Chapter 156 Ethan Gets Jealous Yet Again
"Good to meet you, Mr. Branson. I am Mr. Ethan's assistant," Jasmine orchestrated an accidental meeting in Stellar Enterprise and approached Branson. "Mr. Branson, we might be working together more in the future. If there’s anything you need, just let me know."
Of course, Jasmine was Ethan's assistant, and her attentiveness reflected Ethan's disposition as well.
Branson walked into the elevator, a picture of refinement. "You're Jasmine, right? I hope you do well by Mr. Ethan's side."
"Of course, Mr. Branson." Jasmine nodded promptly, going out of her way to press the elevator button for him.
"The company is currently looking for a Deputy CEO candidate. What is Mr. Ethan's thoughts on it?" Branson asked meaningfully, clearly still unsure.
"Mr. Branson, are you not aware?" Jasmine feigned surprise. "Mr. Branson, Mr. Ethan holds you in high esteem."
Smugly satisfied, Branson eyed Jasmine up and down. "You're a smart woman."
"You flatter me, Mr. Branson." Jasmine quickly bowed and diligently kept the elevator button pressed, watching him leave the elevator.
"Jasmine, Mr. Ethan said you should attend today's team building after work." As soon as Jasmine stepped out of the elevator, Liam came over. "He mentioned giving special praise to Mr. Branson from the investment department."
"Shh!" Jasmine hushed him softly and pulled Liam to the side.
Branson turned his head to look back, overhearing his name mentioned by Liam and sneaked after them, hiding and eavesdropping on Liam and Jasmine's conversation.
"I heard Mr. Ethan and the project department saying that they really appreciate Branson's abilities, and that the investment department couldn't function without him. I’ve heard Branson's popularity is through the roof, we need to find a way to keep him; if a headhunter snatches him away, the investment department would fall apart," Liam and Jasmine murmured to each other.
"I reckon he's the future Deputy CEO," one of them mused, "but our company doesn't seem to pamper its Vice Presidents all that much. I mean, look at the Deputy CEO of project management, to be honest, they aren't pulling in as much as the investment department. If I were Mr. Branson, I'd be laying down some serious terms. I'd insist on merging the investment department with project management. There's no way I'd let that prime cut of beef slip through my fingers."
Jasmine and Liam whispered back and forth to one another.
Branson overheard them from outside for a moment before he turned and left, his gaze deep and probing.
Jasmine was right. Although he was currently the Director of Project Management within the investment department, the benefits certainly surpassed those of a company Deputy CEO.
In terms of reputation and long-term prospects, the position of Deputy CEO was obviously more valuable, especially since it came with a share of the company stock.
However, the perks weren't as substantial as those in the investment department. If he could manage to merge both departments under his jurisdiction, that would be ideal.
However, such a goal was too transparent, and Branson wasn't confident about his influence within the company being strong enough to intimidate Ethan.
As long as Ethan feared him enough, he would have the leverage to negotiate terms with Ethan.
Should Ethan fail to meet his demands, Branson could use the threat of resignation as his bargaining chip.
In a corner, Jasmine peeked out her head. She saw Branson leave, turned to Liam, and giggled, giving him an OK sign.
"You're a better actor than I realized," Liam said with a laugh.
Jasmine waved her hands dismissively, a bit embarrassed. "Oh... It was nothing."
"Branson is already forming cliques in secret. If he manages to forge alliances within the company, it could be bad for us," Liam expressed his concern.
Jasmine shook her head. "No, that actually works better for us. We will just wait for him to slip up. A coalition without unity will crumble once their interests are threatened. When they do, it's like shooting fish in a barrel."
Liam's eyes widened in admiration. "Impressive, really impressive..."
After a few steps, Liam stopped and turned back to Jasmine. "With your capabilities, you surely can handle those who've wronged you, can't you?"
Jasmine hesitated for a moment, then looked down without a word.
Liam pressed on, "Are you afraid of them?"
Jasmine nodded.
Power, after all, always outweighed ability.
Liam sighed. "Just stick with Mr. Ethan. He may be a bit cold, but as long as he recognizes your worth, he'll support you."
Jasmine remained silent, not saying a word.
...
When Ethan went to meet with the board members and was out of sight, Liam took Jasmine to grab a bite to eat in the employee cafeteria.
"Have some more," Liam said, offering Jasmine a perfectly delicate apple.
Jasmine looked at her plate, piled high with food, and gasped. "Liam, I can't eat all this."
"Eat! You must eat, it's important to keep up your strength when working with Mr. Ethan," Liam whispered, glancing around before sneering at Ethan. "Let me tell you, Mr. Ethan loves to work his employees to the bone. You skipped breakfast, so eat up. It won't make you gain weight."
Jasmine gasped again, looking up as a dark-faced Ethan approached, and she blinked at Liam.
"Mr. Ethan is all business at the office, doesn't mix work with personal matters," Liam continued. "Be careful around here. He's likely coming over to give you a piece of his mind, but once he gets to know you, he won't care whether you're a man or a woman—he'll chew you out just the same."
Jasmine coughed uncontrollably.
"Have some water, drink some water." Liam stood to pour water for Jasmine, but when he turned around, he found Ethan, with a grim expression, standing right behind him.
"M-Mr. Ethan." Liam was so frightened he almost fell onto the table. "What brings you down here? Don't you usually avoid the cafeteria?"
Ethan tilted his chin up, signaling to Liam to wipe his chair.
Jasmine, sharp and eager, stood up to help Ethan with his chair.
"Let him do it," Ethan said, holding onto Jasmine's wrist.
Liam stared at Ethan, shocked. As he got up, he bumped into the corner of the table, inhaling sharply from the pain. "Mr. Ethan, she's an assistant too. Why can't she wipe it?"
"She's off the clock." Ethan pointed to his watch.
Liam was indignant. "But I'm off the clock too."
"You can be off the clock permanently," Ethan said, finding Liam's chatter annoying.
Liam quickly pulled out an alcohol wipe and cleaned the chair. "Please, have a seat."
Ethan grunted, taking a seat, and then his tone softened instantly as he addressed Jasmine. "Enjoy your meal."
Liam, holding a water glass, took a few steps. Then, he turned back in shock to look at Ethan, and walked right into a pillar with a thud.
This was really weird.
Something was up with Ethan.
"Mr. Ethan, Liam and I have everything arranged," Jasmine whispered, giving Ethan a discreet thumbs-up.
Ethan smiled. "Make sure you eat up."
"Mr. Ethan, do you want a piece?" Jasmine offered Ethan the apple that Liam had given her.
Ethan took it without a trace of disdain. "This apple looks pretty sweet."
"Liam gave it to me." Jasmine nodded.
Ethan's expression darkened in an instant. "I'm full just by the look of it. What's the use if it looks good? It's an empty shell."
With that, he slapped the apple down in front of Liam.
It was crystal clear he was beating around the bush.
Ethan had explicitly instructed Liam to make sure Clara's assistant in Hawaii would spill the beans about Clara.
Liam had failed to accomplish this, and it was Ethan who had to personally send someone to Clara's assistant's hometown in River City to meet with the mother and finally extract the information.
Liam shrank back, looking at Ethan. It was one thing to complain, but he didn't need to take it out on the apple.
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