Yvette tapped her fingers on the table, subtly raising an eyebrow. “Hmm, much appreciated, Mr. Langford,” she said in a relaxed tone.

“You’re welcome, Ms. Zeller,” Wyatt replied.

Following the call’s disconnection, a heavy silence descended upon the conference room. The man who had opposed Yvette’s East Suburb project looked defeated, his open defiance now a source of acute embarrassment.

After a moment, Yvette put away her phone, partially closing her eyes. “Anything else?” she asked, a single eyebrow arched.

Warron and Nelson exchanged glances before lowering their heads. The other department managers remained silent, none daring to challenge her. The politeness Wyatt had shown Yvette had not gone unnoticed.

Zoe looked at Yvette with admiration. She was truly remarkable; no one could have predicted that this young woman would one day dominate Seacrity, her resolve already so firmly established.

Yvette lifted her eyes, a mischievous glint in them. “The company will conduct an employee review,” she announced. “Those who are underperforming or obtained their positions through connections, without contributing meaningfully, will be dismissed. The list will be posted on the company website tomorrow. Secondly, let me be clear: I have a temper. To avoid unpleasantness, behave yourselves. Don’t cause me any trouble.”

A stunned silence followed. She was undeniably formidable. The Chambers Group's size inevitably meant some employees had secured their positions through connections. Warron and Nelson, in particular, had leveraged their influence to place relatives in comfortable positions. Now, they sat on pins and needles.

Yvette tapped her fingers, her expression impassive as she observed their reactions. “Meeting adjourned,” she stated.

The meeting’s simplicity—in both its beginning and end—masked its impact. After an hour, everyone realized Yvette was not to be trifled with.

Nelson and Warron left the conference room one after the other, followed by the other department managers in an orderly, silent exodus—a clear reflection of their altered attitude toward Yvette.

Only Yvette, Lucas, and Zoe remained. Lucas stepped forward, voicing his concern. “Ms. Zeller, Warron and Nelson are deeply entrenched. I worry about potential underhanded tactics.”

Yvette leaned back, spinning her phone. “Oh, I’m quite looking forward to it,” she replied, raising an eyebrow. “A little amusement never hurts.”

Lucas was unsure whether to laugh or cry. Yvette’s unconventional approach—viewing Warron and Nelson as sources of amusement—was unsettling. He felt a pang of sympathy for them. Against Yvette, who played by her own rules, they were on their own.

She glanced at Zoe, who was nervously picking at her fingers. “For the next week, she’ll be my assistant. Arrange it, Lucas.”

Lucas nodded. Yvette had chosen Zoe as her assistant.

Zoe was deeply moved. She hadn't expected this show of consideration and vowed to work tirelessly for Yvette, unwittingly adding to the growing number of her admirers.

Meanwhile, in Warron’s office, he and Nelson met in hushed secrecy, the blinds drawn.

“Yvette is far more formidable than we anticipated,” Warron said anxiously. “She’s already initiating layoffs, weakening our influence. And she knows Mr. Langford. How does a young woman know the mayor?”

Nelson pondered. A single phone call had reversed Wyatt’s stance—a half-year’s work undone in an instant. “Her ambition and enthusiasm are understandable,” he conceded. “But layoffs are risky. What if an employee reacts violently? It could be disastrous.”

Warron’s eyes lit up. A staged incident—perhaps a suicide attempt—could severely damage Yvette’s reputation. It could even force her resignation.

“A good plan,” Warron said, “but who executes it? Someone unknown to both of us. We can’t leave a trace.”

Nelson nodded, equally eager to remain detached from any potential fallout. They began to meticulously plan their scheme.

The Chambers Group employees were anxious. The department managers’ absence fueled speculation about the meeting’s outcome. Would the new boss impose unrealistic demands?

Upon their return, the managers faced questioning eyes. The administrative department director announced the upcoming layoffs, the news met with stunned silence and pale faces. The uncertainty was palpable, the unspoken fear hanging heavy in the air. No one understood Yvette’s intentions.

At the Chambers residence, Zachary waited at the dining table, his countryside retreat abruptly cut short. Yvette’s text message—“Come back”—was a command he dared not disobey. He knew his daughter’s temperament all too well.

He returned, greeted by Yvette and Lucas, and met Zachary’s overly enthusiastic welcome with a relieved smile.