Chapter 48
The voice came from across the table.
I wasn't very familiar with this person. All I knew was her name—Lily Martin.
Hearing Lily's mockery, Michael's expression darkened.
But before Michael could say anything, I stood up and looked her straight in the eye, speaking with complete confidence.
"I got promoted to project team leader because of my solid proposal. If you have any issues with that, feel free to speak up directly. There's no need for this sarcasm."
Even after I spoke, scattered voices of doubt still rose around me.
"Promoted to team leader in one week—that's a bit too fast, don't you think?"
"I heard Nancy got in through connections. Wonder whose connections she used."
"Mr. Johnson announced the position. Could it be through Mr. Johnson's connections?"
Listening to the others discuss, I didn't feel guilty at all.
I did get in through Michael's connections.
But I also started from the bottom.
For this proposal, I worked hard for a whole week, sleeping only three or four hours a day to pull it together.
So the results I was getting now—I deserved them.
Lily was completely unconvinced and even started leading others on. "Since you say your proposal is the best, then show it to all of us. Let's see if your work can actually convince people."
For this project, everyone in the department had submitted their own proposals.
I let out a cold laugh and spoke directly. "I won't say my proposal is absolutely perfect, but at least it beats yours. Based on the current selection, your proposal is clearly not as good as mine."
I was not the type to be bullied and just swallowed my anger.
Hearing my words, Lily exploded and continued her sarcastic remarks. "I don't have connections as strong as yours, so naturally I can't compete with you. But whether it's based on ability or background, everyone can see for themselves."
Even at this point, Lily wouldn't back down, insisting that I used connections to get promoted.
Only then did I realize how well my mom had protected me.
With Lily's deliberate leading, the others began looking at me with growing contempt.
As if they'd already decided I got the team leader position through connections.
As the situation reached a standstill, Michael spoke up with a stern face, defending me. "Nancy's promotion was a unanimous company decision. If anyone has objections, report them directly to me, not stir things up here."
After Michael spoke, the colleagues who'd been gossiping didn't dare make a sound.
But Lily's face was full of defiance, as if I'd gotten this position through some shady means.
I didn't want to secure this position just because Michael pressured people.
After Michael finished, I spoke up again. "Since you're not satisfied with my proposal, let's put both our proposals out there and let everyone judge. Do you dare?"
I needed Lily to be genuinely convinced.
After hearing my words, Lily's eyes were full of disdain. She snorted and continued, "My proposal was done entirely by myself. What do I have to be afraid of?"
I didn't waste more words on her and directly took out the paper project proposal from the table.
Actions spoke louder than words.
Seeing me take out my proposal, Lily also rummaged around and pulled out her own file.
Both files were placed on the table for the team members to review together.
I quickly scanned Lily's proposal and couldn't help shaking my head.
With this level of quality, she had the nerve to question me. How ridiculous.
Though I said nothing, my action provoked Lily.
"Since we're reviewing together, I should be able to look at your proposal too, right?" With that, Lily grabbed my proposal and flipped through it repeatedly, trying to find faults.
Lily went through my proposal several times but ultimately couldn't say anything.
Her expression gradually turned ugly, but she still refused to back down.
Seeing this, I picked up Lily's proposal, scanned it briefly, and spoke calmly. "We're mainly showcasing the new autumn-winter jewelry collection. I'd like to know why you chose to put the model in the main display area?"
Lily didn't hesitate and shared her thinking. "The spokesperson for our autumn-winter jewelry collection is currently the most well-known A-list celebrity in the country. Using the celebrity endorsement effect to build brand awareness—is there a problem with that?"
I smiled and pointed out her issue directly. "The celebrity effect—that idea isn't wrong. But the problem is, the way you're using it doesn't fully showcase our jewelry. The consumer's visual focus isn't on our product."
In her marketing plan, the celebrity's face took up two-thirds of the entire layout.
This would directly make fans and the general public focus on the celebrity, without much help in promoting the product.
Hearing me point out the problem, Lily was unwilling to accept it and stubbornly defended herself. "But using the celebrity effect, fans will naturally buy the product. Fans' purchasing power is far greater than that of regular people."
Before I could continue refuting Lily, Michael spoke up for me. "The main purpose of marketing is to raise awareness of our product and let more people know about it, not to limit the product to a certain celebrity's fanbase."
Michael's expression was serious, and his words made perfect sense.
When discussing business, he naturally exuded an overwhelming presence.
The atmosphere in the entire office grew colder because of it.
After Michael gave his assessment, the colleagues watching the drama didn't dare make a sound.
I didn't echo Michael's words but raised several more questions based on Lily's proposal.
After she answered, I pointed out her problems one by one.
In no time, I'd found many flaws in the proposal Lily was so proud of.
Her earlier confident look had completely disappeared.
Michael spoke at the right moment. "The difference is clear. Does anyone still have objections to the company's decision?"
Lily had been thoroughly embarrassed by me, and the others weren't foolish enough to stick their necks out at this point.
Seeing no one speak, Michael announced again. "From today, Nancy is officially the project team leader."
After Michael left, Lily returned to her workstation, but the unwillingness in her eyes hadn't diminished.
Seeing this, I directly stated my position to everyone. "I know some people have issues with me taking this position. I accept any challenges. As long as anyone's ability exceeds mine, I'll naturally give up this position."
While saying this, I deliberately looked at Lily.
These words weren't just for others—they were mainly for Lily.
Everyone had seen my work, and hearing me say this, no one had any doubts.