Chapter 26
He analyzed my strengths and weaknesses crystal clear, then laid out an incredibly tempting future right in front of me.
This was a blatant power play, forcing me to make a choice.
I stayed quiet for a moment, then looked up to meet his determined gaze and slowly said, "Since we're talking about working together, I'd like to show Mr. Wilson my team, my proposal, and more details first, so you can see that your investment will be worth every penny."
I pulled the conversation back to proper business negotiation territory, neither humble nor arrogant.
Benjamin seemed quite pleased with my response. He finally picked up his glass of water but didn't drink it, just played with it between his fingers.
"I look forward to it." A mysterious smile curved his lips. "A smart person like you is wasted at a place like the White Group. If you ever get tired of it, come find me directly. The position of Chief Strategy Officer at the Wilson Group will always be waiting for you."
These words were hard to read—part appreciation, part flirtation, and part condescending charity. I couldn't figure out Benjamin's real intentions, so I could only respond politely, "Thank you for your recognition, Mr. Wilson."
The next morning, as soon as I walked into the office, I could feel something was off. My colleagues looked at me with sympathy and avoidance in their eyes.
I knew what was coming. I walked to my desk, and sure enough, there was a mountain of ancient files piled up, dusty and musty.
Amelia walked out of her office in high heels, holding a steaming cup of coffee, looking triumphant. "Luna, perfect timing. These are all the paper expense receipts since the company was founded. Your job today is to organize them all and enter them into the electronic system."
She wasn't even bothering with appearances anymore, directly assigning me meaningless busywork that would eat up my entire day, just to keep me from following up on the Aurora project.
I looked at the pile of nearly moldy papers and replied expressionlessly, "Okay, Ms. White."
My calmness seemed to frustrate her, like she'd punched cotton.
She added, "Oh, and the coffee machine downstairs is broken. Go to that new coffee shop on the corner and get hand-drip coffee for everyone in the department. Make sure you ask everyone what they want."
This was blatant harassment.
The office fell silent. Everyone pretended to work while actually listening for gossip.
I picked up a pen and notepad, about to get up, when a hand pressed down on my shoulder.
Violet, still looking half-asleep and lazy, took off one earbud and spoke to Amelia in a drowsy voice, "Ms. White, I remember the admin department said last month they'd get an intern to digitize the expense receipts. Why is it being pushed to our department? And since when does our department have afternoon tea benefits? How come I didn't know? Where's the budget coming from?"
She spoke slowly but hit every point, directly exposing Amelia's excuse for settling personal scores.
Amelia's face instantly turned red. "Do I need you to tell me how to do my job? Violet, have you finished your own work? You have time to worry about other people's business?"
"I'm done." Violet yawned and pointed at her computer screen. "Last week's data report was in your inbox yesterday."
Amelia was left speechless. She could only glare at Violet, then turned to me with an even sharper tone. "What are you standing there for? Get going! If this delays everyone's work, you'll be held responsible!"
I said nothing more and prepared to leave with my things.
But behind me, Violet muttered just loud enough to be heard, "Seriously, wasting time on this nonsense, who's going to follow up on the Aurora project..."
That comment was like a needle, hitting Amelia's most sensitive nerve.
What she hated most was me getting all the attention because of this project.
She spun around and stared at me, her eyes full of jealousy and hatred that seemed almost tangible.
"It's just some stupid project, what's the big deal!" She raised her voice, and her sweet tone became distorted with anger. "Luna, don't think you're so great just because you've achieved something! Let me tell you, in this department, I'm the director! Whatever I tell you to do, you do it!"
Her escalating behavior was too much even for other colleagues, who all looked down, not daring to speak.
I stopped, turned around, and finally dropped my submissive attitude. I looked at her calmly, my gaze cold and sharp, and spoke word by word: "Ms. White, I respect your position, and I've been completing work according to your requirements, but you're abusing your power and deliberately obstructing the company's key project. This goes beyond normal work scope."
I called out her intentions in front of everyone.
"You're talking nonsense!" Amelia exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She pointed at my nose, shaking with rage. "I'm training new employees! You're just not capable, and you dare talk back to your supervisor!"
"Whether it's training or not, everyone knows." I looked around at my colleagues' various expressions, my voice not loud but clear enough for everyone to hear. "Ms. White, you just can't stand that I'm in charge of this project. You think I stole your spotlight. If that's the case, let's just be honest about it."
My composure contrasted sharply with her loss of control.
The office air seemed to freeze. Everyone held their breath, watching this war about to break out.
Amelia was backed into a corner and completely lost it.
She blurted out in fury: "Fine! You think you're so capable? You think you're so great? What's the big deal about having a designer friend!"
She seemed to think of something, and a vicious sneer appeared on her face as she threw out a challenge she was sure I couldn't complete.
"If you're so capable, go get a new investment project for the company. Stop messing around with this useless stuff!" She raised her chin proudly and made a bet in front of everyone. "I'll give you one week. If you can bring in over a hundred million dollars in investment, I'll give you my director position!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the room erupted.
Everyone was shocked by Amelia's crazy bet.
A hundred million dollars was simply impossible for this half-dead StoryArc Media.
She was certain I would lose and wanted to use this method to completely crush me, to make me leave StoryArc Media in disgrace.
I looked at her face, twisted with jealousy, and felt ice-cold inside.
This was exactly the result I wanted.
Under everyone's shocked gaze, I slowly curved my lips into a smile.
"Okay," I met her poisonous stare and agreed cleanly, "It's a deal."