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Alexander Grant's words were clearly aimed at Emily White, and she was not stupid enough to miss his underlying meaning: he was belittling her by suggesting that she got her position as the general manager's secretary at EC only because of her relationship with Samantha Lee.
Emily White was not someone who easily gave up, especially now, in front of so many people. His earlier words felt like heavy and harsh slaps on her face. She could endure the pain, but she couldn't tolerate her efforts over the years being negated by his few words.
Emily White clutched her hands tightly and lifted her chin defiantly. "Mr. Grant, I admit my mistake, but nobody is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. I'm not trying to make excuses for myself. However, I disagree with your earlier statement that one mistake should wipe out all previous efforts."
Alexander Grant, who was about to leave the conference room, stopped in his tracks when he heard the woman refute his words with such determination. He narrowed his eyes, and the conference room suddenly filled with a chilling tension. All the department heads present hardly dared to breathe loudly.
Was Emily White about to quit?
Her earlier reprimand wouldn't have been a big deal, but now she was challenging Alexander Grant's authority. This was surely a career-ending move.
Emily White realized she might have acted impulsively, but she didn't regret it. Why should her efforts be dismissed because of one mistake? Anyone could question her, but not the Grants.
Samantha Lee had already taken her boyfriend from her; now Alexander Grant was trying to invalidate her achievements. She admitted she had personal emotions involved, but she wasn't a saint. She just couldn't control herself.
"Your efforts?" Alexander Grant finally spoke, his voice calm but each word sharp as a knife. "Ms. White, I hope you understand that your so-called efforts aren't just about what you say. We're not business runners who only look at data."
Emily White swallowed hard and tightened her grip on the file folder. Alexander Grant's eyes, black and white, seemed to swirl with dark currents. The light from the overhead lamp made his eyes' reflections flicker, making him unpredictable yet formidable.
She could see that Alexander Grant was losing patience. Of course, someone as high up as him wouldn't tolerate a subordinate challenging his authority. But she had already spoken her mind and couldn't back down now.
Emily White bit her lip and continued, "Mr. Grant, I have no other intention. As I said, I take responsibility for my mistake. If you feel that EC doesn't need employees like me, I am willing to resign. However, I absolutely did not get to my current position through relationships. I just want you to understand that you can't dismiss someone's efforts just because they made a mistake. Mr. Grant, haven't you ever made a mistake? When you made a mistake, did you dismiss yourself entirely?"
Emily White put all her heart into speaking up, and the next second, everyone in the conference room gasped!
Perhaps no one expected her to be so bold as to directly challenge Alexander Grant!
It was tantamount to digging her own grave!
Some people looked at her with a bit of sympathy, while others were eager to watch the good show.
Emily unconsciously straightened her back. Although she knew that her previous words were impulsive and emotional, at this moment, she still did not regret them!
She had not said anything wrong and had nothing to be guilty about.
Alexander Grant did not expect this woman to be so bold. He was not a tyrant and would not completely dismiss someone's efforts because of one mistake.
However, he was curious about whether this woman was as confident as she claimed or just good with words.
The deep eyes narrowed slightly, and the waves in the depths of his eyes became more and more wonderful. Alexander Grant was indeed a bit angry at first because of the simple data error, but after hearing her speak, he became interested in her.
"I have never denied anyone's efforts," the high man suddenly spoke in a suppressed conference room. "But the key is whether that person really has the ability."
Alexander Grant's eyes were very special, and Emily was not very daring to look at them.
The sharp eyes with a bit of charm, the kind of charm that belongs to men, makes people's hearts beat faster and get lost in them for just one more second.
But now, she had to muster the courage to look directly into his eyes to show her innocence, "I don't dare say whether I have the ability, but I am very hardworking in doing things for EC, and I can guarantee this with my character. Of course, today's mistake is my fault, and I am willing to accept the punishment."
"So, what do you think I should punish you for such low-level mistakes?" Alexander Grant raised an eyebrow and asked slowly, his tone cold.
Emily lowered her eyes and thought briefly before saying: "No matter what decision Mr. Grant makes, I will have no opinion."
Originally, she didn't want to stay in EC anymore. She and Samantha Lee were once very close friends, but she took away her boyfriend, and now they even have children... She admits she is weak in this respect because she knows she will still encounter Samantha Lee in EC, and she is not a saint. She really can't do it without feeling anything.
But Alexander Grant's words had aroused more anger in her heart, and she no longer wanted to leave. Instead, she wanted to use her actions to tell this arrogant man that she, Emily White, relied not on his sister but on her own efforts!
"Meeting adjourned."
Everyone in the conference room waited for Alexander Grant's "punishment", but in the end, he just stood up, casually adjusted the buttons on his shirt, didn't look at Emily, and walked out of the conference room. When he reached the door, he said indifferently, "White Secretary, come to my office."
Emily White took a deep breath and finished her statement, leaving the entire conference room in stunned silence.
No one had expected her to be so bold, directly challenging Alexander Grant. This was tantamount to digging her own grave!
Some people looked at her with a bit of sympathy, while others were eager to see what would happen next.
Emily instinctively straightened her back, knowing that her words were driven by emotion, but she didn't regret them. She had told the truth and had nothing to hide.
Alexander Grant hadn't anticipated such boldness from her. He wasn't a tyrant who would dismiss someone's efforts over one mistake. However, he was intrigued by her speech and began to see her in a new light.
"I don't deny anyone's efforts," he said, breaking the tense silence, "but the key question is whether they truly have the ability."
Emily found it difficult to look into Alexander's intense eyes but forced herself to maintain eye contact to show her integrity. "I can't claim to be capable, but I work hard for EC and can guarantee that with my honor. I admit my mistake today and am willing to accept punishment."
Alexander's piercing gaze seemed to bore into her soul. "So, how do you think I should punish your low-level mistake?" he asked, his voice cold and measured.
Emily considered for a moment before responding, "Whatever decision you make, I will have no objections."
Originally, she had intended to leave EC, as her friendship with Samantha Lee had fallen apart when Samantha took Emily's boyfriend. However, Alexander's words stirred something within her, and she decided to stay and prove herself with her own efforts.
"Meeting adjourned."
The roomful of people had expected a harsh punishment, but Alexander simply stood up, adjusted his shirt cuffs, and walked out of the room without another glance at Emily. As he reached the door, he called back, "Ms. White, come to my office."
- Writer
