I stood there, taking it all in.
Never in my life had I imagined that as the owner of this company, I'd have my own employees shaking me down for a hiring fee.
Right outside the gates of my own company, no less. Broad daylight. Not an ounce of shame.
Rupert pulled out his phone and flashed his payment QR code, waiting for me to transfer the money like an obedient mark.
Maureen stood beside him, gloating. Her eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of someone savoring every second of payback.
A crowd of employees had gathered to watch.
Nobody seemed the least bit surprised by Rupert's behavior.
A few shot me sympathetic looks, urging me to just pay up before I lost my chance to stay at the company. Others smirked and mocked me, saying I'd picked the wrong person to cross—of all people, Director McClain.
Watching their reactions, I couldn't help asking Rupert:
"So everyone who wants to work here has to pay you a fifty-thousand-dollar 'placement fee'?"
Rupert let out a cold laugh.
"Depends on the situation."