On that weekend, Tasha was visiting friends with her grandparents, giving Billy and Harleen a rare moment alone.
"Darling, how does it feel being the big boss these days?" Sitting down on the couch together, Billy looked at Harleen Knight with a smile.
"Tiring!" Harleen Knight stretched and yawned, lying down on the couch and resting her head on Billy's legs.
"It's much more exhausting than I imagined. I'm constantly swamped with important decisions. I'm really worried that I won't be able to keep up and that I might disappoint Mr Hines's expectations."
"All beginnings are tough. You've just taken over, and it's during a period of major adjustments. It's bound to be tiring!" Billy smiled. "But once you get past this stage, you'll emerge stronger."
"But it's really tough!" Harleen Knight responded. "If it were just pure business matters, it would be more manageable, but because it involves structural changes and personnel shifts, it's all very sensitive. A slight mishandling could lead to significant resistance."
"As expected!" Billy smiled again. "Managing people's hearts is the most difficult part."
"By the way, did Mr Hines assign someone to assist you?"
"Yes!" Harleen nodded. "He specifically introduced me to the Vice President of Operations and the Vice President in charge of Administrative Personnel in private. Both of them were brought over from World Group headquarters. They're extremely loyal to Mr Hines. They are both capable and have good personalities. I really rely on them for help. Otherwise, I'd be even more stressed."
"That's good!" Billy smiled once more.
"By the way, that night, due to the unexpected events that followed, I didn't get a chance to ask you many things!" Harleen seemed to recall something.
Fixing her gaze on Billy, she questioned, "What's the relationship between you and Mr Hines exactly? Did he appoint me as the CEO because of you?"
"I have a friendly relationship with him." Billy knew he couldn't avoid this question and hesitated for a moment before continuing, "A couple of years ago, I helped him out, so he's been grateful. However, your appointment as CEO wasn't because of that."
"He approached me about it. He mentioned that he wanted to return to work at the Enssea headquarters and didn't have the energy to manage things on the Ozin side anymore. So he wanted to find someone trustworthy to handle it. Before speaking with me, he had already learned about your situation. His decision was based on his recognition of your abilities."
"I find that hard to believe!" Harleen pouted. "I know my own worth. If it wasn't for your connections, this position wouldn't have fallen to me."
After a brief pause, she continued, "Tell me the truth, was it also because of you that I was promoted to Marketing Director?"
"Darling, can you have a little more confidence in yourself?" Billy replied with a smile. "I can assure you with complete certainty that this was something you earned through your abilities. Even Mr Hines learned about it later from Ms Rodriguez."
"Alright, I'll trust you for now!" After saying that, Harleen gave him a playful look.
"You sneaky husband, to think you know someone as influential as Mr Hines and kept it a secret from me! You should be honest. Was it Mr Hines who arranged the situation with the Knight Group?"
"Hehe, that's a minor thing." Billy chuckled.
"As I suspected!" Harleen rolled her eyes at him.
Billy knew someone as important as Derek but didn't mention it earlier, she had worried needlessly for so long.
"By the way, hubby, those people who tried to assassinate you outside the hotel that night, why did they call you Commander Gardner?"
"Uh..." Billy hesitated briefly.
"It's nothing special. I was an instructor in the military camp, and that's what they called me. I guess they thought I looked handsome!"
Harleen burst into laughter. "Your thick skin knows no bounds!"
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