Chapter 344 Catherine Poaches on the Spot
Everyone was trying so hard not to crack up!
Catherine was just too funny; it had been ages since anyone in the company had talked to Tony like that.
Catherine's bluntness made Tony's face turn beet red!
He knew Catherine wasn't someone you messed with!
If Catherine were let loose in the company, it might just go belly up!
Catherine's face was cool and indifferent. "Mr. Gibson, is there an issue? You called this meeting, but I haven't seen any real agenda."
Tony had to let the earlier incident go, taking a few deep breaths to calm down.
He then turned to Hugo next to him.
"Hugo, you're up for the career report today. Go ahead."
Hugo shrugged.
"Mr. Gibson, this meeting was thrown together last minute. My career report is set for the third of next month, and I haven't prepped the presentation yet. You'll have to handle this one yourself."
Tony's face fell!
"Hugo, wasn't your report supposed to be ready by now?"
"I only got the notice yesterday, and it was for the meeting on the third of next month. I had over a dozen design drafts to revise yesterday. Did you think I was just twiddling my thumbs?"
Tony was always the type to expect work assigned yesterday to be done today!
Not everyone had the luxury of time like Tony.
Catherine glanced over the design department's overtime records.
Hugo was working late almost every night until ten, but he completed his basic tasks by the end of the day.
Even so, Tony once denied Hugo's overtime request, thinking he was just after the extra cash.
Yet Hugo's work still needed to be done on time.
So, for a long time, Hugo had been working overtime without pay!
Catherine raised an eyebrow. "Is Hugo the only one in the design department? The overtime situation is ridiculous, and Mr. Gibson hasn't done anything about it?"
Tony waved his hand dismissively.
"Catherine, you don't get it. Hugo slacks off during the day and saves all his work for the evening just to get overtime pay!"
Catherine replied coolly, "Judging by the workload, I'd say Mr. Gibson is more likely to be after overtime pay."
Tony chuckled awkwardly. "That's not true. I finish my work on time, so I don't need to work overtime!"
Catherine's gaze shifted past Tony to the honest and straightforward Hugo.
"You'll get your overtime pay. Radiant Treasures doesn't shortchange its employees. Of course, I don't welcome anyone trying to slack off."
Hugo's eyes lit up instantly!
"Thank you, Ms. Windsor!"
Tony grumbled, "Ms. Windsor, you don't understand our company's rules. Hugo is just trying to take advantage!"
Catherine closed the file in her hand, her clear, sharp gaze carrying a hint of icy insight.
"Tony, if Hugo isn't suitable, we can negotiate his departure. Or are you just trying to save on severance costs?"
Tony didn't want to fire Hugo because, without him, there'd be no one to polish his drafts!
Tony's eyes darted around, avoiding the question.
"Of course, it's because Hugo has two kids to support. I couldn't bear to..."
"Tony, Mr. Gibson, if you're using company resources to foster your personal humanitarian efforts, I don't agree. I need a design assistant, Hugo. Mira will discuss your salary."
Tony's face twitched with frustration!
The role of deputy director of the design department versus the general manager's design assistant—anyone could see which was more prestigious.
But everyone in the design department knew Hugo's deputy director title was just for show.
Being a deputy director meant doing Tony's work!
Tony was a bit miffed.
"Ms. Windsor, you can't just demote Hugo as soon as you get here."
Catherine looked at Hugo, speaking calmly, "Your salary will go up by 20%, and your commission rate will jump from 50% to 60%. I’m not a fan of overtime. Think it over."
Hugo's eyes lit up instantly!
With such a big pay bump and no overtime, the job title didn't matter as much!
Anyone in his shoes knew how tough it was!
He wasn't getting paid for overtime now, and it wasn't even by choice.
Somehow, meeting Catherine's strategic gaze, the fire in Hugo's heart reignited!
He stood up, fists clenched, feeling invigorated.
"Alright! I'm in, Ms. Windsor!"
Tony knocked over his water cup in frustration!
"Hugo, think it over. If you leave, you'll have no ties with our team!"
Catherine smirked.
"Mr. Gibson, this company is mine now. Hugo will be directly under me, still working in design, not much different from before."
"Or are you saying that in Mr. Gibson's eyes, working with me puts you on the opposing side?"
Catherine dared to say it, but Tony didn't dare to respond!
Even if he thought it, Tony could only muster a forced smile!
"Of course not. Ms. Windsor, you've misunderstood. I'm just concerned for Hugo."
Catherine touched her earlobe, yawning.
"Let's continue the meeting. If you don't know what to say, just repeat the content from your last meeting."
"Ms. Windsor, our meetings aren't for repeating content. That's a waste of time..."
Catherine raised an eyebrow. "I think this meeting is a waste of time. In that case, let's adjourn."
Tony had called this meeting to embarrass Catherine, but now he was the one embarrassed!
As they left the meeting room, Hugo followed Catherine quickly.
"Ms. Windsor, do you really want me? I've only been doing small tasks in the design department."
"I've seen your designs. I don't think they're small tasks."
Catherine lifted her gaze to him.
"Hugo, if you think your work is insignificant, you won't stand tall."
Hugo knew better than anyone how important his work was!
Seeing Catherine's serious expression, Hugo felt a shiver run through him!
"Being my design assistant won't be easy, but you won't have to handle the design department's tasks anymore. I also want to see if Tony still doesn't need overtime without your help."
Hugo understood Catherine was reorganizing the company.
But he was still grateful!
Entering the office, Catherine handed Hugo a file.
"Give me your design drafts based on the quarterly theme, contact suppliers and gemstone vendors, and provide a complete report on the jewelry design series. Complete these tasks within a week."
The workload wasn't small.
Radiant Treasures had hundreds of suppliers and partners to contact, which would keep him busy!
But it was still half of what Hugo used to handle!
"Alright!"
Watching Hugo leave the office, Mira leaned in close to Catherine.
"Have Tony come by, and have him bring me a glass of water!"
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