Chapter 113
Chapter 113:
Whispers of dissatisfaction quickly spread through the company, yet Linda’s firm stance discouraged anyone from challenging the decision openly. Instead, complaints stayed behind closed doors — often spoken just loudly enough for Zaria to hear.
Kailey bristled and was ready to speak up, but Zaria stopped her.
“Let them talk. Words cost nothing. Even if we argue back, it won’t stop them p>
“But p>
“No buts.” Zaria did not seem bothered in the least. “If I can’t handle gossip, how am I supposed to handle this workload? As long as they don’t slack on the job, I’ll ignore it. My work will prove my worth p>
Unfortunately, her colleagues went further than words.
That afternoon, only Kailey showed up for the design team meeting. Taking in the empty workstations, she glanced at Zaria and offered, “I’ll go inform them p>
ѕ𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆о𝗎𝘳 𝖿a𝘃𝗼𝗋𝗂tе 𝗇o𝘷𝘦lѕ 𝗼𝗻
“There’s no point.” Zaria drew in a steady breath and forced a polite smile. “Even if you do, they’ll just claim they’re busy. This was clearly planned p>
“Then what do we do p>
“If they’re busy, so be it. We’ll hold the meeting again tomorrow morning p>
When the meeting was rescheduled for the next morning, the seats were still empty. Keeping her composure intact, Zaria pushed it back to the afternoon. Whispers and speculation continued among the design team, everyone trying to guess what she was planning.
By the afternoon session, half the department finally showed up. At that point, Kailey began to understand Zaria’s strategy.
The moment the meeting started, Zaria’s steady voice rang through the room. “I’ve shown enough courtesy, but some people don’t even want to return a fraction of that respect.” With an air of calm, she lifted her phone and shared a screenshot in the design team’s work group. “I have the director’s approval. Anyone who skipped this afternoon’s meeting will be reassigned as a design assistant. If that doesn’t sit well with you, you’re free to resign p>
Glances were exchanged across the room, reactions ranging from shock to resentment. Kailey’s eyes lit up, genuinely impressed by Zaria’s decisiveness. Without a word, she gave a quiet thumbs-up.
After waiting for the murmurs to die down, Zaria added with a faint smile, “Anyone who wants to leave may do so now p>
No one stood up. No one said a word.
Zaria pressed on, her tone steady. “Since you’ve chosen to stay, we’ll move straight into the meeting p>
The agenda was heavy, stretching the discussion from three in the afternoon all the way to seven in the evening. Now and then, someone lingered at the doorway to peek inside, yet not a single person dared step in.
When it finally wrapped up, Zaria rose from her seat and rubbed the back of her neck. “Thank you for cooperating today. Since we ran overtime, dinner is on me at Gourmet Bistro downstairs p>
At that, someone blurted out in surprise, “That place is expensive! Ms. Carman is really going all out p>