Chapter 49

Chapter 49:

The assistant manager, having patiently explained the business basics to Jenna, finally reached his breaking point after her sharp retort.

“Fine, I see how it is,” he muttered with a resigned sigh, leaving the room with a mix of frustration and disrespect lingering in the air.

Not long after, Jeffry arrived to check on Jenna’s progress.

“Hey sweetheart, how’s it going?” Jeffry asked, his tone warm and encouraging.

“Pretty good,” Jenna replied with a smile.

Jeffry affectionately patted her head. “That’s my girl! You know, the assistant manager is a talented individual. I went to great lengths to recruit him. He’s exceptional in this industry, and I expect you to learn as much as you can from him. One day, you might even surpass him.”

Jeffry greatly valued the entertainment branch of the Chapman Group. Recently, the company had faced several challenges, with major partnerships abruptly ending, causing him stress. He saw Jenna’s involvement as a chance to stabilize the business.

However, Jenna absorbed his encouragement with a certain detachment. To her, the assistant manager was just another employee. “Alright,” she replied dismissively.

After giving a few more instructions, Jeffry left, leaving Jenna to continue her studies. But after just a few hours, she found the routine of office work incredibly boring. Restless, she left the building for some fresh air.

While outside, Jenna spotted a familiar figure entering a nearby office building. Was that Madisyn? What could she possibly be doing here?

Curiosity piqued, Jenna dug deeper and soon discovered that Madisyn had become the president of Natural Beauty, a skincare company. While not the biggest player in the industry, it still held a significant market presence.

How?

Had Madisyn secured wealthy backers after leaving the Chapman family? The thought made Jenna’s expression darken. She couldn’t bear the idea of Madisyn succeeding without the Chapman family’s influence.

As Jenna scoured the internet for more information, she stumbled upon a past scandal involving Natural Beauty, where one of their products had caused a celebrity to suffer an allergic reaction. A sly smile formed on Jenna’s lips—this could be the leverage she needed.

A few days later, Madisyn was preparing for her first major meeting at Natural Beauty. She entered the conference room at 8:30 a.m., only to find it nearly empty.

“Where is everyone?” Madisyn asked her assistant.

The assistant shifted uncomfortably. “Ms. Atkins said she had other commitments and couldn’t attend. Several others said the same.”

“Did they report their absences in advance?”

“No,” the assistant replied, her tone uneasy.

Madisyn quickly understood the situation. This was a clear act of defiance. These employees didn’t believe that a woman in her twenties, appointed through family ties, would dare to discipline them.

There were whispers throughout the company that Madisyn had only become president because of her connection to Dane. The employees resented the idea of their company being used as a pawn in someone else’s romance, and they were determined to teach Madisyn a lesson.

“Document every absentee,” Madisyn commanded, her tone cold. “Inform them: miss another meeting, and they needn’t bother returning.”

Her assistant hesitated, sensing the potential backlash, but the firm resolve in Madisyn’s eyes was undeniable. She reluctantly proceeded with the task.

One of the older employees, Brenda Peck, let out a deep sigh and looked at Madisyn. “Young lady, this business is no simple matter. At your age, wouldn’t you prefer to enjoy life, watch the flowers bloom, and bask in the daylight? Why get yourself tangled up in this mess?”

Madisyn held Brenda’s gaze steadily. “Brenda, I’m not playing around here.”

Brenda, caught off guard, suddenly saw Madisyn in a new light. She actually knew her name? Brenda had assumed that Madisyn was just a figurehead, placed in power because of her relationship with Dane. But now, she was starting to realize that this young woman might be more serious than she had thought.

Throughout the meeting, Madisyn commanded attention. Her presentation was sharp, well-researched, and thorough, showcasing a depth of understanding far beyond what anyone expected from someone so young. She laid out a clear and feasible roadmap for the company’s future.

Murmurs of approval rippled through the room. Eyes sparkled with newfound respect for their young president.

Even Brenda, previously skeptical, approached Madisyn after the meeting with newfound esteem. “Miss Johns, my apologies for earlier. You’ve clearly earned your place here.”

Madisyn gave a slight, gracious smile. “Thank you, Brenda.”

As her words lingered in the air, the doors to the conference room abruptly swung open, and a group of executives, dressed extravagantly and trailing a cloud of expensive perfume, strode in. The woman leading them crossed her arms, barely glancing at Madisyn.

“Apologies for being late. I was tied up with urgent business,” the woman said dismissively.

“The meeting is over,” Madisyn replied flatly.

“But we’re here now,” the woman challenged, her tone dripping with arrogance. “You wouldn’t deduct from our performance bonuses, would you?”

Madisyn’s response was swift and unyielding. “And why not?”

.

.

.