As far as she could remember, Laura Higgins had always preferred being alone.
Strongly introverted, she trusted that she owed her brilliant and colorful mind to not having to associate herself with other people.
In her private life, her unsociable attitude did not harm her at all. In her professional life, unfortunately, especially in a company as big as Primavera, it took a certain toll on her career.
Within the R&D Department, people looked to destroy each other. They started with the outcasts first. Laura, no matter how brilliant or how resourceful, was sadly one of the outcasts.
Yesterday morning, Mr. Elliott who held the position of R&D Manager was expelled for committing fraud with a supplier.
The moment the supplier company in question underwent a contract audit, the whole department knew that Mr. Elliott was going to take a fall.
So who was going to replace him?
The senior researchers with the qualifications for promotion were Laura Higgins and Janine Mayer. Between the two of them, Janine was more popular and had more friends. She was also constantly supported by her two friends, Jemma and Janette.
Laura had no support, neither from the junior researchers, peers, nor superiors.
Her only hope was for the next manager to be selected based on contribution and ability, not only based on popularity.
She knew for sure that if Janine got selected, she might as well switch companies. Janine was not going to let her survive in the department.
After Mr. Elliott was fired, Mr. Collins the HR Manager held a meeting for all R&D Department employees to explain the nature of the dismissal. It was still unclear how or who was going to be selected to replace him as the manager.
The new CEO, Damian Henderson, had yet to decide.
During lunch, Laura Higgins saw Irene Gallagher. Irene was just like her, an outcast.
If Laura was not that introverted, she would love to say hello. And maybe try to find out what kind of person Mr. Damian Henderson was and whether or not she could keep her hope up.
Then again, she was not Janine.
It felt wrong to even approach Irene.
Laura made a turn to the left before she bumped into Irene and sat at the farthest table for two near the window.
"Hello."
Laura widened her eyes in surprise and turned her head to look at the source of the voice.
It was Irene Gallagher.
Laura's jaw dropped open in amazement.
"Can I sit over here?" Irene asked while gesturing at the seat opposite Laura.
"Umm, yes, of course."
"My name is Irene," Irene held her hand out toward Laura.
"Laura Higgins, Senior Researcher in the Perfume Section," Laura introduced herself with her position automatically. It was a die-hard habit.
"Wow, you must be very smart," Irene praised. "I guess we have to thank you for the great perfume selection."
Laura shrunk in her seat.
"Not really. It is a team effort so it is a team result. I am just doing my job."
Irene ignored Laura's humble self-abasement completely and carried on with the conversation.
"What was Mr. Elliott like?"
What was he like? Difficult to say.
"I guess he's okay," Laura slowly said.
Aside from the part where he colluded with a supplier and collected extra fees from there, of course.
"Now that the R&D Department lost a manager, a new manager will be appointed soon."
Laura tensed up all of a sudden. She sat up with a straight back and a pair of determined eyes.
"Did you hear something about it?" she narrowed her eyes at Irene.
"Well..." Irene drawled. She took out a piece of folded paper from her shirt pocket and flattened it on the table. "I know of an upcoming competition for best original perfume in the industry."
The battle flame in Laura's eyes practically lit up when the word "competition" was mentioned.
"I understand," she said.
"Do your best," Irene said, beaming with a smile.
Later on that day, Irene called Janine and asked to meet up.
They agreed to talk outside of the R&D Department's lab, just in the corridor.
"I am sorry but L' Adour is not going to be audited," Irene said to Janine straightforwardly.
Janine bit into her lower lip.
"It's fine. So hey... did you find out anything unusual about it? Or maybe Mr. Wilkins did?"
Irene pulled her lips into a smile. As she expected, there was nothing wrong with L' Adour. Janine was just hoping that the auditors would stumble upon the Charpillon Cherry Extract that Laura Higgins ordered regularly.
"No, nothing unusual," Irene shrugged.
"Check again," Janine said in a low voice. "Check the last orders..."
"Right now the focus is to find a new person to replace Mr. Elliott," Irene cut Janine off mid-sentence.
The woman widened her eyes and opened her mouth in awe.
"Really," she said. "So... any news about how Mr. Henderson is going to select a new R&D Manager? I hope he is not recruiting a new person from outside."
Just like what she did for Laura earlier, Irene took out another copy of the perfume competition advertisement and gave it to Janine.
"I know this," she said mysteriously.
Janine took the advertisement and read it carefully from top to bottom.
"The submission is in a month," she said. "The registration is closed today!"
Irene nodded.
"That's why you need to hurry."
"Alright, I... I will do my best!"
Irene smiled in response and left.
That day, a certain rumor started to spread within Primavera.
The upcoming "International Best Original Perfume Competition 2022" was a prestigious event where talented individuals strived to make their names in the fragrance industry. The winner would not only reap prizes from the competition, but also be rewarded with the R&D Manager position.
By the end of the day, the registration pool for the competition was brimming full with those from the R&D Department that coveted the position. So much so that the event committee contacted Primavera out of concern.