Apart from having on a not-so-good-looking expression, the Manager also looked helpless. Obviously, he wasn’t pleased. And the employees wondered if he had already seen the announcement.
“Annie is in big trouble, right?” The employees started gossiping after Annie followed him into his office.
“Since this fuse started, the Manager doesn’t seem to care about her. If not for Mrs. Ju’an, who constantly disturbs Annie, I don’t think she has a problem with the Manager.”
“The two exes have been managing well. One would not even assume they hate each other. They have been keeping things professional as if one did not dump the other one at the altar.”
“What do you guys expect before? The Manager has a good temperament and Ms. Lin seems to be more mature than her age. The two didn’t end up together, but they don’t seem like people to hold grudges.”
“I don’t think Annie is too mature for her age. Isn’t she a fool by posting that announcement? She can go against Mrs. Ju’an and Mr. Ju’an. But can she go against the CEO?”
“Just shut up, Mia. Annie was trying to stand for us. If you can’t be grateful, just keep quiet.”
“Ms. Ju’an is right. Annie is about to sacrifice her remaining days in this company for us. Aren’t you ungrateful by speaking about her that way?”
“Sabrina, keep quiet. You don’t know what you’re saying. You guys won’t understand a thing until we all lose our job. Someone as mighty as the CEO. Do you think he will only be satisfied by just punishing one employee? Even our dear Manager might get implicated.”
…
Inside the Manager’s office…
Jason looked at Annie. The man took some time studying her. Watching the girl’s calm expression, he couldn’t help but sigh inside.
“Mr. Ju’an, you summoned me. Is there something you would like to say?” Annie asked.
“No, he wants to stare at you all day, Annie!” Priscilla was sitting on the couch. She put on an irritated look. But inside, she was very happy that Annie had landed herself in trouble.
Even if the CEO decided to fire everyone in the Arts Department, Priscilla was confident that hers’ and her husband’s jobs were safe. No one dared to bully them in the company. The CEO listened to her father and the former CEO. Even he wouldn’t think of firing them.
Didn’t the CEO work in her favor by not hiring anyone from the Arts Department?
Maybe Annie was among the qualified employees that was why. Ha! “You are so full of yourself, Annie. If you hadn’t returned, you would have saved yourself this humiliation.”
Annie treated Priscilla like air. Her eyes were on Jason, waiting for him to speak out his reason for calling her to his office.
Priscilla didn’t look good when Annie ignored her. She pointed a finger forward and opened her mouth, but Jason interrupted her.
“Could you excuse us, Priscilla? Please give us some privacy.”
“Huh?” Priscilla’s eyes widened. “Honey, for what? Whatever you’re going to say to her, won’t you say it in my presence?”
“Be good, Priscilla. Please wait outside and close the door. I promise we’ll be done in no time.”
His soft tone did nothing to stop Priscilla’s anger from erupting. Instantly, the girl’s eyes became red and she glared hard at Annie.
Jason gave her no room to refute. He was keen on sending her out. Priscilla bit her lips, suppressing her anger. Then she sprang to her feet and stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind.
Jason looked unaffected by Priscilla’s actions and he stared at the girl standing in front of him. “What was the meaning of that, Annie? Why did you post such a thing on the forum?”
“Did Mr. Ju’an call me here to reprimand me? I thought if something happens to the Arts Department, you will be the first person to speak.”
“It was just a silly secretary position. Annie, I won’t take it lightly if you implicate the employees under me.”
Hearing his words, Annie let out a chuckle, her face as cold as ice. “Is it because Mr. Ju’an can’t wait to see me leave MystiArt Productions? You know the only reason why I’m still here.”
Yes, that day in his office, they made a deal. Annie promised to leave if she didn’t get the secretary’s position. Jason had been shocked when she returned.
That day, he tried to coax her to just leave, but she remained adamant. As if she was confident that she would get that position.
“The result is out and your name didn’t reflect. Just give up already, Annie. You have no place in MystiArt Productions.”
“Why do you seem to be pushing me, Mr. Ju’an?” Annie snickered. “You care about your wife’s happiness. You dislike to see me here because she isn’t pleased with that. Our deal is still intact. Until the CEO gives an explanation, I won’t stop fighting for that position. Mr. Ju’an, don’t worry. I’m not attached to the Arts Department. I’ll gladly leave when things come to an end.”
It was either the CEO provided an explanation or did justice to the Arts Department. If it turned out she wasn’t qualified, why would she stay?
“How sure are you that the CEO will provide an explanation? You might have a past with the CEO, Annie. Despite that, don’t think the CEO is not as corrupt as the others.”
“Oh, you’re badmouthing the CEO too.”
“I’m just stating the obvious.”
“I won’t jump to that conclusion yet, Mr. Ju’an. Until the CEO gives an explanation, no one will know if he’s corrupt or not. And I don’t think you’re free anymore to mention my past with the CEO.”
“Annie…”
“It’s Ms. Lin.”
“Just leave MystiArt Productions,” Jason murmured. “The longer you stay here, the worse things will get. I am sure you can find something else to do. How much do you want? I’ll give you anything. I just want you to stay out of our lives. Your presence is implicating my marriage with Priscilla.”
Annie was supposed to be hurt by his words. This man who was openly bribing her to leave her job so he could have a peaceful life with his wife.
The man who didn’t think twice before dumping her just because of some understanding that could be resolved with a single conversation.
Right from the wedding day, she had shed off every ounce of respect she had for him. The appearance of an ex, her nightmare, didn’t make her quit her job. Why would a failed wedding or an insecure couple make her do that?
“Mr. Ju’an, you’re only after your wife’s happiness? Tell me, by telling the people she dislikes off, will it change her attitude? Clearly, you know what is right and what isn’t. Why do you bully others along with her?”