Chapter 10: Chapter 10

The idea to merge the Arts Department with the Innovation Department was common knowledge in the company. It had been hanging around for years now because the former CEO didn’t approve of it. And everyone that took over the Manager position in the Arts Department had brought it up in the past.

Normally, this idea was proposed by the employees of the Arts Department who felt that they were being a little underappreciated. The Manager of the Innovation Department had been against it, so it had been difficult to bring this idea into reality.

For one thing, the former CEO and the Manager of the Innovation Department happened to be friends.

And now that a new CEO had taken over the company, Mr. Song thought this was a great opportunity to bring up that proposal again. More so, he thought that this time, they might be successful because of the current scandal spreading around in the company.

Like many other managers in the company, Mr. Song thought this was a good idea and backed it up. The merging of the Arts Department with the Innovation Department was not something to be delayed. They all believed that this was an issue that served as a major roadblock in MystiArt Productions, hindering its progress for the past few years.

Coincidentally, this was the day all the Managers would have their first meeting with the new CEO. And it was the perfect time to air their concerns about the challenges their respective departments were facing in the company.

However, as they all sat in the general conference room of the company, the air was tense.

The CEO sat on the head chair across the enormous table. While the other chairs sitting around the table were occupied by the Managers. Sitting beside the Managers were also their respective assistants.

The man’s intimidating presence had most of them shrinking in their seats. Moreso, he appeared to be in a bad mood. His eyes were narrowed as his gaze swept across everyone in the room.

And each presenter wished it wasn’t them standing beside the presentation screen.

When it came time for the Arts Department to air its concern, even Mr. Song had lost some of his confidence. The only thing that gave him hope was that, the assistant of the Arts Department manager was there.

It was a surprise that among all of them, only the Young Lady didn’t seem fazed by the CEO’s demeanor. She listened to the presentations calmly. And even for once, she never spared a glance in the CEO’s direction.

Annie’s action did not escape Andrew’s eyes. Maybe that was why he seemed irritated at the moment. After all, he would glance at her now and then. Her presence in the meeting was serving as a huge distraction.

“What does the Arts Department have to say?” His voice echoed in the conference room.

Mr. Song exchanged glances with Jason who stood up with some documents. Although he was also a bit affected by the man’s presence, unlike the other managers, Jason managed to keep his cool.

He took a step forward to place the document in front of the CEO, but the man’s next words halted him, also startling everyone in the room.

“Let her do it.” Andrew pointed at Annie who had been minding her own business.

Jason was dumbfounded for a few seconds. Normally, the Managers’ assistants would be the ones to deliver the documents. But other managers did it themselves and the CEO didn’t complain.

Therefore, while the other people in the room exchanged knowing looks, he was a bit lost. Mr. Song, however, was very delighted. And he urged Annie to stand up.

Of course, Annie wasn’t at all startled. And if you look closely, the girl seemed to be laughing as a smile was evident in her eyes. With her head held high, she left her chair and took the document from Jason’s hands. After placing it in front of the man without looking at him, she walked to the presentation board and stood in front of it.

Her confident action flabbergasted everyone. It was also doing strange things to the cold man whose eyes were accessing each one of her gestures.

“The proposal for Merging the Arts Department with the Innovation Department should be considered as a blessing to the company, instead of an issue that can lead the company to lose its resources.”

Annie went straight to the point, causing everyone in the room to give her their rapt attention.

“For many years now, the Innovation Department serves as a home of ideas where the employees come up with the latest trends in the industry. And the Arts Department in return, bring those ideas into fruition.”

Her voice wasn’t too loud, but it was clear enough to reach everyone’s ears. Each of her sentences was well delivered in a clear and adept tone, inciting most of them to nod in agreement.

“However, the members of the Arts Department are not satisfied with this arrangement. It is well-known that great minds think alike, and the Innovation Department comes up with great ideas. But most of the time, they complain about the Arts Department not being competent in producing those ideas. We, the members of the Arts Department are not gods, so we can’t read minds. The ideas might be good, but our imaginations are different.”

“Therefore,” she continued. *By merging the Innovation Department with the Arts Department, it will be the responsibility of all the employees to brainstorm ideas as well as bring them to fruition. This way, both parties can all be satisfied with their work and will no longer complain about each other. The Arts Department implores the CEO to take this issue into account. Not only for the betterment of the employees’ relationship, but also the company’s resources.”

Her last words were accompanied by a loud clap of applause coming from the supporting parties. No one could disagree that her words made sense. Even Mr. Song was more enlightened.

Who would have thought the girl could handle the presentation well? She wasn’t just a wallflower after all.

But amidst the claps, a middle-aged man slapped the desk and stood up, his eyes flashing with anger. “This is impossible. Why will they merge both departments? It is evident that the Manager of the Arts Department is colluding with the other managers to bring the Innovation Department down without a clear reason!”

Everyone held their breath as they looked between the CEO and the man. He was none other than the manager of the Innovation Department, Mr. Wang. And they all wondered if the Middle-aged had lost his mind. Did he want to lose his job?

“Who gave you permission to speak?”