Chapter 395 Are You Hungry?
Aurelia entered the room, pulled out the executive chair, and sat down, quietly listening to her speak.
Amy had become much more haggard over the years, no longer the spirited person she was four years ago, now looking like a middle-aged professional worn down by time.
She brushed aside the stray hair on her forehead and continued, "The Heilbronn Group is known for treating its employees well, but when it comes to matters involving you, Mr. Heilbronn handled it very..."
At this point, she paused, lost in thought, "Harshly."
Amy used "harshly" to describe the mass layoffs at the Heilbronn Group back then, "In fact, it wasn't just the design department; anyone in other departments who had spoken ill of you was also directly fired. The contract termination compensation was strictly according to the law, not a penny more."
Aurelia remembered that when she worked at the Heilbronn Group, the employee handbook stated that employees who had been with the company for more than three years or had made significant contributions would receive an extra two months' salary as a consolation when they left. This was an unspoken benefit of the Heilbronn Group.
At that time, many senior employees in the design department had been with the Heilbronn Group for more than three years.
In retrospect, that was the year the pandemic broke out. Companies large and small across the country were laying off employees, every industry was in a slump, and it was the hardest year to find a job.
Young people could manage, but senior employees with families faced immense pressure when suddenly laid off—mortgages, car loans, supporting elderly parents, raising children—none of these expenses could be cut.
Workers relied on their monthly salaries to live, and sudden unemployment was a devastating blow.
Nathaniel's actions were legally sound; as the boss, he dismissed employees and compensated them according to legal requirements.
From the employees' perspective, however, there was no sense of humanity. Moreover, they had not made any mistakes at work and were dismissed without warning, leaving them unprepared.
Aurelia asked, "Didn't he give you time to find a new job?"
Amy shook her head bitterly, "Mr. Heilbronn told us to leave immediately, no need to hand over our work."
Amy continued, "Do you remember Andrew from the marketing department?"
Aurelia vaguely remembered him—a big belly, greasy hair, sycophantic to superiors, and condescending to subordinates.
Fortunately, he was competent at his job, so Nathaniel gave him a high position.
The marketing department had little interaction with the design department. When Aurelia was falsely accused of theft by Chelsea, the rumor spread throughout the company.
Even after she cleared her name, Andrew Jenkins had mocked her in the elevator, insinuating that she was a thief unworthy of being a Heilbronn Group employee.
Aurelia nodded, "I remember."
"He was also fired by Mr. Heilbronn. I heard he was unemployed for over a year before finding a new job, demoted several levels at a rival company of the Heilbronn Group, with his salary cut by more than half."
To have been the head of the marketing department at the Heilbronn Group, he should have been able to secure a vice president position at another company, with stock options and bonuses. However, senior positions were already filled, and no one was willing to step aside for him, leaving him stuck in a high but unattainable position.
After over a year of struggling, Andrew finally joined a new company.
People always gave in to money; if not now, then eventually.
Economic pressure forced him to compromise with reality, shattering his arrogance.
Aurelia had no idea that such significant events had occurred at the Heilbronn Group after she left. She had never told anyone about Andrew offending her; there was no one else in the elevator at the time, so no one knew about it.
She couldn't understand how Nathaniel knew about these things and dealt with those people one by one.
Aurelia said, "How about you? Did you find a job easily?"
Amy's eyes dimmed, "It was relatively smooth. After I left, I moved to Coral Bay. My child had health issues, and my best friend is here, so I brought my child over for support. The hospital here specializes in my child's condition, so we don't have to travel back and forth for treatment."
After chatting for so long, the sky outside had turned dark, and the office area was quiet, with all the employees having left.
Amy finished her cup of water, stood up, and threw the disposable cup into the trash can, "Sorry for taking up so much of your time. I went to the hospital this afternoon, so I was late for the interview. Now it's time for my son to eat, and I need to hurry back."
Aurelia stood up and politely saw her out.
She couldn't easily forgive those who had hurt her in the past, so she wouldn't give Amy this job opportunity. "Take care."
After Amy left, Aurelia returned to her office. Nathaniel's old computer was still locked in her office drawer. She couldn't help but wonder what that man was doing. She had sent him a message on Facebook at noon, but he hadn't replied.
Just as she was thinking about this, her phone rang. Speak of the devil.
Aurelia pressed the answer button, and Nathaniel's handsome face appeared on the screen, "Aurelia, how was lunch?"
"Mr. Heilbronn, why are you always a step behind? It's already dinner time, and you're asking about lunch. Are you even thinking about making this relationship official?"
Nathaniel leaned back in his black leather chair, smiling brightly, "Why don't you set some clear rules for me, how to earn points and lose points? I need a direction to strive for, or I'll be really lost."
"When you were in school, did any teacher give you the exam paper in advance? Didn't everyone just study hard and guess the questions themselves?"
"Good point. But at this time, are you hungry? How about trying dinner at The Velvet Palate? They have flavors you like."
Aurelia was taken aback, "How do you know so much about The Velvet Palate?"
Nathaniel smirked, "Because the owner of The Velvet Palate is your boyfriend. How could I not know?"
Aurelia was completely stunned. She had wondered why The Velvet Palate, originally a Southern cuisine restaurant, had suddenly changed its menu and even its decor. They even had sandwiches, waffles, and other baked goods she often ate at Imperick on the menu.
So that was why...
Aurelia said, "The chef wouldn't happen to be..."
Nathaniel chuckled and nodded, "You guessed it. I poached the chef from Imperick, and it cost me a lot. I might lose money in the first month of this restaurant's operation."
Aurelia couldn't help but be impressed by his efforts. She recalled that when Nathaniel had invited the office to dine at The Velvet Palate, she hadn't shown him any kindness.
At that time, he had already done his homework, acquired a nice restaurant close to her office, and even spent a lot to bring over her favorite chef from Imperick.
This move was indeed commendable.
"Mr. Heilbronn, well done."
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