To not implicate the other employees, Annie decided to put her name at the bottom of the announcement.
The Forum awoke to life immediately.
“What! What am I seeing? Can someone tell me what I’m reading is wrong?”
“Someone just challenged the CEO. This is unbelievable. Wait, wasn’t any employee chosen from the Arts Department?”
“It seems this announcement is from the Arts Department. How unbelievable. I didn’t notice it before, It appears the Arts Department was left out of the selection.”
“But is it the CEO’s fault? Isn’t it the IT Department’s fault?”
“I don’t think so. The CEO had to approve the list first before it was posted here on the forum. If even one employee wasn’t selected from the Arts Department, could they have offended the CEO?”
“Since our new CEO assumed his position, no one has ever offended him in this company, right? Maybe someone did finally.”
“But this person has guts. Making an announcement against the CEO: Isn’t it like offending the CEO?”
“The CEO might have treated them unjustly. It is normal to speak out. However… I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of what…”
“I’m afraid for that employee who dared to post this. Even while Mr. Wu was still the CEO and treated the employees unfairly, no one ever dared to make an announcement against him.”
“It would seem like this employee is only trying to defend the Arts Department. What I think, on the other hand, is the Arts Department has landed itself in a big boiling soup.”
“Guys, I just asked around. You guys have been blabbering, aren’t you curious about the employee who posted this?”
“Who is it? Quick, tell us. I think I’ve seen this name before, but I can’t recognize it.”
“When the wedding invitation was posted here, the damsel’s name was exactly like this. The damsel whom we speak about often made this announcement herself.”
“Who is this damsel? Go to the point. I can’t wait to know who possessed such bravery to dare challenge our CEO.”
“She is none other than the former Assistant Manager of the Arts Department. She has made quite a few scandals in MystiArt Productions. Surprisingly, there has also been news about her and the emperor.”
“Ah! You’re right. I can now recall correctly. On the wedding invitation of the Arts Department’s Manager, I saw this exact name.”
“Isn’t she bold? I thought she left this company already.”
“And to think that she’s challenging the CEO. Are there no sparks between the two? More correctly, does the CEO support Mr. Wang? Is he helping him bully her?”
“It seems like she is qualified for the position. Otherwise, why would she take it to the forum seeking justice? Even so, is she supposed to speak against our CEO? He listens to Mr. Wu, so what?”
“Hey, let’s stay out of this. We might say something that can also land us in trouble. As for the damsel, the emperor himself might throw her out of the palace.”
Offending the CEO wasn’t an easy fit. The employees couldn’t deny that the girl was brave, and she did the right thing by speaking out.
Yet, being safe sometimes meant overlooking the wrong and not daring to speak out. Just like in this kind of situation.
Challenging the CEO was like asking for a pass out of the company. Surely, the CEO wouldn’t be pleased to see the announcement.
And surely, that employee or the whole of the employees in the Arts Department would have to face the music.
Unless the CEO wasn’t completely bent and assessed the situation with merciful eyes, it might be the end of that employee or even the Arts Department in MystiArt Productions.
“What have you done, Annie!” Layla held her cheeks and exclaimed. “I- I thought you weren’t serious. How could you post it on the forum? Annie, we’re in big trouble!”
“Ms. Lin, this is not child’s play. We can’t let the CEO see this. Please take the announcement down.”
“Ms. Lin, we understand if you don’t care about your job, but we really do care about ours. How could you post that kind of thing? Definitely, our CEO is going to feel offended.”
Annie smiled and dropped her tablet. Despite the employees’ words and the way they looked at her as if she had gone crazy, the girl remained calm.
More than thirty employees were reprimanding her, however, she didn’t look fazed.
“Ms. Lin, we must commend your bravery. But speaking against the CEO is an unforgivable act. Even if the CEO is in the wrong, why would you say anything? If he hates us before, he’s going to despise us now.”
“Annie! If we lose our jobs, we’ll hold you accountable.” Mia gritted out. “I thought you were joking. How could you do that to us.”
“Calm down, everyone.” Annie folded her hands, her eyes sweeping across the sea of anxious faces. “Forget about being grateful that I spoke up for you guys. I didn’t expect any applause anyway. If you can’t even speak for yourself, will you still hold your head high? The Arts Department was trampled on, and you’re willing to cower. It makes me think all those accolades from many years ago have been handed to you on a golden platter.”
“Don’t say that, Annie. You know we worked hard for those accolades.”
“Then why are you acting like cowards.” Annie chuckled. “By the way, I put my name there so you don’t have to worry about getting into trouble. If the CEO wants to punish someone, I’ll step out.”
The employees looked at Annie. Some of them were still mad while most of them were simply hopeless. Even a male employee didn’t possess such courage. Surely, this girl was gutsy.
They weren’t afraid of their fates now but hers. Yet, what if the CEO decided to punish them together?
Wasn’t it better to just remain silent about such things?
“Annie, as much as I love the secretary position, I don’t want to get into the CEO’s bad books.” Layla sighed in exasperation. “Isn’t there a way to reverse time so that this news won’t show on the forum?”
“How sure are we that we aren’t already in his bad books, Layla.” Annie looked at her. “The CEO didn’t approve of our department. What is more troubling than that?”
“Argh! What exactly did we do to offend the CEO?”
Layla was still groaning when the door to the Manager’s office opened. Jason stepped out and his eyes fell on Annie.
“Ms. Lin, in my office please.”