Chapter 133
Whitney glanced at him and chose a chair to sit down. “Castor, like you said, ‘used to‘. Are you just helping everyone to remember that Elaine has already left the company?”
“You…” Castor’s face darkened, and then he added, “This booth is full, Whitney. Perhaps you should find another spot.”
Whitney looked up nonchalantly. “Since you claim it’s a booth reserved for the VP, and you’re not on that level, maybe you should find another seat.”
Castor glared at Whitney, his face turning a shade of steel, and with a huff, he beckoned his entourage to another booth.
Whitney’s eyes swept over the remaining executives, noting who was in Castor’s inner circle.
In the next booth over, Castor’s secretary fumed. “Word on the street is Whitney’s the mistress who climbed to the top. She elbowed Elaine out, and now she’s trying to overshadow Castor.”
Another employee, out of the loop, asked, “Mistress who climbed to the top?”
That was when Castor’s secretary filled them in. “Haven’t you heard about the scandal a few days ago? Elaine had been engaged to the CEO for years, and Whitney just waltzed in and took her spot. Now she’s even trying to snatch Elaine’s job.”
“That’s outrageous.”
“Her? Trying to be the VP? She doesn’t have half of Elaine’s talent.”
As the employees started gossiping, Castor smirked from the sidelines.
The soundproofing between the booths was poor, and Whitney could hear every word from the other side.
Feeling awkward, her assistant, Harper, suggested, “Ms. Whitney, maybe we should go give them a piece of our mind?”
Whitney clenched her fists, coldly pocketed her voice recorder, and shook her head. “Patience, Harper.”
She ordered two light dishes.
But after waiting for half an hour, the food still had not arrived.
Harper went to inquire and came back fuming. “The restaurant manager said there was a mix–up–they served our food to Castor’s booth.”
Whitney narrowed her eyes. “Such a precise mistake?”
“I bet Castor’s got the restaurant manager in his pocket, trying to make you look bad. With the CEO away, they’re…”
Whitney stood up and said coolly, “No matter, we can just order delivery.”
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Back at her office, Whitney pored over Castor’s files and called Tiana, “Hey Tiana, could you dig up some dirt for me?”
That entire afternoon, not a single executive reported to Whitney.
Her office was eerily quiet, a clear sign that she was being sidelined, with no way to take on any work.
Harper was anxious, thinking, “What if the CEO asks about this tomorrow? Ms. Whitney hasn’t been able to integrate into the workflow here at all.”
Whitney remained calm. After reviewing the five–star hotel project plans, she checked her schedule and asked, “Is it three o’clock already? Isn’t it time for the new project meeting?”
“Yes, but Castor hasn’t notified you. He’s clearly not taking you seriously,” Harper said indignantly.
Whitney stood up, and Tiana’s ‘information‘ came through just then. She scanned it, and a sly smile curved her lips. “If Castor won’t notify me, I’ll just attend the meeting myself. Which floor is it on?”
On the 48th floor, the meeting room was set for the five–star hotel project brainstorming session.
The executives took their seats.
Castor was in a secluded part of the hallway, on the phone, boasting, “Elaine, I’ve had Whitney on ice since this morning. She was the laughingstock at lunch, and I’ve spread the news about her affair. Even if she stays at United Realty Corporation, no one will work with her. As for the upcoming project meeting…”
Elaine’s cold laughter came through on the other end. “Make sure she doesn’t attend. Tell the CEO she’s clueless about real estate. He won’t blame you. He’ll just see her as an obstacle. The worse her reputation at the company, the more incompetent she appears, the sooner I can return. Go ahead and do it. I’ll promote you when I’m back.”
Boosted by her words, Castor felt a surge of gratification.
He returned to the meeting room. “Let’s start the hotel project meeting.”
One of the managers hesitated, “The hotel project is significant. Not inviting Whitney might…”
“What’s the point of inviting her if she doesn’t understand? A pregnant woman coming to listen to gibberish? We can’t let her jeopardize a hundred–billion–dollar project!” Castor said with disdain.
The manager did not dare say another word.
Just then, the conference room door swung open, and a woman in sleek business attire walked in, her smile calm and collected. “Has the meeting started? I hope I’m not late, Castor. I’m
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actually quite curious to hear your ‘gibberish.“”
Castor was taken aback by Whitney’s presence, momentarily cowed by her commanding air, reminiscent of Mr. Lippert’s.
But bolstered by Elaine’s support, he sneered. “Whitney, this is a major project the CEO cares deeply about. I hear you’re in the jewelry business. Now, you’re trying to chair a real estate meeting? Doesn’t seem quite right, does it?”
The executives, unfamiliar with Whitney’s capabilities, nodded in agreement upon hearing that her expertise was unrelated to real estate.
“It’s apples and oranges.”
“She wants to chair the meeting just for show, treating a huge project like child’s play!”
Castor looked at Whitney with mocking eyes, “It seems everyone disagrees with you joining the meeting. If you’re so keen on staying, why don’t you just listen from the corner?”
Being put in the corner was akin to being relegated to the sidelines, and Harper clenched his fists in anger.
Whitney, unfazed, walked over to Castor’s seat, glanced at the nameplate, and said with a smile, “This is the VP’s seat. Castor, get up.”
Without waiting for a response, she unceremoniously pushed Castor out of the chair!
“Whitney, you…” Castor, caught off guard and furious, scrambled up, ready to confront her.
“What were you planning to do to a pregnant woman?” Whitney’s cold gaze stopped him in his
tracks.
Remembering the baby belonged to the CEO, Castor’s heart sank, and he sat down, his face a picture of discontent.
Whitney looked up and addressed the room, “Let’s proceed with the meeting. Continue your discussion.”
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