Chapter 3 New Director Of Design Department

I blinked hard. As if to confirm something, I closely examined the email over and over. Yes, that’s right. Bianca Lincoln has suddenly parachuted in as the Director of the Design Department, my immediate superior. "Sophia, do you know her?" Amelia noticed my abnormality. She waved her hand in front of my eyes and voiced her suspicions. I put down my phone, "Yeah, she is Richard's half-sister. I’ve mentioned her to you before.” After graduation, everyone went their separate ways. But Amelia and I, we were good friends during our college days. We decided to stay in California together, going nowhere else. Amelia clicked her tongue, "Wow, nepotism huh?" " I didn't respond. In my mind, I thought, it's not just ordinary nepotism. "Did Richard get his brain kicked by a donkey?” Amelia couldn't stop complaining, venting out her frustration, "Why? I've never heard of such a figure in the design industry, but it's good for Richard. He just casually handed over the director's position to her. What about you? Where does he put you..." "Okay, that's enough." I interrupted her, speaking softly, "All of that doesn't matter, if he's willing to give, he gives." If he's not, someone else will. However, since we are in the company canteen, there's no need to voice these thoughts out loud. To prevent those with ulterior motives from making a big deal out of it. "Do you have a plan?" Amelia knows me well. Once we left the canteen and saw no one around, she rested her hand on my shoulder and asked me slyly. I raised an eyebrow, "What do you think?" "Oh, Sophia , do tell." "Well, in a way, but I haven't fully decided yet." I've been working for four years, and I've never once shifted jobs. To me, the Lincoln Corporation is like my comfort zone. If I really have to leave, I might need something or some sort of event to give me a little push. Back at the office, I threw myself into designing for the New Year's limited edition. I don’t even have the time to take my morning break. This task was supposed to be for the director. But since the director has left, it naturally fell onto the deputy director. I could only make the most of my time. "Sis, coffee." Almost two o'clock, my assistant Ella knocked on the door and came in, placing a cup of coffee on my desk. I chuckled, "Thanks." She saw me designing drafts, with a confused expression, "Sis, you can still sit down calmly and design? I asked around a bit, the airborne guy took the director's position without even going through an interview, aren't you mad?" "I laughed in a dumbfounded way, unsure what to say. Mad? Of course, I was mad. But there's nothing I could say about it with a subordinate. "Everyone, listen to me-" From outside the office, there suddenly came a commotion, special assistant gathered everyone together. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, the scene of the public office area is in full view. Richard, dressed in a custom-made dark suit, with one hand in his pocket, just standing there, was so cold and aristocratic, outstanding in demeanor. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Bianca, they looked like a perfect pair. Bianca looked generous, his eyes glanced at the indifferent man on the side, as if asking for help. He slightly furrowed his eyebrows, seemingly impatient, yet still indulged. In a light voice, he introduced her, "This lady here is our newly-appointed director of the design department, Bianca Lincoln. I hope everyone will cooperate well with her." Bianca looked at him disdainfully. "Why are you being so serious?" Then, with a relaxed and joyful smile on her face, she continued, "Everyone, don't listen to him. I'm very approachable, and I definitely won't 'set three fires' as a new official. As a newbie, if there are any shortcomings in my work, feel free to communicate with me." ... The president helped with the situation, naturally making the atmosphere harmonious. Ella couldn't help but curl his lip, "She is indeed a 'relative.' Got her second marriage license this afternoon and snatched a job and started working this afternoon." Already feeling unwell, hearing this absurd logic, I couldn't help but chuckle. Outside, Richard escorted Bianca to the office door. "Don't worry, what are you uneasy about? With your cold face, who would dare come here?" Bianca pushed Richard away, her demeanor affectionate but her tone seemed disgruntled. Yet, a tweedy smile hung on her face. I took a sip of my coffee. It's so bitter. Seeing my frowned eyebrows, Ella took a sip, "It's not bitter, I put in two lumps of sugar today just for you, in hopes that something sweet could cheer you up." "Knock knock—" Richard was driven out by Bianca and he turned to enter my office. My gaze was fixed dead on him, wishing I could peer straight into his heart. "I'll go and make you another cup of coffee." Grasping the situation, Ella beat a hasty retreat. Richard walked in at a slow pace, closed the door, and calmly explained, "This is her first time venturing into the working world, so she's a bit nervous. That's why she asked me to help settle the atmosphere for her." "Is that so?" I questioned back with a smile, "I couldn't tell." The grand president, Richard Lincoln himself, was the one to introduce her. Meanwhile, she amused herself by teasing and revealing their close relationship within just a few sentences. Although she mentioned something like "she's an easy person to deal with." But that's just like saying you're holding the trump card in a poker game, who would dare to bluff against you? "Okay. Though she's a few years older than you, in work, you are her senior. You're more capable than her in design, and the rest of the department still respects you more," Richard moved behind me, softly massaging my shoulders, coaxing me, "You don't have to bother about her, as long as you prevent her from being bullied, is that okay?" For the first time, I felt an uncontrollable surge of anger towards him. I slapped away his hand, stood up abruptly, and asked pointedly, "If it's as you say, why is she the director and not me?" As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized my words were overly frank. Even the usually unruffled Richard was surprised. Yes. We've been married for three years, and though we're not lovey-dovey, we maintained mutual respect. We've never fought or argued. He probably assumed all this while that I was so temperate, I was like a clay figure. "But I don't regret saying those words. If the position of director falls into the hands of someone more capable than me, I'd willingly accept defeat. Now that it's given to Bianca, can't I even ask a question?" This is the first time Richard saw my sharp side. With slightly pursed lips, he asked, "Are you angry about this, Sophia?" "Can I not?" In front of others, I can act unaffected and maintain some grace. But in front of my own husband, if I still need to hide myself, then isn't this marriage a complete failure? "Do you think it's stupid?" He picked up the remote control and turned the glass windows frosted. Extending his long arm, he drew me into his embrace, "The Lincoln Corporation is all yours, why care about a position?" "The Lincoln Corporation is yours, not mine." What I can grasp is only the current situation. He raised my chin, looking serious, "We are husband and wife, do we need to distinguish between yours and mine?" "Then why don't you transfer some shares to me?" I laugh. Calmly watching him, I do not want to miss any of his emotions. Unexpectedly, there are none. He simply raised his eyebrows, "How much do you want?" "Ten percent." If it's true, this is quite a greedy demand. After Richard and I got married, he took over the already massive Lincoln Corporation, and thereafter, the business empire expanded several times under his control. Forget about ten percent, even one percent would be worth quite a tidy sum in today's market. I never actually expected him to agree. It was just a figure off the top of my head. "Alright," he said.