Chapter 262

Melissa's heart sped up, a feeling of nervousness she had never experienced in her past jobs. Even during her major Chinese wedding dress exhibition, this intense anxiety did not exist. It was only later that Melissa realized that the tension came from the employees' respect for Joseph. She had only seen Joseph in daily life before, this was the first time Melissa recognized the president's status. They walked through the hall to the elevator sides, an elevator had just descended to the first floor. Seeing Melissa was about to enter, Joseph stopped her, saying, "Let's take this elevator." An elevator card swiping staff welcomed Joseph and Melissa into the elevator, saying. "President Clarkson, going to your office?" Joseph nodded, then said to Melissa. "We should use this elevator in the future." "Why? The elevator just now was clearly on the first floor." Melissa asked, confused. "This is the president's special elevator." The card swipe staff swept the elevator to the eighty-eighth floor and explained with a smile. On hearing this, Joseph remained calm, facing ahead. Melissa sensed the exclusivity of her status, unsure whether it was a good or bad thing. As the automatic glass door of the eighty-eighth floor opened, an employee greeted Joseph, who merely nodded in acknowledgement. "Donald Raphael, get me the key to the room opposite my office." Joseph said to the HR officer at the front desk, and then led Melissa straight to the CEO's office at the end. Upon entering Joseph's office, Melissa found the decor to be of a black and white theme, simple yet elegant, with an emphasis on quality yet understated. "This will become a regular place you visit, your office is right across from mine, don’t you feel happy being neighbors?" Joseph seemed to only relax his chilly demeanor when they were alone. "I have my own office?" Melissa exclaimed in delight. At the same time, Raphael brought over the key to Melissa's office. "Take Miss Melissa to see her office and bring her a set of office supplies. Melissa, come to my office at ten in the morning." Joseph gave Melissa an encouraging look. He was about to start his workday too. When the door to Melissa's office opened, a fresh odor of wood, paper, and plants rushed at her. The office's style perfectly matched with Melissa's taste. Melissa saw the computer on the desk. Finally, she had the chance to upload the video that Paul Reuben recorded yesterday. Within an hour, comments under the video had already been boiling over. Because it's Monday, Joseph is very busy with his official duties. He also must prepare for the layoff meeting this afternoon, and meet with an important partner for dinner tonight, so he hasn't had time to look at the negative news being circulated online about Nancy. At ten in the morning, Melissa arrived at Joseph's office as agreed. Joseph asked her to write a succinct self-introduction. He plans to introduce Melissa to everyone at the start of the meeting this afternoon, and appoint her as the President's special assistant and the head of the design department. Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was two o'clock in the afternoon. The layoff meeting was held as usual. All middle and upper management staff were in attendance - they would then disseminate the information to their subordinates in stages. "...I hope to grow with everyone and create higher value for the company. Thank you!" After Melissa finished her four-minute self-introduction, there was enthusiastic applause. Soon, Joseph came on stage and the atmosphere immediately became serious. "Today marks another of our company's triennial layoff meetings. Among us, we have long-term employees and new hires alike. This is a fast-developing era, an era where the survival of the fittest is prevalent. If you do not have the ability, you will be eliminated. Whether you work hard or slack off, whether you feel wronged or are not convinced, we only look at your final work performance and treat all employees equally..." Throughout the whole layoff meeting, even Melissa began to fear Joseph from the bottom of her heart. Many older employees were disgruntled and raised questions in public, but Joseph simply used a few words to resolve complex issues. It's clear that he is stern and decisive. The layoff meeting ended promptly at five o'clock in the afternoon. After walking out, Melissa was a bit wary to approach Joseph. At work, he seemed like a different person, completely unfamiliar to Melissa. "Joseph, we need to hurry and pick up the kids. That way, the homeroom teacher can finish early." Melissa respectfully reminded him. Joseph, silent, was digesting the events of the meeting. "No need for that. While you were writing this afternoon, I already asked Aunt Linda to pick up the kids. We won't be going home tonight." Joseph succinctly responded as he needed to return to his office to retrieve the contract of a collaboration project being signed over dinner tonight. "We are not going home tonight?" Melissa asked with surprise. "Why didn't you tell me?" "I have an important business dinner tonight. I didn't tell you beforehand because I didn't want to burden you." Joseph kept a straight face, but his tone was slightly softer. "Oh, when are we leaving?" Melissa felt dizzy after a hectic day with no time to even catch her breath. "Immediately. Did you bring the passport and ID I asked you to prepare?" Joseph had already arranged for his assistant to have a driver waiting downstairs. If Melissa had everything, they would head straight to the airport. "I brought them. Are we going abroad?" Melissa asked with slight shock. She hadn't brought any change of clothes. "Yes, to Japan." Joseph took the agreement from his drawer, locked the office door, and briskly headed towards the elevator. Melissa quickly put on her coat and followed Joseph, jogging slightly to keep up. At ten in the evening, they finally met with their partners at Japan's largest hot spring hotel. To Melissa's surprise, Joseph was actually fluent in Japanese. In fact, Joseph had been learning Japanese, German, French, Spanish, and English from a young age. His exceptional thinking, social skills, and fluency in six languages, coupled with more effort than his peers, contributed to the glory of the Clarkson Empire. "Good evening, Mr. Clarkson. We appreciate your long journey here." The Japanese businessman bowed politely to Joseph. He largely ignored Melissa, considering her merely an unimportant PR representative, a pretty woman serving to fawn over them and discuss business.