The next day news about Gabriel and the other managers leaving ABM started to trend again. This time, Emily was at the centre of the picture.
The rumours about her family going bankrupt with the Williams family surface. Fake pictures of her going on a date with older men were on the internet. The news blogger that Mrs Johnson hired did not dare attack Steam with fake news because it might be easy for Emily to produce evidence to defend the company and get him into trouble for damages.
But it is difficult for her to prove that she is not the one in the picture. Many people felt that she was just a Ceo who had dirty secrets being brought to the open.
Since Emily was the founder and Ceo of Steam, it was impossible for such negative news not to affect Steam. Emily did not even care about the news.
"What do you plan to do?" Jude asked. When Jude saw the trend that morning, he was so worried that he decided to deliver breakfast to her himself. As her house butler, no one would suspect anything if he brought her breakfast to her in the bedroom. Emily has been doing the job made for two people since Gabriel left the company. Many employees knew she spent the night in the office or a close hotel. So Jude used the excuse of bringing her food to see her.
Although he has been a part of the business world for years, he did not work in the human resources department. He was better at planning business than dealing with rumours.
"Let it be, i suppose that someone is fanning the flames; even if I come out and refuse the news, people would believe what they want to believe. Let it be; in a few days or at most a week, it would be forgotten," Emily replied. She did not care about it.
"What? If you don't care about it, many people will look at you from this angle," Jude frowned. When this kind of rumour began a few weeks back, he had used his connection to block off those perverted businessmen. Now that such news is everywhere, those businesses men would become bolder.
" I am not worried about this; people can believe whatever they want to. I am only worried about losing my invitation to the women's affair pet project," Emily sighed.
"Then we should look for means to clear your name," Jude said.
"Let it be already, uncle; too much success affects a person. Let's show a little weakness," Emily replied. Jude disagreed with her; he would rather the issue was affecting the company, but she is the Williams bloodline; how could he allow her to bore such a reputation?
"I will get to who is behind this and serve them the same measures," Jude said as he got up from his seat.
"That is a good choice," Emily agreed. She would never stop him from venting his anger. She was a Williams; no one could just step all over her and go free. Emily did not know who she could have offended that would decide to treat her with such a scheme. He would have to pay if she managed to find the person.
Emily turned to the breakfast Jude had sent over, even if it was just an excuse; Emily knew that he also worried about her health, so he would bring her some of her favourite bakings for breakfast.
After having her breakfast, Emily called Kevin and Amy into her office. Amy was someone specially trained by Jude to work with her for years. Like Kevin, Emily could trust Amy. Moreover, she had kept the secret of them going to country Kay as instructed.
She did not even slip her tongue when she chatted with other secretaries. Amy and Kevin did not know why she called them into the office... Emily picked up two envelopes and passed one to each.
"Sit down; if you agree, then we can sign an agreement," Emily smiled.
The two nodded their head and opened the envelope. Inside was an appointment letter. "ma, I am not qualified for this position," Kevin blurted out as soon as he read what was written. Emily chuckled; she should have expected this kind of reaction.
"i have never seen a person who rejects promotion like you. Although you don't have the educational qualifications, you do have the ability for the position," Emily argued.
"MA, the company has been under bad press since Mr Gabriel left; if you do this, would it not be confirming the rumours," Kevin was worried about the company.
"See, you care about the company; no one is more qualified than you. Gabriel has always been a figurehead; I have recordings of our meetings and can always disclaim those baseless rumours but shining too bright attracts too much attention. It is good for our company to be looked down on. It is even better now that many people feel we could go bankrupt in another three months without Gabriel. This way, fewer competitors would pay us attention, " Emily said.
" But ma... " Kevin was still hesitant.
" No buts, do you want this position? " Emily asked. Kevin looked at the document.
" Yes, " he replied. He wanted to advance in his career. Moreover, he had the ability; he just lacked experience and educational qualifications.
"Then it's yours; sign the contract," Emily pushed the document to him. "Gabriel leaving at this time means he forfeits the ten per cent shares he has of the company. Five would be given to you, and the other five would return to the company," Emily explained.
"Thank you for the chance; I would not disappoint you," Emily saw how grateful he was and became confident in her choice.
"I trust you; you have proven your worth. Your idea for the government project is the reason why we have a place today. This qualifies you for the position. Anyways you would be assisting me just like before," Emily joked.
Kevin nodded his head. He looked like a student that his teacher had praised. Indeed he had not wanted to work with Emily because of her gender, but his view of her changed in a few months. Even if he was older, he still saw her as a mentor.
"Amy, do you have any complaints?" Emily turned to her.
"No," Amy smiled. She was happy to have the opportunity to work with the Ceo. People working at the top floor of ABM knew that Emily could run the company.
"You have basic self-defence skills?" Emily asked. Although she knew the answer to the question, she still asked.
"Yes," Amy answered.
"Great, it might get dangerous sometimes," Emily said. Although she had a bodyguard, she did not want to have a person who could not protect themselves in times of trouble.
Amy raised her brows; she could not tell if Emily was looking for a personal assistant or a bodyguard.
" The self-defence is for you, I do not wish for you to protect me; as long as you can protect yourself and the information with you, we are good," Emily Clearfield seeing how she was looking at her.
"I understand," Amy happily took the contract and signed her name. She knew that she would have a three-month trial after which she could end double her current salary and have an apartment in glory estate.
"I will not disappoint you," Amy knew that Emily could have picked someone else. After all, they were three in the secretary's office. Emily was giving her a chance to prove herself; she was happy to receive such a favour.
"Kevin would hand over to you and then take over his new position," Emily said.
"Ms, here are the people I picked for the management post," Kevin passed a folder to Emily.
"There is no need to report this to me; you would be the one walking with them; I would trust your judgment," Emily replied.
Kevin was pleased to hear this. He knew better than anyone that Emily found it difficult to trust people, so having her trust him made him happy, but it also put a weight on his shoulders. He did not want to disappoint her.
" After handing over, meet the public relations manager and release the news of your promotion," Emily said.
"I do not think it would be the best idea; the news of Mr Gabriel is everywhere; if a common assistant like me takes over his position at this time, it might have bad effects on the company. There is no need for the announcement. Let's wait for the news to blow over, " Kevin advised.
" No, ABM also has the mind to invite you over; if I make you the vice at this time, they would be more determined to get you. Or perhaps they would conclude that they have pushed me to the wall. You must realise that our real enemy is not the internet user but ABM. Moreover, ours is not an entertainment company. We don't need a good press to sell. As long as our products are standard, we are good, " Emily explained.
Kevin nodded in understanding. His boss was scheming again. This time, she was going to use him to block ABM. But he wondered why she was pushing herself to such a dead end.