Lydia had always been passionate about science and technology, and when she landed a job at Toto Wolff's renowned lab, she couldn't have been happier. Working alongside the famous engineer was an honor, and she was grateful for the opportunity to le...
"Just in case you ever foolishly forget; I'm never not thinking of you"
-Virginia Woolf, Selected Diaries
... so we have our hero:
Max is a brilliant scientist and the ruthless chairman of the renowned Institute of Quantum Mechanics and Physics, was feared for his fiery temper and iron fist management style. With a sharp mind and sharper tongue, his employees walked on eggshells around him, terrified of triggering his infamous wrath. Max demanded nothing but absolute precision and excellence from his team and spared no effort in maintaining a strict and disciplined work environment.
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... let's continue:
With a deep breath, Lydia stepped into the main lab room the next day, bracing herself for whatever the day had in store. Toto was already there, speaking with a few of the other staff members in a hushed tone. As always, his presence commanded her attention, and she couldn't help but steal a few glances his way. But just as she was about to approach them, Max suddenly stormed in, his face contorted with anger.
"Everyone, shut up and listen!" he barked, his voice booming through the room. All conversation immediately ceased, and all eyes turned to Max. He stalked towards the center of the room, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"I just got off the phone with the board," Max announced. "They're not happy with our latest results. They want progress, and they want it now."
Murmurs of discontent and anxiety rippled through the room. Lydia glanced over at Toto, noticing the way his jaw clenched tightly. Even from a distance, she could see the tension in his body language
Max continued pacing, his eyes narrowing as he addressed the group. "We need to get back on track, and fast. No more excuses, no more delays. We're going to work double time until we deliver some tangible results."
Toto spoke up, his voice tense. "We've been doing our best, Max. We're running against some difficult equations and limited resources."
Max's gaze turned towards Toto, pinning him with a steely stare. "Your best isn't good enough," he retorted. "You're paid to solve problems, not create them. I don't want to hear any more talk about limitations or challenges. I want solutions, and I want them now."
Toto's eyes narrowed, his hands curling into fists at his sides. It was clear he was struggling to keep his temper in check, but he managed to reply in a measured tone. "We're doing everything we can, Max. But we can't work miracles."
Max let out a scoff, clearly unimpressed by Toto's answer. "Well, maybe you're not trying hard enough," he snapped. "You're all supposed to be some of the brightest minds in the field, and yet I've seen more progress from a room full of monkeys with typewriters."
Toto's eyes glittered with anger, but he held his tongue. The others in the room exchanged uneasy glances, wary of the growing tension between the two men. Max, however, was far from done.
He continued his tirade, his voice ringing out with an almost sinister tone. "You're all replaceable, you know that? There are plenty of eager young scientists out there who would jump at the chance to work on this project. So if you can't handle the pressure, I can easily find someone who can."
The room fell silent at his words, the weight of them sinking in. Some of the staff members looked visibly shaken, while others just looked defiant. Toto, however, didn't falter. He met Max's gaze head-on, his eyes narrowing in challenge.
"Is that supposed to be a threat?" heasked, his voice low and dangerous. "Or are you just trying to bully us into working harder? Because let me tell you, that's not how you get the best out of people. Fear doesn't breed innovation, it breeds resentment."
Lydia, who had been quietly observing the exchange from the back of the room, could no longer hold her tongue. "Max," she spoke up, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. "That's not fair. We're all doing the best we can, but we can't work miracles."
Max turned to her, a derisive smirk on his lips. "Ah, the fresh voice speaks up," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "And what exactly would you know about it, newbie?"
Lydia didn't flinch under his gaze, her eyes meeting his defiantly. "I might be new to the team, but I'm not naïve," she retorted. "I know that we all want the same thing here - results. But terrorizing us will only hinder our progress, not help it."
Max chuckled humorlessly, shaking his head in disbelief. "So you're playing the moral card now," he sneered. "How noble. But let me tell you something, sweetheart. The world doesn't run on empathy and understanding. It runs on results, and I don't care how we get them, as long as they're delivered."
Lydia bit her lip, struggling to keep her composure. She knew that arguing with Max was likely futile, but she couldn't just stand there and let him verbally bulldoze her team into submission. "Respect goes both ways, Max," she said firmly. "If you want us to deliver results, then maybe you should start treating us like human beings, not just disposable assets."
Max let out a loud sigh, clearly frustrated by Lydia's stubbornness. "You're too idealistic, kid," he said dismissively. "The world doesn't work like that. It's a dog-eat-dog game, and the sooner you learn that, the better." He turned back to the rest of the group, his gaze sweeping over each of them. "Get back to work. I want progress reports on my desk by end of day."
With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving a tense and anxious atmosphere in his wake. The room was silent for a moment as everyone let out a collective breath. Toto looked over at Lydia, a mixture of admiration and worry in his eyes.
