Chapter 43 Difficulties
Alison smiled at her colleagues' enthusiasm, but inside, she felt utterly exhausted. If she wanted to stay at YD, she had to fit in.
"Alison, your German is so good! Why don't you join the foreign trade department?" a female colleague asked curiously.
It seemed her story had already spread through the purchasing department. "Oh, I just started at YD and don't have much experience. I wanted to start with the basics," she replied, hoping Aidan wouldn't notice her.
But she had run into him on the day of her interview, and since then, avoiding him had been impossible.
Just as the conversation was heating up, Manager McLean suddenly interrupted coldly, "What are you all doing during work hours? Got too many performance bonuses, huh? Fine, everyone not at their post this month will have their salary docked by a hundred dollars. Consider this a warning—no more chatting during work hours."
Then, turning to Alison, McLean added, "Alison, get me a list of these people immediately. Not one name missing, including yours."
Alison stuck out her tongue, completely clueless about what she had done to make McLean so angry.
She gave everyone an apologetic look, then grabbed a sticky note from the desk and started writing down the names of all the employees not working.
The crowd dispersed, their joy turning to discomfort. No one had expected McLean to treat them this way, but everyone knew her temper—she meant what she said.
Alison finished the list and looked at each person guiltily. As McLean's assistant, she had no choice.
When she handed the list to McLean, she took it indifferently and said coldly, "You're my assistant. Set an example. Think before you speak or act. Now, get out."
Alison couldn't understand what she had done to offend McLean. She used to think the saying "a woman's heart is as unpredictable as the tides" was derogatory, but now it seemed perfectly fitting for McLean.
She had already agreed to attend the launch event with Aidan. Did McLean really need to give her such a hard time?
Back at her desk, Alison's mind was a mess. YD was so complicated, and investigating the past would take a lot of time.
The next two days were a whirlwind. She was transferred to the foreign trade department and had to familiarize herself with client information and company operations to communicate smoothly with clients.
Out of McLean's sight, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The people in the foreign trade department were particularly easygoing and always willing to help with her questions.
YD's work pace was incredibly fast, often leaving her breathless.
Tomorrow was YD's quarterly launch event.
The management department informed Alison, "Miss Fairchild, this afternoon you need to go to Chanel to try on your evening gown. After lunch, wait in the parking lot for the car. The company will send a special car to take you."
It turned out the company had ordered evening gowns for all employees hosting clients, all in the same color and style.
The event had been in preparation for a month, and the other employees had already received their gowns. Since Alison was a last-minute addition, the company had specially ordered one for her.
Alison had a lot to familiarize herself with for the event, so after lunch, she headed to the parking lot, hoping to quickly try on the gown and get back to work.
When the elevator opened on the basement level, Alison stepped out and looked toward the parking lot.
The first thing she saw was a white Lamborghini, with a man in the driver's seat...
Oh my God, was that Jack?
Alison instantly wanted to flee.
Running into Jack at YD—would he mistake her for Emily and try to strangle her again?
The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became.
But she quickly shook her head. It couldn't be Jack. If it were really him, he wouldn't return to YD before the Winston family lifted his punishment.
From what she knew of Jack, he wouldn't come back without a reason.
After all, he had his own construction company now. In the three years since leaving YD, he had become a big shot in T City, building his empire with his own hands and mind, without needing YD's help.
It definitely wasn't him.
Alison steadied herself and walked toward the white Lamborghini. As she passed the window, she turned and smiled at the man in the driver's seat. "Good afternoon, Mr. President."
It was Aidan. Thank goodness she reacted quickly; otherwise, her behavior might have made Aidan suspicious.
Aidan opened the passenger door, clearly in a good mood. His first test had succeeded—Alison didn't seem to think he was Jack. This was a good sign. One more test, and he could confidently pursue her.
"Alison, get in the car." His tone was commanding. Accompanying Alison to try on the evening gown was a pleasant task. He had already arranged everything for the event; the only thing left was Alison outside the car.
He couldn't wait to see her in the evening gown.
"Sorry, Mr. President, I'm supposed to wait for the company's car to take me to Chanel to try on the gown for tomorrow."
"Alison, get in the car," Aidan repeated, his face showing a playful expression, as if saying, "Alison, you idiot."
Alison finally understood, pointing at Aidan and asking slowly, "Is the special car the management department mentioned your Lamborghini?" She looked around. Besides this car, the parking lot was empty.
"Yes, get in," Aidan urged.
"Mr. President, this... doesn't seem appropriate." She was just a new employee at YD and really didn't want to get involved with him.
"When I tell you to get in the car, you get in the car!" Aidan was a bit angry for the first time in front of her. No one had ever refused him like this, and it hurt his pride.
"Mr. President, you're a busy man with a lot on your plate. I'll just take the bus," Alison said, turning to leave.
She couldn't possibly go try on the gown with Aidan. The thought of him being there while she tried on clothes made her uncomfortable.
Aidan was furious and started the car immediately.
The white Lamborghini followed Alison closely. When she sped up, the car sped up; when she slowed down, the car slowed down.
Alison's frown deepened, but she couldn't shake Aidan off. It was so annoying.
But seeing the parking lot exit felt like seeing hope.
Yet the car behind her stuck to her like glue, showing no sign of giving up.
This was so unlike Aidan.