?Chapter 318:


    With a subtle nod, Rachel responded, her voice embodying calm resolve. “Alright, let’s proceed.”


    Rachel and Jeffrey soon found themselves en route to the secondpany. Unlike the previous one, this location was more remote, but themute remained simple thanks to the convenience of a direct subway line.


    As they approached the building, Rachel paused to straighten Jeffrey’s tie, her hands moving gently. “You’ve got this, Jeffrey,” she said, her tone soft yet filled with conviction. “I haveplete faith in you.” Jeffrey’s face lit up with a determined smile. “I’ll give it my all,” he assured her, his confidence radiating warmth that eased her nerves. “I know you will,” she murmured. “And no matter what happens, I’ll always be here to support you.”


    Once Jeffrey entered the building, Rachel lingered outside, waiting with anticipation. Momentster, her phone rang. Seeing Samira’s name sh across the screen, she quickly answered.


    Samira’s voice came through, tinged with urgency. “Rachel, Mr. White has returned to the office and called an impromptu meeting. You’re expected to attend.”


    “Just inform them I’m on leave and update Ronald,” Rachel responded calmly. Since Ronald was responsible for managing the meeting attendees, informing him would suffice.


    Rachel hadn’t foreseen that Brian would deliberately create obstacles for her. The meeting had only justmenced when his sharp eyes scanned the room, missing nothing. His voice, cold and cutting, broke the silence. “Ronald, I distinctly requested 34 attendees. Yet, only 33 are present. Who’s absent?”


    Without waiting for a response, Brian’s gaze zeroed in on an empty chair, and he demanded, “Where is Rachel Marsh? Why isn’t she here?” A bead of sweat formed on Ronald’s brow. Lately, being Brian’s assistant had be an increasingly impossible task. The moment Brian questioned the attendance, Ronald knew he was in trouble.


    “She is currently on leave,” Ronald exined, maintaining hisposure despite the tension. “Her leave was formally filed with the HR department.”


    The pen in Brian’s hand came to an abrupt halt. Slowly, he lifted his gaze, his expression colder than ever. “On leave?” His voice wasced with quiet authority. “Since when do managers at her level take leave without my explicit approval? Since when is HR authorization sufficient?”


    Ronald hesitated, then replied carefully, “Sir, it’s standard protocol to require approval.”


    Brian’s voice hardened further. “Enlighten me then, Ronald. When exactly did I sign off on this?”


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    Taking a steadying breath, Ronald rified, “Actually, our policy allows for leave approvals at her level to be handled by any of the vice presidents.”


    Brian’s face tightened, his voice cutting through the room like a de. “Really? Which vice president authorized it, and when? Why wasn’t I made aware?”


    Without hesitation, Ronald essed thepany’s internal system, pulling up the approval records. To his relief, the documentation was wless, and every step had been followed meticulously. He handed the records to Brian, hoping the matter would be resolved. For a brief moment, he allowed himself a flicker of relief, feeling as though he’d narrowly escaped a potential crisis.


    But Brian wasn’t done. His piercing eyes narrowed as he pressed further. “Magee Green signed off on this?”


    At the sound of his name, Magee, seated among the attendees, nced up uneasily and offered a tentative nod.


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