64
Alpha Kilian was supposed to leave the premises after Shadow had said her answer. After all, it would’ve been out of character if he had stayed there and inserted himself into their conversation.
However, as soon as he recalled what Jessica had done to her the last time, he decided to return. As long as they still weren’t on company premises, then there might be a chance that she’d try something.
What he didn’t expect was to witness a good show.
In his entire life, other than his mother, this was the first time he had been protected by a woman. Somehow, he couldn’t help but reminisce the times his mother had pushed him behind her back, towering over anyone who’d go against him.
An inexplicable warmth surged through his veins, and he couldn’t help but soften at the sight. He couldn’t help but feel a bit strange. Unknowingly, the corners of his lips twitched up into a smile.
This feeling was wonderful.
Shadow had been wearing thick leather shoes that were about three to four centimeters high. Despite this, it didn’t really hurt that much.
However, Jessica wasn’t the type of woman who would humble herself that easily. Shadow should be the one bowing down to her! Not stepping on her toes! For someone who had been so obedient the last twenty or something years, she really had turned a one eighty.
When she raced into the Eden Group’s main hall, Shadow had reached into the elevator. Turning around, Shadow flashed Jessica a provocative smile before pressing the close button. “Let’s see you try and catch me this time.”
When Jessica finally caught up to her, the elevator had already gone up.
Within a few seconds, Shadow exited the elevator and walked straight into Jason’s office.
Last Friday Jason had called her up and asked her to come by the office on Monday to tell her off. Of course, she still remembered his words. However, that didn’t mean that she planned on following his orders obediently.
She didn’t wait long before Jason came in.
Jessica followed right behind him.
“Dad! Shadow is too much. Although I may have a bad temper, that still doesn’t justify her actions, right?” Jessica complained, unaware of Shadow ‘s presence in the office. “I’m the project manager, aren’t I? If she doesn’t take me seriously, what else would she do to you?”
Ha! Shadow stifled a snort as she tilted her head upwards, gazing innocently at the father and daughter duo.
What Jessica said was wrong. She didn’t have a bad temper. She just had a dark soul.
“Sister, what you’re saying isn’t true. I respect Dad the most around here.”
Hearing her words, the two jumped up, surprised to see that there was someone else in the office.
Jessica widened her eyes, looking as if she had just seen a ghost. She stiffened and pointed in her direction. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Dad has something to tell me, so I came up here to wait for him.” Shadow smiled innocently.
Only then did Jessica finally believe that all of Shadow ‘s obedience and meekness was just an act to string them along. After all, what kind of person could change this easily in the last few weeks?
Jason had just heard her daughter’s complaints all the way up to the top floor, so his anger still hadn’t numbed down. As soon as he saw Shadow ‘s face, he looked sullen. “Even if you are my daughter, you’re just another employee! Do you think an ordinary employee can just go in and out of the Chairman’s office?”
“If that’s the case, I’ll see myself out.” Shadow stood up and walked right out of the office, closing the door behind her.
Jason and Jessica looked at each other, not knowing what she was up to.
Knock knock!
Just then, a knock came from the door, and it was later followed by Shadow ‘s polite voice. “Chairman, I’m Shadow Eden . May I come in now?” Her voice was still thinly veiled with innocence.
Jason clenched his fists. Not knowing how to deal with her, he stomped to the back of his desk and sat down. “Jessica , let her in.” He barked out, rubbing the back of his head. His daughter was already giving him a headache!
Jessica ‘s mood still hadn’t gotten better from their last interaction. She reluctantly shouted at the door. “Come in!”
However, even then, the door didn’t budge.
Curious as to what had happened, Jessica strode towards the door and grasped the handle. Only then did she notice that Shadow was no longer at the door. Her grip on the handle tightened.
She gritted her teeth and suppressed her anger as she turned to look at Jason, “Dad, she’s gone.”
At that time, Shadow had already returned to her small table.
She didn’t take time to see Manager Black. After all, if the man was looking for trouble, then he’d be coming for her as well. She wouldn’t need to take time off her busy schedule just to find him.
“Everyone.” Suddenly, Dawson walked over to the middle of the department office. “We’ll be having a meeting later.”
Of course, as it was the first day of the week, they usually had meetings to discuss their weekly goals and initiatives. Although she didn’t take him as the type of man who’d take these things seriously, it was still obligatory for the manager to attend.
However, she, as the junior employee, had nothing to do with said meeting.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
What she didn’t expect was, not long after Jason and Jessica , to follow Dawson all the way back to the marketing department as soon as their meeting had ended. Their faces revealed no emotion, and her eyes immediately narrowed.
There was no way that they’d come over for something good. In fact, she had an intuition that the three were coming directly for her.
Proving her right, Jessica gazed in her direction and said seriously. “Shadow , come over.”
The fates really did hate her.
Shadow glanced at the three of them with her faux surprised expression before walking over. A few of their colleagues glanced in their direction, but none of them said a word, afraid of angering any of them.
Before she could even get close, Jessica took two steps forward and slapped her right on the face. The sound echoed across the department building, and followed by Jessica ‘s stern voice. “Do you know why I hit you?”
‘Because you’re a bitch?’ Shadow covered her numb face, startled from the pain. After two seconds, she finally brought her gaze back at Jessica .
Although the woman appeared pained by her actions, joy of revenge danced in her eyes. And the sight made Shadow want to slap her back. Restraining herself, she stiffly stood, not bothering to entertain her.
“I know that working in the marketing department is hard, but you’re my sister, and you’re also a member of the Eden family. Since you’ve decided to work here, you should set a good example for everyone, right? Yet you skipped work on your very first week! Do you think that’s appropriate?”
Now that they were trying to scold her, they’d finally recognize her as the member of the Eden family? How ironic!
Shadow smiled and looked coldly at Jessica . “It really was my fault. I am sorry…”
Shadow explained even further, “Yesterday, the male colleague who had gone to work with me must’ve had a hard time. I want to apologize to him in front of everyone. Is that okay?”
Jessica blinked, surprised to see Shadow give in so quickly.
At that time, Dawson suddenly leaned in to whisper in her ear, “The man I arranged to hurt her yesterday wasn’t an employee of the company. He’s just a passerby.”
In order to make a more secure exchange, Dawson didn’t involve any other employees of the Eden Group. After all, he was still scared that things may get out of hand. Even if Jason didn’t like Shadow , that didn’t erase the fact that she was still his daughter. The fewer people involved in this, the better.
As soon as she heard of this, Jessica frowned and said to Shadow . “Manager Black said that the colleague isn’t feeling well, so he took a rest day.”
Jason, who had been standing at the sidelines this entire time, raised his eyebrows in interest. “He’s not feeling well? What’s he sick of that he had to take a leave on a Monday as well? Even after taking the weekend off?”
Every Monday, the departments were required to host a regular meeting to allocate tasks. Under normal circumstances, employees weren’t allowed to apply for a leave. Unless their lives were at stake, nobody would even there.
“I’m not very sure.” Dawson’s impassive face crumbled. “I’ll ask later.”
“Oh?” Shadow tilted her head and said softly. “Manager Black, please tell me the name of the colleague. I’ll visit him after work.”
Upon seeing her hardened features softening, Jason felt more secured. It was as if his obedient daughter was back already, after a week of disobeying him.
Satisfied with her answer, Jason glanced at the crowd. “Which team has a colleague taking leave today?”
The scene was completely silent, and no one spoke.
Dawson was so anxious that even he was starting to sweat.
Just as Jason was about to become impatient, one of the team leaders called out, “Someone from our team asked for a leave.”
The other members of that team looked at each other. Alyssaa had just mentioned that she was being taken by a male colleague. The person who had applied for leave was a woman. It couldn’t have been her.
“Tell Shadow the person’s contact details later on and let her visit him after work.” As soon as Jason finished speaking, his gaze softened as he looked at his employees. “Please don’t be nervous everyone. Even if it is a Monday, you’re still allowed to apply for leave if you have any important matters. After all, we’re all family here.”
With many flowery words, Jason left with Jessica .
Not knowing that her lies had just been exposed, Jessica shot Shadow a complacent smile before she left out of the department.