On the following day, in the afternoon, Linda called Rachel, the Global HR Head, in the office in the US.
“Good morning Rachel, I know you’re busy, but could you bear with me for a few minutes? Actually, there is something I really need to get your ear on. It’s about Mark. As you know, he comes from a very well connected family who runs another big company in our industry. People in Europe say that Mark is going to be the next CEO. I am honestly sorry to report this to you, but I am afraid that Mark might be getting into HR unnecessary details, and even becoming arrogant. He says it’s not right that Sandrine and Katelyn, Ben’s previous mistresses, are being kept in positions that are completely redundant. You see, they worked as Bens’ assistants for a short period of time. They then moved to their current positions in the newly created Swiss office. Those were fair appointments based on their abilities and great personality. It seems that now Mark assumes that he can do whatever he wants, not asking for Ben’s approval. Actually he also told me to just execute all his orders regarding HR and consider his orders as the final orders of the company, not needing any check with you or Ben. And on top of that, he told me the other day that the personnel of this company are completely corrupt, mentioning you. He said, Rachel was a perfect example of those useless people who went up by sleeping with Ben. That’s why he didn’t trust anyone in this company’s HR and brought Tuuli outside to take care of HR for the European region. Mark used some really horrible expressions for you, right in front of me and other people. I was so shocked and couldn’t stop crying, while he was damning you and Ben. I would just like to perform my duties as the HR Head in this small region to work for you and Ben. With Mark getting into the HR domain like this, it’s difficult.”
Rachel seemed speechless at the unexpected news. Grinning secretly on the phone, Linda continued.
“People under Mark, the regional leadership team, are all aware of his comments about you and Ben, but nobody says anything against Mark. They don’t have courage to bring it to Ben as they report directly to Mark. They are afraid of him, who is likely to be the next CEO. Maybe, they half believe all this bad gossip fabricated by Mark, although I never trusted such a lie. But some people in the Swiss office have started talking about these horrible stories and laughing. I know all this because I am still partially based in the Swiss office and go there often, even though I am in charge of Eastern Europe. I could still report all these to you as I don’t report to Mark directly, but still I am shivering because of my fear for Mark,” Linda said with her voice trembling.
“If you let this go around, you and Ben’s authority will be completely undermined. Of course there are always silly people who envy your status and success and say this and that, but I’ve never heard it as bad as this, nor so openly. To make the matter worse, the person is high-ranked in the company with a powerful family background. I am even afraid that it is Mark’s plan to damage the reputation of you and Ben so that he could get the CEO’s position even sooner..,” Linda made a pause after saying this feebly.
“I’m really proud to work for a great boss like you in HR and I respect Ben from the bottom of my heart. I simply think Ben appointed you to the Chief position seeing through your exceptional quality as he has eyes for people. It’s just Mark who makes our work a lot more difficult.”
This series of lies slurred out of her mouth like water on a plank. Linda herself was surprised at how convincingly she could tell a story like this. This story had a lot of elements to sound likely and to make Rachel jump on it. First, there is the story of Mark, gaining power in the company and likely to be considered as the next CEO. The relationship between Ben and Rachel, the CEO and the Head of HR, which would be super taboo but somebody like Mark might talk about it when he thought he should be safe enough. As Linda intended, she was able to set the stage: a crisis to Rachel and Ben’s authority. Linda, as a loyal subordinate, is only reporting the evil attack, not believing any of the horrible rumors. Linda fabricated such a story instantly, to set up Mark as an evil attacker and Linda to play the savior’s role. As expected, Rachel danced around Linda’s skilful lies.
Rachel finally opened her mouth. “There is no excuse for leaving such an insolent liar there. Of course, these are all horrible lies to attack us. Ben and I are just professionals, dedicating ourselves to run the company and there are no such things like affairs. As you say, Ben is a man of integrity and never brings personal matters into business. I’ll take what I’ve heard to Ben and settle it properly. Thank you for reporting this,” Rachel said to Linda, trying to keep her voice down as she shook with anger and tried to keep her cool.
A few days later, Ben got on his private jet and went to the Swiss office to have a meeting with Mark in person. In his hand he had a termination letter for Mark prepared by Rachel. At the meeting, Mark was fired with immediate effect, which shocked everybody in the company. The position for General Manager for Europe was left open for over a year, until finally a replacement of Mark was appointed by Ben.
Nobody knew what really happened between Mark and Ben; some said Mark openly criticized Ben about his strategies. But they never knew what was exactly the focus of Ben’s anger. As usual, Linda pretended to be surprised purely when she heard the news of Mark’s departure. “I really don’t know what happened between Ben and Mark, but I liked working with Mark,” Linda would give only this short comment when she was asked. Linda was actually very much pleased. Again, it worked. Smiling widely, Linda thanked God or Demon whoever gave her such an amazing talent in manipulation. The important first step was complete. Linda was to start working on the next step – to get rid of the new HR Head of Europe, Tuuli, which took her some time. Eventually by manipulating Rachel to make her believe Tuuli was betraying her, that was achieved successfully after two years of dirty efforts. Finally Linda climbed up to the position of the Head of HR Europe. It was only 6 years after Linda’s arrival at the company.
This story is fictitious and is not based on any real persons or organizations. Copyright: Kunoichi4You 2024
Psychopath in the Next Office 