Cassandra had been unfocused and absent-minded all day at work. When her assistant spoke to her,
she would lose concentration and ask the assistant to repeat the whole lot all over again. She was also
slow to react that she would ask the same question three times after the assistant had already
answered it.
"Manager Qin? Are you okay?"
Seeing Cassandra in such a state, the assistant was extremely concerned. Her boss had never been in
such a mind state before. Lionel, her ex-husband used to verbally abuse her and embarrass her, but
through it all, she kept focus and composed. Cassandra was so intelligent and capable that her
assistant aspired to be her. Dreaming of the day she would look and react as her boss did. However,
today would not be one of those days. It was as though aliens abducted her and left their replacement
instead.
"Yes, thanks, I'm fine...well go on," said Cassandra roboticly.
Cassandra motioned her assistant to continue. She, however, was still thinking about Rufus who left
the hospital for the meeting at the Tang Group.
Earlier in the hospital, Rufus had demanded to be discharged. The doctor finally resigned himself to
allow him to fill out a release agreement as he would be going on his own liability. She wondered what
was so important that Rufus would risk his health for? What was he doing now? He was determined
and had more stamina than any man she knew. This would overpower his pain and drive him to
complete what he needed to.
Coming in and out of her thoughts, Cassandra was only to casually reply to her assistant.
Cassandra was very worried about his health, but she had no way of convincing him. When he put his
mind to do something, Rufus would never surrender his stance, and not even if hell snowed over.
Rufus gave her a smile as he saw the concern on her beautiful face and said to her in an affirmative
tone, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'll go back to the hospital after the meeting. Don't think much
about it, okay?"
He stretched his hands out of his car, grasping her hands. He held them tightly as he stared deeply into
her eyes, igniting a spark within them. A warmth consumed her body. As though he had achieved what
he set out to do, Rufus withdrew his hands and resumed the steering wheel. He drove his vehicle away
while Cassandra's imagination and stare followed him until he was out of her sight.
Her hands still warm, she imagined him still holding them in his hands.
"Recently, many people were travelling to G city. The G government took this opportunity to carry out
activities, thus promoting its development of tourism. In order to develop our company, Qin Group has
also applied to join the Union of Real Estate. It is worth mentioning that our application has been
approved,"
the assistant continued making her report to Cassandra on the recent developments of Qin Group.
Cassandra nodded slowly as she awoke from her day dream and heard what the assistant said.
She thought to herself, 'For my personal factor, I'm not willing to join the Union of Real Estate. The
reason being is that I once served as an manager in Tang Group. Moreover, the Tang Group is now in
the position of the Director of the Union. I can imagine how awkward it will be in meetings with the staff
who were once working with me. But I have to join the Union of Real Estate regardless of my feelings
to promote the development of Qin Group.
In the future I'll hand over the Qin Group to my younger sister, Cloris. Now I must lead this company to
succeed and evolve it to all it can be. Only then will the company be in good hands. When the time
comes, Cloris will be able to take it over easily and the hand over process will be an easy and
painlessly. And I will be able to pursue my dreams.'
"In addition, the Union of Real Estate is currently preparing a charity dinner, which is supposed to raise
money for the reconstruction of A city after the earthquake. Our company has also been invited to
attend the dinner. It will be held in a month's time," the assistant ended as she looked at her boss
inquisitively.
Cassandra nodded and motioned her to leave the office now.
When she was left alone in the office, Cassandra couldn't help herself from sending a message to
Rufus.
"Are you okay?" she messaged.
After sending it out, she felt very embarrassed. She tried to control her emotions and didn't expect to
receive a reply from him immediately.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me," Rufus's message answered back right away.
Seeing these words, she read them over again in her mind, making her feel slightly relieved.
In the Tang Group meeting room, all the directors sat at the conference table and looked seriously
solemn.
Victor was reading the minutes of the meeting out loud while Rufus was cupping his chin under his
hands and looking at all the directors present. At this time, he looked similar to the 'The Thinker'
sculptured by Augus Robyn, with a suit on.
"Is there anyone who opposes this motion, any objections to the decision?" stated Victor assertively.
Faced with the gaze from Rufus, all were unwilling to be the first to express their own ideas on this
decision.
'These old guys know if one puts forward his own ideas, he will be criticised by the others. They don't
want to be in that situation. Once they are asked to comment on any policy changes in company, they
will always avoid the topics instead of bravely presenting their ideas, ' Rufus thought.
"I object to it!" stated Lionel defiantly.
Suddenly a voice broke the silence. All eyes turned to look at the speaker. Lionel was standing up with
an angry look on his face.
"I don't think this kind of military style of management is suitable for our company. Everyone makes
mistakes sometimes. Besides, these rules are far too severe. This will break down the team building
and the harmony that has taken us so long to establish," Lionel spoke confidently.
He frowned, looking very discontented with this decision.
The proposal announced was on the new management plan they had discussed before. The
responsibility system was about to be implemented in Tang Group. To be more exact, if one employee
made a mistake, he was to accept the corresponding punishment, including deducting bonuses, and
cancelling vacations for less serious offences; if far more serious occurrences took place, they could
even be dismissed by the company.
Lionel thought, 'I'm busy talking business with clients, but unfortunately I can't establish business
relationships or clench any deals. I don't take some matters to be serious as I will sometimes bend the
rules. If one day I were to make a mistake in any aspects, someone would take it as a handle against
me. I will be dismissed by the company under the new system. At that time, I will suffer. So I must stop
such matters from being passed.'
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda