CHAPTER 48
ARIA’S POV
Neal’s unwavering support and steadfast defense in the face of opposition speak volumes about the depth of his love and commitment as a brother. In a room filled with skepticism and resistance, he stands as a beacon of strength and solidarity, ready to defend me against all who dare to question my abilities and qualifications as general manager.
As he faces off against the dissenting members, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration for his unwavering resolve. His unwavering belief in my capabilities serves as a powerful reminder of the bond that unites us as siblings, a bond that transcends mere words or actions.
As Neal announces his impending business trip, a sense of vulnerability creeps over me. The thought of being left alone to navigate the lingering animosity and office politics fills me with apprehension
When she has spoken to me earlier today, I have found her pretty sour. I cannot forget her supposedly words of wisdom,
“If you think that you can just do anything you want because you’re sleeping with Neal, then you’re wrong!”
However, I remind myself of the resilience I have shown in the face of adversity before and I ignore her.
Reflecting on past challenges, I realize I possess the strength and resourcefulness needed to overcome this. Though Neal may be physically absent, his unwavering support remains a source of comfort. Furthermore, I have allies ready to stand by me.
“Can you provide me with the ISO Audit file?”
Suzanne stares at me in shock as if I am speaking Greek
“What’s that?”
“So, you don’t know?”
I smirk and she shrugs, her face turn red with embarrassment.
“Drop it.”
I leave her with questions pounding her head. I am sure she will sleep with a migraine tonight.
Learning that Suzanne, an old employee with a history of feeling threatened by new faces, harbored aspirations for the general manager position, sheds light on the underlying tension in the workplace.
Despite her years of experience, Suzanne’s insecurities seem to overshadow her competence. Her reluctance to embrace change and her fixation on entitlements highlight a concerning pattern of behavior.
her resistance to growth and her tendency to
While Suzanne may have accumulated knowledge and experience over the years prioritize her own interests over the success of the company raise red flags. Moreover, her track record of mishaps on important projects suggests a pattern of incompetence that cannot be ignored.
Bonus
As Neal’s departure leaves me to navigate the office dynamics alone, I encounter Suzanne, and her hostile demeanor is palpable. The moment our paths cross, her frown deepens, and I can practically feel the waves of animosity emanating from her.
Her expression speaks volumes, a potent mix of resentment and contempt that sends a chill down my spine. It is clear that Suzanne’s feelings toward me are far from friendly–in fact, they seem to border on outright hostility
Despite the discomfort her presence brings, I refuse to let Suzanne’s negativity dictate my actions or undermine my confidence. Instead, 1 steel myself against her toxic energy, determined to rise above the fray and prove my worth through my actions.
As my brother’s instructions led me to seek guidance from the old CEO, Mr. Levis, I found him absent from the office. In his
absence, I was directed to Suzanne to inquire about my projects and responsibilities. However, a lingering sense of uncertainty
gnawed at me, leaving me wary of the circumstances surrounding this directive.
Was this merely a coincidence, or could it be part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by those who sought to undermine my
position? As I approached Suzanne for assistance, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled over me.
But it seems like Suzanne was waiting for me.
“Mr. Levis isn’t in the office. Can you please direct me to my project?”
Suzanne stares at me and then points to the adjacent desk.
“You’ll work with Sam, our partner, on the same project.”
As I look into the direction pointed by her, I see a man in his late fifties, glancing at me with a smile. So, I head to his desk. It is my
first day and I do not want to laze around. But as I reach closely, I start getting a bad vibe from Uncle Sam!
First, he pulls the chair for me to sit right beside him. Thinking that it is quite a normal practice for partners to sit next to each other so closely and discuss projects, I sit down.
But then, I am completely taken aback as he taps my thigh. Fortunately I am wearing pants, but still, he has to show respect in a professional environment.
As I lift my eyes to look around, I see everyone staring at me. Suzanne has a kind of smirk on her face and I immediately realize
that she may have set me up.
She is still thinking that I am Neal’s girlfriend or something. If I can read her mind, I am pretty sure it is full of evil plans to get me fired or get me disgraced!
“Don’t you know that you’re not supposed to touch anyone here in a very inappropriate way?”
Uncle Sam is baffled and the whole office gasps.
What? Has no one ever had the guts to remind him that he is in an office?!
First of all, the project I am working with him on is entirely crap and then this good–for–nothing uncle has the guts to touch me?
Suzanne stares at me and I see her flushed. She is furious. What is she going to do now?
