Like An Aspen Leaf

"Oh dear. My mistake. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Emily Parker. I work in the sales and marketing department. And currently, I am your temporary secretary," the blonde spoke with her practiced polite and welcoming smile.

"Sales and marketing department?" Lilah enunciated.

"At times, I help out at the public relations department too. We are highly understaffed. Therefore, each of us is responsible for multiple department."

She had been too inattentive in her previous life truly.

"How many employees?" she questioned.

"Six including me. Ah, now that you are here, Ms. Lilah, it's seven. But with the lack of profits, I believe we will have to lay off more employees in the future."

The corner of her lips twitched.

Who would work in the company then?

Lilah felt slightly lost on what to do.

Emily didn't miss Lilah's troubled expression, and her smile only deepened.

She knew Lilah's identity and held no hope towards her improving the condition of the company.

She has heard rumors about Lilah. The woman held no interest or talent in business. This young miss was merely given this position to keep her in the company.

Although losing the company sounded disheartening to Emily who worked here right after her graduation, nothing could be done about it.

She had already accepted it as the inevitable reality.

"Let me show you around the company and introduce you to everyone."

Lilah nodded.

Judging from the state of the employees, none of them held enthusiasm towards work. All of them were here to only get paid until the company closed off.

At least they didn't dare to be disrespectful under her presence.

From what she had read in the book, when Alicia was first assigned her position, the employees showed a disrespectful attitude towards her.

She had to work hard to earn their approval and trust. After that, everyone adored her and was willing to help her.

Lilah didn't wish to get close to the staff. All she needed them to do was contribute their entire energy to work before heading home. She wasn't willing to cultivate any personal relationship.

She sharply stared at the staff and sternly spoke, "I do not know how things operated here previously, but I better not see anyone slacking off. Being fired wouldn't be the worst consequence. I assure you that."

The threatening tone intimidated the staffs, feeling chills go down their back. Lilah was dead serious.

Her imposing presence gave none of them the courage to say anything in her presence, and all those who had other ideas quickly erased them.

"Understood, Ms. Lilah," they answered.

Something she learned from reading the novel was that she couldn't be soft and had to establish her dominance to get the others to follow her. She had no desire in being their friend after all.

After that, Emily proceeded to show her around the building, and once she was out of their sight, the employees felt as though they could finally breathe.

Jenny leaned back and grabbed on to the table with her hands prior to voicing out, "Ms. Lilah, she is really too fierce. I heard how she is willful and rude to others. Do you think we will be alright?"

A man in his late forties sighed and shook his head.

"I don't know, but these days will pass by somehow," Richard said.

"What are we even going to work for? Isn't the company already doomed? What a pretentious woman!" Ashton commented, furrowing his eyebrows.

Jenny scrunched up her nose at him and pointed out, "Why don't you say this to her face if you have courage? You were shaking like an aspen leaf. Have some shame."

"What do you know? I was only pretending to give her some face. Doesn't the type like her enjoy their power over others? I didn't want her to make more trouble," Ashton argued, slightly flustered.

"Look at you. What bullshit is that! Just admit that she terrifies you!"

He scoffed.

"She is just a woman. How can she scare me?"

This made Jenny's nostrils flare, and she stepped forward, raising her fist. Following that, she aggressively said, "What's wrong with women? Huh? Do you need me knock some sense into you?"

Looking at how the situation was escalating, Richard felt the need to step in and stated, "Now, now, you two, calm down. Ignore him, Jenny. You know, he is an idiot. Come on, everyone, get back to work before Ms. Lilah gets back."

With that, everyone scattered back to their seats. After shooting a glare at Ashton, Jenny went over to her desk.

"You too." Richard patted on Ashton's back.