Her eyes darted to another wall immediately, where a second portrait hung. This one was of her and Desmond in their wedding dress. The image depicted them standing close together, Daniella in her exquisite white gown and Desmond in a sharp black suit. He was smiling warmly at the camera as he had his arm wrapped around her waist. The sight of the wedding photo stirred a mix of emotions within Daniella. She was annoyed and confused. She wasn't expecting to see that.
"Why is her portrait still here? Does it mean he still loves her?" Daniella muttered under her breath. She turned sharply to face the deputy manager. "Why did he have the picture of his ex-wife in his office? He forgot to remove them?" she demanded, pointing at the portraits.
The deputy manager wasn't surprised at her reaction. Any woman would react that way. He himself didn't know why Desmond left it. All he knew was that Desmond likes it.
"I don't know why he didn't remove them. All I know is that he's okay with it. I think he values it. He always looks at them." He replied.
Daniella crossed her arms and stared at the pictures again. "Values them? When he’s no longer with her? Why would he even keep her picture here? Does he still love her?"
"I don't know." He replied, trying to choose his words cautiously as he sensed her growing irritation. "I believe Mr. Desmond has personal reasons for keeping the portrait, ma’am. It’s not my place to question him about it."
"Well, that doesn't matter now. I want them gone. Both of them. Take them down and burn them." She commanded, and the deputy manager’s eyes widened slightly. "Burn them, ma’am? Do you know what you are saying? Please, I don’t think—"
"I’m not asking for your opinion," Daniella interrupted without letting him finish. "Those portraits have no place here anymore, especially once I take over. I want them gone today. Seeing them here irritates me."
The deputy manager hesitated and glanced briefly at the portraits before returning his gaze to Daniella. "Ma’am, with all due respect, Mr. Desmond treasures those pictures. Even though they are no longer together, he still values them for personal reasons. Removing them without his consent would be inappropriate."
"Did you not hear me? I said, Take them down. I don’t care what Desmond values. I’m the one making the decisions now. Remove them, including his own portrait, because this office will soon reflect me. My portrait will hang on these walls and not his." She said, but the deputy manager was still afraid. He dares not touch the pictures.
"Mrs. Daniella, I understand your point of view, but until you officially take over as CEO, I cannot make such changes without Mr. Desmond’s approval."
"Why are you being stubborn with me? I've told you before that I am not asking. If you refuse to follow my orders in this company, I will replace you with someone who will."
"Ma’am, these are Mr. Desmond’s personal items, and removing them without his consent would be disrespectful, and I won't be safe. He will kill me. However." He added after a brief pause. "If you officially assume the role of CEO tomorrow, I will carry out your instructions and replace these portraits with your own."
Daniella studied him for a long moment, seeing that he was scard. She let out a deep breath and took a step back. "Fine, tomorrow, when I take over, I expect these pictures to be gone and replaced with my own. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly clear, ma’am. I will do as you said." The deputy manager replied, bowing his head slightly.
"I will have a meeting with the board of directors tomorrow. Make sure that all of them are informed. I want everyone to be present. There’s no room for excuses. Changes are coming in this company, and they need to be ready."
The deputy manager nodded reluctantly, "I will inform them as you said."
"Now, I want you to take me to the office of the chief financial officer. I need to see him before I leave."
The deputy manager hesitated, unsure of why she wanted to see him. The chief financial officer is in charge of everything about money.
"Mrs. Daniella. The CFO handles sensitive matters and financial operations. If this is regarding—"
She raised a hand, silencing him instantly. "I don’t need a lecture, and I don’t need explanations. Just take me there now."