The company director fired me in front of everyone. Two hours later, he called and said, “Dress nicely and meet me by the lake. Don’t tell anyone we’re meeting.” When I arrived, he asked me to take a photo with him… and the next morning, that photo was hanging on the door of his office

The company director fired me in front of everyone. Two hours later, he called and said, “Dress nicely and meet me by the

lake. Don’t tell anyone we’re meeting.” When I arrived, he asked me to take a  photo with him… and the next morning, that

photo was hanging on the  door of his office

When Mr. Wilson said in front of everyone,

“Emily, pack your things. As of today, you no longer work here,”

I just stood there for a few seconds.

The office became so quiet that I could hear the sound of the keyboard from the desk beside me.

“I… may I ask why?” I finally managed to say.

Our director didn’t even look me in the eyes.

He was seventy-eight years old, strict, cold, and extremely private. He had been with the company since before I was even old

enough to go to school.

“You’ll understand the reason later,” he said. “For now, go.”

Those words hurt more than if he had simply told me I was a terrible employee.

Everyone was staring at me.

My direct supervisor, Mark, lowered his head.

Karen, who had been trying to get my position for years, couldn’t even hide her smile.

I packed my bag, my notebooks, and the small framed photo from my desk, then walked out of the building.

The moment the elevator doors closed, I started crying.

I had worked for that company for almost five years.

For the past two years, I had stayed late week after week. When the company was going through financial difficulties, I had barely even taken vacation days.

And now they had simply thrown me out.