Chapter 211 Chapter 211 Lucia stormed into her office , tossed the USB drive onto her desk , and red at it with fury zing in her eyes . " What absolute garbage is this ? " she snapped . " If you can''t do your job properly , pack your things and get the hell out ! " The project deputy manager stood before her desk , head bowed like a scolded child . " Please calm down , Ms. Schulz , " he stammered . Lucia leaned back in her chair , narrowing her eyes as she scrutinized him .


    " So you''re the new deputy project manager ? And you actually approved this proposal ? " " Y - yes … " Shawn replied , sweat beading on his forehead as he trembled visibly . As CEO , Lucia typically delegated proposal reviews to her team - she had better things to do with her time . Peter , the project manager , kept his gaze fixed on the floor . " Ms. Schulz , Shawn just joined us .


    He''s probably not familiar with your standards yet , so- " " Cut the crap , " Lucia interrupted , her voice razor - sharp . " Is it that he doesn''t know my standards , or that he got this job through connections without having the actual skills ? We both know the answer . " Both men felt their hearts plummet simultaneously . " You- " Lucia jabbed a finger at Shawn . " You''re fired . Get out of my sight . Now . " " Ms. Schulz , please ! " Shawn dropped to his knees . " Just one more chance !


    " " GET OUT ! " Lucia shouted . Tears streamed down Shawn''s face . " I have elderly parents and young kids at home . I can''t lose this job . Please , I swear I''ll do better with the proposals . Please don''t fire me … " Lucia''s eyes turned cial . Without wasting another breath on him , she picked up her desk phone and barked , " Send security to my office . I need someone removed . " Her assistant responded promptly , " Right away , Ms. Schulz .


    " Shawn remained on his knees , pleading desperately . Ignoring himpletely , Lucia turned her cold gaze to Peter . " How many years have you been with our domestic branch ? " Peter broke into a cold sweat . " Four years , " he answered quietly . Chapter 211 " You''ve always beenpetent , " Lucia said , her tone shifting as her eyes grew colder . " But you''ve crossed a line 1 won''t tolerate . " She hurled a stack of papers into Peter''s face .


    " Using your position to help your rtive get a job ? Bringing an ipetent person into mypany and promoting him to deputy manager ? Congrattions , you''ve really outdone yourself ! Pack your things - you''re leaving with him ! " After Asher rejected her project proposal , Lucia had personally reviewed it with a fine toothb . She''d previously been satisfied with Peter''s work , so much so that she''d stopped reviewing his proposals altogether . That trust had been a mistake .


    She never imagined Peter would abuse his position to bring in his brother - in -w and promote him to deputy manager . Normally , Lucia wouldn''t concern herself with such minor appointments . But this " minor yer " had cost her the opportunity to coborate with Asher ckwood . Lucia was livid . Peter stood motionless as Shawn''s files slid from his face . " Ms. Schulz , this was my oversight . I was swamped with the Cloud Sess project and didn''t give this one enough attention .


    I had no idea you nned to use this proposal to negotiate with ckwood Group . " " Not knowing justifies lowering standards ? " Lucia''s voice dripped with contempt . " Not knowing excuses carelessness ? You failed at your core responsibilities AND brought an ipetent person into mypany . You have zero grounds toin about being fired . Get out ! " The man fell silent . His hands clenched into fists , and behind his gold - rimmed sses , a cold glint shed in his eyes .


    A momentter , there was a knock at the door . " Come in , " Lucia called . Her executive assistant , Traven , entered with two security guards who hauled Shawn to his feet . Traven nced at Peter questioningly . " I can see myself out , " Peter said coldly . The security guards dragged Shawn toward the door . Schulz , please ! " Shawn struggled against their grip . " Just one more chance ! I promise I''ll do better !


    " Lucia pressed her lips into a thin line , her expression dark with anger as shepletely ignored his pleas . Chapter 211 After Shawn was removed , Lucia addressed Traven : " Call a meeting in the conference room in ten minutes . I need to appoint a new project manager and deputy . " " Right away , Ms. Schulz . " Under the new project manager''s supervision , the entire team worked overtime for a week and finally produced a proposal that met Lucia''s exacting standards .


    Lucia took the new proposal to ckwood Group headquarters to meet with Asher . She''d visited the building several times since returning to the country . Mina , the new receptionist , recognized her immediately and greeted her with practiced warmth . " Good afternoon . Ms. Schulz . " Lucia nodded curtly and headed for the elevator , pressing the button for the 27th floor . The 27th floor was just below the executive suite .


    Only Asher''s private elevator could ess the top floor , so whenever Lucia came to see him , she had to wait in the reception area until he was avable . Just after Lucia disappeared into the elevator , Thalia walked through the main entrance of ckwood Group headquarters . She''d prepared theints for the cases ckwood had entrusted to herw firm , and they needed the legal representative''s signature andpany seal .


    Since the office wasn''t far , she''d decided to deliver them personally . She recalled that when Asher came to sign the contract at her firm , he''d brought thepany''s legal representative - someone Thalia hadn''t met before . Beforeing , she''d called , Asher''s assistant , Matt , but he hadn''t answered . Probably stuck in a meeting . When she reached the lobby , Mina intercepted her with a practiced smile . " Excuse me, miss . Who are you here to see ?


    " " Asher ckwood , " Thalia replied simply . Hearing this , Mina gave her a second , more appraising look . Great , another one of the CEO''s admirers ? In her three months at ckwood Group , she''d turned away countless women trying to see Asher . It had be routine . Chapter 211 Assuming Thalia was just another hopeful admirer , Mina''s smile tightened . " Do you have an appointment ? " she asked , her tone noticeably cooler . Thalia shook her head .


    " No , but I- " I can call him directly if needed . Before she could finish , Mina cut her off : " Without an appointment , you can''t see Mr. ckwood . Pleasee back another time . " Thalia didn''t get angry . She simply stated calmly , " I know him . " " Right . " Mina couldn''t help but roll her eyes . " Every day , womene in here iming they '' know '' Mr. ckwood . I''ve heard that line so many times I could recite it in my sleep . Save yourself the embarrassment and leave .


    Our CEO isn''t someone you can just drop in on whenever you feel like it . " ? ( 2 )