"They carried out all the work under my approval. I'm the one responsible. Mr. Luo. If you're going to
fire everyone involved in this case, am I included?"
Lionel probed provocatively as he sat up with his two hands on the conference table. His gloomy eyes
stared coldly at Rufus, who was occupying the center seat.
With an insignificant smile on his face, Rufus raised his head slowly and tapped the table with his index
finger.
"The company had lost a large amount of money because of this case. They screwed it up. The
solution they've provided was ineffective and only worsened the situation. I didn't know that the staff at
such a big company like Tang Group could be so incompetent!" Rufus emphasized, creating an
apprehensive atmosphere in the room. "However, it was not just about competence. Worst still, there
are people attempting to take advantage of preferential treatments and fill their own pockets with the
company's money,"
Rufus added gravely without giving much attention to Lionel. His voice was low but stern and steady.
He intended to present his ideas logically. Thus, everyone present could clearly understand his point
and no one dared to say anything to oppose him.
Discerning Rufus' words, Lionel's face grew darker. Lionel narrowed his eyes at the few staff members,
who had just been fired. They lowered their heads to avoid the furious eyes of their superior.
Until then Lionel realized that these people had been feathering their own nests. It infuriated him to
think that he had no idea of what they had done. Realizing that he was somewhat in the wrong, Lionel
sat down silently with a baffled expression.
"So I guess we should call it a day. That's all for today's meeting. As for you guys, what you have done
has violated the laws. The legal department will decide what to do with you. I hope that everyone in the
company could learn a lesson from them. Anyone who will dare to make the same mistakes in the
future will be punished severely,"
Rufus emphasized, with a demanding voice. He wore a light smile on his face and his brown eyes
looked less drained. His aura bore an air of authority, which no one dared to challenge.
It was like beating the dog before the lion. Lionel, as the vice president of Tang Group could say
nothing to argue with Rufus.
Casting a resentful glance at Rufus, Lionel stood up and took the lead in leaving the meeting room.
He knew that Rufus was trying to use this incident as a pretext to crack down on him. But he was not a
man that could be easily defeated.
Then everybody left the room in succession. Rufus sat still in his seat. Cassandra, on the other hand,
slowly gathered the papers on the table while stealing glances at Rufus.
After a moment, there were only two of them left in the room.
"Do you have something to tell me?" Rufus asked smilingly as he walked towards her with his eyes
fixed on her charming face.
Instinctively Cassandra lifted her head and her eyes met Rufus ever alluring eyes. Feeling her heart
throbbed faster, she quickly lowered her head and asked, "Are...are you all right?"
Those simple worlds betrayed the abundance of her heart.
Undoubtedly, she was showing concern for Rufus.
He had been gone for several days and returned suddenly without any traces of mourning. Cassandra
had learned from Horace that Rufus's mother passed away several days ago. He was supposed to be
in the hollows of losing his mother, but he acted as if nothing had happened.
"What do you mean? You think I shouldn't fire those staffs?"
Rufus inquired as he tidied his sleeves and pulled her closer so that she could face him.
Cassandra jerked at his touch and shivers were running down her spine. Rufus misunderstood her.
However, she was in no mood to explain herself. She quickly took her papers.
"Nevermind, I'm going back to work."
With that, Cassandra turned towards the door and hurried herself out before Rufus reached to her
again. He stopped and looked at her, gently putting his hands in his pockets.
The smile on his lips vanished as Cassandra walked out of his sight. The friendly expression on his
face turned into rage and vehement. In his thoughts, the war between Lionel and him had just begun.
"Wow! He is so handsome and so cool!"
Stella bursted out. She was openly expressing her admiration for Rufus at Cassandra's office.
Cassandra on the contrary just smiled and shook her head at the careless girl.
"Isn't he, Cassandra? Such a man like Mr. Luo is really attractive! Did you see Lionel's poker face! I've
never seen him so frustrated. Ha-ha..."
Stella chuckled excitedly, cradling her head in her hands and recalled what had happened at the
meeting.
"By the way, Stella, what are you doing here? Don't tell that you are just here to tell me how infatuated
you are with Mr. Luo,"
Cassandra asked, rolling her eyes at Stella then back to her monitor to continue with her work.
"Yeah, yeah, you're right. Well, I'm not busy at all today. I've got lots of time. Would you like to go out
with us after work? We'll just eat and sing our hearts out. It would be fun. I'll introduce you to the
handsome guys in my department," Stella said with a warm smile.
Stella was a 'Silent Beauty' type of girl. When she was not talking, she looked pretty and elegant.
However, once she opened her mouth, and words kept popping out as if she couldn't control them, it
made her look like a noisy sparrow.
"Thank you for the invitation, but I have to work overtime,"
Cassandra rejected politely, with a little bit of tired expression on her face. She was a married woman,
not as free as single girls like Stella. Usually, she went home directly or worked overtime.
She preferred to stay late at the company rather than go home and pretend to be the meek and well-
behaved daughter-in-law.
Thinking about it, Cassandra couldn't help but feel sad for herself.
"Okay, then. You now own the crown of the 'real workaholic.' I'm going back. In case you change your
mind and would love to unwind for a while, just let me know,"
Stella said with a tone of regret. Then she stood up and walked out in a hurry as she noticed the time
on the wall-clock.
"Okay," Cassandra replied while raising her head. She was amused to see Stella running away. With a
smile on her face, Cassandra sighed and reckoned, 'Stella has no enthusiasm for work until it becomes
urgent.'
Just as Cassandra braced herself and was about to continue with her work, a man came at the door
and said politely, "Excuse me, Manager Qin." Cassandra recognized the man. He was Rufus's
assistant. He came with him into the company.
"I'm Mr. Luo's assistant, Leo. Mr. Luo is going to negotiate with a partner about the case mentioned in
the meeting. You're going with him, since you're our chief designer. Here is the air ticket for the flight
tonight."
With that, Leo put the ticket down in front of Cassandra and then walked away. Cassandra sat there
silently, completely baffled and didn't know what to do.
The news had completely taken her aback. "Going on a business trip with Rufus tonight?" she
murmured.
She was not sure whether she understood Leo right. But before she could think about confirming the
information, Leo was already gone. She picked up the ticket on the desk and frowned at what she saw.
It was indeed true that she had to leave for a business trip with Rufus.
Imagining Rufus' face, she became nervous. She convinced herself that they were just going for work,
but that couldn't relieve her tension.
On the other hand, Lionel had just returned to his office. He furiously shoved all the items off the desk,
littering them on the floor.
"Shit!" he cursed loudly.
His secretary was too scared to move and just stood by silently. Lionel's face turned red out of anger.
He was so furious of his subordinates. They did something against the law and dragged his name
through mud. Rufus found out about it and took advantage of the situation to push him down the ladder
of the company's totem pole. That was a solid slap on his face.
The slap in return taught him a lesson.
"Keep a close watch on our staffs. Tell them that if anyone dared to misbehave behind my back, they
would have the worst days of their lives. I'll make them suffer!"
Lionel shouted at his secretary as he kicked over the bonsai to the ground.
"Yes, Mr. Tang. I'll assure you such case will never happen again,"
the secretary nodded, hesitant to say something more.
"What are you waiting for! Get out!"
Lionel shouted again. His anger was once more triggered by the secretary. But the secretary stayed
and slowly said something. Her words were stammering.
"Mr. Luo has taken over the case. He will take the flight tonight to meet with the partner. And, and, and
Manager Qin will go with him..."
The secretary closed her eyes, not daring to see the towering rage brewing on Lionel's face.
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