Chapter 13: Chapter 13

The next day, at MystiArt Productions. The Arts Department was buzzing with murmurs and whispers of the employees. Even the most composed person could be distracted from their work.

However, Annie sat in her cubicle quietly, her eyes narrowed and her gesture gentle as she outlined the patterns of a character on the desktop in front of her.

The employees were surprised again that she could keep her calm even in this situation. After all, she was the topic of discussion. The whole company was talking about what transpired at the meeting.

“Hey, girl. If I were you, I would just dig a hole and bury myself in it. These people look like monsters right now. I won’t be surprised if they gobble you up,” Layla whispered to Annie.

She could join in the gossip, but she had a heavy workload to handle. So many characters to design. However, she was grateful that Annie had not fully assumed the position of the Manager’s assistant, otherwise, she’d die of frustration.

“Annie.” Layla went on. “I don’t want to believe the news that’s going around. I know how loyal you’re to my brother. If you have nothing going on with the CEO, does he perhaps like you?”

Layla could still remember that time the HR Department’s Manager courted the girl endlessly. However, Annie did not give in to his sweet words and his persistence to chase her, even though the man was way richer than her brother.

‘Like her?’ Layla’s question made Annie look up from her work. She shook her head, laughing softly.

How she wished that never happened. “I don’t deserve to be liked by the CEO. Aren’t you dreaming too far, Layla?”

“Huh?” Layla gave her a confused look. “Why not? You’re beautiful, Annie. In this whole Department, every girl envies your beauty. Even though you’re so boring that I pity my brother sometimes, if I was a man, I would also be drawn by your beauty–“

Layla’s blabbering was interrupted by the sound of angry footsteps approaching their cubicles. They both looked up and saw Priscilla striding forward with an irritated look.

“How dare you, Annie!?” She slapped the desk and glared down at Annie.

Priscilla was fuming in rage so much that she was barely recognizable. Her eyes were red and she looked a bit haggard.

Annie resumed working on her desktop, unbothered by the loud noise. “Ms. Wang, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?”

“You!” Priscilla only looked more irritated. “It seems you have grown wings in this company, Annie! Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Because you have caught the CEO’s attention, do you think you can do as you please!?”

Priscilla’s screams filled the whole Department. It was as if the girl could jump at Annie if she had the chance to. Why not? Her father was the most respected Manager in this company. Yet, Annie dared to challenge him during the meeting.

“I think what Priscilla wants is good treatment. When last did you go to the Spa, Ms. Wang?” Layla chipped in, making Priscilla more irritated.

“Stay out of this, Layla. You know we’re not enemies.” Priscilla gave Layla a pointed look then turned back to Annie. “You can’t even match up to our status. Annie, just be careful. Because you’re favored in this company doesn’t mean you can disrespect others.”

The door to the Manager’s office opened and Priscilla thought this was the right time to raise her voice.

“Annie, I know this is all a façade. If you’re not close to the CEO, why would he specifically choose you to do the presentation instead of Mr. Ju’an? Obviously, the CEO gave our Manager a hard time because of you, right?”

The whole employees held their breaths. The Manager was standing behind Priscilla while she said those words. And his expression right now was unreadable.

Jason had heard the commotion from his office. He didn’t expect to come out and hear the exact words that had been troubling him from the meeting.

He looked at Annie. But the girl only laughed at Priscilla’s words. “Mm. Isn’t Ms. Wang so imaginative? You might do well in the Innovation Department and come up with a great story idea.”

Ah! Her words were like a dagger to the heart. And Priscilla looked as if she would faint. Even Jason was surprised by her nonchalant comeback. And Layla couldn’t help but laugh.

She was about to praise Annie, but her eyes caught a figure coming out of the elevator and her expression changed.

“Hey, Assistant Jiang.” Layla stood up and met the guy on the way. “Remember I have a bone to pick with you. Where’s my compensation? Didn’t you promise to apologize to me?”

The assistant couldn’t have time for the crazy lady. He could remember promising to compensate for stealing her phrase, just to get some information from her that day. However, he had his Boss’s order to carry out. And if he didn’t hurry, he would be in a real hot bubbling soup.

Therefore, he ignored Layla and walked straight to Annie. “Ms. Lin, if you’re not busy, could you follow me to the CEO’s office? He requests to see you.”

But even if she was busy, the assistant would have to drag her. Remembering his Boss’s expression, he cringed inside.

The assistant was oblivious to the fact that his words just piqued the employees’ curiosity the more. Even Jason looked conflicted.

“Sure.”

However, Annie didn’t give him a hard time. After the short reply, she went ahead to the elevator and he followed her, sighing in relief.

“Hey, Assistant Jiang, come back,” Layla yelled after him. “Don’t you dare ignore me!”

Standing inside the elevator, Annie brought out her phone and got engrossed in it. The assistant couldn’t tell what she was thinking. The girl looked so calm at the moment.

And he couldn’t shake off the feeling that something about her had changed. Three years ago, a beautiful girl, as fair as jade and gentle as a lotus had snatched his Boss’s heart.

Her smile could make hearts flutter and her eyes shone like rainbows. On the contrary, the girl standing in front of him right now could make people shudder with only a smile.