As expected, Michael averted his emotionless gaze from Ivanka and turned to the others.“We’ll begin executing the plan tomorrow. Everyone will cooperate with Ms. Lane and listen to her.”“Sure, boss.”Some people responded, while some nodded.Ivanka, on the other hand, said nothing. After talking for so long, her throat felt a little parched.In the next moment, Michael got up and left the room.Evan immediately said, “The meeting is adjourned. You all may get ready for the work we’re about to do.”The staff said nothing. They gathered the documents they had brought and left one after another.Ivanka was assigned to Barkworth’s Group as a director rather than starting her career in this company. Everyone’s attitude toward her varied. Some were neutral. Some disliked her because they thought she was all empty talk. Some chose to observe her and did not get involved. She did not care about their thoughts and actions.After all, there were always challenges in everything she d
Michael opened the document, which contained a bunch of data.This was not in Ivanka’s job scope at all.The sight of the document puzzled her as well.“Have a look at the data. It needs two people working together to crack the software. Help me out?“ Michael’s voice sounded calm. Even though she was asking for her help, his tone of voice did not sound that way. To be even more accurate, his request sounded like an order. Just as she hesitated for a moment, Michael had already taken out a laptop from his drawer and handed it over.Ivanka was speechless. Still, she took the laptop. Since Michael had not stopped her when she hacked his company’s security system a while ago, she opened the laptop calmly.Michael gave her the flash drive, and she opened it as well. Then, the two of them started cracking the software.The only noise in the quiet office was the sound of them tapping on the keyboards.The two of them were staring at the computers attentively. As they cracked the soft
Ivanka pursed her lips and did not bother to say anything. She ignored Michael as she stood up and walked away.Michael remained seated and motionless as he watched the leaving Ivanka with an intensely piercing gaze. Others would have succumbed to the pressure with trembling legs and shaking hands, but not Ivanka; she stormed off. She could not stand him any longer.In the past, she would have felt sad because he did not like her. But she felt extremely disappointed because everything he did seemed to be motivated by selfish motives. She realized how blind she had been.However, if Jonah had said those things instead, Ivanka would not become overly angry or upset.Even though his intentions were more obvious than Michael’s, she considered it normal.Perhaps it was because the expectations from someone you once loved were different.Realizing that the person she once loved had become someone terrifying made her feel indescribably agitated.Once she was back in her offic
Everyone turned to Ivanka. Since David had spoken up, those who sought his favor would not let this pass.Jake, a young man in his early thirties, turned to Ivanka and said without hesitation, “Ms. Ivanka, Mr. David did nothing wrong. We also feel that your handling of this matter is inappropriate. During the interviews, you mentioned how, besides skills, you also consider the person’s character. We do agree with you. However, today’s candidate seemed quite peculiar in terms of his personality. Yet you simply went ahead and hired him without a second thought. You even gave him a pay raise.”He paused intentionally before continuing, “Not only did you put Mr. David in an awkward position, but you also criticized him in front of so many people. How is this his fault?”David had the upper hand when it came to winning people over to his side. After all, he was a senior figure in the company and excelled in terms of his capabilities in the industry. Moreover, he worked in Barkworth’s G
Jack was speechless as his face turned red.He then said angrily, “Everyone’s just having a regular meeting. Ms. Ivanka. Why are you recording it? You know that’s illegal, right?”Ivanka pursed her lips and said, “Illegal?”The expressions of the other people in the meeting changed.Rachel Adams, a lady who admired Ivanka, looked at Jack and said annoyedly, “Did you not sleep well last night? Why are you always so confused? Ms. Ivanka is Iris. Surely she knows what she can and cannot do.”She did not directly say it, but what she meant to ask was, “Was he stupid or something?!”“I—” For a moment, he was at a loss for words.David’s expression darkened.Even though Rachel did not mention his name, David felt implicated because he was the one who brought this topic up first.He clenched his fists under the table, struggling to control his anger.Ivanka looked calmly at David. “Mr. David, what do you think?”He had been vetoing her from the start.Even though he was just the
“Whatever Mr. David did in this department before has nothing to do with me. But from now on, anything under my leadership is all on me,” said Ivanka as her voice remained firm.David’s expression soured further, while Ivanka coldly surveyed everyone.“Michael’s orders for you are to obey me without question. Remember this rule. I won’t screw over anyone even if there’s a financial loss. It’s just because Michael has more money than sense. He’s willing to trust me, so you all have no choice but to obey.”What she said sounded presumptuous, but nobody thought she took advantage of Michael’s authority to do as she pleased.Instead, the attendees were overwhelmed by her dominance.She even openly addressed him by name and stated that he had more money than sense...This stirred up various emotions among many people in the meeting.What was more, Evan was in the meeting as well!Would he tell Michael what Ivanka said?At that moment, everyone looked at him discreetly.To their su
For some reason, everyone in the meeting felt envious.Some sneered inwardly, “Did she seriously think she could get away with anything just because she has got a bit of talent? Would Michael let her have her way?”Michael and Ivanka were locked in a silent gaze, both with cold and indifferent expressions.For some reason, the rest of the people in the meeting room felt as if they were non-existent to the two of them, unable to blend in anymore.No one dared to even take a deep breath. They were uncertain about Michael’s mood. In fact, some had already begun to fear his wrath might be unleashed upon them.Amidst everyone’s contemplation, Michael turned to look at them and said nonchalantly, “Did you all hear that?”Everyone was at a loss for words.They were bewildered and wondered if they had misheard him.But the next moment, they realized he was actually agreeing with Ivanka’s approach!Seriously? How could he?!David was the last to come back to his senses. He was so f
Michael ignored everyone as he continued to watch Ivanka until she was out of his sight.As he stood up, Evan also rose from his seat and glanced at his watch before saying, “It’s getting late. Let’s head back and get back to work.”No one uttered a word as Evan followed Michael out.They were moving sluggishly in the meeting room as they exchanged glances.One of them could not help but say, “From now on, let’s just obediently follow orders, or else we might really face consequences.”David’s expression darkened. Even so, he had no dignity left. Michael had stripped him out of it just to protect that flower vase!He took a deep breath and suppressed his anger as he walked out briskly.Many people in the room looked at him with contemptuous smirks.His good times there would eventually come to an end if this continued.He deserved it.Jake, who previously spoke up for David, was now nervous and confused. He walked out in a daze, unsure what to do next. ... The entire comp