— Tanya, I think it’s easier to sell it than to revive it, — sighed Valery Georgievich, leaning back in his leather chair. His gaze slid to the window, where leaves rustled softly, as if nature itself confirmed his thoughts.
Tatyana sat across from him, flipping through documents. The numbers were merciless — losses were growing like a snowball, rolling further out of control.
— Dad, who was actually managing it? — she asked, frowning without taking her eyes off the papers.
— Oh, that’s quite a story… — Valery Georgievich rubbed his nose, as he always did when the conversation touched on unpleasant topics. — Once my cousin came to see me. She got married, had a son… The guy was not bad — smart, educated, seemingly determined. But, as they say, life wasn’t kind to him.
He paused, as if recalling how it all began.
— Our sister is a complicated person; our relationship was never warm. To avoid making it worse, I offered her son — Anton — the director’s position. Back then the company was very small, but I planned to develop the division. You had just gone abroad to study…
He thought for a moment, lost in memories.
— At first, things went well. The guy had a good education, made decisions quickly. But then — bam! — he disappeared. Just resigned and left. Don’t know where. Soon after, the sister came back and proposed her father instead, saying he helped a lot and was involved in all the deals. So that old sly fox took the son’s place. And since then… God knows what’s been going on there.
— But why didn’t you intervene earlier?
— You know, I’ve got my own business here, new projects, expanding markets… Didn’t have time. But now, looking through the documents, I understand: it’s easier to sell than to raise it.
Tanya stood decisively:
— Dad, let’s try. Give me a chance.
Valery Georgievich smiled wryly:
— Fine, try it. But on one condition.
— What?
— If you succeed, the company will be yours.
— Seriously?! — Tanya’s eyes lit up.
— Yes, Tanya. But why would you want this headache? Choose any of our other companies — I’d gladly put ten of them in your name.
— No, Dad! Those companies are already established; they run like clockwork. But this one… this is a challenge. A chance to prove I’m worth something.
Valery Georgievich shook his head, but a flicker of pride shone in his eyes.
— Although, honestly, I’m glad about this attitude. Now I’m sure you’ve grown up. Smart, independent…
Tanya laughed:
— Dad, I’m already twenty-eight! Have you forgotten how much I went through during my internship?
— I remember everything. For me, though, you’re still a kid. So, how do we tell your mother about this plan?
Tanya sighed:
— Dad… Maybe you could do it yourself? I’m a little scared.
Valery Georgievich looked at his daughter with a smile but then sighed like a man about to do something unpleasant. He never knew how to say no to his wife or upset his daughter, especially when they teamed up against him.
A week passed. Tanya began working at the company’s office, where she was now supposed to become the boss. But no one knew who she really was. She wore a cleaner’s uniform, carried a bucket and rag, mopped floors, opened doors, took out the trash. No questions, no interference. Just observation.
Here’s what she realized during those days: the boss was a complete idiot. A crowned one. Such people live by the rule: “I’m the boss — therefore, I’m right.” He gave stupid orders just to show his “authority.”
The company’s financial state was near catastrophic. Tanya hadn’t yet figured out everything but knew one thing for sure — something bigger than poor management was going on.
— Sorry, I was lost in thought, — she muttered, picking up the bucket as Andrey Andreyevich roughly bumped into her in the corridor.
She wanted to pass by, but he stopped her:
— Did anyone give you permission to walk here?
Tanya raised an eyebrow:
— Should I ask someone?
Andrey Andreyevich’s face turned red:
— You should! — His voice cracked into falsetto. — While I’m the boss here, I decide who goes where! Got it?
— Got it. Can I go to the restroom without your supervision?
Laughter broke out around them. Andrey Andreyevich turned angrily, but everyone instantly “buried” their faces in monitors. When he turned back, Tanya was gone.
“Maybe that’s for the best,” he thought, feeling humiliated. He hated when anyone dared talk back to him. He was a respected man in this city! Holding a position many businessmen didn’t have!
What position… He was constantly looking for someone to vent his anger on. People no longer wanted to work for them — salaries hadn’t risen in years, and layoffs happened lightning-fast. He had to hold himself back, though it was hard.
He returned to his office. He had to sign a contract with a new supplier. He found them himself — great prices! Product quality was so-so, but he was just a middleman. The price difference was his personal bonus.
Taking the documents, he headed to the accounting department where Tamara Igorevna and Natalya Filippovna — experienced specialists who had worked at the company since the beginning — were sitting.
— Tamara Igorevna, you need to print and sign this.
Tanya was mopping floors nearby, listening carefully.
— Andrey Andreyevich, you know this company! No one works with them — too many debts and complaints. I think now is not the time to take risks.
The boss’s face flushed.
— I decide what the company does!
The woman raised her voice in response:
— For your salary, I could make reports at home for small firms!
Natalya Filippovna, an economist with many years of experience, stood before him:
— Fire me! Your schemes will come out sooner or later anyway!
“Finally!” thought Tanya. Here it was — the first crack in his wall. Someone willing to tell the truth.
Andrey Andreyevich usually avoided conflicts with this department — they knew too much. But today he snapped. He went pale and then flushed, unable to say a word.
— Water? — Tanya suddenly appeared next to him with a glass.
Then he exploded:
— What are you doing under my feet all day?! Who are you? A cleaner! This is my floor! What are you even doing here? Get out!
Tanya smiled with calm dignity:
— Andrey Andreyevich, you might not know, but you can’t speak to cleaners in that tone.
Natalya Filippovna stood up, took Tanya’s hand:
— Let’s go, girl. This man is insane.
She stopped at the door, turned around and, smiling brightly, said:
— Andrey Andreyevich, I’ve wanted to say this for a long time.
Then looking him straight in the eye, added:
— Screw you, old fart! I’ve never met such an idiot!
Andrey Andreyevich was stunned. His mouth hung half-open, and Tanya and Natalya were already gone.
— What the hell is going on?! I’ll fire everyone! — he shouted, rushing out of the office.
In the hall, Tanya calmly mopped the floors.
— Where is she?! — he roared. — Where’s our economist?!
— I don’t know, — Tanya replied, raising innocent eyes. — Why are you yelling at me?
Andrey Andreyevich gasped for air like a fish out of water and rushed back to his office. Another second — and he would have definitely attacked this cheeky girl.
Tanya threw the mop into the corner. She probably wouldn’t have to hold it again. She was tired of pretending. The cleaner was just a mask behind which the real owner of the company was hiding. Now it was time to lay the cards on the table.
She arranged to meet Natalya Filippovna in a small café around the corner. The woman was already waiting at the table, gently stirring her tea. Her hands trembled slightly — not from fear, but from emotion.
— Tanya, is that you? You can’t imagine how hurt I am… I’ve given so many years to this company…
— Natalya Filippovna, don’t worry. Everything will change. I promise.
The woman sighed as if shedding a weight of years of injustice:
— But where are these changes? I remember when Anton was in charge… Things were different then. He was a different man. Honest. Kind. We worked with pleasure.
— Where did he disappear?
— His own father kicked him out. Every day he caused scandals, demanded money, proposed shady deals. Anton resisted as long as he could. But one day he just left. I don’t know where he is now. We had a good relationship. A good boy…
Natalya Filippovna looked carefully at Tanya:
— Why are you so interested?
Tanya smiled:
— Maybe it’s time to introduce myself officially. My name is Tatyana Valeryevna Polesskaya.
— Polesskaya? Wait… That’s the owner’s last name!
— You’re absolutely right. Valery Georgievich is my father. Originally, he wanted to sell the company, but we talked… and decided to try to save it.
Natalya Filippovna looked at her with wide eyes, then slowly smiled:
— You’ll succeed. I’ll help in every way. Just promise me one thing…
— What?
— Fire Andrey Andreyevich so everyone sees it. So every employee understands — this nightmare is over.
Tanya laughed:
— You see, Natalya Filippovna… judging by what’s left of the company, one firing won’t be enough. If we dig a little deeper, I’m sure we’ll find a lot of interesting things.
— You will, Tatyana Valeryevna. I beg you…
— Was it good here before?
— It was… Thank you, Tanya.
— Now I’d like to contact Anton. We really need him.
From that day on, Tanya’s rented apartment became the operational headquarters. Her father, lawyers, financial analysts came. Anton turned out to be not just a programmer — he was a universal specialist: manager, economist, strategist. Sometimes even Tanya, with her international education, was amazed by his knowledge.
While the core team worked, Tanya continued “cleaning” in the office. But now she had a clear goal — to gain access to information that would help restore justice.
One day was key. Andrey Andreyevich went on a business trip, and Tanya decided to visit his office. Officially, cleaning there without him was forbidden, but she stopped paying attention to his rules long ago.
A flash drive was in her pocket. Everything needed was already downloaded. Now she just had to leave unnoticed.
But as soon as she put down the rag and headed for the door, she heard footsteps.
— What are you doing here?! — Andrey Andreyevich shouted so loudly Tanya’s ears rang.
— Cleaning, — she replied, trying to keep an innocent look.
— I forbid cleaning my office without me!
He rushed to the desk, checked the papers she’d photographed, and turned to her like an angry beast:
— That’s it! Write your resignation immediately! Without pay! Get out!
Tanya slowly straightened up. The moment had come. No need to pretend anymore.
— Fine. But I’ll write the resignation tomorrow morning.
— Now!
— Sorry, Andrey Andreyevich, but not before tomorrow.
She calmly walked down the corridor, leaving silence behind. Those who worked at the company lined the walls, watching her. No one dared speak to the boss like that — he had too many connections to ruin everyone’s life.
They hardly slept that night. The collected documents, proof of fraud, forged reports — everything was ready. In the morning, her father arrived.
— So, partisans? What are you up to?
Flipping through papers, he shook his head:
— Enough. That’s it.
Anton coughed:
— Sorry, Valery Georgievich… But maybe we could let him keep what he has? To avoid jail? We don’t have the warmest relations, but he is still my father.
Valery Georgievich waved his hand:
— We’ll figure it out. Let’s go.
When Tanya entered the office, employees froze. She returned to her former style — loose hair, high heels, tight pants. As if time had rewound.
— Hello everyone! Boss around? I came to quit.
Anton, her father, and Natalya Filippovna followed her. People started talking, someone recognized Valery Georgievich:
— That’s him! The owner of the entire chain!
Tanya entered the office without knocking:
— Hello, Andrey Andreyevich!
He looked up:
— What the hell…
Then he saw the son. Then Valery Georgievich. Then Natalya Filippovna. A wave of pallor crossed his face — the picture became clear.
Valery Georgievich nodded:
— Hi. Thanks for coming, but let’s get straight to business. Here, — he raised a folder — is enough material to put you away for about ten years. But you have such a wonderful son who asked for you… Transfer everything you have to the company’s account by evening. If I’m missing even a penny — you’ll go to jail. Now get out.
Andrey Andreyevich stepped back:
— What do you think you’re doing?!
— Dad, — Anton intervened, — do you really want to go to jail?
Nothing more was needed. Andrey Andreyevich disappeared so quickly he didn’t even slam the door.
Valery Georgievich turned to his daughter:
— Well done, Tanya. Work hard, call on me — I’ll help however I can. Although, looking at you and Anton, I’m starting to think you’ll do great even without me.
Tanya blushed:
— Dad, come on…
— What “Dad”? Work. But take care of yourself too.
Anton smiled, taking her hand:
— Thank you, Valery Georgievich. Everything will be fine.
Six months passed. The company not only survived — it grew, overtook all local competitors, and became a leader in its segment. At the city’s best restaurant, a corporate party was in full swing. They celebrated not only the company’s success but also Tanya and Anton’s engagement.
— To the young couple! — cheers rang, glasses clinked.
Natalya Filippovna, now the financial director, wiped tears:
— I always knew you’d succeed! Both with the company and in life!
Tanya laughed, and Anton held her hand tightly.
Sometimes, to revive something, you just need to believe in it.
And find the people who will stand beside you.
And not be afraid to start from the very bottom —
even if it means taking a mop in your hands.