Chapter 23: Tenderness Is Needed, but Sharp Corners Are Essential

Vivian Hale adjusted her emotions and tapped lightly on the screen.

"Hello Lucas, this is Vivian Hale. Sorry to disturb you so late. I wanted to ask, what is the reason you refused to cooperate with Cross Group and have repeatedly intercepted their projects?"

Almost the exact millisecond the message successfully sent, the ellipsis at the top of the chat box changed to "typing...".

"Miss Hale’s position is of paramount importance to us. I don't want the progress of our projects to be delayed by minor life complications when the time comes. Compared to merely avoiding a rival, it's better to force them out of the market entirely."

"Does Miss Hale ask this out of heartache? Were the things Miss Hale said before all lies then?"

Lies?

He was testing whether she would let her issues with Adrian Cross affect her work.

Recalling what he had said last time, Vivian gripped her phone and let out a slow sigh of relief.

"Boss, you can rest assured. I will not look back, and I also thank you for pushing things along for me. Rest assured, after the divorce, I will put one hundred percent of my energy into my work."

"It's just a small effort. I look forward to Miss Hale bringing greater value to me. In addition, the approval has gone through. You can report to the branch office tomorrow morning, stepping into the role of Regional Chief Technology Officer to adapt to the company's rhythm. Once you've handled your personal matters, you can report to the overseas headquarters."

Vivian read the message word for word. The corners of her lips curled up uncontrollably, and she excitedly replied with an "Okay."

She then turned on the shower to wash herself clean, put on a bathrobe, and returned to her room.

The moon hung high, and the villa was filled with peace.

Vivian rarely slept this soundly.

Early the next morning, when the daylight broke brightly, she woke up right on time.

She applied some light makeup, looking radiant and refreshed, like a plump peach.

She found one of her former professional outfits from the sparse wardrobe—a chiffon blouse paired with a tailored blazer and a pencil skirt.

Vivian applied a honey-colored lip gloss in front of the mirror, making herself look even more stunning.

Flashing a satisfied smile, she grabbed her bag and left.

Adrian hadn't come back yet.

To prevent him from checking up on her suddenly, Vivian sent a message after getting into the car anyway.

"Honey, I'm heading out to go shopping, so I won't be at home for now."

Only after doing this did she put her phone down.

Within half an hour, the car came to a steady halt beneath the W.E. branch building.

As expected of an international corporation, even a branch office managed to occupy an entire office building along the most bustling central axis.

The sunlight struck the silver glass surface, reflecting sophisticated patterns of light and shadow.

It was precisely the morning rush hour, and people were streaming inside one after another.

The technology department was on the 13th floor, and Vivian had arrived at her destination.

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Miss Hale?"

Vivian turned her head and saw a man around thirty years old wearing gold-rimmed glasses walking over.

His smile was exceptionally warm.

"Miss Hale, I am Ethan, the special assistant to Lucas. Our boss thinks very highly of you, so he instructed me to bring you to the R&D department to report."

Vivian immediately smiled and nodded in greeting.

However, she was secretly shocked in her heart; she had actually troubled Lucas's personal special assistant to come pick her up?

Sure enough, W.E. Group was a place that valued capability above all else!

She would have to work even harder.

Very quickly, the two of them arrived at the R&D department.

Ethan spoke up, "Everyone, please pause the work in your hands for a moment. Let us first welcome our newly appointed Chief Technology Officer, Ms. Vivian Hale, English name Molly. From now on, she will be leading everyone forward. Let's give her a warm round of applause."

Countless gazes swept over, each revealing looks of astonishment at her beauty.

Vivian smiled gracefully and was just about to offer a greeting when a sharp voice suddenly rang out.

"Oh my, becoming a department director at such a young age. Director Hale, why don't you share your experience with us, so we can know exactly how you climbed up to this position?"

These words were highly aggressive, causing the atmosphere to freeze instantly.

Vivian couldn't help but knit her brows slightly.

She followed the sound and saw a woman dressed in an internet-style pure desire outfit standing not far away.

Her arms were crossed over her chest, and she was looking at her with ill intent.

Vivian frowned slightly, walked over, glanced at her employee badge, and discovered the woman's name was Chloe Jenkins.

The corners of her mouth curled slightly, and she suddenly smiled.

"This is working hours. If you want to exchange experiences with me, you can ask me privately. However, with me, I have always believed that working capability speaks for itself. If you are outstanding enough, then you will be seen by more people."

"Rather than making ambiguous remarks to casually deny other people's efforts."

Chloe Jenkins's face instantly turned flushed red.

She clearly wanted to lash out, but at the last moment, she thought of something and swallowed it back down, letting out a couple of awkward laughs.

"I was just seeking experience and help normally. Why did Director Hale drag it out into so much? It was just a joke, surely you're not feeling guilty, right?"

The smile on Vivian's face remained very faint.

She didn't follow the escape route Chloe Jenkins had tried to build for herself, speaking lightly.

"Jokes that damage the reputation of others are not permitted in my team. A casual rumor from your mouth could destroy someone else's life."

With that, Vivian turned her gaze to Ethan beside her.

"Assistant Ethan, I assume the company also has certain restrictions regarding the words and behavior of its employees, correct?"

Ethan understood her meaning perfectly.

He lowered his eyes, following her lead to reply.

"For malicious rumor-mongering, slander, and using improper means to compete, the company has the right to terminate the employee without compensation, and will assist the victimized employee in suing the perpetrator."

With every word spoken, Chloe Jenkins's face grew a shade paler.

What Vivian intended to do was already crystal clear to her.

Her lips moved slightly, just about to explain herself, when Vivian already handed down the final verdict.

"Chloe Jenkins maliciously slandered her superior. Legal responsibility will not be pursued this time, but ten percent of her salary will be deducted as punishment."

"I hope everyone takes this as a warning. In my department, I only accept fair competition as the sole method."

Leaving behind those words, she didn't linger any further, following Ethan to the next stop.

It wasn't that she couldn't read the meaning behind Chloe Jenkins's words.

In her memory, she had never offended this person, so it was simply that her arrival had touched the other woman's piece of the pie.

Since that was the case, it was just perfect.

Returning to the workplace, she wasn't going to be as easily bullied as she used to be at Cross Group.

Tenderness was needed, but sharp corners were also essential.

After all, in the workplace, a "not to be messed with" persona could resolve the vast majority of troubles.

In the blink of an eye, the two of them arrived outside the door of the Chief Technology Officer's office.

The reception was effectively over; what remained was the handover and handling of work.

These did not fall within his scope.

Ethan's attitude remained as respectful as ever.

"Director Hale, this will be your office from now on. The boss has arranged for someone from the company to wait for you inside, you can just go straight in..."

Before the words were finished, the person inside had already logged the commotion.

"Is the new director here?"

A voice rang out, and the office door was opened from the inside.

Vivian turned her head.

The person who came out was a pot-bellied, middle-aged man, his height considerably shorter than her own.

The man smiled, "Miss Hale, I didn't expect you to be so beautiful. My name is Garrett Vance, and I am the receptionist Lucas left in the Asia-Pacific technology department."

With that, he extended his hand, wanting to shake Vivian’s.

Vivian wasn't someone who judged people by their appearance.

She extended her hand and shook Garrett Vance's lightly.

"Hello..."

Following that, the two of them entered the room. No one noticed that someone had been quietly watching all of this the entire time.