Chapter 201: Establishing Authority

Book:Devil's Prisoner of Love Published:2024-10-27

After the office was filled with heaps of popcorn and fruit, Aurora stood before the eight people who had just been gossiping about her.
The other employees also put down their work and looked over, unsure of what she was about to do.
“I know you all have your opinions about me being parachuted into the manager position,” she began. “You think I’m too young, inexperienced, and without any substantial background.
True, I’m just a college student right now, and I understand your doubts.
However, let me be clear: whether I’m suited for this role isn’t something that can be determined by a rumor or two.
Since I’ve dared to come here, I’m ready to show you whether it’s you who are blind or if I’m overestimating myself.
I had already decreed that office hours aren’t for idle chatter and gossip, apparently, you’ve not taken my words to heart.
Today, while some of you were discussing everything under the sun in the break room-be it poetry or philosophy-I’ve decided to indulge you.
You won’t need to work today. Just stay here, and from now on, you may speak as freely as you wish.
Within one day, I want all of this popcorn eaten, and to prevent dehydration, I’ve also bought fruit for you to quench your thirst.”
The eight looked at the several large bags of popcorn, with each person facing over ten pounds to consume, plus several pounds of fruit.
“Manager, you want us to finish all this popcorn today?” one of them asked tentatively.
“Yes, I haven’t had a chance to properly host you since I arrived, so these snacks are all I’ve got. You don’t mind, do you?” she asked with a sly smile.
But her smile seemed rather sinister. It was almost better when she wasn’t smiling! At that moment, who would dare say anything else? That would be asking for trouble.
“Of course not, of course not.”
“Then eat it all. If you can’t finish, don’t even think about leaving work. Keep eating until it’s done!” Aurora said coldly.
“Yes, Manager!” Everyone quickly sat down to start on the popcorn.
Aurora swept her gaze across the room coldly. Those caught in her gaze quickly lowered their heads, fearing her wrath.
“If any of you find your jobs too boring and would prefer to have a tea party, you’re welcome to join here anytime.”
“Manager, we still have lots to do.”
“Yes, Manager, I need to prepare a proposal for your review this afternoon.”
At that moment, everyone was sitting upright at their computers. Aurora then withdrew her gaze and turned to enter her office.
The eight had faces of gloom; normally, a bucket of popcorn was the limit, but today each had to eat ten pounds! Just the thought gave them a headache.
Word spread to other departments, and many came to watch, all admiring the new manager’s boldness.
The office was filled only with the intermittent sounds of popcorn being eaten. At first, everyone was okay, but after an hour, they were parched.
They looked at the massive pile of popcorn still in front of them, not daring to voice their discomfort.
Heather, however, sensed that there was more to the situation than met the eye. No matter what others thought, she was certain Aurora wouldn’t do such a thing.
She decided to find out who was spreading rumors and logged onto the company’s forum, where she found a new post pinned at the top.
“Don’t you think the HR department’s parachute beauty manager seems a bit fishy? I’ve seen her cozying up with the CEO”-the title alone was quite eye-catching, with a high click rate.
Heather also clicked to check and found several beautiful photos of Aurora in the post. Initially, everything seemed normal, merely introducing her identity. As she scrolled down, she saw photos of Aurora holding hands with Magnus and leaning on Magnus’s shoulder, taken in the hallway outside the office. The post was from a newly created account, and Heather noticed quite a few follow-up comments below. Moreover, the post was not only circulated within the company but also published across various well-known online communities; it was clear that someone intended to spread the news far and wide. The company’s forum post had the highest number of views, but since the matter involved the president, everyone hesitated to comment. In those well-known communities, the comments were harsher.
“Unbelievable, she hasn’t even graduated from college and she’s already a manager. So this is how girls get jobs nowadays.”
“I was shocked to see her become a manager at 21, but after seeing her trademark, I think I understand something.”
“The president also looks quite young, and he’s obviously keeping in good shape. Maybe it’s true love between them, didn’t you see how lovingly she looks at him?”
“Today’s young girls really don’t respect themselves!”
“Shameless bitch!”
Heather was horrified; she couldn’t bear to read further, feeling that such vile words tarnished Aurora. She looked up; Aurora was still in the glass office, solemnly reviewing a proposal handed to her by a manager. The sunlight fell on her, making her shimmer with a golden glow, as if she was a divine being. How could she possibly do such things? The post had been disseminated across major forums overnight, clearly manipulated by someone behind the scenes. Meanwhile, Aurora was still oblivious to everything. Pretending to carry a document, Heather went to the glass office.
She knocked gently on the door.
“Come in,” Aurora said without looking up.
Heather entered and found her revising the proposal. After explaining it several times to the manager, who still didn’t grasp her instructions, Aurora had taken it upon herself to make the edits.
“Is there something you need?” Aurora asked, looking up after realizing no one spoke.
Heather quickly walked towards her, “Manager, have you seen our forum?”
“I’m very busy, what’s it about?” Aurora continued her work, paying little attention.
“I know why everyone at the company is talking about you; someone posted about you. Take a look.”
Heather cautiously handed her the phone, “You… you need to be prepared, the things they say are quite harsh.”
Aurora didn’t bother with caution and read through the entire content. The two photos were taken when Magnus was asking about Genevieve. The one with Magnus holding her hand was when he was promising to make it up to her, and the other where she was comforting Magnus not to let Genevieve affect his mood.
She hadn’t expected these moments to be captured and blown out of proportion. Heather thought Aurora would explode in anger.
To her surprise, Aurora merely laughed, “Is this what you wanted to show me?”
“Manager, this is damaging to your reputation. Aren’t you going to do anything about it? Look, people are already digging into your background; I’m worried about you…”