'Let Lily Xu get back to work? Who does she think she is? I'm the department supervisor!' Gillian threw a scornful look at Evelyn. "I don't care whether you wear a work uniform or not, because you don't work in the financial department." As the department supervisor, she was sure that she had never seen Evelyn in the financial department, nor had she ever seen the name "Evelyn Tang."
"But we need to discuss this. You said you weren't talking in here? Got any proof?"
Evelyn cast her a cold glance and asked, "So, what are you going to do with Lily?"
"Of course, I'll punish her according to the company's rules and regulations. She slacked off and was chatting during office hours," Gillian said in a justified tone.
Evelyn didn't want to waste time in arguing with her. "Do as you please."
Strictly speaking, Lily was indeed making private phone calls during working hours. What Gillian wanted to do was reasonable. So Evelyn had nothing to say about it.
"Hey, which department are you in, anyway?" Gillian stopped the woman who had turned to leave. Gillian was a department supervisor, but why was Evelyn acting so arrogantly, like she had a higher position in the company?
"None of your business."
Evelyn's indifferent attitude pissed Gillian off. Lily had returned to her desk and the two of them were left alone. Looking at the woman who stood with her back to her, Gillian taunted, "I think the reason why you won't wear your uniform is you want to show off your fancy dress. Am I right? But that's not your color. It's coffee. Girls in their twenties like me don't wear dresses like that. Brown is for old ladies."
Evelyn stopped in her tracks and listened to her. "And what's that old-fashioned lipstick shade? Don't tell me—it's a luxury brand, huh? I have way better taste than you. Well, maybe it's because your temperament doesn't match the lipstick. It makes you look old and frumpy. This isn't a fashion show. You should change into your work uniform now!"
No wonder Lily had cried and complained to someone over the phone. Gillian was so sharp-tongued. She felt sorry for Lily, and anyone else who had to work under her.
Evelyn took out her phone and called Nadia. "Nadia. I need you here. I'm in the bathroom of the financial department."
Gillian was still unaware of the situation and continued to babble at her. "Who are you calling? Your supervisor, I hope. That way, I can report you face-to-face. Let him come and show me who he is."
"Gillian Chi, supervisor of the finance department, right?" Evelyn asked all of a sudden.
"Yes!" Gillian was very proud of herself. This position was her present honor.
Evelyn said nothing more and waited for Nadia.
Nadia had been waiting for Evelyn in the financial department, so it wasn't long before she came in. When she saw Evelyn standing in the distance, she trotted over. "Miss Huo!"
'Miss Huo?' The smug expression on Gillian's face froze when she heard how Nadia addressed Evelyn.
'Her last name is Huo?
That's right. It isn't Tang! Sheffield said she used his last name…' Gillian finally realized.
Evelyn turned around, ignoring the stupefied Gillian and walked to the financial department with Nadia
When Gillian came back to her senses, she rushed to keep up with the two women.
Walking to the financial department, Evelyn asked Nadia to summon the manager of the financial department. Everyone else was confused.
When she answered Nadia's call, the manager of the financial department put aside her work and walked out of the office. "Miss Huo," she greeted Evelyn respectfully.
Gillian's face went pale when she saw how humble her immediate superior was in front of Evelyn. It was then that she remembered that Huo was the CEO's last name.
'If she's related to Carlos Huo, then Evelyn doesn't need anyone to vouch for her.'
After glancing at Gillian, Evelyn announced in front of everyone, "Gillian Chi, the supervisor of the financial department isn't a very good manager. Besides, she shows no respect to her boss. So, she's losing a rank as of today. She'll be trained for three months as a new employee and needs to pass the qualification exam again. If she fails, she'll be demoted by one more rank." She turned to the manager and continued, "Miss Wang, you're the manager of the financial department. You're Gillian Chi's direct boss. Her behavior is your fault. As a warning, you'll be docked a month's pay."
This was the first time Evelyn had punished her employees in front of the staff.
Tracy Wang, the manager of the financial department, cast an angry glare at Gillian and then apologized to Evelyn, "Yes, Miss Huo. It was all my fault. I didn't manage my people well. It won't happen again."
When Tracy Wang was done talking, Evelyn told Nadia, "Go tell HR department about what we discussed here."
"Yes, Miss Huo." Nadia then dialed the number to connect to the HR department.
Gillian was unconvinced. Who was this woman, that she had the power to do this? 'How can she demote me?' "This is bullshit. Miss Huo, you're using your position to get even with me." Although Gillian wasn't sure what Evelyn's position was, she figured she must have a higher position than Tracy Wang.
"So what?" Evelyn admitted frankly.
Gillian's face flushed red due to the anger. "How could you do that?"
Evelyn snapped in a condescending way, "Give me one reason why I can't. You're getting off light, if you ask me. You don't like it, you can leave and go somewhere else."
If Gillian was an employee of another company, Evelyn couldn't do anything to her. But for now, she was an employee of ZL Group. Of course, Evelyn was able to discipline any of her employees. Gillian wanted to be arrogant in front of her? In her dreams!
The employees around them couldn't help but marvel. "Wow! Miss Huo is so cool!" "She sure knocked Gillian off her high horse!"
"First time I ever saw her. I've only read about her in the papers. I thought she was a tender lady. Turns out she's a bossy CEO!"
"Gillian had it coming to her. She ticked off a big shot!"
"Yeah. She'll have a hard time!"
Soon, an e-mail about Gillian's demotion was sent to her email inbox. Other employees also saw the punishment notice posted on the company's website.
The employee closest to Gillian had logged into the company intranet. Her punishment was posted plain as day on the department homepage. She clenched her fists and glared back at Evelyn. "I'm going to talk to Mr. Huo, the CEO. I don't think he'll let you do this just to get back at me!"
A dash of sarcasm flashed through Evelyn's eyes. "Should I call my dad and ask him to come here?"
'Dad?' Although Gillian had thought Evelyn was related to Carlos, she was still shocked by the fact that Carlos was actually Evelyn's father.
No wonder this woman didn't need to wear uniforms; she could afford skin-care products worth millions; and she could afford clothes and jewelry worth tens of millions.
It made sense now.
Tracy Wang immediately chimed in, "Miss Huo, please don't be angry. She never saw you before. She didn't mean to offend you. I'll punish her, if you want."
Without another word, Evelyn turned and left the financial department.
When they walked into the elevator, Nadia reported in a low voice, "Miss Huo, the assistant of Theo Group's CEO called me back just now. He said Mr. Tang is super-busy. He doesn't have time to see you. Besides, Mr. Tang has handed over all the work regarding the research and development to his team. If you have any problem, you can contact his team."
Evelyn didn't respond.
She was in a bad mood because of Gillian, and now Sheffield was making things hard for her too.
She rubbed the spot between her eyebrows. "I see."
