The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 117

But Leila was no longer the old, nice Leila. When she had just started her work in the Secretary Department, she was unfamiliar with anyone, and had to rely on Linda. But now, she had become independent and strong, and didn't need to suck up to Linda. When the time was ripe, she would overtake Linda, bit by bit until she would replace Linda, and become a capable assistant to Charles.

With that swirling in her mind, Leila let out a scornful chuckle. It was not the right time yet. For now, she would let Linda have her day for a while longer.

At the same time, Charles had asked David to come to his office, intending to ask him to investigate the rumors about Autumn. Out of Charles's expectation, David frowned and said, "Mr. Lu, I have heard the rumors about Mrs. Lu, and I am wondering whether I should tell you about it."

"Tell me what's going on." Charles said with a slight frown.

"Cloud Advertising Company was the one that planned our annual celebration before you cancelled our cooperation with them. Then yesterday when I visited Cloud to pay our bills, as I walked out of their finance office, I heard several staff talking about Mrs. Lu. I then lurked in the corridor for a while and listened. What they said about Mrs. Lu was outrageous." At that time, David was furious, but all he could do was listen and report it to his boss, "Do you remember someone we have met before named Paula? She was the one who started the rumors, and fabricated many stories to ruin Mrs. Lu. "

Since Autumn left the company, Paula was always reprimanded by Ryan. She hated Autumn more because of that. As far as she was concerned, Autumn was the root cause of all her troubles. Driven by hatred, Paula started to speak ill of her. And Ryan, because he was turned down by Autumn, allowed Paula to do that.

"So now word is getting out that Mrs. Lu is a treacherous copycat. And no company wants to employ her." David looked at Charles who have fallen silent with a sour look on his face. Obviously, it was him that had caused Autumn lots of trouble.

"Speaking of which, how is Cloud doing now?" After a long pause, Charles asked calmly.

"Cloud's accounts have been in trouble. And since we have severed all ties with them, the company is at a dead end. Right now, Ryan is like an ant on a hot pan, but can't do anything to save his company, except scratch his head."

"Can we buy the company?" Charles thought out loudly, fingertips tapping on the table. If no company wanted to take Autumn in, he would purchase them all and reshape the business circle for her. With him owning the Cloud, Autumn would have to undertake Shining Company's PR job. That would be perfect.

"Yes, I think so." David answered. He had worked for Charles for many years, and knew exactly how his mind worked. Because the Cloud had treated Autumn badly, the company would never get away with it. Being purchased by Charles would be the best thing to happen to it.

And he had known it from the start. Before he reported the matter to Charles, David had studied the company's financial situation. Its bankruptcy would only be a matter of time.

"Do it then. Make the purchase and transfer as soon as possible." Charles ordered.

David nodded and left. When he walked out of Charles's office and returned to the Secretary Department, he spotted the office zone empty with only Leila in her seat. With a slight frown, David asked, "Leila, where is Linda?"

"She's out. She said she needed to take care of something." With a smile on her face, Leila answered. She continued, "Mr. Fan, is there anything I can help with?"

"No, thank you. I was just checking on her." Said David calmly with a slight nod. Acquiring a company wasn't a small matter. He would rather trust the experienced Linda on such an important endeavor.

There was a spark of hatred in Leila's eyes. But she covered it up quickly, and grinned, "Okay, Mr. Fan. If you ever need any help, just tell me."

"I will." David nodded to her, and started to prepare for the acquisition.

Unwilling to stay in the office, Linda had gone downstairs earlier to Yvonne's department. She had learned that Yvonne was Mrs. Lu's younger sister, and also sensed her feelings towards Charles.

Seeing through that, she decided to use Yvonne against Leila. She would deliberately reveal Leila's plans to Yvonne, and like the old saying goes, 'let the fisherman struggle with the clam.' And when the two women were fighting this hopeless war, she would harvest the fruits.

"Miss Zhao? What has brought you here? Is it not a busy day?" A girl greeted her as Linda went by. In their eyes, Linda was still Charles's favorite secretary, and winning her favor would be as good as winning Charles's. There had always been a constant stream of flatterers wherever she went.

"Miss Zhao! Have a seat!" Another girl called. Yvonne's department was not very busy at that time. Everyone in here had some connection with the owners of the company. So everyday, their main task was to eat, nap and gossip. With such an atmosphere, Yvonne found it easy fit in.

But she wouldn't join her colleagues when they butter someone up. When she saw Linda walk in, she just remained at her seat and occupied herself with the fashion magazine she had been reading.

After all, she had her own standards and self-pride, and would not allow herself to sink so low.

"What happened, Miss Zhao? Why do you look worried?" A girl led Linda to the tea room, and offered her own snack to her when they took a seat together, "Is Mr. Lu unsatisfied with your work?"

"That's not going to happen." Linda breathed out a sigh, and said, "It would be great if he is unsatsfied with my work, but he will not be. Right now, his full attention is drawn by the newcomer. How can he have time to check my work?"

The girls knew exactly who she meant by it. Along with Leila, there was also a newly recruited girl named Alice. But Alice was sent to a business trip, so the only newcomer in the Secretary Department would be Leila.

Leila was much smarter than Alice, though. Alice knew only how to focus on work, but Leila was much more social. She was good at making friends, and knew how to take advantage of people without them knowing. The girls in the company had actually grown fond of her. So when they heard what Linda said, some girls spoke up for Leila. One of them said, "Miss Zhao, there must have been a misunderstanding. She is a good girl. There is no way she would plan to replace you..."

"I don't think she's planning for anything, but..." Linda hastily waved to the girls, and put on a worried look.

The girls were intrigued. One of them said, "But what? What has happened? Miss Zhao, please tell us!"

Linda paused for a while, wondering whether she should tell the girls. Then she let out a resigned sigh, and said, "You know I have been taking charge of Mr. Fang's case. But this morning, Leila suddenly paid a visit to Mr. Lu's office, and Mr. Lu suddenly announced that Leila would entertain our clients tonight instead of me. See? She's only been here for a very short time, but has already been entrusted with such an important task. Dare she say that she got this opportunity with her abilities? Dare she say that it was fairly done?"

Linda flashed a bitter smile, "Leave aside how much bonus there would be if the case were completed. Do you think it's reasonable that she will go but not me? She's just a newbie here!"

The girls exchanged glances, and said, "Well, it's not that bad. Perhaps Mr. Lu intended to have her help you with your work. Since Jenny left, you've been the only skilled employee in the Secretary Department. You've been exhausted. Perhaps Mr. Lu has also seen that and he wants to free up some of your load."

"That's true! Leila is merely new here. In Mr. Lu's heart, she's not even half as important as you."

Hearing that, Linda sneered. She turned to Yvonne, and asked, "Autumn, what' your opinion on this?"

Yvonne was good with Leila. When Linda called her, she raised her head, looked at Linda, and calmly said, "I think it could only prove that Leila is more capable than you."