tasks. If you can’t handle the load, hand in your resignation yourself.”
“Don’t waste your time worrying about the lobby. Do you really think a bunch of machines can’t outperform an aging woman like you?”
“Be here tomorrow to move your things.”
She shot me one last glare and walked away. The sound of her heels grew fainter down the hallway.
The lobby fell dead silent. Tears streamed down Lila’s cheeks.
“How could she talk to you like that?”
I patted her hand softly. “It’s fine.”
“Why didn’t you stand up and argue back?”
What would arguing accomplish?
Would fighting bring my old position back? Would it make her change her mind and keep me at the front desk?
No. She would only label me difficult and push harder to get rid of me.
The only choice I had was to comply.
The next morning, I reported to the warehouse.
The digital check-in kiosk stood tall in the lobby entrance. Package lockers lined the wall by the doors, and the automated phone system waited to take calls.
My old workstation sat empty. The desk, chair and potted plant all remained, but no one was there to man the lobby anymore.
