Chapter 9
“Director Chen, these are the new product design drafts the company plans to launch. Please review them. If there are no issues, I’ll submit them for signature.”
Sophia accepted the design drafts, casually flipped through them, then tossed them aside.
“This kind of design is worthy of the CEO’s signature?”
Faced with Sophia’s criticism, the young woman became flustered.
“This was previously finalized by Designer Pierce and the others.”
This statement only made matters worse.
Sophia threw the files on her desk onto the floor, papers scattering everywhere.
“Tell Mr. Sullivan that Emma Pierce’s previous designs aren’t working. I’ll lead the design department in creating new ones!”
The woman seemed to want to say something more but was rebuked by Sophia: “Didn’t you
hear me? Get out!”
The young woman could no longer hold back her tears as she hastily picked up the
scattered papers and ran out of the office.
“Maya, what did Director Chen say?” other colleagues inquired.
“Director Chen said they won’t work. She’ll lead us in redesigning.”
Seeing Maya crying, the others rushed over to comfort her.
Everyone felt frustrated. Sophia had only been in charge for a few days, yet every report brought in resulted in being scolded,
All previous design works were rejected, without even a reason given,
The design department was already unhappy about her parachuting in, and with this management style, they were at their wits‘ end.
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“I quit!” A senior designer threw his ID badge on the desk.
Seeing someone take the lead, several other experienced designers also quit in protest.
“I can find work anywhere with my experience. I don’t need to stay here and put up with her unreasonable demands.”
“All talk, no substance.”
With this pressure building up from Sophia, many staff members submitted their resignations to HR.
HR suddenly received so many resignations from the design department that they didn’t know how to handle it and directly reported to Talon.
“What have you done in the design department now?”
Talon angrily pushed the pile of resignation letters toward Sophia.
Having never been scolded by Talon like this, Sophia’s eyes immediately reddened with hurt.
“I just thought their previous designs weren’t good and wanted them to redo them. I didn’t expect them to use resignation as a threat.”
Talon had always turned a blind eye to Sophia’s behavior in the company, as long as it wasn’t too outrageous.
But this time, with 22 design department staff submitting resignations, plus the recent drop in the Sullivan Group’s new jewelry sales, Talon had to intervene due to shareholder pressure.
“Take a break for a while. I’ll select a new director for the design department. When you’re feeling better, you can manage it together.”
Talon thought this solution was already face–saving enough for Sophia.
But hearing this, Sophia was so angry she slammed the door as she left.
Talon rubbed his temples in frustration, thinking about the recent design department
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issues, which reminded him of when Emma was there.
Back then, there had never been such mass resignations, and the designed products sold well.
He suddenly snapped back to sense, “Why am I suddenly thinking about that woman,
Emma?”
But thinking Sophia’s tear–filled eyes earlier, he still selected a gift and messaged her.
“Sophia, I was wrong today. I got you a gift. Shall we have dinner together tonight?”
Receiving Talon’s message, Sophia smiled with satisfaction, deliberately waiting a while before responding.
“Fine, since you put it that way, I’ll reluctantly forgive you.”
Talon took Sophia to dinner that evening, and afterward, they strolled along the riverbank.
Sophia clung to Talon’s arm, coaxing: “Will you take me to the amusement park tomorrow?”
the
Talon had no interest in such places, though Emma had dragged him there twice before.
He initially wanted to refuse Sophia, but the image of Emma sitting on the carousel suddenly came to mind.
Inexplicably, he nodded, agreeing to Sophia’s request.
“Talon, Talon!”
Sophia had to call twice before Talon snapped back to reality.
“What’s wrong?”
Sophia asked with some irritation: “What’s going on with you today? Why do you keep zoning out?”
Faced with Sophia’s questioning, Talon–couldn’t answer because this amusement park was one he’d visited with Emma before. For some reason, seeing familiar places today kept reminding him of Emma.
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Seeing Talon not answering, Sophia grew even more upset.
Talon quickly reassured her: “Weren’t you saying you wanted to ride the carousel? I’ll go with you.”
Hearing Talon would accompany her on the carousel, Sophia immediately cheered up.
After all, Talon had always refused these childish attractions, saying they were for little
girls.
Even when Sophia put a cartoon headband on Talon’s head, he didn’t refuse.
The carousel offered photo services, and Sophia specifically paid extra to have the staff take
more pictures.
Talon sat on the carousel extremely uncomfortably his entire body tense.
After it finally ended, Sophia dragged him to select photos.
Talon spotted à photo of himself and Emma on the full wall of visitor photos.
It must have been from Emma’s college days, when he, Emma, and Zoe had come together.
The photo was probably taken by Zoe with her instant camera, and as for who hung it on the wall–that was obvious.
“Talon, the staff said that’s the couples‘/photo wall. Let’s put ours up there too.”
Talon wanted to stop Sophia, but she was already heading that way. He quickly followed.
Unfortunately, he was a step too late. Sophia had already seen that photo.
She ripped the photo of Talon and Emma from the wall, demanding angrily:
“So this is why you’ve been distracted all day–thinking about Emma?”
Talon’s lips moved twice, wanting to explain, but ultimately said nothing.
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This silent reaction was almost an
mission
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Furious, Sophia tore the photo to pieces and threw it in a nearby trash can before storming
off.
The date ended unpleasantly.
