With that, Debbie was once against lowering her gaze, afraid to meet Abigail’s eyes. “There’s a reason I don’t want to leave the country.”
“Do tell,” Abigail said as she took a sip of the tea.
In reality, Debbie was bright and outstanding, but she seemed to lose her glow in Abigail’s presence.
Anyone would be looking at Abigail first if they stood together, as Abigail outshone her in both looks and flair
-her cool composure and the way she carried herself appeared affable, but people would still know enough to keep a respectful distance.
Looking up at Abigail just then, Debbie asked, “Do you know what my job as a secretary entails?”
She was trying to fend off Abigail by using her job as an excuse!
Abigail was not intimidated however, and asked nonchalantly, “Does this have anything to do with your insistence on staying?”
“I’m not your run-of-the-mill secretary in charge of answering calls, preparing for meetings, and other measly errands. I am always on standby, waiting for any instructions from Mr. Althoff as well as planning his itinerary. I also have to keep a constant eye on any documents submitted by other departments and appraise them before getting Mr. Althoff’s signature. Since I have many tasks, I would always have to prioritize, but what I do is primarily to pave the way for my boss. If Mr. Althoff isn’t leaving the country, what would I even do there?”
Debbie’s words were prim and her message clear, and Abigail patiently listened and waited until she was finished. “Oh, so you’re mainly worried you have nothing to do over there?”
“Yes, that would be the case if Mr. Althoff isn’t there.”
Abigail nodded and smiled. “What if I offered you a different position?”
Debbie’s face fell immediately.
“No, I can’t,” she promptly said without hesitation.
Abigail was not surprised by her reaction, and kept smiling faintly. “Why not?”
“I’m used to this job-I’m worried of criticism if I fall short, and that I’d become a liability to Mr. Althoff…
“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll make the necessary arrangements,” Abigail simply said.
Debbie clenched her fingers. “Is that what Mr. Althoff wants?”
“It’s what I want,” Abigail admitted.
“He won’t agree to this.”
“He left this matter in my hands.”
Debbie was left speechless at that.
“So, will you be going?” Abigail asked then.
Debbie lowered her head in thought.
If she left right now, she would keep her position.
If she insisted on staying, Abigail might really make her switch jobs.
When that happens, she would not be able to see Diarmuid anywhere.
That being said, Franconia was their new base-their new battlefield-and Diarmuid would be heading there eventually anyway.
Holding back her grief and frustrations, she said, “Alright, I’ll go.”
Abigail kept smiling. “Very well. I hope it will be soon, too-how about tomorrow?”
“Of course.” Debbie nodded.
Abigail then checked the time. “Oh, it’s late now. I should be going.”
As Debbie escorted her out, Stan quickly came up to Abigail, smiling awkwardly.
He had been very worried as he waited outside, afraid that things would get hostile.
Even Diarmuid himself had called to ask how things were going.
When he told Diarmuid that he was not in the room with them, however, Diarmuid snapped, “You’re useless! I had you follow Abigail so that I could have an ear on what they’re saying… But you’re not even in the room?!” Meanwhile, when Abigail and him finally got in his car, he asked, “So? How did it go? Was there a fight?”
Abigail really wanted to roll her eyes at him, but simply snorted. “A fight? We’re civilized people here-or maybe you were wishing for that to happen?”
“Of course not!” Stan quickly flashed an apologetic smile. “I was just worried you’d get hurt, since Mr. Althoff wanted me to come with you so that I can protect you. I wouldn’t be able to defend myself if you really got hurt.”
“Really?” Abigail was skeptical.
“Of course. Would I lie to you?” Stan replied. “Anyway, serious question: did Debbie say yes?”
“Yeah.” Abigail said quietly-it was still a headache to have a woman like Debbie around Diarmuid.
It was not over even if Debbie agreed to head to Franconia-she would always lust after Diarmuid as long as she remained his secretary.
Both Debbie and Bernstein understood each other tacitly after their conversation!
Stan was curious. “How did you convince her anyway?”
Abigail was not in the mood to answer, however. “Do you really have to gossip so much?”
Stan chuckled-he was certainly eager to find out, but her response made it clear that she did not want to tell, so he should not ask.
Soon, they returned to the hospital, and Abigail headed inside.
“Mom, look at this.”
lan, who was now appointed CEO of Light Group, was almost losing his mind after seeing report after report detailing their losses.
Quincy was naturally scowling as well. “I know Diarmuid and what he’s capable of. There shouldn’t be this. much loss…”
“Did he do this on purpose?” lan was certainly surprised by the revelation that the seemingly vibrant and dominant exterior of Light Group hid an entity that was already at death’s door.
Quincy thought about it. “I don’t think so-maybe Diarmuid just wanted to hide it from the board.”
“That just means he took us for a ride! We went through so much only to get this crap!”
lan was certainly frustrated-the so-called financial giant he inherited was just a ship filled with holes, ready to sink in an instant!
Even so, Quincy told him to calm down.
With all said and done, she was still happy-how could she not be?
They did not fail, for her longtime wish to take over Light Group was finally fulfilled!
“It’s only reasonable that we inherited his troubles after we took his place. You’d be disappointing me if you back down now, lan.”
Quincy thought then that Diarmuid must have deliberately positioned them in an awkward spot.
She knew the man, and he must have set a trap, or he would not have left so quickly.
It seemed that they were looking at the trap now-Quincy would actually be puzzled if he did nothing before leaving!
However, it did not cross her mind that Diarmuid had simply staged those losses and had siphoned away the company’s capital instead. Being ignorant of that fact meant Quincy remained brimming with confidence. that they could turn things around and bring Light Group back on the right track, even trumping Diarmuid’s achievements!
From there onwards, she would basically lord over the Althoffs, since Henry was already old, leaving Light Group under her son’s rule.
Under her assurance, lan calmed down and thought Quincy was right.
“Sorry, Mom.” He apologized. “I let my anger get the better of me.”
Quincy clapped him on the shoulder. “I believe in you, son. You’d never lose to Diarmuid-you’re the best
Althoff, and the right man to lead the family.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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