Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Aurelia discreetly entered the office.

Just as she settled in, her colleague and good friend, Millie, approached.

“Aurelia, you put on makeup today. Have you reconciled with Seth?” Millie teased.

“I kept saying, Seth’s like a good catch. Dumping him is such a waste. You know how guys are. They care a lot about their pride. Could’ve compromised a bit, you know? Don’t lose out over something minor,” Millie said, shaking her head.

She looked innocent, but gossiping was her usual game.

Aurelia, unwilling to explain the reasons behind her breakup with Seth, shook her head and said, “Millie, it’s really over. Let’s not talk about him anymore.”

Sensing Aurelia’s irritation, Millie quickly changed the subject, “Alright, alright, I won’t bring it up again. By the way, I heard from my secret sources that our company might have some. personnel changes.”

Aurelia was about to inquire about the changes when a work message appeared on her computer.

“9:00 am. Meeting in the conference room.”

Aurelia and Millie glanced at the time. There were only three minutes left until nine.

They quickly grabbed their notebooks and headed to the meeting room without wasting time. on words.

Aurelia worked as a planner in a renowned advertising agency in Seacester.

Besides advertising design, they undertook various event planning, from business activities to celebrity entertainment, achieving considerable success.

In the meeting room, Aurelia had just taken her seat. Zachary entered with a heavy expression.

“We have two announcements today.”

Everyone promptly opened their notebooks, afraid of missing any work–related details.

“Firstly, the boss has assigned a crucial task. It involves planning the opening ceremony for a new company. The boss is said to have a strong background as a returnee elite with substantial financial resources. However, the requirements are challenging, and so far, he has rejected proposals from five other companies.”

“Secondly, the boss will select, a deputy director between either Aurelia or Kimberly from the Planning Department. Whoever secures this collaboration will become the deputy director.” Deputy director?

Aurelia’s eyes

got promoted.

lit

She wouldn’t have to worry about her mother’s medical expenses if she

She immediately raised her hand, “Mr. Zeller, what’s that company’s name? I want to try to contact them.”

“Hold on!”

The one speaking was Aurelia’s competitor and nemesis in the company, Kimberly.

Kimberly was a returnee. She was not only young and beautiful but also had an influential uncle who owned a company.

The day she was parachuted into the Planning Department, she caught the attention of the entire building.

However, an ordinary employee like Aurelia had no idea what she had done to offend Kimberly.

Every time, Kimberly would be sarcastic and insinuating to her.

Zachary looked at Kimberly in confusion and asked, “Kimberly, do you have any questions?”

Smirking, Kimberly rested her chin delicately on her hand, a mischievous smile playing on her refined face.

“Mr. Zeller, I don’t have any questions, but Aurelia might. I heard her mother is seriously ill, and she has taken several days off this month. I’m afraid she won’t be able to handle both. The boss values us so much. It wouldn’t be unfair if something happened to her due to personal issues, even if I win. Not to mention, it wouldn’t be good for the company’s image.”

She spoke as if she had already won.

Aurelia halted, her pen momentarily suspended over the notebook. She lifted her eyes to Kimberly, seated opposite her at the table.

In the past, she couldn’t be bothered with the office politics played by Kimberly, her rival. However, this promotion opportunity was not something she could afford to lose.

She assured Zachary, “Mr. Zeller, I promise my personal matters will not affect my work.” Kimberly’s lips curled slightly, a sly glint in her eyes.

“Aurelia, I do believe in your capabilities. However, I heard your boyfriend caused a scene at the company’s entrance after work yesterday. Doesn’t that count as an impact? The company is not a marketplace. It made us look bad.”

Hearing this, Zachary furrowed his brow and turned his attention to Aurelia.

Aurelia sighed, “I’m sorry. There won’t be a next time.‘”

Kimberly seemed eager to say more, but Zachary interrupted by tapping on the table.

“Alright, we’re discussing work here, not personal matters. You two, present your proposals in a week.”

“Okay.” Aurelia nodded understandingly.

“Okay,” Kimberly muttered under her breath, displeased that she couldn’t change Zachary’s decision.

Zachary briefly summarized everyone’s performance from the previous week and concluded the meeting.

As he rose, he pointed at Aurelia and Kimberly.

“Both of you, come to my office to get the information on the company.”

“Sure.”

Aurelia and Kimberly nodded and followed Zachary into his office.

As Aurelia skimmed through the documents, she recognized the name One Technology. It was a familiar name.

She assumed the new rich company would have demanding requirements without delving further.

Surprisingly, there were only a few words: “Align with the company philosophy.”

Anyone with planning experience knew that more straightforward requirements often meant. more challenging tasks.

Zachary settled into his seat and smiled.

“What do you think? How confident are you?”

Kimberly’s eyes sparkled with confidence as they swept over the five words of One Technology.

“Mr. Zeller, you can rest assured. I won’t let you down.”

“Hmm.”

Zachary nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Aurelia.

“And you?”

“I haven’t figured it out yet,” Aurelia replied, pursing her lips.

She couldn’t boast about her chances without understanding One Tech’s requirements.

Zachary furrowed his brow but didn’t blame her.

He continued, “This is a rare opportunity. If you miss it, who knows when the next one will

come.”

The implication was clear, missing this chance meant uncertain prospects for the next promotion.

The atmosphere in the office tensed, and Aurelia even received a discreet glare from Kimberly. “Alright, get to it,” Zachary said with a wave of his hand.

“Yes.”

Aurelia and Kimberly exited the office.

Aurelia’s path was blocked by Kimberly, who sensually tossed her hair.

“Dear Aurelia, I won’t give in to you this time. I know your mom is unwell, so you don’t have. to compete with me. Once I become the vice director, I’ll take good care of you.”

Aurelia was accustomed to Kimberly’s snide remarks.

These words didn’t faze her at all.

She politely smiled and replied, “Thanks, considering what you just said, you’ve let me off plenty of times before. This time, there’s no need to hold back. Since it’s a competition, may the best person win.”

Kimberly’s hand stiffened.

Her exquisite eyeshadow couldn’t conceal the sharp gaze directed at Aurelia.

How dare Aurelia mock her for usually losing to her!

This was precisely why she disliked Aurelia.

Despite her superior education, appearance, and family background, Aurelia won clients‘ favor.

Aurelia’s success resulted in people privately mocking or ridiculing Kimberly.

ete with an

People mocked her by saying that a well–educated overseas student couldn’t compete ordinary university graduate like Aurelia.

This time, Kimberly was determined to defeat Aurelia.

She pulled her lips into a smile and said, “Give it your best shot, so later, no one can accuse me of bullying you.”

With that, Kimberly sashayed away.

Aurelia, puzzled, watched Kimberly’s retreating figure.

Why did her words sound like she already had the victory in the bag?

Could it be that Kimberly had already figured out a way?

Not wanting to be influenced by Kimberly, Aurelia returned to her desk to review the documents.

One Technology…

Suddenly, something clicked in her mind.

She opened her bag and pulled out an ID card.

“Leslie, thirty years old, programmer, One Technology.”

No wonder it seemed so familiar. Leslie was an employee at One Technology. Didn’t that mean she could ask Leslie about their company’s requirements?