Chapter 254
Sally never expected Patricia to skip all the pleasantries and shut her down right away. “I’m doing this for the company. As a shareholder, I’m sure you don’t want to see the company go downhill, right?”
“My being a shareholder doesn’t have anything to do with me leading Group Two. Was I not clear enough? Mr. Lawrence, you’re late. We’ve already finished our work. Have you ever seen someone who’s already eaten dinner go back and cook again just because you missed your meal?”
Patricia’s tone was soft and gentle.
But that was just her armor.
She had this talent for wrapping the sharpest words in velvet.
Sally’s temper flared. She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Aurora slipped in right after, set a fresh cup of coffee on Patricia’s desk, and grinned. “That was
badass.”
This was Sally’s very first project since she joined the planning department. If she blew it, who knew what kind of backlash she’d get?
It was obvious to anyone with eyes–her being parachuted in was all about putting Patricia under
pressure.
But Sally wasn’t clueless. If both teams worked together, at least a tie would be better than her taking
a total loss.
Too bad Patricia saw right through her little game.
To say it nicely, Sally was sent in to play the executioner.
Less nicely, she was just the scapegoat.
Patricia looked down at her black coffee. “Know anyone in accounting?”
Aurora shook her head. “Nope. But if you need someone, I can go make friends.”
Patricia raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly would you make friends?”
“If they’re cute, I’ll flirt. If not, I’ll impress them with my brains. Either way, I’ll get you what you need–promise.”
With a wink, Aurora marched out, totally fired up.
Patricia watched her go, a little lost in thought. It must be nice, she mused–being that young and energetic.
For the next couple of weeks, Tina and Emerson still hadn’t recovered from the whole Ruby–going–abroad drama, plus they were scrambling to prep for the new smart home product
launch.
The conference room was thick with tension. Everyone looked stressed–except Patricia, who sat off to one side, legs crossed, calmly sipping soy milk from her thermos.
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Chapter 254
Marian had made it for her, with goji berries and red dates. The sweet, rich smell filled the stuffy meeting room and was impossible to ignore.
Tina sat right across from her, her gaze drifting over every few minutes.
She clearly wanted to put Patricia in her place.
Patricia didn’t care at all. In fact, she met Tina’s eyes, almost daring her to say something.
Sally finished her report, and Tina jumped at the chance. “Patricia, your turn.”
“Aurora can do it.”
“Is that really appropriate?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? Is there a rule saying certain employees can’t give reports?” Patricia shot right back.
Emerson gave Tina a look over his glasses, basically telling her to leave it alone.
It was obvious–given the two proposals, Group Two’s blew Sally’s out of the water. No one with a conscience could pretend otherwise.
Once the meeting ended, everyone filed out.
Emerson stayed behind and called Kent back in.
The door clicked shut and Emerson’s voice came sharp and cold. “This is what you call a good result?”
Back in her office, Patricia waved Aurora in. “Let’s have a celebration dinner. Get everyone together.”
“You’re not coming, boss?”
“Got something else to do. You all go ahead.”
“Wow, what’s more important than a celebration?”
“Wait, are you sneaking off to meet a guy?”
“Hold up, you’re married! That’s illegal!”
Patricia shot her a look. “The guy I’m meeting is perfectly legal.”
She’d promised Oliver that morning she’d pick him up after work. The timing worked out.
She grabbed her bag, headed downstairs, and had just stepped out of the elevator when someone grabbed her arm and pulled her into the stairwell.
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