Lan Jie, her normally composed demeanor disrupted by suppressed anger, leveled a penetrating gaze at Georgia. "I've been informed that the document was assigned to you yesterday, yet it remains incomplete today," she declared, her voice firm and unwavering.
Georgia's pulse quickened, a sense of tension gripping her as she faced the inquiry. "Yes, but I..." she began, her voice faltering under the weight of Lan Jie's stern scrutiny.
"No excuses!" Lan Jie's hand came down forcefully on the table, her words cutting off Georgia's attempt at explanation. Her tone held a stark lack of patience, an overt dismissal of any potential justifications. "Where do these excuses come from? Do you comprehend the urgency? Countless others are waiting for the summary document you were responsible for. Your negligence disrupts the entire workflow of the department."
Lan Jie was known for her forgiveness in many aspects, but when it came to work, she demanded nothing short of meticulous precision.
Georgia's head bowed under the weight of her reprimand, her attempts to clarify her situation stifled by Lan Jie's unyielding demeanor.
Anger tinged Lan Jie's voice as she continued, "I must emphasize – no more excuses! The consequences of your actions are yours to bear. Have you internalized that?"
In the backdrop, her colleagues remained silent, their support evident as they stood aligned in a show of solidarity.
Georgia felt herself tongue-tied, her inability to respond laying bare the gravity of her failure. While her assignment had indeed been given the previous day, the reality was that it had been issued during the latter hours of her workday. Accounting for the time required to organize and categorize the documents, it was practically impossible to complete the quarterly summary by then.
With tension thickening the air, Lan Jie's voice regained some of its composure as she turned to address the collective. "Team, your input matters," she declared, a hint of satisfaction arising in her expression.
With a nod towards Meng Zihan, who stood beside her, Lan Jie intimated approval, allowing a sense of ease to settle into the room.
Georgia suppressed her frustration, discerning the truth behind this orchestrated challenge. No doubt, Meng Zihan had deliberately delayed the document's submission, thereby worsen the situation.
The realization hit her like a wave – the events of the previous day were not mere coincidence. Meng Zihan's strategy had been calculated to cause a ripple effect, dragging down the group's progress and tainting Georgia's reputation in the process.
As Georgia's gaze fell upon Meng Zihan, a mixture of emotions swirled within her. She understood the lengths to which Meng Zihan was willing to go in order to impede her progress, but rather than respond in kind, Georgia sought to control her anger, her determination unwavering.
Lan Jie's attention returned to Georgia, her stern demeanor lightening somewhat. "Georgia, you currently hold the role of an administrative assistant. Every action carries weight. Your attitude and diligence are paramount. If you adopt this carelessness, the administrative department's performance will suffer as a consequence. Remember, your recent accomplishments don't entitle you to complacency. Understand?"
In the presence of her colleagues, Lan Jie's reprimand was an indirect form of admonishment, a subtle reminder to remain humble despite recent achievements.
Georgia bit her lip, nodding in acknowledgment. "I understand, Elder Sister Lan. I'll be more cautious in the future."
With her promise given, she cast a deliberate glance towards Meng Zihan, reigning in her anger, and cultivating a resolve to address the challenge in a manner befitting her principles.
Dismissed, Georgia left Lan Jie's office, the disgruntled murmurs of her colleagues echoing behind her. Their discontentment was warranted – her actions had indeed disrupted their work.
Back in her office, the papers on her desk seemed to symbolize the burdens of her situation. The weight of her responsibility settled heavily upon her shoulders.
Amidst the silence, her phone's screen illuminated with a new message – from Jack. Her initial excitement waned as she read his words, and a pragmatic realization overtook her. If she wished to prevent her oversights from affecting her colleagues, she'd have to forgo spending time with him that evening.
Resolute, she typed a response, "I'll be working overtime tonight. You can head home. Don't wait for me."
Her commitment to her work superseded her personal desires. In a moment of weary solitude, Georgia's thoughts shifted back to the pile of documents before her. A renewed sense of determination took hold as she steeled herself for the task ahead.
However, the monotonous hum of the office environment was soon disrupted by the sound of footsteps drawing closer.