Chapter 42 The Scheming CEO
She looked at her colleague in front of her and said apologetically, "I'm really sorry."
"Is 'sorry' supposed to fix this? Sophia, Evelyn, come in here and check out her attitude. She doesn't care about helping us get our performance bonuses back. She might not need the money, but we do. It's hundreds of dollars for each of us."
As soon as she said this, a dozen people rushed in from outside, surrounding Alison.
"Alison, are you trying to screw us over?"
"Alison, you might not need that money, but we do. We busted our butts for it, and now it's all gone because of you."
Everyone started blaming Alison, one after another. Seeing that the CEO was already displeased with her, they weren't afraid of this new employee anymore.
It was both infuriating and frustrating.
She could endure her own suffering, but now the entire procurement department was affected.
She couldn't be selfish.
Alison smiled calmly. "Everyone, don't worry. This issue started because of me, and I'll make sure to resolve it." With that, she stood up. It wasn't that Aidan had invited her; she had no choice but to see him.
Every step felt heavy, but she had to go.
Everything that had happened indicated that unless she resigned, Aidan wouldn't let it go.
Knocking on that glass door for the second time, her heart pounded.
Reluctantly, she had to go in.
Had she owed the Winston brothers something in a past life? Why were they treating her like this now?
No time to think further, Aidan's deep, magnetic voice came through: "Come in."
She had to stay calm.
She wanted to walk away, but she couldn't act impulsively.
She still needed to find evidence to prove her innocence.
Her previous words were just to provoke Aidan. The fact that he hadn't fired her showed that they were both interested in each other.
Taking a deep breath to steady her thoughts, she pushed the door open and walked in with her head held high.
In hindsight, Aidan wasn't entirely wrong.
From her first day at YD, she knew she had to follow the company's arrangements.
But she had refused.
Thinking about it, maybe she was at fault.
She wasn't one to stubbornly stick to her guns; she knew right from wrong.
At this moment, she understood and felt it was all reasonable.
Alison really didn't like Aidan.
Because of this dislike, she had developed an aversion to him.
Walking in, she stopped at the door, not wanting to beat around the bush. "Mr. President, is the procurement department's performance bonus being withheld because of me?" She stood at the door, not wanting to get closer to Aidan.
Aidan blinked and looked at her with a smile, thinking he had made the right bet. At the same time, he realized this little woman had a kind heart, coming to him to argue for others' performance bonuses.
He appreciated that.
"Alison, who said it was because of you?" Aidan would never admit it, looking at her with a sly smile, thinking she was becoming more charming.
"Then who is it because of? Are there other employees in the procurement department not following company orders?" She retorted, recalling the scene of being surrounded by colleagues, and her anger flared up again.
"Well, I'm not sure. I'll call the management department to find out who calculated this month's performance bonuses. If there's a mistake, we'll correct it immediately; if not, there's nothing I can do because every company has rules that employees must follow." Aidan said, picking up the phone and pretending to seriously call the management department manager.
"Why was the procurement department's performance bonus withheld?"
Alison stood quietly, observing Aidan's every move.
Aidan's act was so convincing, she almost wanted to give him an award for best actor.
Soon, Aidan elegantly hung up the phone, clasped his hands on the desk, and looked at Alison seriously. "Alison, it might have been a misunderstanding. I've already instructed the management department to immediately issue the procurement department's performance bonuses. Are you satisfied now?"
He smiled warmly, but Alison knew he was orchestrating this.
She couldn't say anything and had to thank him.
She had underestimated Aidan; she was still too naive.
Aidan was like an old ginger—sharp and shrewd.
She had thought Aidan would use the procurement department's performance bonuses to coerce her into agreeing to the quarterly press conference, but he didn't.
He was doing her a favor, making her thank him, making her agree voluntarily without losing face.
This way, neither of them would feel awkward.
He achieved his goal without creating a rift between them.
But he didn't know that she already had a rift with him before meeting him.
So, her gaze towards him was colored with emotion.
Since he was giving her face, she had to compromise for the sake of her colleagues' performance bonuses.
Otherwise, she knew that if she didn't agree, as soon as she walked out of the CEO's office, Aidan would pull the same trick and have the management department continue withholding the procurement department's performance bonuses.
"Mr. President, about the quarterly press conference, I've thought it over, and I..."
Alison had just started speaking when Aidan interrupted her with a wave of his hand. "Alison, come sit down. I don't like talking business with employees standing; it feels like I'm punishing them." His humor left Alison no choice but to sit down opposite his desk again.
"Secretary, two coffees, Miss Fairchild's without sugar." He naturally instructed, remembering her preference in one go.
He was indeed attentive to her.
But Alison knew, while she shouldn't harm others, she must be cautious. She had to be careful dealing with Aidan in the future.
This man was not simple.
Over the past three years, enduring countless days and nights with her child, Alison had long learned how to protect herself.
"Mr. President, thank you." She still had to thank him, even though she still disliked him.
"You're welcome. Just perform well at the quarterly press conference." Aidan looked at her, thinking about her meeting with Jack.
He was really looking forward to it. Although only two days remained, it still felt long.
But after these two days, he would have the chance to hold Alison in his arms.
Alison felt particularly uncomfortable under his intense gaze, as if he could see through her.
Aidan was indeed no different from the rumored playboy billionaire.
The longer she sat, the more awkward she felt.
After a few casual words, Alison said, "Mr. President, I have a lot of work to finish. I need to get back to it. Thank you again for the procurement department's performance bonuses."
With that, she stood up, ready to leave.
Aidan didn't stop her. After all, there was no rush in these two days. If she really was Jack's woman, he would have to let her go.
Alison had a strong feminine charm. Once he confirmed her identity, he would transfer her to be his secretary.
Being close at hand, the thought was delightful.
When Claire came in, Aidan was staring blankly in the direction of the door.
This time, the documents and coffee on the desk were spared.
But the smile on the CEO's face made Claire uneasy.
That Alison really had some skills, able to make the CEO react to her every move.
It seemed her rival had arrived.
Alison quietly returned to the procurement department, not wanting to alert anyone.
But as soon as she stepped through the door, someone noticed her.
"Alison's back. This time, she's the hero of our procurement department." Some were jealous of the CEO's special attention to her, but others admired her courage for daring to refuse the CEO's request, which was impressive.
Everyone surrounded Alison again, but this time, their attitude was no longer hostile like in the office.
Although some still harbored jealousy, no one showed it now.
"Alison, thank you so much. My daughter's formula money is secured for this month."
"Yeah, I can relax at the entertainment center this weekend."
"I want to sing my heart out at Do Re Mi Karaoke."
"I can finally buy that LV bag I've been eyeing."
Everyone was happy. In this world, money could make people irrationally question others, but once they got it, they could immediately put on a smiling face.