Chapter 47
"Not enough, say it again." Hearing my words, Michael couldn't stop smiling. He deliberately pinched my soft flesh, coaxing me to repeat it.
His touch was gentle, but a ticklish sensation came over me, forcing me to repeat it over and over again.
Only when Michael was satisfied did he finally let me go. "Alright, Nancy, let's have breakfast first."
Michael gently took my hand and led me to the dining table, his eyes full of affection.
I sat down at the table with him.
Michael handed me warm milk, his movements natural.
I took a sip of milk and tentatively spoke up. "Michael, there's something I want to discuss with you."
As I spoke, I secretly observed Michael from the corner of my eye.
Seeing me looking somewhat serious, Michael didn't dare take it lightly and immediately asked, "What's wrong? Just tell me what's on your mind."
Seeing this, I voiced the thought in my heart. "Can I go work at your company to learn?"
Learning of my idea, Michael's eyes showed some surprise.
"Why do you suddenly want to come learn at my company?" As he spoke, his expression became serious.
Seeing his expression, I instinctively thought he was unwilling and quickly backtracked. "Never mind, Michael, I was just saying."
Michael had always been serious about work. Even though we were already engaged, he probably didn't like this kind of parachuting in through connections.
Originally, I thought changing environments would help me grow more independently.
But from the looks of it now, if Michael wasn't willing, I'd just have to give up on the idea.
Seeing me backing down, Michael put down his fork and explained. "Nancy, it's not that I disagree. I just want to know why you have this idea."
From his words, I caught a hint of something, so I decided to be honest. "Although my mom handed the Smith Group over to me to manage, she's actually always been protecting me from behind, covering for me. Any decision I make has to go through her before it's executed, so I don't want to continue like this. I don't want to keep depending on her."
Seeing the determination in my eyes, Michael's gaze held some admiration.
He nodded with satisfaction, instinctively ruffling my hair affectionately. "Looks like you've really grown up, already thinking about being independent."
Seeing him like this, I swatted his hand away and became even more serious. "I want to grow and gain experience quickly. Your company is a good choice for me. Can you help me?"
Actually, I wasn't sure if Michael would agree.
After all, this wasn't a small matter.
But to my surprise, Michael agreed very readily, without any hesitation. "Since this is something you've decided, of course, I'll give you my full support. Tell me, which department in my company do you want to be in? I'll arrange it for you."
I had a basic understanding of the Johnson Group's situation. They mainly focused on jewelry design and marketing.
But the industries under them were also very diverse.
Although Michael had agreed, I didn't dare be too picky. "You arrange it. I'm fine with anything."
Seeing me like this, Michael didn't say much but took out his phone and called his assistant. "Notify HR that a new project department manager will be starting today. The person will be there shortly."
After giving instructions, Michael looked at me again and continued. "It's all arranged. You'll be in charge of showing your skills in the Johnson Group's project department."
Hearing his words, I couldn't help but worry a bit. "Michael, I want to start from the bottom. I don't want people to gossip."
If I started right away at the manager level, the people under me probably wouldn't respect me.
Knowing my concern, Michael tried to comfort me. "Nancy, you're already a manager at the Smith Group. Coming to my side and starting directly as a manager isn't unreasonable. You don't need to worry about these things."
But if that were really the case, then there would be no fundamental difference between me at the Smith Group and at the Johnson Group.
Both would be living under someone else's wing.
Just switching from one to another.
This wasn't what I hoped for.
My attitude became firmer as I voiced my thoughts. "I don't want it like that. I hope that people will truly respect me, not compromise because of whose connection I am."
Michael nodded with satisfaction and reassured me again. "Got it. I'll have my assistant make arrangements."
Hearing his words, I finally felt much more at ease.
Although leaving the Smith Group was my decision, I hadn't discussed this matter with my mom.
Even if I was really going to join the Johnson Group, I had to let my mom know first.
"I need to tell my mom about this. Let's arrange the start date for tomorrow. I'll go there myself then."
Hearing my idea, Michael nodded in agreement.
After breakfast, I drove alone to find my mom.
At the top-floor office of the Smith Group, I stood at my mom's office door, hand raised but hesitating to knock.
I hadn't told my mom about moving to the Johnson Villa to live with Michael, and now I was going to work at the Johnson Group. I was afraid she'd think I wasn't being reserved enough.
My hand went up and down until I heard my mom's voice from inside. "If you have something to say, come in."
Maybe I was making too much noise at the door, and my mom noticed.
Since that was the case, I could only bite the bullet and push open my mom's office door.
Seeing it was me, my mom's expression softened considerably, and she asked gently, "Nancy, what's wrong?"
Looking at my mom's caring expression, I couldn't bring myself to say anything about wanting to leave the Smith Group.
Seeing my hesitation and struggle, my mom continued to ask, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Seeing this, I could only bite the bullet and speak. "Mom, I'm planning to go work at the Johnson Group."
My mom wasn't surprised by my decision, but rather encouraged me. "Since you've made up your mind, then go ahead and do it. A change of environment can help you grow better."
Hearing my mom's words, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, my mom could understand me.
The next day, I successfully joined the Johnson Group under Michael's arrangement.
I entered the Johnson Group's project department as a planner.
Before I could even get familiar with things, Michael's project came down.
This project was for the design and marketing of the Johnson Group's jewelry autumn-winter collection for the next quarter.
Getting such an important project right after joining made me somewhat nervous.
I wanted to prove my abilities, so I could only work overtime to perfect the project details.
After working hard for a week, I finally submitted the proposal that I had revised countless times.
Fortunately, my proposal was approved.
And using this as an opportunity, Michael personally came to the project department.
I was so busy at my workstation that I didn't notice at all.
Until I heard the surprised voices of my colleagues around me.
"Why would Mr. Johnson come in person?"
Only then did I look up, my gaze inadvertently meeting Michael's.
Michael curved his lips, his pleasant and magnetic voice ringing out. "Nancy's new product proposal this time is quite excellent. After joint discussion, the company has decided to promote her to project team leader."
As Michael's words fell, a dissatisfied and mocking voice rang out.
"A newcomer becoming project team leader in just one week—everyone knows what she relied on."