The meeting was immediately called off.
As the Managers left the conference room after the CEO’s departure, they all whispered among themselves.
“This is confusing. Does that announcement have anything to do with the higher-ups?”
“The higher-ups have no say in the selection of the CEO’s secretaries. The IT Department Manager who also overlooked the selection wasn’t supposed to use underhanded tricks.”
“From the way the CEO investigated Mr. Yang though, it made it seem as if Mr. Yang knows something which he doesn’t want to talk about.”
“Then is it that some of the higher-ups tampered with the result? The CEO warned the Managers out of nowhere. This kind of thing also happened today. Isn’t that too much of a coincidence?”
“MystiArt Productions doesn’t lack bad eggs. Although the new CEO is on good terms with the former one, I think he won’t indulge such things.”
“Do you even need to guess? The CEO just proved to us that he’s an authoritative person.”
While the other Managers discussed, the ones with ill intentions weren’t at all pleased. Especially Mr. Wang who looked skeptical and apprehensive at the same time.
He looked at Mr. Yang’s retreating figure and frowned a bit. Did that man just fool him and Old Wu?
Why could he feel that everything was a set-up?
…
Outside the meeting room, Mr. Yang’s assistant was pacing around in a corner of the hallway. When Mr. Yang came out, she didn’t see him and they almost bumped into each other.
“Ah! You’re finally out, Mr. Yang. What exactly happened in there?”
The Assistant couldn’t deny that she was fearful. She brought up this plan but when the man said to her that in case something happened he would protect her, she began to lose hope.
The sudden meeting that was called also added to her anxiety.
However, Mr. Yang was now smiling so she sighed in relief. The tactics must have turned out in their favor.
“You are very smart, Dear.” Mr. Yang looked around before holding her hands. “The CEO easily let it go after I explained that it was a mistake. Can you believe how anxious I have been?”
“Thank goodness.” She smiled. “I told you it was a nice plan. The CEO wouldn’t punish an important Manager like you because of that minor mistake. Mr. Yang, we don’t need to worry anymore.”
“You’re right.” Mr. Yang nodded. “You should see the look on that stupid Wang’s face. Although it was out of our expectations that the employees would blame the CEO, do you know that he thought the CEO was on their side? Even if I was a bad man, would I be able to manipulate someone as mighty as the CEO?”
“Old Wang is a fool. But he’s also cunning. Mr. Yang, we are safe. We won’t need to feel guilty anymore for treating an employee unfairly. Mr. Wu and Mr. Wang won’t also know that we didn’t actually follow their orders.”
What the two had planned was simply.
They intentionally left the Arts Department’s employees out. By doing that, no one would suspect that they did it because of that girl. Mr. Wang and Mr. Wu would also believe that they were carrying out their orders.
Then they leaked the result and every employee was able to see it on the forum. They hoped the Arts Department would realize something was wrong and take the issue to the CEO.
If that girl was lucky, she would be able to get justice if the CEO himself spoke up about it. They didn’t plan for the employees to pin the blame on the CEO though.
Despite that, things still turned out in their favor.
All in all, Mr. Yang was able to clear his name and fool Mr. Wang and Mr. Wu. He was also able to protect the innocent employee those cunning men were after.
At least, he didn’t want to taint his hands and involve himself in those men’s silly games. They thought they were smart, but he was smarter.
“Mr. Yang, you’re the best.” His assistant giggled. “That is the reason why I look up to you, you know.”
“What are you talking about, Dear. I followed your advice and my reputation is safe.”
“Well, let’s go back to work before someone comes here and sees us.”
The couple stopped holding hands and they left the corner and headed into the elevator.
Mr. Wang who had secretly followed Mr. Yang and heard all their conversations looked enraged.
The man glared at the elevator doors as if he would burn down the elevator with his eyes. He was so mad that sweat was pouring from his face.
“Mr. Yang, how dare you!” He gritted his teeth. “You think Old Wu and I are fools, huh?” Mr. Wang shook his head and chuckled darkly.
“How about I teach you a lesson?”
Because of that man, Mr. Wang had lost another opportunity to please his princess. He had to admit that Mr. Yang was smart.
But he wasn’t that smart. Now, Mr. Wang was starkly aware of the reason why the CEO questioned Mr. Yang again and again. The CEO had sensed that Mr. Yang did everything on purpose.
He also wanted to know whose order Mr. Yang was trying to avoid. Maybe the CEO already knew.
Mr. Wang still felt uncomfortable by the way the CEO looked at him. The man wanted Mr. Yang to spill the beans in front of everyone and maybe humiliate him.
“Old Wu.” He brought out his phone and dialed his friend. “What happens when a child wants to switch places with an adult?”
“What is it this time, Old Wang?”
“Mr. Yang thinks we are babies, and MystiArt Productions is about to slip from our grasp!”
“Tell me the details.” From the other end, Mr. Wu did not look pleased.
.
Later that day, before the work hours were over.
The employees were still shocked that the CEO personally posted on the forum, giving the Arts Department the explanation they requested.
Another big news hit them.
:::From The IT Department.
[I want to use this medium to apologize to every employee I might have offended during the selection period. I must justify that we did the selection accurately, however, to err is human and to forgive is divine. I offer my deepest apology to the employees of the Arts Department. We didn’t forget you, it was a tiny glitch. Of course, two qualified employees have been chosen already. Ms. Lin & Ms. Ju’an, you can proceed to the HR Department for your transfer.]
*IT Department’s Manager.*