Chapter 31: Power Struggle: Publishing House

Book:You're My Destiny Published:2024-6-3

Returning to The World of Youth made Mary ecstatic, yet the journey ahead was long and unpredictable. She yearned to know how Agnes would react when she discovered that Andrew had positioned her, Mary, in her editor-in-chief role.
Mary dressed impeccably, selecting a bright-colored outfit that made her stand out yet projected the charisma of a leader. Bryan had recently taken her on a shopping spree for designer items; this was the perfect occasion to use them.
Looking in the mirror, Mary grinned. It had been a while since she felt such exhilaration. Her innocent and adorable smile of old was gone, replaced by a calculating determination and burning vengeance in her heart.
She drove alone in her luxurious car to the publishing house as Bryan was busy and could not accompany her.
Observing the surroundings, she realized how much the environment and personnel had changed. Nearly all the staff were new faces. She thought when the owner changes, so must the guard dog. She smirked at the realization.
Upon arriving, Mary opened the door to the editor-in-chief’s exclusive office. The working table was lavishly decorated in the middle of the room, very much in Agnes’s style.
Agnes had a penchant for expensive items from a young age, believing they indicated the owner’s class. As a result, anytime Agnes acquired anything, she would spare no expense to get something similar. Over time, they became almost like twins.
Mary glanced around the room until her gaze rested on a picture torn in half and discarded in a corner. It was a photo of the two of them. Mary picked it up, clenching it like she wanted to tear everything apart. She once saw Agnes as family, but Agnes viewed her as an enemy.
Feeling repulsed being in this room, she wanted to leave immediately, but her rational side reminded her that she was here for revenge, to make those who had harmed her pay.
Mary calmly sat down, swiveling her chair to gaze through the glass wall with an inscrutable expression.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Agnes stepped in. She was shocked to see Mary. Her mind filled with questions, leaving her temporarily speechless.
Agnes placed her handbag on the table, gradually approaching with a puzzled expression.
“Mary, what are you doing here? Do you know this place is not yours? Leave before I call security.”
Mary remained calm in the face of Agnes’s threats. She gave a provoking smile.
“Why don’t you discover the facts before you say such things? You know you shouldn’t be in places that aren’t yours, right? If you had realized this sooner, we wouldn’t be in this situation, would we?”
Agnes couldn’t believe her ears. Just a short time prior, Mary was a bankrupt, indebted, homeless woman who was now standing before her, uttering pompous words. Infuriated, Agnes spat back with even harsher words.
“You have no sense of your place. You’ve been kicked out, and still, you posture with self-righteousness. Let me clarify to you that nothing here belongs to you anymore. Everything here is mine. You’d best pick up your pride and leave.”
The air grew increasingly tense, the stand-off between the two women showing no sign of ending. Mary, looking directly at Agnes, responded.
“The one who needs to leave is you. As of today, I am the Chief Editor of the Young World Publishing House.”
Agnes’s face changed. It was an ugly sight. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It felt like a lightning bolt was striking right next to her ears. How could she lose a position that she had worked so hard to secure to someone else?
Looking at the official appointment paper for the new Chief Editor, signed by Andrew and laid out on the table by Mary, Agnes realized that denial was futile. She had been deceived by the man she had always trusted and loved. He hadn’t even bothered to discuss such a significant matter with her.
Her hand trembling, Agnes carefully examined the paper again. The signature was undeniably his. She was left speechless.
Agnes picked up her phone, intending to call Andrew to confirm everything, but he arrived before she could. His unhappy and discontented face made everything clear to Agnes.
Agnes grabbed his arm, pleading with him not to replace her, but he remained silent, disappointing her immensely. Meanwhile, Mary stood on the side, enjoying the drama unfolding.
Andrew pushed Agnes aside and approached Mary, speaking as if giving an order.
“Now you’re part of the company and in charge of everything. As the head of this company, I demand that you come up with a plan and a project on how to generate two billion in revenue for the company this year. Don’t think no one will dare touch you with Bryan backing you up. Here, I’m the one with the highest authority.”
After hearing these words, Agnes felt somewhat comforted, realizing there was still much obscurity. She might be a pawn to hide a larger scheme.
Undeterred by the threat, Mary confidently responded, “And what if I exceed the target? What’s my reward?”
Andrew frowned, surprised at the assertiveness of Le Linh, who had always been like a lamb in front of him.
“This publishing house will be yours. If not, you will disappear forever.”
Mary bit back firmly, “You better keep your word.”
An agreement was forged between the two, and a word given was like spilled water that couldn’t be retrieved.