Chapter 58 Exposing the Schemes of Sophia
After finalizing the details of her divorce with Samuel, Olivia hung up.
She put it down and began to contemplate her next steps.
To figure out Michael's whereabouts, the best approach would be to get his car's dashcam footage.
He typically uses one of a few cars when he goes out.
However, obtaining this footage wouldn't be easy.
Especially considering how strained their relationship was now, she'd need to find a special opportunity.
Moreover, when he was with Sophia, they were likely in private spaces and maintained a certain distance in public.
This made things even more difficult.
Despite the challenges, Olivia had a clear plan and wasn't ready to give up.
After sorting out her thoughts, her next goal was to help Bianca recover quickly and get her career back on track.
She wondered how Daniel was progressing with the lab.
Out of concern, Olivia decided to call Daniel.
Daniel answered, "Hey, Olivia, I was about to call you. We've expedited the original three-month plan. Turns out, some equipment we thought we'd have to import can actually be sourced domestically, which is faster and meets our quality standards.
Also, we've started recruiting for the research team. The resumes have been screened, and interviews will follow. You'll need to oversee and review this part personally."
Daniel knew Olivia well.
She valued efficiency and had high standards for her team, so the selection process naturally had to involve her.
Olivia had no objections, "When are the interviews?"
Daniel replied, "2:30 this afternoon!"
Olivia responded decisively, "Got it."
That afternoon, at 1:30, at the Wilson Group, Olivia arrived early to prepare for the interviews.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the lobby, she saw Daniel waiting for her by the elevator.
Daniel was dressed sharply in a silver-gray suit, looking very dashing.
"Waiting for me?" Olivia greeted him as she approached.
Daniel smiled and pressed the elevator button, "I knew you'd come early to prepare."
Olivia smiled back, not denying it.
Since she had interviews to conduct, she needed to review the candidates' information in advance.
They took the elevator to the interview room.
Several HR representatives were already at the conference table, making preparations.
When they saw Daniel arrive, they immediately stood up respectfully, "Mr. Wilson!"
Daniel nodded and introduced Olivia to them.
Then he instructed, "During the interviews, assist from the sidelines, but the final decision on who gets hired is up to her."
"Understood."
The HR team didn't dare slack off.
Olivia wasted no time, quickly sitting down to review the applicants' resumes.
As she read, she noticed something unusual.
Several candidates were from the Johnson Group.
She narrowed her eyes, deep in thought.
After a moment, she instructed the HR next to her, "Call these candidates first."
Though puzzled, the HR complied.
Later, the interviews officially began.
The first candidate was a Johnson Group defector named Brian Scott.
As soon as he entered and saw Olivia, he looked both surprised and nervous.
Olivia observed Brian's reaction closely.
However, she kept a calm demeanor and said lightly, "Sit."
Brian, anxious, was about to introduce himself.
Olivia interrupted, "No need for introductions. Tell me why you want to join the Wilson Group."
Brian clenched his fingers, mustering up courage, "I... I heard you were here, so I came specifically. After you left the Johnson Group, our department struggled. The new Ms. Brown is domineering and, favored by Mr. Johnson, very critical of us...
"You know I'm kinda timid. I accidentally ticked her off and ended up doing all the grunt work.
A few days ago, I didn't stay late like she wanted, so she fired me on the spot!"
Brian's voice cracked, his eyes getting teary, trying to make his story more convincing.
The HR team felt sympathetic.
Workplace drama was common, and they empathized.
However, Olivia's expression remained unchanged.
Brian pleaded, "Ms. Smith, I really prefer working with you. You know what I can do. If you hire me, I'll be your best assistant."
Olivia seemed to smile, "I know your abilities, so there's no need for more questions. You can go now. We'll let you know the results later."
Brian hesitated, as if wanting to say more.
But Olivia had already moved on to the next resume, "Next candidate..."
The HR nodded and escorted him out.
The subsequent candidates, also from the Johnson Group, had similar stories.
Most claimed to be mistreated by Sophia and forced to leave.
The interviews lasted over two hours.
After finishing his work, Daniel came to check on the progress.
Olivia handed the HR the Johnson Group candidates' files. "None of these people will be hired."
"What? Not a single one? Weren't they your former colleagues?"
The HR team was stunned.
They thought Olivia would prioritize her former colleagues, but she rejected them all.
Daniel, understanding Olivia, asked, "Are these people problematic?"
Olivia scoffed, "If it were one or two, fine. But this many at once seems too deliberate. Their stories are too similar, like they were coached. I suspect they were sent as corporate spies.
Besides, they're from a different industry. They might manage at the Johnson Group, but they can't handle pharmaceutical research.
Even if they could, I don't want them! I aim to build a stronger, more efficient team! These people don't meet the criteria."
Daniel nodded, "Michael's doing?"
"Maybe Sophia."
Michael had his flaws, but he wouldn't stoop to this.
Daniel sneered, "I heard the Johnson Group is also venturing into pharmaceuticals. They probably want to infiltrate and steal our research. But how could she compare to you?"
In both medicine and research, Olivia far surpassed Sophia.
The HR team, realizing the gravity, broke into a cold sweat.
Were they Spies?
Luckily, Olivia made the decision.
Otherwise, they might have caused a disaster!
They also admired Olivia's composure with her former colleagues.
They had been moved by the sob stories, but Olivia saw through the risk.
Daniel was equally impressed.
He always trusted Olivia's work capabilities.
Only Michael, blind to her excellence, failed to see her brilliance.
Later, at a café outside the Wilson Group, several men and women, including Brian, stood respectfully in a private room.
Brian reported to Sophia, "Ms. Brown, we tried our best, but the Wilson Group didn't hire us. Olivia seems very cautious."
Sophia was furious, "Useless! You couldn't even handle this! You must have messed up and given yourselves away!"
The group felt aggrieved.
Brian said, "But we followed your instructions exactly."
"So you're saying it's my fault?" Sophia's face darkened, very displeased.
She had hoped their sob stories would win Olivia's sympathy.
If successful, they'd be her eyes and ears.
But Olivia was colder than expected.
Frustrated by the failure, she waved them off, "Fine, go back to work!"
They left, angry but silent.