Louie navigated through the congested traffic of Sradarc, which had become a chronic issue in this metropolis, hindering the city's development significantly.
After dropping off Arabella at the apartment yesterday, it was already 8 PM. Louie had a simple meal, played cards until 2 AM, and then he felt a severe headache. Rubbing his temples, he considered whether he should see a doctor.
This white Chevrolet continued until it reached the parking lot in front of the Infinity Group headquarters. The parking lot, large enough to fit two standard basketball courts, was already full, and finding a parking spot was no easy task. Louie drove around the northeast corner of the parking lot and spotted a spot. However, a black Audi was about to enter that space. Louie immediately stepped on the gas, securing the spot before the Audi could.
Exiting the car and locking it, Louie saw the Audi A6 pulling up about three meters away from his parking spot. Holding a car magazine, he took a few steps and noticed a woman getting out of the Audi.
Even someone as experienced in socializing as Louie was captivated by the woman's capable aura. The woman appeared to be around thirty-six or thirty-seven, dressed in light-colored professional attire with a white blouse underneath. The tight-fitting uniform hugged her curvaceous figure. She had short hair with no accessories. The woman exuded a mature charm, complemented by her cold and elegant face—a perfect example of a mature woman.
Capable, mature, seductive, and elegant... In an instant, Louie thought of these series of adjectives, but none could truly describe the peculiar sensation he felt at that moment.
As Louie, with a somewhat enchanted gaze, was sizing up this mature woman, she also cast her eyes in his direction. With just that glance, Louie felt a sudden chill, and the strange feeling he had moments ago was instantly extinguished. "What a sharp gaze!" Louie marveled, pretending not to notice the woman and walked past her with the magazine in hand.
As the Vice General Manager of Infinity Group, Edith Whit had always been a core figure in the company. She started her career at Infinity Group in the technical department, later rising to the position of Vice General Manager. Among the five vice generals in Infinity Group, she was the youngest and most promising. Having spent twelve years in the company, she was well-versed in the situations of all departments.
Edith was decisive and unafraid to take responsibility, earning her respect among subordinates. However, she detested cunning and opportunistic individuals.
Just now, seeing Louie looking at her in that manner disgusted her. Additionally, noticing the magazine tucked under Louie's arm, it seemed far from a professional visit; it looked more like a casual inspection.
"Humph, if he were in my department, I would definitely kick him out." She thought as she briskly walked into the headquarters.
As Edith reached the entrance of her office on the eighth floor, she encountered Shaw. Edith had never had a good impression of Shaw, always feeling that he was too slick in his actions.
"Edith, I'm here to ask for your help again." Shaw's face beamed with a brilliant smile, and his overly friendly demeanor made Edith feel a bit uneasy. She courteously forced a smile and said, "Manager, don't say that. You're an elite in our company, and how can I, as a vice general manager, compare to you?" She pushed open the office door and walked in. Shaw followed her into the office, closing the door behind him.
"Edith, you say that, but aren't you overseeing the market, which includes my department?" Shaw sat across from Edith, legs crossed, and said, "The achievements of our market department today are inseparable from your strong support."
Edith smiled and said, "Alright, Manager, just tell me what you need. I'll see if I can help."
"Well, it's about this. There's a large project in the coastal industry recently, estimated to be worth over five million. I heard that you and the Vice General Manager of Coastal Industry are old classmates. So, I was thinking Edith could help me set up a meeting with this Vice General Manager."
"I'm not sure if it's appropriate for me to intervene in this matter," Edith hesitated. "For large projects like this, they usually go through a bidding process. If I get involved, it might cause unnecessary speculation and backfire."
"Right, you're right. Edith, you're always considerate." Shaw seemed to have anticipated this and didn't insist. "Since that's the case, I won't bother you with this. He stood up, turned halfway, then turned back, smiling. "Edith, there's a concert at the Seaview International Grand Theater this weekend. I know you enjoy classical music, and I happen to have two tickets. How about we go together?"
Edith inwardly sneered, thinking, "This is what you really wanted to say." She shook her head slightly and replied, "No need, I have plans that day. Maybe next time."
Shaw could only smile reluctantly. "Alright, alright. We'll talk about it next time." With that, he intended to leave Edith's office. However, Edith suddenly said, "Manager, wait a moment."
Thinking that Edith had changed her mind, Shaw turned back with a smiling face and asked, "Edith, anything else?"
"Oh, yes," Edith continued. "I heard there's a new manager in your market department. Normally, as the vice general manager overseeing the market, I should be informed of managerial recruitment, but I haven't received any notifications. Why is that?"
"Well, I think you should ask President Zhang about this. It's arranged by the president personally, and I don't have all the details," Shaw said dismissively. When he heard it was about this matter, he felt somewhat disappointed, and he said, "Maybe the president thinks you're too focused on managing the market and the overall development of the company, causing you to be overworked, so he made the decision directly."
Edith, upon hearing Shaw mention the president, sneered, "Manager, don't try to pressure me with the president. I've checked the resume of this new manager, and surprisingly, he didn't even attend university. How can a high school graduate be appointed as the manager of the market department? Is there something fishy going on?"
Shaw smiled and said, "You're overthinking it. This new manager spent six years abroad; I believe he studied there. Besides, in our sales field, practical abilities are more important than academic qualifications. I think the president has his reasons for this decision. Perhaps he's not satisfied with the market department's focus solely on the domestic market and wants to expand into international markets. I'm just the department manager; I don't have the details."
Shaw, crafty and slippery, shifted all the responsibility onto the president. He thought, "Humph, despite you overseeing the market, it's just an honorary title. Just stay as my vice general manager. You're too inexperienced if you want to control me."
"Since that's the case, I won't say much. Manager, please have this new manager come to my office. I'd like to meet him," Edith said, leaving this statement.
Shaw agreed and went back to the market department. He called Louie, who was wandering in the lobby, to the corridor and whispered, "Edith wants to see you."
"She's looking for me?" Louie was taken aback. "What does the Vice General Manager want with me?"
"With the title of overseeing the market, she doesn't have real power in the market. You don't need to worry, but at least make it look good on the surface. Let's go now." Shaw smiled and reassured Louie, "Don't worry, with me around, you'll be fine."
"Bullshit. If I wasn't arranged by the president of your group to come in, you wouldn't be so polite with me. You might have kicked me out long ago. However, speaking of which, what's the relationship between InfinityGroup and the military? Otherwise, why would the president of InfinityGroup personally arrange for me to be the head of the market department?" Louie thought to himself as he walked towards the elevator.
Just as Edith was wondering why the president would personally appoint someone with no outstanding performance to be the head of the market department, the door to her office was pushed open, and a very familiar man appeared in the office.
"It's him!" Edith was surprised. She hadn't expected the new head of the market department to be the man she encountered in the parking lot, who didn't seem particularly impressive.
And Louie was equally astonished. He hadn't anticipated that the charming woman he saw in the parking lot was the vice general manager. However, at this moment, Louie had another idea, and he was eager to say, "Beauty, how about quoting a price? How much for a night?"