However, Clara did not dare to question Horace in such a public way, so she had no other choice but to stand up and deliver her report first.
Horace did not make special comments on Clara’s report; instead, he commanded, “Miss editor-in-chief, please deliver your report to me once a week in the future since I need to learn more about your work.”
After that, Horace stood up and left the meeting hall.
“Mr. Kirkland, I have something to consult you,” Clara stopped Horace when he passed her.
Marching ahead, Horace did not look at Clara but said in an expressionless voice, “Come to my office.”
Tightly clenching her fist, Clara followed Horace against the gossiping backdrop.
The gossiping dynamite bombed as soon as they both left the hall.
“What’s going on? Mr. Kirkland asked her to deliver her report every week. Isn’t it horrible?”
“Well, that editor-in-chief is beautiful. Do you think that Mr. Kirkland wants to hang out with her? Maybe that’s why he asked her to make her report every week.”
“That makes sense. If it is not because of that, Mr. Kirkland won’t take over the magazine publishing company in such a hurry but arranged no staff changes.”
“Oh God. Do you guys really know nothing about it?” noticing the discussion, a man interrupted the crowd with impatience.
“About what? Tell us!” the man’s words claimed everyone’s attention. They all immediately crowded around him and asked him to spilt more secrets.
“We are all working in the entertainment and gossip circle. How could you guys know nothing about our boss?” the man said with an arrogant tone. “That new editor-in-chief, Clara Hutchinson, is Mr. Kirkland’s ex-wife!”
“What?” everyone was taken by surprise, “Really?”
“Yes!” the man answered positively.
After a few seconds, everyone recovered their composure.
“Well, but why did Mr. Kirkland give her such an order? Did he want to be with her again?”
“I guess you are right, or why would he make such a fuss?”
“Then, do you think that Miss Hutchinson would say yes? Should we treat her in a more respectful manner from now on?”
…
Clara knew nothing about the gossip about her relationship with Horace. At that moment, she was angrily questioning Horace about his intention in his office.
“Horace, what the hell do you want? Why did you take over the magazine publishing company?”
Ignoring Clara’s anger, Horace said in a tender tone, “Clara, don’t you remember what I said yesterday? I want to be with you again.”
“That’s why you interfere with my job, right?” Clara believed that Horace’s decision was unreasonable.
“I didn’t interfere with your job,” Horace said seriously, “I made this decision after my second thoughts. Now KMR Media can provide your company with better media resources and greater funding, which can further improve its development. Moreover, I made no staff changes, right?”
“Do you want me to be indebted to you by doing that?” Clara shouted back with sarcasm. Did he want to win her gratitude by saying that?
“No, I don’t want your gratitude,” Horace stepped forward, “Clara, I just want to be closer to you. Let’s work together, shall we?”
“Never!” Clara involuntarily stepped back to widen the distance between her and Horace. “I can’t bear working with you! I will quit!”
“Did she really want to stay that far away from me?” at the thought, Horace was overwhelmed by a wave of sadness. He knew how much she loved working for the magazine, and yet she would choose to give up this job only in order to stay away from him.
“Really?” suppressing the sadness, Horace wanted to stop her from quitting by provoking her, “I know you are not the one who would give up the thing you like so easily.”
“I’m not the one you knew before! That Clara Selman died five years ago. Now, I am Clara Hutchinson who will never let you bully or hurt!”
Furious, Clara left the office after shouting. She would never be threatened by Horace anymore!
Staring behind Clara, Horace slowly stepped back to his chair and sank down powerlessly, clenching his fist. Her voice and words were haunting him.
Five years ago, Clara Selman belonged to him; now, Clara Hutchinson also belonged to him! It was undoubted that he would not give her up!
On the way back to the magazine publishing company, Clara was wondering whether she should quit her job or not. To be honest, she loved her job and also her colleagues.
After working and fighting together for more than two months, the magazines written by them attracted more and more population, so it would be a great pity if she left now.
Moreover, she had a good relationship and partnership with every colleague. If she quitted now, she would need to find a new job and develop partnerships from zero to one again.
However, if she stayed, she would be asked to meet Horace every week, which was definitely unbearable. She did not know what was the best choice. She wondered whether she could figure out a perfect decision.
Struggling between the two choices, Clara went back to her office and was welcomed by joyful cheering as soon as she entered the room.
At the sight of her, Stephanie guided her to read the information on the computer screen, “Clara, the sales figures for our latest issue are here! Look, as before, we ranked number one! We are so happy!”
“Really?” surprised and blissful, Clara focused on the data shown on the computer screen-they really topped the list!
“Clara, it was you who won us the opportunity to interview Andre Hansen. You are awesome! I know you can bring us to a promising future!” hugging Clara, Sarah shouted excitedly.
“Yes, indeed, my editor-in-chief,” Luis added, “We have ranked number one twice! We have become much more famous now!”
“Today, a man who also works in the magazine circle asked me whether we are hiring new staff. He said that he wanted to join us because he thought that we are heading for a bright future, which made me quite happy!”
“Hooray our editor! Hooray our editor! Hooray our editor!” the crowd cast respectful looks at Clara and suddenly burst out of cheer.
“Well, stop,” Sarah interrupted the cheer, “We should say ‘Party! Party!'”
“Party! Party! Party!” everyone shouted the new cheer slogan excitedly.
The smile on everyone’s face deeply moved Clara and installed a great sense of achievement in her.
She then decided to stay since she realized that she loved the company and she did not bear to leave it. What’s more, she was not the one to be blamed for what had happened, so she was not the one to leave.