Tabitha's POV
I tried to look at Rebecca more clearly, but her back was to me, so all I could see was her thin body.
She was even wearing a sun hat that covered most of her face. I meant, come on. We were indoors. Why would she need a sun hat?
Soon, she finished cleaning the windows and was about to wipe the bookcase.
What if she saw me?
I was initially here to report on my work to Derek. If she saw me now, they wouldn't believe me no matter what I said.
Distressed, I quickly picked up my phone and texted Derek.
His phone buzzed on the desk, yet he didn't even raise his head. Seemed he already knew I'd text him.
I bet he did this on purpose!
Having no other option, I had to dial his number. Yet he simply glanced at the phone screen and then lowered his head.
Shit!
I was so anxious, and on the contrary, he was acting all cool as if nothing had ever happened.
Even Daphne sensed something wrong. She looked at him, saying, "Derek, your phone's ringing."
He said, "Just a prank call."
"Really? But it keeps ringing. How could crooks be so shameless? Let me deal with it."
Daphne closed the book and walked towards Derek. Before she reached him, he picked up his phone. "Hello."
I lowered my voice and said, "Stop it."
Derek chuckled, saying, "Isn't it fun?"
I sighed inwardly and had to soften my voice, "Derek, please. Stop it."
He caught a glimpse of Daphne approaching and said, "Alright."
Then he looked at her. "I suddenly remembered that I have a meeting later. Go home."
"It's fine. I can wait..."
He dialed the internal phone line before she could finish, and Alvin showed up at the door in the next second.
"Send Miss Sutton back."
Daphne was kicked out seemingly politely just like that.
And she wasn't the only one. Derek said, "Rebecca, you don't need to do the cleaning today. You shall leave, too."
Rebecca was taken aback, but it only lasted for a second. "Yes."
As the door was closed again, Derek pulled me out and pressed me against the desk.
"Tabitha, you asked for it."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the planning proposals, so I pulled them over quickly.
"Chill. My colleagues are still waiting for your instructions."
Derek took a long breath and let go of me.
I got up and stood beside him, not even daring to breathe out loud.
"Take a look."
Derek quickly scanned them and then looked at me finally. "You wanna stay here for another month?"
"Yeah." I nodded at once.
"I want no craps in my company. The project is now yours."
I was stunned. "You wanna make me a thorn in their side?"
"You already are, anyway."
I couldn't figure out what he was thinking. I picked up the proposals and said, "So, this plan..."
"I said it'd be in your hands. Don't let me down."
He forced me to make achievements while I had no ambition at all.
"OK."
Derek looked away. "You don't wanna be here, do you? Then leave."
I fled away at once, greatly relieved.
It was such a close call.
Just as I went out of the elevator, I saw Daphne standing at the door, looking all fierce.
She walked over and slapped my face without a word.
Being caught off guard, I felt sharp pain.
There were two departments and a lot of employees on this floor.
Crystal roared in my mind, but all I could do was soothe her.
I couldn't shift here.
Daphne glared at me.
Yet no matter what, she wasn't a fool. Instead of making a bigger scene, she simply said, "Bitch. Just you wait."
She left angrily after saying that.
When I went back with the plan in hand, I found a newly made notice in the chat groups of various departments. From today on, no one was allowed to spread unsubstantiated rumors. Anyone breaching the rule would be heavily punished.
It put the whole photo charade to an end.
As soon as I stepped into Group C's office, I noticed that everyone was gloating and a bit curious when they looked at me.
Sonia hurriedly walked to me. "Tabitha, what did Mr. Greenwood say?"
I had no idea how to tell her. I was just a rookie, yet Derek asked me to take charge of the project.
How was I supposed to tell her that?
"He..."
"He wasn't satisfied? Why? We can modify till he's happy."
"Tabitha, come on. Why aren't you saying anything? What exactly did he say?"
"Indeed. Say something, whether it's good news or not."
I looked up and said, "Mr. Greenwood said I'd be in charge of the project."
"What?"
I calmly said, "As of today, I'm taking over the project. I'll oversee everything from planning to execution."
I knew Derek didn't send me here to work on my people skills. After all, he was gonna let me take over a company shorty.
I didn't have to try to please my immediate superior or get along with my colleagues. That wasn't what he was expecting to see.
A month was all I had, and I must convince him that I had what it took.
He wanted to build me up, yet what he didn't know was that I simply wanted to find out the truth.
Too bad that at this point, there was no turning back.
I just wanted to die at first. Then gradually, I had something to live for.
Who knew? Perhaps reviving the Silver Moon Pack was doable after all.