Chapter 24: J&J Corporation: Under the Spotlight!
you
“Lily, today was terrible until you arrived,” John said, his voice warm and genuine.“Andy and thinking of me and coming to see me at the office… it makes me so happy.” He continued, “This cabinet is full of your favorite snacks. I stocked up when I heard you were coming back…”
Watching his father charm his mother with a tour of his office, Andy felt a surge of icy disdain. “The old fox, so cunning!* He was deliberately portraying himself as vulnerable to evoke ‘his mother’s sympathy and gain her favor.
Andy regretted his impulsive decision. He should have planned this more carefully!
“Lily, I have two hours left until I finish work. Shall we go home together?” John asked. Lily looked at Andy questioningly, gauging whether he wanted to wait for his father.
“Okay. We can take a tour of the company in the meantime,” she said, suggesting an alternative. The J&J Corporation building was vast, with exceptional employee amenities: recreation areas, a gym, unique interior landscaping, and an impressive cafeteria. Most importantly, it would give her a firsthand look at the company’s growth over the past fifteen years, contrasting his father’s ruthless business practices with his current demeanor. His gentleness towards his mother was a sham!
“Then, John, you focus on work. We’ll go
home together later,” Lily said. John’s temple throbbed. He trusted his employees not to gossip, but with his rebellious son around, there was no guarantee!
“Lily, let me accompany you,” he offered.
ily instantly refused. With the big boss present, it wouldn’t be a tour, but an inspection! It would make everyone nervous, ruining any chance of a relaxed visit.
“No. If you don’t focus on work, we’re leaving now!”
With a sigh, John relented, pulling a card from his drawer.“Take this.” It was his access card–he never used it; facial recognition was standard throughout the building. “I have a card,” Andy said, holding up his employee ID.“Mine works everywhere in the building.” Andy fell silent. As an intern, his card only worked on his floor.
Lily and Andy left, John watching their backs with a knowing smile. Andy planned to leave his father at the office, avoiding any interruptions. It would give him a chance to share “stories” as he toured the building. For instance, at the legal department, he could discuss that acquisition, detailing the failed threats and subsequent demise of the opposing CEO. At administration, he could mention the public relations strategy his father used to handle online criticism… He hadn’t agreed *not* to share those stories, just that he wouldn’t share certain ones! Truthfully, John’s past fifteen years were full of questionable decisions, providing Andy with ample material.
Unfortunately, Andy’s plan was foiled. Experience triumphs youth. John might not
not be physically present, but his card had
a considerable presence.
J&J Corporation was divided into numerous departments, each with many studios and even branch offices… Unauthorized individuals were strictly prohibited from wandering around. The elevators were locked, and office doors required key card access.
Chapter 24: J&J Corporation: Under …
Manu
Andy assumed he only needed to swipe his card to access any department. What he didn’t know was that not all access cards were created equal. His intern card simply beeped and allowed access. But the CEO’s card was different. As the owner of J&J Corporation, his card was anything but ordinary.
When Lily held the card to the reader, the door swung open with a ninety–degree flourish! Warm yellow lights illuminated the entrance, and a voice announced:
“-Welcome.”
Lily, being a first–timer, didn’t grasp the significance. The employees, however, did. Their card swipes were *nothing like that! Theirs just blinked green, unlocking the door, and they pushed it open. They’d never seen anything so extravagant!
Every eye in the vicinity turned. They’d never known the security doors had such fancy features! When John visited the employee areas, it was an official inspection, with managers and executives already prepared. The doors were always open. Employees were completely unaware of this “special effect.”
Thus, Lily and Andy became the center of attention. Normally, new faces were unnoticed, but today, everyone was staring. One employee even jogged over.“Excuse me, do you need any assistance?”
Before she finished, a figure bolted out from a manager’s office. Manager Black, with a wide, friendly smile, approached them.“Welcome, welcome! .Is there anything I can help you with?” Ordinary employees might not know, but some managers did: only the CEO’s access card triggered this “special sound and light show“-a little Easter egg from the design team. Anyone carrying John’s card had to be important! Manager Black swallowed hard, his eyes glued to Lily and Andy.
Lily/Andy:…
Both felt the urge to discard the card immediately.
“We’re just looking around,” Andy said.
“Of course, of course, please feel free,” Manager Black said, smoothly stepping back to follow them. He wasn’t leaving their side. Andy’s cold demeanor didn’t deter him.
Other employees, catching Manager Black’s eye, diligently resumed their work, tidying their desks.
Lily felt like a school principal conducting a cleanliness inspection!
Andy, arms crossed, glared. This made it impossible to gossip!
They swiftly completed their tour and left the office area. Manager Black, like an overly enthusiastic relative, waved them goodbye.“Come again anytime! You’re always welcome!”
“This card is useless,” Lily declared gravely, Andy nodding in agreement. But it wasn’t! It wasn’t the card itself–it was the fact that they didn’t *need* the card. On the next floor, while accessing the area with Andy’s card, they encountered another enthusiastic manager, their hope withering.
This proved one thing: there were no secrets in J&J Corporation, and employees had excellent relationships. Word spread like wildfire. Employees in the first department texted friends in other departments:
Big boss is inspecting! No slacking off! Caught offenders will be made examples of!]
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Chapter 24: J&J Corporation: Under …
two
Menu
“inspectors‘ clothing,
the main point, they described After conveying the Whether they used the card or not didn’t matter; the mother and son were being tracked. Some employees, eager to see this fabled door–opening sequence, casually lingered by the entrances. Sneaking in was impossible. They were spotted from afar, from the elevator to the security door.
Andy watched as they were greeted with unrestrained enthusiasm at every stop, managers trailing behind. He ground his teeth in frustration. *Damn it!**
