Receiving Amber's call surprised Linda. She hadn't expected Amber to seek her out at this time. But regardless, Amber was a leader at Blue Whale Co., Ltd. She couldn't refuse to meet.
At a coffee shop below Blue Whale's building.
Facing Amber across the table, Linda remained silent, unsure of Amber's purpose for this meeting.
Amber ordered two coffees.
"Linda, you lost both parents. It must have been very difficult to get where you are today. Look, since I'm here, I'll be direct. Withdraw from the current project team. Whatever demand you make, I can meet it." Janelle's project absolutely could not succeed. She wouldn't hand over the Blue Whale she'd fought for years to build.
Looking at the impeccably groomed woman before her, Linda's hands clenched slightly on her lap. If not for this woman, Madalyn wouldn't have been driven mad.
"It was very difficult. Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Evans. I know what I should do."
"Good that you know." Amber assumed she'd agreed and visibly relaxed. "Linda, you've been at Blue Whale for over a month now. You should know who really calls the shots here. Think carefully about what you should do! This project must fail."
Amber finished speaking and slid a bank card onto the table. "The PIN is your birthday. There's more to come once it's done." With that, Amber left the coffee shop.
After Amber left, Janelle arrived. She picked up the card from the table.
"If she gave it to you, spend it. No need for any guilt." Janelle handed the card back to Linda.
"Miss Rovella, I…" Linda hadn't told the young mistress about meeting Amber. Did she suspect betrayal?
"Linda, I believe you won't betray me." Janelle trusted her own judgment of character. "Keep the money. And our project will succeed." Amber's petty tactics were beneath her notice.
"Mm."
"Call the project team members out. I'm treating everyone to dinner."
"Okay."
Linda sent a message in the project team's WeChat group:
Linda: The young mistress wants to treat us all to dinner. Shut down your computers and clock out!
Kevin: Received. Executing immediately.
Others: Starving! I'll finish the rest after dinner and work from home.
After just two days, they were already familiar with the young mistress's working style. As long as they got their tasks done well, she didn't mind them leaving early. Therefore, Janelle's entire project team clocked out before 5 PM.
Employees from other project teams watched them leave openly and early, their hearts filled with envy and resentment.
"What are you staring at? Want to leave early too? Fine! Don't bother coming in tomorrow!" They were scolded mercilessly by their managers after just a glance.
"Anyone who wants to join Miss Rovella's project team can go right now. I won't stop you!"
"Manager, don't be angry! We're getting straight back to work!" It was a joke. Miss Rovella's team was doomed anyway. Who would dare join it?
Meanwhile, Janelle took her project team to a famous restaurant in Graham City. The team only had seven members for now, so she booked a private room. She handed the menu to Linda.
"Order freely. Enjoy yourselves tonight. Everyone's worked hard these past two days."
The team was newly formed, and she'd wanted to treat them sooner, but hadn't found the time. Today was the perfect opportunity.
Linda passed the menu to Kevin.
"Me? Order? Isn't that a bit…"
"It's fine. Order what you like. Just make sure we can finish it all. Don't worry about saving me money."
Kevin ordered two dishes he liked, then passed the menu to the others.
"Two dishes per person should be about right," Linda agreed, finding it reasonable.
The others ordered quickly. The restaurant's per-person cost was high, and it was their first time in such a place, but they ordered what they genuinely wanted.
Finally, the menu came back to Janelle. She added two signature dishes.
They were all young people. Janelle, being approachable, soon blended in seamlessly. The meal was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
Kevin drank too much. He grabbed Janelle's sleeve.
"Miss Rovella, don't worry! I finally get to do work I love. I'll work twice as hard!" Kevin was actually very capable. However, being a graduate from an ordinary university, many large companies had rejected him. He'd faced countless rejections and was near despair when Blue Whale unexpectedly gave him a chance.
The others had similar experiences. They didn't feel inferior to anyone else but had lacked good opportunities. Now, finally part of this project team, they were determined to give it their all.
"Work hard on this project! I'll make sure it makes all of you famous." Janelle patted Kevin's shoulder.
"Thank you, Miss Rovella!" Kevin's eyes shone as he looked at Janelle.
The rest of the project team had also been drinking. Janelle and Linda took taxis to send everyone home safely.
Finally, it was just the two of them on the street.
"Miss Rovella, let me drive you?" Linda had driven; her car was parked in the underground garage.
"No need. You go home and rest early."
Just then, Erik called.
Janelle stepped aside to answer.
Erik asked where she was and said he'd pick her up.
Janelle gave her location and hung up.
"Go ahead. Someone's coming for me," Janelle told Linda.
Linda nodded and headed to the garage.
Janelle waited by the roadside. Erik arrived shortly after. She got into the passenger seat.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing. I've eaten." He'd wanted to have dinner with her, but clearly, she'd already eaten.
"Mm. Had dinner with the project team." A newly formed team needed bonding time.
"Okay. Let's go. The medicine is brewed."
"..." Did she really have to drink it? Why was this man so persistent?
"Do I have to?"
She truly hated the taste of the herbal medicine. It was hard to swallow!
"Yes." Erik refused directly.
Erik took her straight to the villa and handed her a pair of women's slippers.
"New. Feel free to wear them."
As Janelle took off her shoes, Erik waited beside her, seemingly afraid she might run.
The villa was right next to the Rovellas mansion. Getting back home later would be easy. He'd bought this place specifically for her convenience.
After changing into the slippers, Erik led her to the sofa and sat her down.
He then went to the kitchen and returned with a bowl of pitch-black herbal concoction.
"..."
Seeing the dark brew made Janelle's scalp tingle.
"Erik, I have things to do. I should go." Janelle stood up, eager for a quick escape.
However, Erik pushed her back onto the sofa.