Chapter 6 ROBERT'S POV

I looked at Benjamin, who was seated at the table in front of me, and regarded him with seriousness. "Benjamin, you know that this dismissal was a hasty and unjust decision. The legal risks are real, and our reputation is at stake."

He lowered his head, looking defeated. "I know, Robert. I was under pressure, and I shouldn't have acted that way."

I took a deep breath and glanced at everyone in the room. "That's why I'm proposing the following: let's reverse Emma Williams' dismissal. She should be reinstated into the company immediately, and that way, we can prevent any lawsuits."

At this point, the lawyers presented a proposal. They suggested that we reach out to Emma and offer her the opportunity to return to the company, with the assurance that the situation would be properly resolved.

Olivia from Human Resources nodded, acknowledging the wisdom of this decision. The lawyers, although concerned about the legal risks, agreed that this was the best way to mitigate the damages.

Benjamin raised his eyes, surprised. "Are you saying that Emma should come back? Even after what happened?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes, Benjamin. Emma is a valuable part of our team, and we made a mistake in losing her. You should hope she accepts our offer to return, and we'll ensure she's treated with the respect and consideration she deserves."

Benjamin swallowed hard, clearly nervous about the direction of the conversation. I continued with a determined tone. "What happened to Miss Williams cannot simply be ignored. We have to learn from our mistakes and ensure that situations like this don't happen again in our company."

Timothy nodded, showing his support. James looked more attentive, as if beginning to grasp the gravity of the situation. Nathaniel, always analytical, seemed to be thinking deeply about what I was saying.

Olivia spoke up, explaining the actions that had already been taken regarding Emma's rehiring and the planned changes in the dismissal process and presentation review. It was essential to me that the situation be addressed transparently and professionally.

When she finished, I added, "But that's not all. This situation with Miss Williams has revealed a larger issue within our company. We need to ensure that every employee here feels valued and heard. We cannot allow errors like this to happen again."

Timothy, always practical, raised an eyebrow. "What are you suggesting, Robert?"

I sighed, knowing that my proposal could be a challenge for all of us. "I'm suggesting a reassessment of our processes and a reshaping of our corporate culture. I want to hear what our employees have to say. I want them to know they can express their concerns and that we, as a company, are committed to rectifying our mistakes."

Nathaniel seemed intrigued by the idea. "That's a bold step, Robert."

I nodded. "Yes, it is. But it's a necessary one. My father, Charles Parker, built this company on innovation and excellence, but today, we can't achieve that if our team is demotivated and undervalued."

Timothy, as always, didn't hesitate to ask a question. "Robert, you mentioned wanting to create a way to listen to our employees. How do you plan to do that?"

I took a deep breath, knowing that my proposal could be a challenge for all of us. "I propose that, in addition to Miss Williams' reinstatement, I become one of the employees. I'll go undercover as an assistant and start with the Marketing department, working directly with Emma."

The looks in the room ranged from shock to disbelief. It was a bold idea, and I knew it wouldn't be easy, but it was the only way to truly understand what was happening within our company.

"Robert, are you serious?" Timothy was the first to break the silence. He seemed genuinely intrigued, but also concerned about the potential repercussions.

I looked around the table, meeting the gazes of Nathaniel, James, and Olivia. "Yes, I'm serious. The situation with Emma Williams has revealed a flaw in our company that we need to address. Our employees don't know us and don't feel heard and valued. I want to change that."

James looked thoughtfully at me. "Robert, this is risky. What if it's discovered?"

I glanced at James with seriousness. "That's a risk I'm willing to take."

Nathaniel, usually focused on technical matters, seemed intrigued. "Do you think this will make a difference, Robert?"

I nodded with confidence. "I believe it will. I'll work side by side with our employees, listening to their concerns, understanding their challenges, and seeing the company from their perspective. Then, I'll use that knowledge to implement meaningful changes."

Olivia smiled, supporting my idea. "This will require a complete review of our internal processes, but I'm willing to support this initiative. I'll coordinate Miss Williams' rehiring and your new identity as an assistant."

Timothy, on the other hand, appeared more skeptical. "And what if Miss Williams doesn't want to come back to work with us? What if you find out the situation is worse than you imagined?"

I met his gaze directly. "As for the actual state of the company, I'd rather find that out and face reality than continue in the dark. And if Miss Williams doesn't want to return, we'll accept her decision. But believe me, Miss Williams will come back."