Chapter 8

Brittany privately vowed not to let Daniel show up at the press conference. She intended to make sure this nobody was out within three days. As Jessica’s secretary, she was no mere pretty face; she was a seasoned corporate predator. Daniel, the workplace newcomer, would be eaten alive by her. They entered a store where Brittany carelessly picked a few cheap items and directed Daniel to the fitting room. That’s when Jennifer appeared. She and Brittany were college mates, and Zen Byte’s entry to the shortlist was thanks to Brittany’s influence.

“Hi, Brittany!” “Hey, Jennifer, long time no see!” “Who’s that guy just now?” “He’s Jessica’s new assistant, a nobody!” Assistant? Jennifer immediately realized that Jessica planned to cancel the engagement with Daniel and had cunningly rewarded him with a minor assistant role. A nobody from the countryside was lucky to assist at TMO, a fortune not meant for someone like Daniel. Remembering her embarrassing encounter on the train, Jennifer’s fury reignited. She resolved to ensure Daniel wouldn’t even last as an assistant. “Brittany, I met a nasty guy on the high-speed train the other day. He looked a lot like that guy; I wonder if they’re the same person?” She pulled up a photo on her phone. Brittany lit up upon seeing it. “It’s him! I thought he was just a nobody, but turns out he’s a pervert! Send me the photo; I’ll make sure HR fires him.” After sending the photo, Jennifer then handed over a VIP card to a spa. It wasn’t the first time Brittany had taken such favors. She expertly accepted the card and tucked it away. “Rest assured, Jennifer. Although many companies are on the shortlist, nearly half will be cut in the end. But with your sincerity, Zen Byte will surely make the final selection!” Noticing Daniel coming out of the fitting room, Brittany quickly excused herself, “I must go now, let’s have dinner together some time!” Jennifer left, and Brittany dismissed Daniel with a nonchalant “This will do.”

After purchasing the clothes, Brittany led Daniel to the employee dormitory. Jessica had asked her to arrange something decent, but Brittany deliberately brought him to a dank, dim basement room near the trash, where rats and roaches roamed freely. “This is your room.” “Jessica arranged this?” “Got a problem?” “No.” “Rest in the dorm today, you’re off work. Report to the company at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.” It was a trap to get Daniel fired. Once Brittany had left, Daniel looked around the dismal room, frustrated. Every excuse for a fiancée Old man had picked for him seemed to be like this—a complete mess. Did she really arrange this, hoping he’d crack and request the marriage to be dissolved? He was determined not to leave until he secured the Dragon Seal Grass. Back at the company, Brittany went straight to the president’s office. “Where’s Daniel?” “That nobody doesn’t understand the rules! I told him to report to the company right after dropping off his things at the dormitory. Guess what? He’s just gone to sleep instead!”

“He must be tired; leave him be.” “Ma’am Jessica, I thought the same, so I kindly told him he could come in tomorrow morning at nine. But you know what he said? That he usually sleeps in till noon, so he’d only come in the afternoon if he felt like it.” Brittany expected her report would infuriate Jessica into firing Daniel on the spot. But to her surprise, Jessica smiled and said, “He’ll be under my direct management from now on! Tell HR not to worry about his attendance. And no need for assessments; I’ll handle it myself.” Brittany was dumbfounded—managed directly by the CEO? What did this puny assistant do to deserve such a privilege? Not even she, after years of loyal service, had received such treatment! Now desperate, she was ready to play her trump card to ensure Daniel never became a full employee. She took out her phone, presented the incriminating photo to Jessica, and waited for the fallout.