Araceli POV
Early the next morning.
The morning light cast a soft glow through the gaps in the curtains, filling the room with an atmosphere of peace and warmth.
I dropped my two children off at Brizela Daycare and drove to Eclipse Group.
I had just entered the office when I heard some employees gathered in the break room talking about something.
"Melany is so pathetic. That project was supposed to be hers."
"Anyway, Melany is the heir to Eclipse Group, isn't she?"
I sneered and walked over. A few of the employees in the break room turned around and were startled to see me.
"Ms. Chancey..."
They stammered a greeting to me, smiled awkwardly, and bowed their heads.
"Nice to meet you guys." I smiled, "Before long, I should be the manager of the marketing department."
Several employees looked at each other.
At that moment, a woman came over, held her head high and said proudly, "Navi Group is a multinational consortium that only works with companies in their own country, not with foreign companies. Eclipse Group is doing very well in New York, but Navi Group will not choose to work with us. If you want to go to them to talk about cooperation, I advise you to give up as early as possible."
Several employees bowed politely and greeted, "Ms. Benton..."
The woman rolled her eyes, grabbed a bag of coffee and turned to leave.
I didn't know this woman, but I guessed she was the manager of some department.
I leaned against the door frame and said indifferently, "It's almost lunchtime. Why don't I treat you guys to lunch?"
"Thank you, Ms. Chancey, but we have things to do..."
They turned around and prepared to leave.
"There's a new restaurant near the office that looks really good. Would you guys like to go?" I asked with a smile.
Looking at their somewhat worried faces, I smiled and said, "Don't worry. I just want to inquire with you guys about the company's business and processes. If you guys don't want to go, that's okay."
"I'll go!" A young girl stepped forward. "Ms. Chancey, I'm Sharon. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I'm going too!" Another boy with glasses said.
Several employees have signaled their willingness to go to lunch with me.
I smiled, "Let's go, then."
I chatted with them as we ate. They were happy too, and soon dropped their guard.
After we finished eating, we went back to the office. Sharon and I walked more slowly and had a nice conversation.
Suddenly, Sharon took my hand and exclaimed, "Ms. Chancey, what brand of ring is this? It's so beautiful!"
I smiled and said, "It's Cartier."
Her eyes lit up. "Cartier? Wow, it's so shiny."
I suddenly thought of an idea and said, "If you like it, I can give it to you."
Sharon froze for a second and said, "Ms. Chancey..."
I interrupted her and asked, "But, Sharon, can you get the account book of Eclipse Group?"
Sharon understood what I meant. She hesitated for a moment and nodded her head.
"Ms. Chancey, I can, but that account book is externally accessible, and there can't be anything wrong with it..."
I took off the ring, put it in her hand, and said, "Thank you, Sharon. It means a lot to me."
...
I came out of the finance department office and ran into Melany.
Melany was coming out of the president's office.
She and I met in the long, narrow hallway. She looked depressed.
I smiled, "Melany, did you not sleep well?"
Melany's face was covered with a thick layer of foundation, as if to hide the dark circles under her eyes, but it didn't help.
Melany said coldly, "What are you doing in the finance department's office?"
I smiled and said, "I've met a new colleague. She brought me here to check out the company's operations."
I stepped forward with a sneer in my voice, "Sorry, Melany. That project was so good. Thank you for giving it to me."
"Araceli!"
Melany's brow furrowed in anger.
Melany said coldly, word for word, "You'll see. I'll get back what's mine."
She gave me a vicious stare, rolled her eyes, stomped on her heels and walked away.
I smiled contemptuously.
She didn't know I'd gotten my hands on the Eclipse Group's account book so easily.
I took the elevator downstairs, left Eclipse Group, and went back to my studio.
It was Eclipse Group's external book, and it looked perfect indeed. I skimmed through it for a while and couldn't see any problems at all.
I scanned it and sent the pictures to Reynaldo.
I messaged him, "Within two hours, find the loopholes."
Reynaldo replied immediately, "Araceli, are you sure? Two hours? I run a company as large as my father's, but you're asking me to find loopholes in an account book in two hours? Come on! It's too easy. I only need thirty minutes."
"It's the account book of Eclipse Group. If you find loopholes, I'll consider rewarding you with something."
I sent him this message, put my phone down, and got busy with my work.
It was almost 4:30 PM when I was getting ready to pick up my kids from Brizela Daycare.
My phone suddenly rang. I glanced at it, smiled and put the phone through, "Mr. Collett."
"Ms. Chancey, I've sent the contract to your email address. After you electronically sign it, the contract will be effective."
"Thank you, Mr. Collett," I said as I walked out, "Mr. Collett, is it okay if I take you to dinner tomorrow after Eclipse Group's shareholders meeting?"
"No problem." Gavin Collett paused and said, "Ms. Chancey, an hour ago, I was contacted by an assistant manager of Eclipse Group who said she wanted to have dinner with me alone. Ms. Chancey, how do you think I should respond to her?"
I sneered, "Mr. Collett, I think you'll like the food in New York."
"Okay, Ms. Chancey."