The Next Morning…
It was as if someone died in the Arts Department. The employees neither looked gloomy nor anxious. But on their expressions were looks of astonishment. Maybe they were too shocked to even say a word.
Annie walked in to find them in that situation. However, she didn’t pay attention to their sudden change in demeanor. The employees were used to acting strangely sometimes, especially when they had something to gossip about.
After gathering the reports for that morning, Annie went ahead to turn on her desktop and start working on her unfinished project.
She hadn’t started designing the character yet when Layla came in, her bubbly voice rippling in the air.
“Hey, Annie, guess what?” Layla was too jolly today and Annie couldn’t help but look away from her work.
“What’s the good news?” Annie asked. This expression on her friend’s face only spelled that something good had happened to her.
Layla was about to open her mouth and speak, but the elevator doors opened and the couple walked out.
“Are you guys blind? Don’t you know how to greet your subordinates!” No one saw Priscilla’s words coming. Seemed like this girl had become more arrogant since she got married to the Manager.
The employees swallowed their hurt and plastered fawning smiles on their faces. “Good morning, Mrs. Ju’an.”
“Hope you had a great night last night.”
“Mrs. Ju’an, you look so dazzling today. Why does your beauty keep increasing every day?”
“Hmmm, unfortunately, Mrs. Ju’an doesn’t want to share the secret with us. As Mrs. Ju’an becomes more beautiful and perfect, I’m no longer confident to go out in public with my not-so-good-looking face.”
“What’s the secret apart from being happily married?” Priscilla said sweetly, holding tight to Jason’s arm. “Mr. Ju’an is a great husband, and he takes care of me perfectly. In this whole universe, no one can find such a perfect husband.”
“You are right, Mrs. Ju’an. You are especially blessed by the heavens. You deserve all the good things in this world.”
“Mrs. Ju’an’s presence in this department is like a blessing to us. With her among us, we are rest assured that we will be taken care of in MystiArt Productions.”
“In return, Mrs. Ju’an will take good care of us and make sure no harm comes to us.”
“As the Manager’s wife, we are ready to serve Mrs. Ju’an with everything we have. You have our complete royalty, Mrs. Ju’an.”
Why were the employees flattering Priscilla this much today?
Simply because something huge had happened again. Among them all, it was only Layla and Annie that didn’t say anything since the couple entered. Annie had on an impassive look and Layla looked as if she wanted to vomit.
“This is disgusting. Are these people blind?” Layla scoffed. “If Priscilla is now the most beautiful girl in this department, then I’m the most beautiful girl in the whole universe.”
Annie’s lips twitched at the corners, a small smile creeping up the side of her face. Priscilla was staring straight at her. She simply ignored the girl and stood up with the reports.
Jason had long gone inside his office while the employees were praising Priscilla fearfully, even forgetting him. It was as if Priscilla was now the Manager and he, the Manager’s wife..
“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” Priscilla blocked Annie’s path when she wanted to enter the Manager’s office.
“Mrs. Ju’an, I didn’t know there was another role in this department.”
Priscilla and the other employees looked confused. “What role are you talking about?” She glared at Annie.
“Being the clown and acting like a child.” Annie’s sharp words had the employees gasping. They covered their mouths and exchanged shocked looks.
Priscilla looked enraged instantly. “Why are you so full of yourself, Annie? Don’t you know who I am? Do you think you can speak to me as you please?”
Priscilla was fed up with this girl. No matter how much she showed her authority, she just wouldn’t back down. “Don’t worry, Annie. I have prepared the perfect medicine for you. After today, let’s see how you’re going to continue being arrogant.”
Priscilla’s angry look immediately transformed into a vicious smile and she followed Annie into the office.
Before Annie could put down the report in front of Jason, Priscilla’s voice rang in both their ears. “Honey, what are you waiting for? Give her the letter!”
Somehow, Jason looked hesitant. He stared at Annie before picking up an envelope containing a letter from his desk. He handed the envelope to Annie while saying, “This is from the HR Department. From now on, you will no longer be my assistant. You have been demoted, Ms. Lin.”
Annie looked at the report, frowning. Seconds passed by before she finally reacted. “Mr. Ju’an, can I get an explanation as to why I am being demoted?” She lifted her head and gave him a cold look.
“Don’t blame me. This is from the HR Department.” Jason did not look pleased as he said that. Last night, he got this letter from the HR Department. He was also taken by surprise. He couldn’t help but give Priscilla a second look.
However, Priscilla did not look so pleased too. She had expected a different letter. Not that of demotion. Why would she only be demoted?
Because Priscilla had left the door open, the employees had a full view of what was going on inside the office. They held their breaths and waited for an explosion. But nothing happened.
Annie simply left the office after saying, “MystiArt Productions is known for its integrity. I didn’t know people in it would corrupt it.” She chuckled. “Mr. Ju’an, I won’t accept this demotion. Until I have gotten a tangible reason from the higher-ups, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”
“What!” Priscilla flared up. “You have no right to deny this demotion. Annie, this is an order from the higher-ups. Aren’t you digging up a hole for yourself?”
“Higherups or not, we are all but humans,” Annie replied. “I won’t accept this injustice. Or should I believe that Mrs. Ju’an has something to do with this? Why do you look so bothered?”
“You-“
The employees kept blinking. They had completely lost their ability to speak, seeing how Annie handled the situation. They could only pick up their phones and log into the company’s forum.
:::Erm, The Volcano Did Not Erupt.
“What do you mean?”
“The damsel that was treated unjustly doesn’t appear to be a pushover. She wants an explanation.”
“Eh, the girl did not break down and shed bucketful of tears?”
“The opposite happened. Mr. Wang’s daughter looks frustrated instead.”
The news first got out from the HR Department last night. Someone had placed it on the company’s forum that an employee from the Arts Department would face a bitter fate today because of angering Mr. Wang’s daughter.
The Arts Department employees knew who that person was. They had all waited to see how Annie would react to this news. The drama they were anticipating did not unfold though. However, they were sure that more drama was coming, with the way Annie reacted to the news.
Truly, they couldn’t help their pity for the girl. From an Assistant Manager to a mere Receptionist. Who could handle such humiliation?