Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
They all had several questions swimming in their heads, but they dared not ask for fear of being the next to be fired.
Danika didn’t dwell on the designers for long. “Who is in charge of the finance department?” she asked.
“I am.” A middle-aged man raised his hand shakily.
“Tell everyone about the company’s finances right now,” Danika ordered.
He did not refuse. Quickly, he told everyone about the company’s situation, and their expressions were amplified.
So, the company had not only been losing money, but it was also deeply in debt. It was no wonder that they hadn’t been paid in months. Now, they were no longer worried about what would happen in the future; they were concerned about whether their salaries would be paid.
Danika only spoke when they were done discussing amongst themselves. “This is what the company is going through now. If anyone wishes to leave, you can do so at any time. Your salaries and compensations will be transferred into your accounts with no cent left behind.”
They began speaking, but Danika wasn’t finished.
“But, if you choose to stay, everyone’s salaries will rise by thirty percent. Your year-end bonuses will be doubled, and your other benefits will be increased. You may now make your decision.”
Done speaking, she laid back against her chair, not saying more.
They looked at each other. It was hard to decide in such a short time.
If they left, they’d be reimbursed. But the conditions for staying back were tempting; if only the company wouldn’t go bankrupt.
After a long while, someone raised their hand nervously. “I’d like to ask if you’re Dr. Zellweger, the one who was trending on the Internet. Mr. Quincey’s ex-wife, Gilbert’s sister, and Mr. Birkett’s mentee?”
The one who had popped the question was a young girl. She was frequently online, so she knew everything that was happening.
Someone had dug out Danika’s profile, but it was taken down quickly. However, as someone who was chronically online, this young girl knew about it.
She just wasn’t sure if that person was standing right before her.
The moment the words left her mouth, everyone was stunned. They looked at Danika, all wanting to know her answer.
Danika didn’t think much about the identities except for the one about her being Eustace’s ex-wife. Did that really matter? Why did everyone want to know about that?
Feeling their gazes, Danika nodded. “Yes. It’s me.”
“Oh my God!” the girl exclaimed. But then she apologized at once. “I’m sorry. I was just nervous.”
What was there to be nervous about? Danika didn’t understand it.
The employees didn’t expect such a young woman to bear so many identities. Each of them was difficult to accomplish.
“I’m going to stay,” the girl said. She believed that someone this capable wouldn’t make the company bankrupt; it might even get better. She was not going to let this opportunity go.
With someone taking the lead, everyone else would follow naturally. At once, the majority of them chose to stay, but a few still chose to leave. Part of it was because they didn’t think Danika would know how to run a business. Plus, she had just fired the designers. There was no one left in the company to create the designs, and it would be a wonder if they could continue running. Taking the money and leaving the ship before it sank would make better sense.
Very quickly, a third of the employees had gone. Danika nodded approvingly at the remaining people. It was better than she had expected. “Thank you for choosing to stay. Please believe in me. I will not disappoint you,” she promised.
Just when the employees were feeling elated, beginning to dream about a brighter future alongside Danika, people stormed through the door. A few of them marched in angrily. When they saw how young the new boss was, they grew angrier.
“Are you the new boss?” one of them shot the question at Danika. There was no respect in their tone.
Danika smirked. “Yes. Do you have any objections?”
“We’re the pillars of this company. Have you ever thought of the consequences of firing us?” another roared.
“Consequences? I don’t know what consequences there will be if I fire just a few employees.” Danika smiled, not taking their words seriously.
They were incensed by her attitude and gnashed their teeth. “We’re the only designers in the company. Not only that, but without us, you’ll never win the approval of the Board of Fashion Design. It looks like you don’t even know what they are. Without their support, your designs would never be recognized.”
Danika frowned. Indeed, she hadn’t known about this. As a consumer, she had never heard of brands needing approval from the Board of Fashion Design before going on the racks. “Why should I need their approval? My clothes only need to be recognized by the consumers.” She looked at them, not taking the Board of Fashion Design seriously.
Her words made them so angry that they laughed. “What a big talker. The consumers’ recognition? Why would they recognize you?”
“You won’t have to worry about that.” Danika didn’t want to waste her time on them anymore and turned to the clerk. “Escort them out, please.”
“Yes, Miss Danika.” The clerk nodded. She was referring to Danika as ‘Miss Danika’ now, and it made Danika spare her another glance. She was a quick thinker.
The security guards were called in quickly. “Please leave,” the clerk said. “Or I’ll have the security guards drag you out.”
“You…” Someone pointed at Danika. “Just you wait!”
They stormed off, cursing Danika in their heads.
The others instantly felt conflicted when they saw Danika’s ruthlessness. Some were happy because a strong boss like her would guarantee an improved company. Some were worried that ruffling the feathers of these designers would not be good for the company-they might even come back to bite it.
Danika didn’t explain further. There wasn’t much that she could say to help. Only good results would win their trust.
The meeting ended. Danika handed the business plan she had long prepared to the clerk next to her and said, “From today onward, you will be my assistant.”
“Me? Miss Danika, I… She couldn’t quite believe it.
“Do you think you can’t do it?” Danika looked at her. “If you think you can’t, just forget what I said.” She was willing to give her a chance, but if she didn’t want it, Danika would not force her to take it.
The clerk was stunned, and her face shifted at once. “I can do it! Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will not disappoint you.”
Danika smiled in satisfaction. “Alright. Make yourself busy.”
She nodded and turned to leave. Right as she reached the door, she stopped and looked at Danika. Im Anna.”
“Okay, Anna.”
Anna left, leaving Danika alone in the meeting room.
Danika had written down everything the company needed to get done in that business plan, including registering themselves under a new name. Once these were done, the company would be like new. However, that would not be enough. For a fashion design company to survive, it had to make clothes that consumers would purchase. That was what she needed to do right now.
She took her phone out and made a call. “Come to Parrington, Jade.”
At night, Danika went back to the apartment. She hadn’t seen Eustace around tonight, which left her slightly disappointed, but the feeling quickly vanished. What was there to be disappointed about? It was what she wanted.
She went into her room and took a shower, Then, she lay in bed and prepared to sleep.
Eustace’s car stopped at the gate of Perry Residence. He had no thoughts of leaving as he watched Danika’s lights turn on and off. He wasn’t a smoker, yet he decided to light a cigarette that night. The strong smell of smoke made him choke, but he didn’t stop.