"Veronica, this transfer is the best chance for you to break through the bottleneck of your career. You've been working as a project manager for three years. With your qualification, it might be difficult for you to get another promotion..."
Veronica Lawson fiddled with her pen, calmly looking at the chattering man in front of her. She remembered the time when she had first entered the company three years ago. This man hasn't changed a bit, he was as meticulous and high-spirited.
He always wore the same golden-framed spectacles and a well-ironed suit. She noticed the white strands on his hair and the frown between his brows. The man in front of her was both a teacher and a friend. She knew he had some self-serving motivations.
The man finally finished proposing his long-term career plan for Veronica's future. He looked at her with expectation and said cautiously, "Veronica, what do you think?"
Veronica remained silent, as if taking great interest towards the pen in her hand. The meeting room suddenly fell silent.
After considering for some time, Veronica said, "Mr. Ingham, you're was so thoughtful and considerate. How could I refuse?" Although she had tried her best to restrain herself, her sarcasm was overflowing.
"I recall that during the acquisition of Rolin Industry, the expected value that I calculated was two percent. However the final acquisition turned out to be a deal of 1.2 billion dollars. Mr. Ingham, it's a five percent difference!" Even in such a tit-for-tat situation, Veronica was not aggressive at all. Her unexpressive tone made Shawn Ingham tremble.
"Veronica..."
"Hush," Veronica interrupted Shawn, "I've been in Dreamwork Company for so many years. It's impossible to hide any news from me. The board of directors was in teh midst of a reorganization, and Mr. Brown took the opportunity to make some quick cash. You had no choice in the matter."
"Veronica, I..."
"I'm going to say no to the temporary transfer to Europe. Since Dreamwork Company has also been acquired by the Righteous Group alongside with Rolin Industry, I'm moving to the Righteous Group instead."
"Veronica, this..."
"Rather than transferring me away so that you can amend the accounts, I'd much rather do it myself. As long I get into the Righteous Group, I'll guarantee you that the accounts will be polished clean."
Shawn wanted to rebut, but he couldn't utter a sound. Veronica glared at him but did not give him direct eye contact. She had always been calm and demure, and he knew Veronica was never one to bargain.
"I can't make a decision. I'll have to check with Mr. Brown on this," Shawn mumbled.
"Very well then. Do check with him which option he prefers, be it my transfer into the Righteous Group, or my sending in of the accounts for inspection?"
Veronica was having a headache. Dreamwork Company was located in the busiest business district of the city. As the most outstanding performance project manager, Veronica enjoyed the best office location with the best scenery, thanks to the huge French windows that overlooked the Luke River. However, at the same time, her office was constantly flooded with sunlight, which annoyed Veronica even further.
Veronica was not confident that Samuel Brown would let her go. The accounts and evidence that she had on here were insufficient as blackmail material, so she could only bluff it out.
Once transferred to Europe, with Samuel's cunning methods, it would probably be difficult for Veronica to return home.
"Veronica, Mr. Brown wants to see you tonight!"
The famous Flourish Club was the biggest money squandering establishment in South City. In fact, Veronica looked down on Samuel. Businessmen were said to have dabbled with dirty money one way or another, be it monetary compensation or a position via illicit deals. However, it was the first time Veronica had met someone like Samuel Brown, who was both stingy and did not know how to play by the rules of the game.
Having been in the financial world for many years, Veronica had seen her fair share of places like this, although she was no regular patron. Veronica was not a naïve girl, and she heightened her cautiousness as she walked along the corridors of Flourish Club.
Veronica pushed open the door of the private room. "Mr. Brown!" Veronica might not be a breathtaking beauty, but she was elegant in her ways. Her complexion was fair and she came with an extremely high EQ, putting her in the spotlight of the financial field in recent years.
In fact, Samuel Brown was also reluctant to part with Veronica. After all, it was hard to come across as clever and sensible a female subordinate as her.
Women, especially Veronica's kind, were worth more than hundreds of millions of dollars when utilized at the right place and the right time.
"Miss Lawson, you're late today," Samuel raised a glass of wine, offering it to Veronica.
Veronica accepted the glass with a smile and tried her best to avoid Samuel's bodily advance towards her. Samuel didn't mind her actions, and continued to smile at Veronica. Veronica, who was well aware of her situation, cautiously took a small sip of wine as a gesture of politeness and set her glass down.
"Miss Lawson, you've been working for Dreamwork Company for the past few years. You're very capable. To be honest, I really appreciate you."
Veronica had not expected Samuel to be so straightforward, so she followed suit and cut to the chase, "I was the one who planned Rolin Industry's acquisition. Since you appreciate my ability and effort, you should know very well that if anyone could make you satisfied with the accounts, that would be me."
Samuel held Veronica's white and slender fingers in his hands and whispered in her ear, "Miss Lawson, you've always made me happy."
Veronica could smell the faint scent of cigarettes and alcohol coming from the middle-aged Samuel. When she turned around, she noticed Samuel's yellow teeth. Veronica instantly felt nauseous at the sight, but she could not push him away directly. She bent forward to pick up her glass from the table, "Mr. Brown, cheers."
"The president of the Righteous Group will arrive shortly. Whether or not you'll be able to enter the Righteous Group, depends on your performance."
Veronica was quite surprised that Samuel had let her go so easily, but she kept her emotions under covers, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Brown."
Samuel swirled the wine glass in his hand and said, "Don't worry. Although I may not be the best person, I always keep my promises, especially to women."
Veronica sneered. Since when had Samuel become a man of his word, or an ally of women?
How could Samuel possibly let her go so easily, if not for the fact that he was probably afraid of the leverage in Veronica's possession? By helping her into the Righteous Group, it was an opportunity for Samuel to show off while establishing business connections with the Righteous Group.
Perhaps it was due to the atmosphere in the room, Veronica started getting a little tipsy after a few drinks. Her cheeks were flushed and her vision was blurry. She leaned on one arm of the sofa , feeling extremely sleepy.
"Mr. Duncan, nice to meet you," Samuel forced a smile, scrunching his facial features together so tightly that the oil seemed to ooze out of his very pores.
Marcellus Duncan shook hands with Samuel as a formality, while his assistant took off his coat. When Marcellus was about to take his seat, he noticed Veronica, the lady in red, her fair and slender shoulders showing through her dress. Her long hair covered her face, which he found quite charming.
Veronica also noticed their visitor. She composed herself and poked fun at herself internally, "Wow, I must really be stoned. This man in front of me really looks like that b*stard Marcellus."
Samuel took Veronica's hand and introduced her to Marcellus, "Mr. Duncan, this is Miss Veronica Lawson, the person in charged of the acquisition of the Rolin Industry. She is a very capable member of the staff." As he said this, he patted Veronica's tight bottom and motioned her to step forward.
Marcellus stared at Samuel's pudgy fingers and pulled Veronica closer to him.
Samuel was a little surprised. He immediately got what Marcellus implied and withdrew his hands in embarrassment.
Veronica stumbled and sat beside Marcellus. Although she knew they were talking business, she was still tipsy. Her mind was wandering and her vision was still blurred. "Hello, Mr. Duncan. What a coincidence that your last name is also Duncan."
