“Can you try to act a bit more normal?”
Areli gave Darnell an exasperated look, then grabbed another glass and poured the remaining wine into two cups. She sighed softly, “Even though you’re a cynic and a womanizer, no one is more suited to be the head of the sales department than you.”
“It’s not that you’re particularly capable, but you’re the only one I can trust.”
“In a company of five or six hundred people, you’re the only one I can truly rely on, you scoundrel.”
Being praised made Darnell a bit embarrassed, and his voice grew softer as he said, “Thank you, Miss Fanshaw. But with the chairman backing you and your own strong capabilities, it doesn’t seem to matter much whether the head of the sales department is your person or not. You’ll still get your hefty annual salary.”
“The sales department is crucial to me. It determines my future at Spectrum Pharmaceuticals.”
Areli spoke calmly to Darnell for once, “Although I’m the general manager, I’m just the general manager of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. Above me are the Matson Group, shareholders, and the board.”
“I was able to come to Whiteville as a general manager six months ago not only because of Mr. Matson’s appreciation but also because I made a pledge.”
“Six months ago, due to a mistake by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, we lost our biggest client, Adventure Industries. Their orders amounted to a staggering twenty billion, accounting for forty percent of our company’s revenue.”
Darnell was astonished. “Twenty billion? Damn! Losing such a big client due to a mistake is sheer stupidity!”
He wondered who messed up so badly to lose such a significant client.
“The situation is complicated. I’ll explain it to you later. What I need to tell you now is…”
Areli coughed lightly, “When I came to Whiteville, many board members opposed my appointment. They thought Roberto was more suitable. Given that we had just lost a major client during a tumultuous period, they preferred a local candidate for stability.”
“I understood Mr. Matson’s expectations of me and thus stepped forward to make a pledge.”
“By the end of the year, I have to make up for the revenue lost from losing Adventure Industries as a client. If I fail, I’ll resign in spring and forfeit my bonus.”
Darnell was startled, “What? You mean you need to achieve twenty billion dollars in revenue?”
He felt dizzy. He struggled to secure even a ten-million-dollar deal. Twenty billion seemed insurmountable. Darnell glanced at the window as if contemplating an escape.
Bang!
Areli locked the window with her hand. “That’s right. I must achieve twenty billion dollars in revenue. After deducting Jazmine’s two billion dollars, there’s still eighteen billion left.”
“I’m going to be honest with you.”
Areli’s face turned solemn. “When I made that pledge, I didn’t expect to achieve that revenue. I just wanted full control here and some time to complete lab tasks.”
“As long as I finish developing a product before year-end, achieving the revenue won’t matter.”
“But now the lab research has hit a bottleneck and will take two more months than expected.”
Areli stared at Darnell. “I don’t want to resign at year-end, so I must achieve that revenue.”
Darnell nodded and sighed, “Miss Fanshaw, you’ll have to work hard. There are only three months left until year-end. Eighteen billion dollars!”
“No!”
Areli shook her head gently. “It’s not me who has to work hard. It’s you who has to work hard.”
As Darnell felt a chill run through him, Areli added,
“You just said it yourself. I’m the general manager with countless responsibilities, not only managing daily affairs and coordinating departments but also overseeing lab research, so I can’t spare much energy for business matters.”
Darnell’s face turned serious. “Miss Fanshaw, energy is like water in a sponge. If you squeeze it hard enough, you’ll always find some. Don’t lose heart.”
He clenched his fist. “I have faith in you!”
After saying that, he prepared to rush towards the door.
Areli seemed to know what Darnell was up to and grabbed him by the arm. “Mr. Halford, thank you for your encouragement, but I know myself well enough.”
“Although I’m capable of achieving it, my energy doesn’t allow me to spread myself too thin.”
Areli smiled sweetly at Darnell. “I can only entrust this task to you. You’re the most reliable and capable person in my eyes.”
“That’s why I hurriedly announced your promotion tonight. I don’t have time left and hope you’ll help me out.”
“Rest assured. I won’t be completely hands-off. I’ll introduce clients to you as well.”
Darnell felt like crying. “Miss Fanshaw, completing eighteen billion in sales in just three months? I don’t think I can manage that. Three billion might be possible, but eighteen? That’s another story altogether.”
“And as you mentioned earlier, there are still many internal issues to resolve after my hasty promotion as department head. If not handled well, the sales department might fall apart.”
Areli didn’t say anything but moved closer. “Darnell, I believe you can overcome this challenge.”
Her fragrance was intoxicating.
Darnell shivered slightly. “Miss Fanshaw, are you trying to seduce me?”
Areli’s eyes held a hint of resentment while her face showed a fleeting struggle.
“If my body can make you give your all so that I can complete my lab tasks by year-end, then consider it seduction.”
With that said, she shrugged off her coat over her nightgown again, revealing her curvaceous figure. Her red lips parted slightly, making her even more alluring.
Darnell was stunned momentarily before slumping dejectedly. “Forget it. I’m no opportunist taking advantage of others’ vulnerabilities. I’ll take on being head.”
“But whether or not we achieve eighteen billion dollars, I can’t guarantee.”
A glint of cunning success flashed across Areli’s eyes as she silently celebrated her strategic retreat yielding results before nodding lightly in response. “Alright, as long as you try your best.”
“Come on, let’s toast.”
Areli raised her glass smiling charmingly. “To your swift success.”
Darnell wore an expression full of bitterness. “To me stumbling upon major clients by sheer luck.”
He regretted coming over tonight, not only failing at declining becoming head but also taking on eighteen billion-dollar sales performance targets.
Darnell felt like he’d gone mad.
Meanwhile, Areli inwardly laughed, “Serves him right. After messing with me so many times, it’s his turn now!”
After finishing their drinks, she asked another question, “If you have any requests, just let me know. I’ll fully support you.”
“Yes!”
Darnell hesitated briefly before staring at Areli’s long legs. “I want pandas…”
Areli blushed angrily. “Shameless!”
“Tsk tsk, Miss Fanshaw, you’re being hypocritical. You were willing even to offer yourself earlier, yet you now refuse?”
Darnell puffed out his chest proudly. “I’m not asking them for mischief. Just curious what they look like.”
Areli wanted to grab a knife nearby.
While they flirted teasingly, Zoey emerged from the police station, looking exhausted when suddenly a car pulled up beside her.
The car door opened, releasing a faint fragrance. A gruff voice rang out. “Get in.”
Without hesitation, Zoey climbed inside, closing the door behind her.
The car sped away swiftly.
“You can’t stay in Whiteville anymore. Head towards Goldkeep instead.”
An envelope was slapped down onto Zoey’s hands. “Inside, you’ll find a bank card, along with your new identity and address.”
“Your sacrifice will be richly rewarded. We won’t forget what you’ve done.”
The person in the car extended his left hand toward Zoey. “Wishing you safe travels.”