19 Evaluation Team

Early in the morning, I went out of the building and immediately saw the car that was all ready to pick me up. I felt uneasy just looking at it for some reason. It sounded silly which made me sighed mentally before finally getting inside.

"Are you feeling better now?" Ethan asked, glancing through the rearview mirror.

"Yes, I am," I answered confidently but my voice betrayed me. There was still hoarseness in my tone that I couldn't get rid of yet.

He grinned before taking his gaze off of me. His focus was now at the road when he maneuvered the car out of the parking lot.

I was checking my emails through my phone when I heard him speak again. I shifted my eyes off it and looked at him discreetly. I thought that he let it go already.

"It looks like your throat is still sore. Did you drink your medicine?"

"I did," I voiced out, feeling unusual about someone checking on me.

He just nodded after hearing my words and didn't speak up anymore to my relief. It didn't take long before we reached the office so my mind became preoccupied with all the loose ends that I needed to settle.

I entered the company while trying to feel out the general mood of the employees. The news would no doubt unsettle them especially with the looming removal of the people involved with the embezzlement. The order would've come down yesterday but due to my absence, their uneasiness had one more day to fester.

The employees who passed me greeted me as usual though some had stiff smiles while others didn't seem bothered. It looked like the atmosphere wasn't that bad however judgment would've to wait after the adjustments were made. I wasn't worried about it though since the greatest quality of a person was adaptation

I exited from the elevator upon arriving at the top floor. Heather was already there waiting with her usual blouse and skirt attire with her black hair in a severe bun, holding a takeaway cup from the coffee shop on the first floor and a lot of folders.

She gave a smile, "Are you feeling better, Miranda?"

"I'm fine. Sorry for the sudden absence. How was everything here?" I responded as we entered my office.

"You could say it's the calm before the storm. Everyone is on a wait and see attitude though some don't look as composed as they looked," she answered following me inside.

I hung my coat up and took the personnel list out of my bag to put it on my table before sitting down.

I took a sip of my coffee before speaking, "Did we get the results from the confiscated data that day?"

"We have the list for all the compromised employees. This was the result after they've been questioned, explained their side and cross-referenced with the evidence," she handed a folder.

"Fire them all," I said without hesitation after taking a look then gave the personnel list that I've been working on last night to Heather, "These are the people that should be promoted to replace them. For the positions that we need to hire, tell them to be extra strict on their background."

"I'll pass it on to the HR Department immediately," Heather nodded.

"By the way, the articles were handled really well. Make sure to give bonuses to the Press Release Team," I added before I forget.

I noticed Heather hesitating about something so I raised my one eyebrow in silent question.

"Regarding the PR Team, it was actually Arthur who got them done. The team leader refused to do the articles for release and gave the order for the rest of the team to do the same. Arthur coincidentally saw them arguing about it on his way to the board meeting. Since they won't listen, he wrote the articles personally. I heard that he was in some kind of journalist club back in university," Heather recounted the story.

"Is that so? No wonder he was absent from the meeting. Ask Arthur if he can also manage the PR Team. Fire the team leader. It looked like he's related to the case as well. Insubordination during such a crucial time would've messed up our plans and that order wouldn't have been possible if he was innocent," I instructed after contemplating.

The PR Team was part of the Marketing Department but independent of its management. Arthur did an excellent job with the PR side even though it wasn't part of his responsibilities and it would seem like the PR Team would thrive even more under his leadership. Besides, I think being the spokesperson would suit him.

"I'll contact him then."

"Do we have the report for the company stocks?" I asked.

She wordlessly places another folder on my table. I opened it and felt a sliver of a smile appear on my face. We lost a bit when the news was released but it stabilized now and we evaded the estimated loss projection that we expected to happen had we not taken measures to control the news.

"Alright. The board would have no cause to clamor with this result. By the way, I'd like to meet with that lady who warned us. How's the background check for her?"

She passed the last folder on her hands while reporting, "I didn't see any red flags on her profile."

I nodded in approval, "Please set up a meeting for lunch. Not here since there's so many eyes watching right now but outside."

During lunch in a restaurant that was a good distance away from the company, I stared at the quiet lady opposite of me. Meredith Park made me curious about what kind of person she is ever since that day she gave us a warning about the factory in F city.

She looked like a timid person with that long straight hair with bangs that almost covered her eyes and bowed head but as soon as I looked in her eyes, I knew that I was wrong. There was no hint of nervousness in them. It was clear and sharp like it can't be tainted by anything.

I really like my impression of her so far but I had to know one thing first.

"I've been curious since that day so I'd like to ask why you gave us the warning. I'd assume that it wasn't an easy decision."

She stared into my eyes for a moment as if she was trying to read me before opening her mouth, "All I did was gambled with the thought that you, the CEO of the company, weren't stupid and actually cared for the welfare of your employees not just the company unlike the pigs in the Production Department. Forgive my bluntness but that's the only reason."

I blinked a few times when I heard her then chuckled drily. I wouldn't have thought that she had this kind of personality. Her sharp tongue was certainly refreshing. I was still uncertain before but all my doubts on my plan were gone now.

Leaning on my chair while unconsciously crossing my legs, I told her my idea, "I've plans on creating an Evaluation Team independent of any department's influence and only directly reports to the CEO. The primary task of this team is to inspect all the departments locally for now but hopefully will develop enough to also check our overseas assets. I want the team to be excellent and unbiased enough to function as an internal audit team. I want you to head that team. What do you think?"

"Why me?"

"I thought you would have the guts not to be influenced by anyone in the company. I'm not going to lie. This position is both a hot potato and an influential one. I need someone who wouldn't be shaken by others no matter what happens. Impartial and strong-willed. Can you do it?" I dared her while I rested my chin on my raised right arm that was placed on the table.

"My team. My choice," she responded without hesitation.

"Give me the list of whoever you want in your team. Better if they're already in the company but it's fine to hire outside as well. As long as I don't see any problems with them then I'll approve," I countered back.

"Alright," she acquiesced without issue.

"I have high hopes for this team so I hope you don't make me regret this decision," I honestly told her my expectations as I extended my hand to shake hers.

Firmly gripping my hand in as she replied, "I won't."

After discussing a few more things, I finally left the restaurant to go back to the office. From the entrance, I saw Ethan standing in front of the car talking to an old man in a formal black suit. They looked like they were talking about something serious. Ethan's forehead was knitted tightly in a frown. After a while, the old man bowed before leaving.

Who was that?