Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted

"Secondly, you caused trouble during your side job. Instead of telling me right away, you let others find out and point fingers at you. If Sonia hadn't managed to concoct that bottle of essential oil today, do you realize how much responsibility you would have to bear?

"Lastly, you shouldn’t have knelt at my office door to beg for leniency. I really dislike people kneeling, whether it's to apologize, show remorse, or for any other reason. It's undignified and inappropriate! A person can kneel to the heavens, to their parents, or to benefactors, but we have an employer - employee relationship, and you're much older than I am. I can't accept your kneeling. To me, it feels like you're trying to force my hand.”

Larry couldn't speak. His face turned paler with each point Stella made, each one well-founded, leaving him no room for rebuttal. After a long pause, he finally muttered weakly, "I'm sorry."

Stella pressed her lips together and after a moment said, "Choose one. I'll try to negotiate with HR about your salary."

Larry was silent for a long time before softly asking, "Ms. Hall, is there any chance I could return to working for you?"

This time, Stella didn't answer immediately. She waited a moment before saying, "We'll see."

Once trust is broken, it's not easy to rebuild. Stella sympathized with Larry's family situation and understood why he sought a side job, but she didn't want someone prone to trouble around her. She couldn't risk being

betrayed unexpectedly. She didn't have enough compassion to spare for everyone. She would find another way to repay him for saving her during the interview.

Kneeling wouldn't solve any problems. She wouldn't relax her standards just because of this, allowing others to follow suit and use it as leverage in the future.

Seeing that Stella had made up her mind, Larry took his car keys from his pocket, placed them on her desk, bowed deeply, and said, "I'm sorry."

Stella lowered her eyes without saying a word.

Larry said, "You arrange it. I'll do whatever I can. Ms. Hall, even if I can't drive for you anymore, if you need help with anything, just let me know. I know you've been good to me. I know what's what."

His words made Stella feel uneasy. As a child, she used to feel sad seeing elderly scavengers on her way to school. She couldn't stand human suffering, but as she grew older, her heart hardened. She needed to establish authority and consider many factors. Even if she felt sympathy, she couldn't relent in her actions.

The child who couldn't bear to see suffering had eventually become a pragmatic adult.

After Larry finished speaking, he turned and walked out.

Stella looked up at his thin back and called out softly, "Wait a moment."

She wrote down an address and handed it to him. "Your son needs a cochlear implant, right? Go to this place and find the director. Tell them I referred you; they won't overcharge you." Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

Larry went over, took the note with both hands, and thanked Stella sincerely.

After Larry left, Stella made a phone call. "Aunt Sage, it's Stella. How have you been lately? Are you feeling well?"

After some small talk, Stella got to the point. "I have a favor to ask. A friend's son needs a cochlear implant. I gave him your contact information. His last name is Bard. If he comes to you, please help him get a suitable

implant and give him a discount. I'll cover the rest. It's a favor for me, and it will put my mind at ease.

"Yes, thank you very much. Yes, I'm at Caline now. If you have time, come visit. Why buy anything? I'll make a custom bottle for you. It's really no trouble. If anything, I owe you. Okay, just let me know when you're coming. Alright, goodbye.’

As Larry left Stella's office, his phone rang. He glanced at it and replied," I've been reassigned."

The response was, "Useless!”

Larry deleted the message expressionlessly and stood at the elevator for a moment before turning to take the stairs.