Today was not their day as they had seen the CEO, in his worst state and the empress was not in a good mood either.
They too had known the importance of this plan but still, they didn't give him any face nor heed to both her and the project, it was their last chance, which they didn't know about, and they definitely lost it.
The first thing she did after entering the room was to ask for the people who had given the proposals and the reasons they didn't change it according to her.
As a result, the room was eerily silent.
The directors and the executives were silent with cold sweat drenching their backs because she was looking at them with dead eyes, with no emotion. They knew it from a glance that even if they spoke it was just formality, she was going to change the whole team altogether even at the cost of her working overtime to solve this blunder. She was capable of doing that, they knew from fast hand experience, as she had fired a project manager just because the said person, gave false reports and was asking for more investment, on the first day of her work and that was not the only time since then.
They were still cursing those who had planned the project, as they didn't do it even though it was their work, of course, they couldn't say it aloud, they just hoped that she will give them face and not scold them outright, somewhere they knew that she won't be able to fire them, but... it was just not their day!!!
She let out a big sigh without holding back when she knew, it wasn't going anywhere.
To get their attention, she slammed a stack of papers on the table and she simply said in a flat voice as if speaking about the weather: "I was given orders to fire you guys out if you could not present acceptable proposals by the end of next week", placing a hand over the letters she continued, "I have no expectations so, here you go."
When they digested the meaning of her words, a group of 4 senior directors and 6 executives looked up at her with bulging eyes. They never thought it would end just like that, no matter what they still were senior management, according to them, they couldn't be discarded that easily!! Among them only the 3 people, the visibly younger ones, who were directly under her were calm.
These oldies started whispering, which as time went by turned into a commotion.
"SILENCE!!!", she ordered with an unusually stern voice, which showed a bit of her anger.
The room quieted down.
She rubbed her temples and continued in a flat tone: "CEO Qin gave you guys a 1 month period to show your worth, you disregarded it. This company does not require people like you who think it is okay to drag your way through. We have entered an era with cut-throat competition and we can't run a company with people, like you, who are sitting around, dragging us down and taking the money you are not worthy of. Before you ask, I've already recruited people who are worth much more than you, for the positions you were in, plus, if you're thinking of talking your way out with the chairman, I dare you to try. Last time he was desperate and let you in even when CEO Qin has vetoed the idea but now that I am here, there is no reason for him to ask CEO Qin to hold dead weights, like you guys, back. We're thankful for all your hard work till date and CEO Qin has already 'grown' up and won't be needing your 'assistance' so, thank you. I won't be seeing you guys out!", she enunciated her words clearly and sarcastically. At last, she asked her team to gather the new recruits and meet her in the other conference room after an hour and left the room without looking back.
After she was gone, as if injected with chicken blood, the room exploded.
All kinds of expletives and profanities were used, they roared till their throats went dry.
What else could they do, even if they were very very thick-skinned they couldn't just go and face the chairman directly as they knew what they have been doing and considering how she still gave them face by not stating it outright in front of the whole office as she did back then, they were a bit grateful.
They did it to themselves and since they knew it, they couldn't fight back......but they will get back to her, they vowed.[I mean go and complain to the chairman if you have guts!! tch!! Cowards!]
.........
Inside a high-end Japanese restaurant...
"CEO Qin you should drink a bit more~", the clients opposite to the young man slurred, these people were dead drunk but still wanted more.
Qin ZiXuan was sitting straight, he had his usual straight face which exuded nobility and had a 360 perfection to it and was sitting there without a care for this world, if not for his slightly red ears, which only Qin Meilin could notice, nobody could say that he was heavily drunk.
Normally he wouldn't drink till this state but today was an exception, when he thought of what he will do after this, a small smile played on his lips and his aura softened a bit. He looked at the time and then when he looked at the people in front, the cold aura returned back and he said: "I'll be excusing myself now, thank you for your time for the day." His voice, as usual, was cold and deep, it was not slurred. He stood up and left the room with steady steps and straight back, it was really hard to tell if he was actually drunk.
.........
Outside a high-end apartment building.....
A Maybach stopped outside the building.
A line of men in black[pun intended....hehe] came out and stood in front creating a barricade for the man inside. Qin ZiXuan tightened his trench coat as he got off of the car: "I'll be staying here for the day, leave the car here. We'll be going to meet grandfather tomorrow, no need to follow us." After he gave out his orders he went inside the building with steady steps.
...........
The second meeting, with the new members, went on for over 6 hours.
It was 21:15 now.
Heavenly Apartments.
A high-end building for the richest to live in. It was listed under the top choice for living by the next generation heirs of the people of upper echelons. You can't stay here just because you have money, connections were also required. The security and living space was top notch and hence, was the best choice for these people who didn't care about money and treated their privacy as precious jades !!
Qin Meilin stayed here for two reasons, it was really close to the office and the security was in place plus it provided privacy, yes, even against family.
She was greeted by the receptionist when she entered but failed to notice that the young man had something else to say.
She took the lift to her condo, on the top-most floor.
Every floor had 4 condos except for this one, so basically, she had bought out the whole floor.
She got out of the lift and walked to the only door which was at the end of the corridor.
Just when she took out her room key she finally noticed that something was not in place.
She took a deep breath and mumbled a curse under her breath.[...there goes the 'protection to privacy'..Meilin give them a BAD REVIEW!!]
She put on a light smile because she knew who was inside, even her grandfather was not given a key. Only to him, she gave one because---
*Flashback*
Three months ago when she bought the floor and went to inform him about it.
Qin ZiXuan: Linlin, I have an extra room here, just why-
Before he could finish speaking, for the Nth time she rejected: No!!
Qin ZiXuan: Linlin~
Qin Meilin: XuanXuan...please. Only this once, I won't take a no for an answer, okay?
Though she tried to act stern her voice was very soft.
Qin ZiXuan: hmmph!
Qin Meilin: XuanXuan, please.....
Qin ZiXuan: Since I am a gentleman..I'll accept it. But only this once, okay!!
She broke into a smile: hmm! I--
Before she could finish, she saw him put out his hands in front of her.
She gave a confused look.
Qin ZiXuan: hmmm!!
He had furrowed his brows and was practically growling...
When she understood his meaning, she let out a deep sigh and placed her key on his hands.
Qin ZiXuan: Good Girl.
He immediately took the card and placed it inside his wallet and patted her hairs lightly, to which she gave an awkward smile.....
......
Back to the present ...
She opened the already unlocked door and went in.
She took her shoes off and walked in with her soft slippers.
Inside, in the lounge area, he was leaning his head on one hand over the armrest of the sofa, the light from the chandelier shrouded him and gave him an angelic aura.
[aish!! She really loved this man who was her prince....she saw everything with a filter or maybe it was really like that]
His thick lashes fluttered open and in a really soft but deep voice he said: "Linlin, welcome back."
She smiled:" hmm..I'm back".