Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 464

Annalise Johnston’s embarrassment was plain on her face, and the rest of the staff instantly fell silent.

Some dropped their gaze and focused on their food, while others held their breath, lips pressed tight as they struggled to keep their expressions neutral.

“Annalise’s just spent too many years abroad. She doesn’t care much for rigid office hierarchies,” Simon piped up in her defense, raising his voice so everyone could hear. “Selene, you become CEO and can’t wait for everyone to bow and scrape before you? Maybe you don’t realize it, but in modern companies, everyone’s on a first-name basis. That whole pecking order thing is long gone.”

His sarcasm was unmistakable—Simon clearly had no respect for Selene.

Selene met his contemptuous gaze. “Fine,” she replied coolly.

She continued, “Let’s just abolish all company titles, then. Everyone gets the same rank, pay is based solely on performance, and anyone above level four is now demoted to level four. That way, we’ll finally get rid of all those class distinctions people seem so worried about.”

Annalise’s expression changed instantly. She narrowed her eyes with a forced smile. “Selene, is this your way of targeting me?”

Selene answered without hesitation, “As the executive personally appointed by Ms. Lockridge to run QuanTech Innovations, if you have a problem with my decisions, you’re welcome to take it up with her.”

Then, addressing everyone in the room, Selene declared, “You all have a day to decide. Either get on board with equal ranks and salaries, or take a hard look at who you’re really working for!”

Heads ducked even lower around the table.

Quentin hurried to smooth things over. “Selene is Ms. Lockridge’s chosen leader. If Ms. Lockridge made this decision, I’m sure she has her reasons!”

This was about their paychecks—no one wanted their salary cut or their position downgraded just because Annalise didn’t fit in with the local business culture.

“Annalise, you’re back now. It’s time to adapt. You should address Selene respectfully—as Mr. Thompson.”

Selene looked him dead in the eye. “Actually, I can. Want to test that theory?”

She called out to the HR manager, who was just about to slip away.

“Manager William, please draft a notice demoting Simon to staff level. See if there’s anywhere else in the company that suits his talents.”

Before Simon could blow up, Selene warned, “Simon, if you can’t do your job properly, you’re free to leave.”

Simon glared at her and slammed his fork on the table; he’d lost his appetite.

“Please, don’t fight over me,” Annalise said, pinching the bridge of her nose.