Chapter 70 Maggie's Display of Assertiveness
Arya's phone call had left Dulcinea in a state of fear. It wasn't the timing of Maggie's recollection that mattered, but the fact that it couldn't happen now. Dulcinea had to devise a plan to push Maggie and Fiorello's relationship further, ideally leading to a pregnancy and the birth of an heir to the Flores family. This would solidify Maggie's position and ensure her security for the rest of her life.
Not long after Arya's call, Dulcinea received a message from Maggie. Maggie wanted Dulcinea to confirm whether she had undergone an appendectomy. Dulcinea, having already coordinated with Arya, responded without giving anything away.
Meanwhile, Arya was also on edge, lacking the energy to console Olivia. Isabella's divorce had taken a toll on Olivia's mental health, leaving her bedridden for days on end.
...
Upon returning to the company, Maggie was summoned to Selena's office. Selena sat sternly in her office chair, her face etched with seriousness. "Maggie, what exactly is your purpose here? You missed work on your first day. If you have no intention of working, then leave immediately and stop wasting resources."
"Selena, I apologize. I didn't mean to shirk my responsibilities. Ms. Smith from the sales department went into labor..."
"What does her giving birth have to do with you? You're my assistant, your duty is to serve me," Selena interjected, her words devoid of empathy. "I don't care how you managed to get this job, but if you're not qualified, you'll be let go once your probation period ends. We don't tolerate incompetence or hidden agendas here."
Selena had heard rumors that one of the three interviewees had secured the job through bribery. She immediately suspected Maggie, who only held a high school diploma, and treated her with disdain.
Despite Selena's harsh tone, Maggie maintained her composure. She met Selena's gaze without flinching. "If I'm not suitable for this job, I don't need you to tell me. I won't stay if I'm not wanted," Maggie retorted, seizing the opportunity to provoke Selena. "But what exactly do you want me to do here? Compete with the janitor or handle printing materials?"
Selena sneered at Maggie's audacity. "Do you even know what a jewelry designer does?"
Maggie responded, "Everyone has their own interpretation, and mine might not satisfy you. But if I were in your shoes, I'd make an unqualified person realize their incompetence in jewelry design rather than assigning them menial tasks. Of course, I'm more than willing to do odd jobs here for such a generous salary. However, it's you who's wasting company resources, not me."
Selena was taken aback by Maggie's boldness. No one in the design department had ever dared to challenge her like this. As their argument escalated, the attention of their colleagues was drawn towards them.
Emily, who had been eavesdropping at the door, had always perceived Maggie as timid. However, witnessing Maggie stand up to Selena, she realized that Maggie was anything but meek. She was assertive.
Maggie's provocation seemed to work on Selena. Selena casually picked up a client document from her desk and said, "Fine, I'll give you a chance. If you can handle this client, you won't have to run errands. If you can't, don't disgrace the profession of design by staying here."
Unfazed by Selena's sarcastic remarks, Maggie leaned on the desk and negotiated. "If I can't handle it, I'll leave on my own. But if I secure this client, then you owe me an apology for your words earlier."
Selena found Maggie's proposition amusing and responded mockingly, "Sure, if you can secure this client, I'll apologize for my earlier comments."
Selena was confident that Maggie wouldn't succeed. She had been working with this particular client for six months without satisfying their design needs. This client was too important to lose. Selena had endured much frustration with this client over the past half year, and now she saw an opportunity to use Maggie as a scapegoat.
"It's a deal," Maggie said, picking up the client information and exiting the office.
As Maggie left the office, her demeanor shifted entirely, as if she had transformed into a different person. Her colleagues in the design department watched her with newfound respect. Maggie was the first to challenge Selena so boldly.
Even the colleagues who had previously wanted Maggie to do menial tasks quietly retreated with their stack of documents.
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