Mary’s new project had begun to take shape. On the day of the internal meeting to discuss the project, Andrew and Agnes were surprised when Joy entered. Andrew didn’t understand why Joy had come, but he was sure it had something to do with Mary. In the past, because of his cunning plot, the innocent Joy had suddenly become the public’s scapegoat. Was her return now targeted at him?
Andrew calmly sat at the head of the table, with Agnes, his secretary, to his right. To his left sat Bryan, Mary, and Joy. As the five pairs of eyes met, nobody spoke, the silence adding to the tension in the air. Andrew realized the silence couldn’t continue, so he put the pen in his hand down on the table, looked to his left, and slowly began to speak.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you again. The previous scandal significantly damaged your reputation. How confident are you that this project will succeed?”
Andrew’s words were deliberately poking at Joy’s wound. When the sentence was finished, Joy felt a stabbing pain like someone had thrust a knife into her heart. She struggled to contain herself and replied honestly.
“That happened because someone played dirty with a wicked heart. I did nothing to be ashamed of my conscience. This time I return, I am determined to make that person pay.”
Andrew smirked dismissively.
“Well said. If you have the guts, go ahead. After all, you are not alone here. You have someone backing you up, as long as what you do does not tarnish the publishing house’s reputation.”
Having spoken, Andrew looked at Bryan and Mary mockingly. He was trying to provoke Bryan into making a reckless move. However, he miscalculated. Bryan, familiar with his devious stratagems, responded calmly.
“Today, we are not here to test our mettle but to discuss the upcoming project, the most crucial one for our publishing house: Life Forever.”
Bryan gestured to Mary to pass the draft to Agnes and continued.
“The publishing market has been highly competitive in recent years, so this project must be thoroughly invested in, from human resources, budget, marketing, advertising, printing plan… I propose that all of these tasks be assigned to Mary.”
Upon hearing this, Andrew instantly understood Bryan’s deliberate move to keep him out of the project. He remained silent, not objecting, curious to see how they would navigate the project to success. In contrast to Andrew’s composure, Agnes couldn’t maintain her calm and raised her voice.
“If you say this is an important project, then why isn’t the head of the publishing house, Andrew, allowed to participate? Remember, He is a talented cover artist.”
Bryan did not wish to engage with such a woman but could not remain silent.
“The fewer people involved, the better we can keep our operations confidential. Besides, Andrew had said before that if Mary succeeds in this project, he will fulfill his promises.”
At this, Agnes visibly flinched, looking displeased, while Andrew remained stubbornly silent, a plan formulating in his mind.
“I may not participate, but Agnes will support this project in my stead, as she is talented and deeply understands public relations. An important project should not be the responsibility of one party alone but a coordinated effort by multiple departments to ensure efficient management and strict supervision. I trust you’re not so narrow-minded as to refuse such a simple proposal.”
Hearing this, Agnes felt as if she had been given a lifeline. It turned out that behind Andrew’s cold façade, he did care for her to some extent. Who would dare to upset her here?
Bryan knew he was cornered but could not reject the proposal. After all, Andrew held the highest authority here. If Bryan wanted to overthrow him, he would have to wait for the right opportunity, perhaps when this project created a significant buzz in the industry. A little more patience and the opportunity would come.
“Fine, but manage your people well. Because of her mistakes, I don’t want our efforts to sink like a stone.”
The meeting ended, and Agnes awkwardly followed Andrew as he returned to his office. All along the way, she repeatedly thanked him for the favor he’d shown her earlier, but Andrew paid no mind – in his view, Agnes was merely a pawn to be used whenever appropriate.
He settled into his chair, turning to face Agnes, studying her with the calculating gaze of an old fox eyeing a lamb.
“You don’t need to do anything. Just help me keep tabs on their every move. Let them carry on with their plans. Then we’ll see what those fools can achieve. Or perhaps they’ll only prove as effective as a hen in the throes of laying,” he said slyly.
Agnes paused, seeming to grasp his hidden message. Quietly, she slipped out of the room, leaving him undisturbed, a touch of fear whispering in her heart.
As for Joy, this project she had been harboring for so long, pouring her heart and soul into, was not merely a novel. It was a reservoir of advice, a repository of life lessons distilled from her rollercoaster ride of existence. She desired no false fame. She just yearned for the readers to perceive the sincerity in each line and word she penned.
Joy returned home, her mind incessantly occupied with Bryan, the young lad of yore who had bravely broken her siege, now a grown man daring to fight against wrongs. Looking deep into his eyes, she could feel remorse for past mistakes. Did the stains of his history always haunt him?
Time flows, everything can change, and so do people. But painful memories are not so easily washed away. Bryan was striving to shift gears and return to normalcy each day, but who would accept and forgive his erring past?
The sky was darkening, a sign of impending rain. It was two in the afternoon, yet it felt like twilight was near. Joy pondered, unable to escape the memory of Bryan’s potent yet melancholic gaze. The years might have passed, but her initial impression of the young man hadn’t altered. This time her return wasn’t entirely for herself or Mary but also for him.