CHAPTER 307
Arianna’s lips twitched in a faint, almost imperceptible motion, but she remained silent.
"Next, we have Mr. Clark from the Anchor Department to present his report," the general manager called out.
Clark stood up, adjusting his suit jacket with a brief, calculated motion before making his way to the front of the room. Standing at the podium, he took the microphone and began his report with practised ease.
Once he finished, there was a slight pause before he spoke again, his voice gaining a touch of hesitation.
"If I could have just a moment more, everyone," he said, drawing the room's attention.
"I would like to address a matter concerning a new addition to our department—Arianna King."
Arianna’s name cut through the quiet, instantly sparking interest.
She wasn’t just another new hire.
Her presence in the room, particularly given how soon she had been brought into such a high-level meeting, had already been noticed.
People shifted in their seats, their attention fully on Clark, who had started to speak about her. It was unusual for someone so new to be involved in a meeting of this calibre unless something significant was going on.
The general manager gave Arianna a brief but telling glance before turning his gaze back to Clark.
"Alright, Clark, what’s this about Mrs. King?"
Elizabeth, who had been sitting quietly, seemed to sense the shift in the room and looked up from her notes, her curiosity piqued.
Others leaned forward, eager to hear Clark’s next words.
Clark appeared uncomfortable as if he was fumbling for the right words. He licked his lips, then looked directly at Arianna.
“Arianna, could you come up here?”
Without hesitation, Arianna stood up, her movements smooth and composed. She walked to the stage with confidence, aware of the eyes on her, and stood before the assembled group, waiting for Clark’s next move.
Clark watched Arianna closely, sensing her deliberate composure as she prepared to address the room. He cleared his throat, standing a bit straighter as he continued, his voice cold and deliberate.
“Colleagues, I assigned a critical task to Arianna, but unfortunately, her actions have gone against the interests of the station. Not only did she fail to meet the expectations of her assignment, but her behaviour also impacted the work of her fellow anchors. Her attitude has been less than professional, and when confronted, she refused to take responsibility for her mistakes. As a result, I instructed her to reflect on her actions and write a self-review, which she will now present before all of you here today.”
A heavy silence descended over the room as the words settled.
The general manager had personally ensured that Arianna was given top honours when she joined the station.
He had even personally brought her in.
The audacity of her to disregard the station's expectations so quickly, barely a week into her new role, was unthinkable.
How could she have acted with such carelessness, especially under the general manager’s watch?
The whispers started almost immediately. Was Arianna too accustomed to her privileged life outside of work, perhaps too emboldened by her connections to Xander King?
Was this why she believed the rules didn’t apply to her?
The room seemed to tighten with judgment. Why should someone like her remain at the station?
Clark’s gaze sharpened as he saw the murmurs spreading.
He let out a subtle, satisfied breath, his sense of control solidifying as he pressed on, his voice rising with mock encouragement.
“Arianna, why don’t you present your self-review to us? If it’s not up to expectations, I’ll expect your resignation letter before the end of the day.”
He looked at her with the certainty of someone who believed he had the upper hand, expecting her to buckle under the pressure.
A newcomer like her, who had barely proven herself, certainly wouldn't dare to oppose him.
Arianna stood still for a moment, her eyes scanning the room with quiet confidence. Then, she stepped forward, her presence commanding attention as she stood before the table, ready to speak. Her gaze swept over the assembly, a calm resolve in her eyes as she began to speak.
“Hello everyone. My name is Arianna, the new anchor in the anchor department.”
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her. Arianna stood on the stage with an air of calm confidence. Her posture was firm, and the faintest, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips.
She had an aura that drew everyone's eyes, making it seem like she was ready to give an important speech instead of facing judgment.
Her attitude didn’t reflect someone who was in trouble. It was like she was at a major event, completely calm and collected despite the pressure surrounding her.
Clark’s discomfort grew as he watched her stand there, unshaken. His animosity toward Arianna had festered since the beginning, largely because he hadn’t been privy to the whole picture.
All he knew was that she had risen to her position, in part, due to her relationship with Xander and her association with the general manager. To him, she was someone who had secured her place through strategic moves rather than merit, and he had seen her as a threat ever since.
But that wasn’t the only thing that bothered him. She was poised to take over the anchor department, which had always been his domain.
If Arianna wanted to rise through the ranks, he knew that he’d be the first one in her path. It was clear to him that she was someone who didn’t hesitate to use any means necessary to get ahead.
The issue that led to this public self-review had, in truth, been something trivial. Every anchor had their methods, and Starlight TV was known for encouraging diversity in approach, as long as it didn’t violate any rules or disrupt the flow of operations. As long as results were delivered, the company usually allowed its reporters and anchors a certain level of freedom.
However, Clark had used the situation to his advantage. He had hoped that by forcing Arianna to publicly admit her mistake, it would serve as a warning to her—a reminder of who was in control of the department. He wanted her to learn her place and understand that if she wanted to stay, she had to follow his lead and stop challenging his authority.
Arianna, however, refused to back down.
She didn’t cower or apologize, and Clark couldn’t help but feel the growing tension. He was convinced that she’d make a fool of herself in front of the higher-ups, tarnishing her reputation.
If that happened, it would be easy to find a reason to dismiss her. With her gone, he could eliminate the one obstacle standing between him and his power within the company.
As he watched her, Clark’s expression hardened further. The stakes had been raised, and there was no turning back now.
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