When Julia returned to the company, she was summoned to Audrey's office. Audrey glared at her from behind the desk, her expression aghast. "Julia, what exactly do you do here? You vanished on your first day, and I'm starting to think you're a waste of company resources. If you're not interested in working, then leave now and don't bother coming back."
Julia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I apologize, Ms. Audrey. I didn't mean to leave. I was helping Mrs. George from sales, who was about to give birth..."
Audrey cut her off, her voice rising. "What does Mrs. George's pregnancy have to do with your absence? You're my assistant, and your priority is me, not some sympathy case from another department."
Julia tried to explain, but Audrey wouldn't let up. "Listen, Julia, I don't care how you got in here or who you know. If you fail your probation, you're out - no exceptions. I won't tolerate any dead weight or hidden agendas in my department."
Audrey's disdain was palpable, fueled by rumors that one of the new hires had used underhanded tactics to get the job. And in her mind, Julia's lack of qualifications made her the prime suspect. Without giving Julia a chance to prove herself, Audrey jumped to conclusions and treated her with contempt.
Julia's eyes flashed with defiance as she faced Audrey's aggressive tone. "If I'm not qualified, then maybe I shouldn't be here," Julia said, her voice firm but polite. "But can you clarify what you expect me to excel in? Should I be competing with the cleaning staff or mastering fashion design?"
Julia's response was measured, "Definitions vary, but if I were you, I'd let me focus on design instead of assigning menial tasks. With this salary, I'm happy to help with odd jobs, but it's you who's wasting resources, not me."
Despite her fierce words, Julia maintained a respectful tone, acknowledging Audrey's seniority. However, Audrey was incensed, her anger unprecedented in the design department. The heated exchange drew attention from their colleagues.
Audrey's face reddened, "How dare you question my authority, Julia! You're just a rookie trying to make a name for yourself."
Julia stood her ground, "I'm not trying to undermine you, Audrey. I just want clarity on my role and expectations."
The tension between them was roused, with neither willing to back down. The design department held its collective breath, waiting to see how this power struggle would unfold.
Audrey was very angry at these words. There was really no one in the entire design department who dared to provoke her like that.
The dispute between the two was too loud, and other colleagues in the design department also listened to the voices from her office.
Samantha also eavesdropped at the door. She always thought that Anita was weak, but when she heard Anita speak the way she had just done to Audrey, she realized that there was no such thing as weakness. She was obviously a little wild cat, very fierce.
Audrey was taken aback by her, and she took out a client's profile from her desk and said, "Okay, I'll give you a chance, as long as you can handle this client, you don't have to run errands with coffee. If you are not sure, just don't stay here to embarrass yourself and insult the design industry."
Her harsh words did not anger Anita. She put her hands on the table and negotiated terms with her instead: "If I can't handle it. I will leave by myself, but if I win this client, then you will have to apologize to me for what you just said, agreed?."
Apologize."
Audrey thought it was ridiculous, and sneered:"Okay, as long as you can win this client, I would like to apologize to you for what I just said."
She was sure that Anita wouldn't be able to handle it, because she had been with this client for half a year, and none of the drawings she designed satisfied the client.
Audrey's face turned beet red with rage. No one in the design department had ever dared to challenge her like Julia just had. The argument was so loud that colleagues nearby stopped working to listen. Lilian, who was eavesdropping at the door, thought Julia was weak, but now she realized Julia was a fierce wild cat.
Audrey, taken aback, pulled out a client's profile and sneered, "Fine, I'll give you a chance. If you can handle this client, you won't have to fetch coffee. But if you fail, don't embarrass yourself and the design industry by staying."
Julia remained calm, her hands on the table, and negotiated terms: "If I fail, I'll leave. But if I win, you'll apologize for your harsh words. Agreed?"
Audrey thought it was laughable and sneered, "Okay, if you win, I'll apologize." She was confident Julia would fail, as she had been working with this client for six months without satisfying them.
"This client is crucial, and I won't let anyone mess it up," Audrey said, still fuming. But Julia's boldness had caught her off guard. She pushed Julia forward as a shield, confident in her own abilities. "It's a deal."
Julia picked up the client's information and walked out of the office, exuding a fierce aura that commanded respect. Her colleagues' gazes followed her, their perceptions of her shifting. She was the first to stand up to Audrey, and now she was untouchable.
As Julia returned to her seat, Lilian approached her, coffee in hand. "Julia, drink this. You've earned it." Samantha smiled, offering Julia another cup and a thumbs up. "I can't believe Audrey backed down so easily. You're a rockstar!"
Julia smiled, feeling a sense of liberation. She had set an example, and for now, she was off-limits to her colleagues' pranks. Max, the leader of the Darius group, nodded in approval. "Julia, you've got spunk. I like that."
The design department buzzed with excitement, whispers of Julia's bravery spreading like wildfire. Audrey, still seething, watched Julia with a mix of anger and admiration. She had underestimated Julia, but she wouldn't make the same mistake again.
Julia glanced around the design department, then returned to her seat, customer information in hand. She had made a statement, and for now, she was off-limits to her colleagues' pranks. Lilian approached her, coffee in hand, and said with a smile, "Julia, drink this. You've earned it."
As Julia took a sip, Lilian offered her another cup and a thumbs up. "I can't believe Audrey backed down so easily. You're a rockstar!"
Julia's emotions still simmered, Audrey's words echoing in her mind. She regretted her actions, worried she had made things difficult for herself. "Life is really pushing me hard," Julia said with a forced smile. "I just want to work low-key, but reality won't let me. It's okay to give me chores, but not okay to insult me. Everyone has a limit."
Lilian smiled encouragingly. "I believe in you, Julia. You didn't lose momentum just now. If worse comes to worst, I'll become the boss of the Darius group and hire you back."
Julia smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her colleague. She knew she still had a lot to prove, but for now, she was ready for the challenge.
Julia's emotions still simmered, Audrey's words echoing in her mind. She regretted her actions, worried she had made things difficult for herself. "Life is really pushing me hard," Julia said with a forced smile. "I just want to work low-key, but reality won't let me. It's okay to give me chores, but not okay to insult me. Everyone has a limit."
Lilian smiled encouragingly. "I believe in you, Julia. You didn't lose momentum just now. If worse comes to worst, I'll become the boss of the Darius group and hire you back."
Julia smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Lilian. "Then I really would have counted on you for my return."
Lilian patted her chest to assure her. "It's enough to be loyal to me."
As Julia opened the customer's profile, her eyes widened in shock. "The eldest princess of Splendid Entertainment, Annabelle Sanchez... Audrey really wants to drive me away, doesn't she?"