Chapter 63
Thinking about the evening banquet, I was somewhat absent-minded while working during the day. Fortunately, the work was all very simple, just some printing, organizing, and binding of documents. Time always flies when you are at work, and before you know it, it’s time to clock out.
I was ready to leave after tidying up my desk, but I didn’t expect to be called by the CEO again. There was an additional person in the president’s office today, apart from the president – the secretary team leader.
Mr. Pruitt smiled at me and said, “We will be going to negotiate with our business partners tomorrow. This is your first time working on this project, so let’s have a small meeting. I will ask Secretary Marissa to teach you some tips.”
As Mr. Pruitt finished speaking, Marissa nodded at me in a friendly manner. I hurriedly said, “Okay, thank you Mr. Pruitt, thank you, Marissa.”
Marissa was indeed experienced; every sentence hit the nail on the head. With her analysis, I gained a rough understanding of the project. The meeting had only been going on for twenty minutes when my phone rang.
The crisp sound of a cellphone ringing seemed particularly abrupt in the CEO’s office, and it also interrupted Marissa’s speech. Marissa furrowed her brows, with a displeased expression on her face. The president smiled kindly at me and said, “It’s okay, you can answer the phone first.”
I silently hung up the phone and put it on silent mode. I was a newcomer with no experience at all. It was my honor, and something that others couldn’t even hope for, that the CEO was willing to give me this opportunity to grow and learn. I should have cherished it and not let them down. I said to Marissa, “Marissa, please continue.”
Marissa glanced at the CEO and then nodded at me before continuing the previous topic. The small meeting lasted for an hour and then ended. I took notes on the key points and communication techniques that Marissa spoke about. Although the meeting lasted only a short hour, I felt greatly benefited.
When I came out of the president’s office, I looked outside and noticed that the sky had gradually darkened. I quickly took out my phone to check. It is strange that there was not a single missed call on the phone.
I thought I didn’t answer Reynaldo’s call, and that man would definitely keep calling, just like that afternoon. Except for the one I declined, he didn’t make any more calls. I don’t know why, but him being like this made me even more anxious.
I got into the car, started the engine, and called him back while driving. He didn’t answer even though I called him twice in a row. I didn’t know if he was angry, deliberately not answering my phone calls, or if he was still busy with the Humphrey family and didn’t hear the phone ringing. I was hoping it would be the latter.
At this moment, the neon lights lit up. There were many cars and pedestrians on the road, and I got stuck in traffic for a while. When I returned to the villa, it was already almost 8 o’clock. The courtyard was quiet, and the villa was pitch black, as if there was not a single person. I breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed that Reynaldo had already gone to the Humphrey family.
He must have thought that I was deliberately avoiding going to the Humphrey family. It doesn’t matter what he thought. I got off the car while tidying up my bag, thinking to myself that Reynaldo is not here tonight, so I can have more time to study this project. However, as soon as I reached the entrance gate, a strong force suddenly grabbed me and slammed me hard against the door panel.
I exclaimed and then realized that the person in front of me was Reynaldo. Under the dim light, his face looked sinister and somewhat terrifying. The crimson eyes were filled with obvious hostility and hatred. My heart tightened instantly, and I exclaimed in astonishment, “You… you haven’t gone to the Humphrey family yet.”
He pressed down on my shoulder tightly; the force was so strong that it felt like he wanted to crush it. He spoke in a deep voice, his voice as cold as frost, “Why did you refuse my call?”
“Sorry, I was in a meeting at that time, I…”
“Meeting?” Reynaldo chuckled coldly, his laughter filled with sarcasm. “You, a newcomer who just arrived at the company three days ago, do you have the qualification to attend a meeting? Esmeralda, if you’re going to lie, at least make it believable. Do you really think I’m that gullible?”