Chapter 13 Targeting

Maggie straightened her back, "I haven't offended you in any way, right? So now you're saying you know everything just to see me embarrassed?"
"Not entirely. I heard that you divorced without dividing the property?" Ellie clapped her hands twice. "I couldn't tell, you never fought or competed at the TV station. It turns out you were so patient, not trying to make a man feel guilty with material things. Letting Matt think you were innocent. He'll strike back. This move of retreat is stronger than a woman who demands a lion's share."
Maggie's heart sank, and she tightened her fist. "You misunderstood, I just want to get divorced as soon as possible."
Influenced by her father's gentle personality since she was young, she didn't like conflicts with others. She picked up her script and prepared to leave the office.
Ellie didn't give up and called her again, "The director should have talked to you. There's a spot opening up in the news department at the end of the month."
Maggie's hand holding the doorknob stopped, and she stared at Ellie in surprise. "Are you the one planning to recommend me?"
"That's right."
She boasted proudly, and the neutral pen slipped from her hand, making a sound as it hit the ground, creating a silence that stirred up waves in Maggie's heart.
Ellie, a typical opportunist at the TV station, had caused two accidents during live broadcasts due to being heavily drunk. One time, she couldn't stop vomiting, and another time, she spontaneously started stripping and dancing in front of the camera. Maggie had even helped her with hangover remedies.
The news center was the face of ABC, focusing on public sentiment and policies, interviewing government officials and business elites. It emphasized timeliness, authenticity, and had a low margin for error. For the manager to boldly recommend her despite such a scattered working style, it was likely because her family had once again invested a large sum of money. The Wang family had made a fortune in the construction material industry, and later changed their business. Maggie didn't know what they were doing now, as Matt never talked much about his business. There were rumors at the TV station that Ellie's maternal aunt had connections with a government official, so, things were easier for her.
Maggie forced a smile, opened the door, and said, "Congratulations."
Her heart was in turmoil, and she walked briskly, only to bump into the editor-in-chief at the corner of the hallway. She covered her head and saw stars.
"It's just a divorce. Can't be that sad, right?"
Maggie steadied, tears welling up in her eyes. "How come even the editor-in-chief knows?"
"The director talks more than the aunties at the village entrance. I just came out of the manager's office, and he wants you to go there."
"The editor-in-chief?" Maggie widened her eyes. "What could he want with me?"
The editor-in-chief had more scripts to review, so he didn't explain too much. Maggie felt her heart sink as she went up and down, feeling anxious. She walked into the manager's office on the top floor.
There was a middle-aged man, almost fifty, sitting on the big chair. He wore a pair of wide-framed glasses over his nose and was writing documents on the desk.
When he heard the sound of the door being knocked, he didn't even lift his head, just called out for her to come in.
"You wanted to see me," Maggie stayed at the door.
The manager glanced at her, his cheeks were sunken in, he was thin and gaunt, his gaze was aloof, and he was holding a thin cigar in his hand.
The room was filled with a heavy smell of smoke that made people choke. The manager said, as if it were an old saying, "Ah, Maggie, find a place to sit."
Maggie found a seat.
The manager got up, walked around the desk, closed the door, and sat down next to her. "The manager informed me about your divorce, losing nearly a million dollars in advertising revenue. The TV station is regretful."
"He didn't mention it to me at all..."
"Maggie, you also graduated from a prestigious broadcasting program, right?" The manager changed the subject. "According to your exam performance, it should be easy for you to become a regular employee. I heard from the manager that you did not become a regular employee in order to conveniently take on part-time hosting gigs?"
She bit her lip, her nails digging into her flesh, her palm turning pale.
The manager's face turned ugly. "This kind of behavior is strictly prohibited by the TV station. You've already married into the Williams family, don't you have enough money?"
Maggie remained silent. She knew that he was making things difficult for her. The TV station only prohibited regular employees from taking on part-time hosting gigs.
As an irregular host, the salary was miserably low, and she had to prepare her own makeup, hair, and wardrobe that met the on-camera requirements, with no reimbursement from the TV station.
Taking on a hosting gig for a wedding would earn her two to three thousand dollars, not to mention corporate events and ribbon-cutting ceremonies that could earn her tens of thousands of dollars. Matt withdrew his investment overnight to protect the manager. He had said he was going to play hard, and he was true to his word.
Through gritted teeth, Maggie asked, "How do you plan to handle me? I'll listen to the TV station's arrangements."
There was a moment of silence in the atmosphere. The manager grabbed her shoulder and pinched it twice, his attitude resembling a roller coaster, and his tone turned friendly. "Don't worry too much. I'll give you a chance to make up for your mistakes."
Maggie wasn't used to this, so she shrunk her shoulders, trying to avoid him. "What...kind of opportunity?"
"24th this month, the Center of the state is hosting a cultural night. Abby, the assistant, was supposed to accompany me, but she's accompanying the news department to collect materials in the countryside. Now I need someone to accompany me, and the TV station has decided that it will be you." Maggie understood, they were sending her to participate in the joint promotion for investment.
Advertisement, the previous incident of the Section Chief of the Publicity and Education section has left a significant impact on her. She hesitated, "Why is it me again?"
The manager was annoyed, "There is no need for so many whys. Because of your personal matters, the TV station has suffered losses. I am giving you a chance to make amends. Assess your own weight and don't be ungrateful!"