Chapter 109
Old-timers like Gia at a company usually act all high and mighty. They rely on their seniority and carry this deep-rooted arrogance around the office.
A little scare wouldn't faze her.
If Nora wanted to bring Gia over to Michael's side, she'd have to really put her in her place.
At the very least, she needed to knock that pride right out of her.
"When are you planning to use me?" Michael remembered Nora asking him about his peanut allergy.
"Strike while the iron's hot - tomorrow." Nora was still a bit scared. "Don't worry, Mr. Smith. I'll have the allergy medicine ready beforehand. I won't let anything dangerous happen to you."
Michael smiled. "Good. I'm looking forward to your proof of loyalty."
Nora lowered her head and nodded hard.
"Come on, let me show you around the company."
Nora looked at Michael in shock.
The boss himself was going to show her around the company.
This wasn't just showing her around - this was him backing her up with his authority.
As Michael's assistant, dealing with various departments in the future was unavoidable. He knew these people wouldn't be friendly to Nora. To improve work efficiency, he needed to establish her authority first.
Nora's palms felt warm. Her fingers, which usually stayed tightly clenched, slowly relaxed. She carefully followed behind Michael, stealing glances at him.
Michael had this natural detachment and coldness in his bones, as if nothing in the world could catch his eye.
Nora used to think Michael was a very cold person. She remembered when she went to the Smith family as a teenager, she made it a habit to avoid Michael.
Because James was afraid of Michael, so she was too.
But now it seemed Michael was somewhat different from the rumors.
Though he was cold, he wasn't without principles.
She needed to work harder, at least to be valuable to Michael.
That way, even when their "marriage arrangement" ended, she could at least become Michael's most capable assistant.
"Mr. Smith, your schedule is pretty packed. The Saturday rest day originally planned for this week will also need to be added to the schedule, because the collaboration with Sea Harbor International Company is in Shadow City on Sunday." Taking advantage of the time, Nora went over the schedule with Michael.
"Didn't David say leaving early Sunday morning would be fine?" Michael asked casually.
"Yes, Mr. Smith, but this is the first collaboration between the Smith Group and Sea Harbor International Company. This Shadow City project will be a great help for the Smith Group's future expansion into the Seaside City market."
When talking about work, Nora didn't stutter at all.
"I've already looked into Lyle Warner, the CEO of Sea Harbor International Company. He cares about face and likes people to show him respect. If we go early and visit him that evening, it won't just improve our success rate - it'll also leave a good impression."
Michael's status in the industry was absolutely unshakeable, but after all, he was young. Quite a few people in the circle said Michael was arrogant and didn't respect his seniors. Some even relied on their seniority, acting superior despite being less capable than Michael.
Especially James - over the years at the Smith Group, he'd built his reputation on being "humble" and well-mannered.
Those who couldn't stand Michael's pride naturally liked James's approachability.
Nora wanted to think ahead for Michael on everything.
Michael stopped walking and turned to look at Nora. "First day on the job and you're already planning away your boss's only day off?"
Nora stammered for an excuse. "Shadow City... it's a vacation project area. The, the scenery's nice. You can walk around, relax."
Michael nodded without saying anything.
But he'd already accepted Nora's arrangement.
He suddenly realized that keeping Nora as his assistant was really a wise choice.
David was a guy after all - he didn't think as carefully about some things as Nora did.
Besides, David was a relative from his mother's side. He'd eventually have to promote David - couldn't keep him by his side forever.
But Nora, it seemed like she could stay with him for life.
His walking feet stopped again. Even Michael was surprised at himself.
Nora didn't stop in time and bumped into Michael, looking confused at Michael who'd suddenly stopped. "Mr. Smith, is there something you need?"
Michael thought for a moment. "What do you want for dinner?"
Nora looked around and whispered, "Mr. Smith, it's work hours right now."
Michael nodded. "What are your plans after work?"
Nora took a deep breath and didn't hide it. "Walter contacted me. Said he wants to come see Samuel."
Michael frowned, his expression instantly darkening.
Seeing Michael go silent, Nora quietly followed behind him.
She opened her mouth, wanting to explain several times, but couldn't get the words out.
Explain that Samuel's attending doctor called asking his biological father to come in for tests? That seemed a bit unnecessary.
If it weren't for Samuel, Nora would never contact Walter again in this lifetime.
But Walter knew that with Samuel around, this was a thread that could never be cut.
"Hello, Mr. Smith."
"Mr. Smith, how do you have time to visit our department?" A department head with a good relationship asked with a smile.
Michael's face was dark, his voice low. "Are you that free?"
The department head thought: I'm working right now. Aren't you the one who's free, walking around with your assistant?
"Mr. Smith, is there something you need to tell us?" Someone asked boldly.
"This is the new assistant. Get to know her - it'll make future work coordination easier."
The manager was shocked. Did executive assistants have such high status now? Did Michael need to personally introduce them to each department? Where was David?
"Hello, I'm Nora." Nora quickly stepped forward.
"Hello, nice to meet you." The manager politely reached to shake Nora's hand.
Michael glanced at the manager. "Did you sanitize your hands?"
The manager quickly pulled his hand back. Did shaking hands with an assistant require sanitizing too?
Seeing Michael leave without another word, Nora quickly followed.
As soon as Nora and Michael left, the whole department started buzzing.
Everyone began gossiping. "Who exactly is this Nora? The day she arrives at the company, rumors are flying everywhere. Now Mr. Smith is personally taking her around to visit each department. What kind of treatment is this?"
"I heard she used to be Mr. James Smith's fiancée?"
"From now on, talk less about Nora. Look at the group chat - Yosef and the others actually wrote public apology letters and announced they're resigning!"
Now everyone shut up.
All the employees went silent.
Clearly, this Nora couldn't be messed with.
When it was time to get off work, Nora didn't dare leave because Michael showed no signs of leaving.
If the boss didn't leave, the assistant couldn't leave early.
Standing nervously to the side, Nora stole glances at Michael.
The schedule didn't seem to have that much work requiring overtime. Why wasn't Michael showing any signs of leaving?
Michael held a document, his face dark, his right hand lightly tapping the desk.
"Mr. Smith..." Nora glanced at the time. The appointment with the doctor was at six.
"There's still one document to sign." Michael placed the document on the desk. "You're in a hurry to leave?"
Nora quickly waved her hands. "I..."
Michael looked up at Nora. "In a hurry to see Walter?"
"No, Samuel's attending doctor said to have Walter come in for tests." Nora explained quietly.
"Have Jasper go." Michael frowned.
Nora quickly nodded. "Okay."
Downstairs at the Smith Group.
Walter, waiting in his car for Nora to get off work, had a dark expression. It was already six o'clock. Michael still wasn't letting Nora leave?