Chapter 18
"The data logic is ten times more organized than before, and you even uncovered the potential market in the Amber District. With your skills, you're even better than the old employees!"
Ophelia's lips curved slightly upward, and she didn't bother being modest: "I used to do this all the time at Jeffrey Technologies."
As soon as those words came out, Freya's face went pale.
Jeffrey Technologies?
Wasn't Jeffrey Technologies able to reach its current scale because Ophelia had poured her life savings into it back then, and worked day and night to bring in clients?
And now here she was, coming to the Smith Group and daring to mention it in front of all these people - wasn't this just humiliating her?
Freya clenched her fists, nails nearly digging into her flesh, anger surging up inside her.
How could she have forgotten that Ophelia had been a real contributor at Jeffrey Technologies back in the day!
Those market analyses and client communications are things Ophelia is already good at. The mess that Freya dumped on Ophelia wasn't making things difficult for her at all; it was clearly giving Ophelia a chance to show what she's capable of.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Freya's chest heaved, and she looked at Ophelia like she wanted to shoot fire from her eyes.
The colleagues around them chimed in, with someone saying quietly, "No wonder she did so well, turns out she has experience."
"Way better than the report Ms. Stewart did before. At least with Ophelia's report, you can actually follow the logic."
These comments drifted into Freya's ears, making her even more uncomfortable.
She was the team leader, yet she'd been outdone by a new subordinate, and this was after she'd deliberately tried to make things difficult - she'd completely lost face!
When the meeting ended, and colleagues left in small groups, Wayne passed by Ophelia's desk and secretly gave her a thumbs up. "Impressive, even Ms. Stewart couldn't stump you."
Ophelia smiled without saying anything, lowering her head to organize the documents on her desk.
Freya clicked over in her high heels, crossing her arms and blocking her desk, her face showing obvious mockery.
"Ophelia, you hid it well enough." She raised her voice deliberately so everyone around could hear. "So you did this at Jeffrey Technologies. I thought you had some amazing skills."
"But then again, when Jeffrey Technologies was about to go under, wasn't it you running around begging people for investment? Now that you've come to the Smith Group, are you planning to use the same old tricks?"
Her words had a hidden meaning. On the surface, talking about Ophelia's work, but really implying she got ahead by using men.
Ophelia paused in organizing her documents, looked up at her, her eyes calm without a ripple: "Ms. Stewart, you should speak with a conscience."
"When Jeffrey Technologies was starting up, who put in their entire life savings to fill the holes? Who ran all over the city talking to clients? And who stayed up late making proposals, pulling the company out of the mud?"
"You know all this in your heart, and Jeffrey knows it even better."
"Now I'm working at the Smith Group on my own abilities, not stealing or cheating. But Ms. Stewart, as a leader, you dump a mess on your subordinate, and when the subordinate does well, you come here being sarcastic. Is this the Smith Group's work culture?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. Several colleagues who hadn't left yet stopped in their tracks and quietly looked over.
Freya was stunned by the comeback, her face looking awful.
She hadn't expected Ophelia to dare talk to her like this. Back at Jeffrey Technologies, Ophelia had been gentle with everyone, and even when wronged, would just bear it herself. When did Ophelia become so sharp-tongued?
"You're talking nonsense!" Freya's voice trembled with anger. "Jeffrey Technologies is what it is today, all because of Jeffrey's efforts. What does it have to do with you? You were just an ordinary employee!"
"Could an ordinary employee come up with two million dollars in savings? Could an ordinary employee bring in half the company's clients?" Ophelia raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying light mockery. "If Ms. Stewart thinks ordinary employees are so capable, why don't you try it yourself?"
Low laughter came from around them, with someone unable to help commenting: "Seems like that's actually true. I heard Jeffrey Technologies in the early days was completely supported by Mrs. Adams."
"Ms. Stewart is just jealous. She doesn't have the skills herself and can't stand seeing others succeed."
These words stuck into Freya like needles. She felt uncomfortable all over, wanting to lash out but unable to find a reason, and could only grit her teeth hard.
"I can't be bothered arguing with you!" Freya threw out a stiff sentence, turned and walked toward her own desk, her steps somewhat unsteady, afraid that if she stayed a moment longer she'd be laughed at.
Watching Freya's departing back, Ophelia felt nothing in her heart.
Back then, she had tolerated Freya everywhere out of consideration for her relationship with Jeffrey. Now that she'd seen Freya and Jeffrey's true colors, she naturally wouldn't wrong herself anymore.
Freya's little tricks really weren't worth much in her eyes.
Back at her desk, Freya slammed her folder on the table, startling a nearby colleague who quickly lowered their head and pretended to work.
She felt extremely frustrated inside, like a ball of fire was stuck in her chest, burning so much she couldn't sit still.
That woman, Ophelia, was simply her nemesis!
From discovering her affair with Jeffrey at Jeffrey Technologies, to now coming to the Smith Group to steal her spotlight - Ophelia had never let her have peace of mind!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She grabbed the pen on her desk and threw it hard on the ground. The pen rolled far away, but she was too lazy to pick it up.
Just as she was feeling irritated, her phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Ainsley Smith.
Ainsley was the daughter of the Smith family and Freya's college classmate. They had a good relationship.
Freya saw the WhatsApp notification and her eyes immediately lit up.
How could she have forgotten about Ainsley!
Ainsley was the legitimate daughter of the Smith family. At the Smith Group, who wouldn't give Ainsley some respect?
Ophelia was just an ordinary employee now. If Ainsley wanted to deal with Ophelia, wouldn't it just take one word?
With an idea immediately forming in her mind, Freya quickly opened WhatsApp.
Ainsley had sent a voice message, her tone sweet: "Freya, are you done with work? Are you free this afternoon? That new luxury store just got a batch of new items in. Come with me to check them out."
Freya immediately replied, deliberately sounding a bit wronged: "I'm free, but I'm not in a good mood. I'm afraid I'll ruin your fun."
She knew Ainsley too well. Ainsley was spoiled and couldn't stand seeing her friends wronged. Saying this, Ainsley would definitely ask more.
Sure enough, Ainsley replied instantly with a voice message, her tone suddenly indignant: "Who made our Freya unhappy? Tell me quick, I'll go deal with them!"
Freya looked at her phone, a calculating smile curling at the corner of her mouth. "Who else could it be? That new girl Ophelia in our group."
"Ophelia?" Ainsley's reply carried confusion. "You mean that woman who's rumored to be close to the Brown Group CEO?"
"Yes, that's her!" Freya emphasized her tone and started embellishing the story. "You don't know how outrageous she is!"
"I asked her to organize last quarter's market analysis report. You know how messy that report was - the data was all over the place. I thought for sure she wouldn't be able to do it well, and then I could get her to leave."
"But what happened? She actually did it really well and got praised by Mr. Nelson in front of all the department employees! Isn't that infuriating?"