MystiArt Productions Forum:
BREAKING NEWS: Have You Heard…?
“Is it about the wedding of the Arts Department manager to Mr. Wang’s daughter?”
“Ah, what a whirlwind twist.”
“I was present at the occasion and have seen everything with my own eyes.”
“I almost convinced myself to believe I was watching a scene from a movie.”
“It is both tragic and hilarious. Who I pity the most is the girl, you know.”
“Mr. Wang still has power in this company. Ah, did we make a mistake by badmouthing his daughter?”
“Even the youngest and one of the most successful Managers had to bend to his rules. Hmmm, let’s be careful about things we say in the future.”
“I wonder how that girl will be feeling at the moment. Annie, right? She must have quit already.”
“If I was her, I would do the same. How can I show my face in public after what has happened?”
The employees had just seen with their own eyes how cunning Mr. Wang could be. He still had authority in the company after all. They’d better compose themselves and know what to say from now on.
“By the way, have you heard…?”
“Ah, isn’t it about the generosity of our new CEO?”
“I heard he rented all the event halls in this city and gave them out to small business owners for free.”
“Those businesses that couldn’t afford any form of advertisement now had the opportunity to spread awareness of their brands.”
“Ouch! I’m struck with a thousand cupid. Do we have an Angel for a CEO and we didn’t know?”
“Erm, it even seems like our CEO is still single.”
Assistant Jiang couldn’t contain his joy. He almost tripped but picked himself up as he rushed into the CEO’s office with the tablet in his hands.
Reading the trending news on the company’s forum, he thanked the heavens again and again.
“Boss, Boss– Mr. Lim!” The assistant was so overjoyed that he didn’t watch his manners. Firstly, he barged into the CEO’s office. And secondly, he was yelling too loudly.
“Hahaha, Mr. Lim, have you seen this!?” He hurried to the CEO’s desk and showed him the tablet screen. “The wedding did not happen, we have won!”
Andrew’s expression darkened. The assistant was too close, almost shoving the tablet screen on his face.
“Assistant Jiang, did you wake up with half of your brain dead this morning?”
“Huh?” Assistant Jiang quickly straightened up. He finally took notice of the man’s expression and he gulped.
If he wasn’t mistaken, his Boss looked angry. Maybe he hadn’t seen the news yet and was sulking that Ms. Lin had already been hitched.
“Hehehe– Boss, Mr. Lim.” He cleared his throat and said in a gentle and clear voice. “I want you to take a look at this. Ms. Lin and Mr. Ju’an’s marriage didn’t work. Can you believe how cunning that Old Wang is? Haha, the man did us good, anyway. I would appreciate his effort–“
“Shut up.” The assistant was talking too much and Andrew was irritated. “Assistant Jiang, do you now derive pleasure in others’ misfortunes?”
“Eh?” Assistant Jiang scratched his head. His Boss’s angry look did not change. Did he perhaps already know?
“M–Mr. Lim, you don’t appear happy. Erm, is it that…”
The assistant couldn’t complete his words. His Boss’s temper was really confusing him.
“Since you have nothing important to do, sort out those files from the Finance Department.”
Ahhh! The huge bulky files!?
Assistant Jiang looked flabbergasted. His Boss was asking him to go through the financial reports right from the time the company was established.
What did he do to deserve such punishment? Did he perhaps say something he shouldn’t have?
With slumped shoulders, assistant Jiang strolled out of the office, the tablet dangling from his hand.
Andrew shut his eyes, his expression relaxing.
‘If Mr. Wang hadn’t intervened, would my efforts have been futile, Annie? This is not a sign of heavens’ blessings, isn’t this a game of fate?’
…
At X District Apartment Building.
It was the wee hours of the morning and the sky hadn’t cleared up yet.
Mrs. Lin walked into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep off her eyes. The sounds of something frying made her frown and she opened her eyes fully.
Standing in front of the stove was Annie. Mrs. Lin’s confusion grew and she wondered where the girl was going this early to have bathed already.
“Good morning, Ma.” As if sensing her presence, Annie greeted without looking back.
“Huh? Are you preparing to go out?” Mrs. Lin asked. The bathing robe on her body indicated that she had just come out of the shower.
“Have you forgotten, Ma? Today is Monday?”
“So what if it’s Monday?”
“I have to go to work,” Annie replied.
Hearing what she said, Mrs. Lin’s confusion washed away. “You can’t go to work, Annie. Didn’t you take a three-month leave?”
Besides, people were gossiping too much about her daughter. Not a day went by without Mrs. Lin overhearing some neighbors speaking about that event.
Would she not face the same backlash at her workplace?
“How about you quit working in that place?” Mrs. Lin suggested. “Working there means you’ll be seeing those hypocrites every day. It won’t be safe for you, then.”
“Ma, that will be unprofessional of me.” Annie turned off the stove and served both of them breakfast. “I don’t work for them, I work for the company. Will seeing their faces benefit me or deprive me of anything?”
“Hmmm.” Mrs. Lin nodded. “If that’s what you want, then go for it. I also don’t want you to appear weak in front of those hypocrites.”
Her daughter seemed to be handling it well. There was no reason for Mrs. Lin to push her to quit her job.
Annie was halfway through her food when a loud bang came from the Apartment’s main door.
“Mrs. Lim, come out this instant! It’s either you close down your store today or pay the rent!” The male voice said harshly.
The knock increased as if it would tear down the building.