Chapter 304 Time To Exploit The Situation To Her Advantage

Sophia made a quick stop at the front desk to collect the books Charles had ordered for her. When she rushed outside the financial director’s office, Maisie was in the middle of a phone call. Judging from the expression on her face, it was not going well. Sophia immediately withdrew her hand that was already on the door when she saw Maisie and stayed outside the door quietly. “Mr. Stewart, we have agreed on the payment five days ago but you’re telling me that you can’t make the payment now. That’s not very nice, is it? “You don’t have to give me these excuses. I am quite aware of Jones Group’s current situation as well.” The talk ended unpleasantly as Maisie finally ended the call with a sullen expression. She sat back in her seat. Sophia summoned up all her courage and knocked on the door. “Do you think of nothing about everything I said to you this morning?” Maisie cast her a cold glare and did not bother inviting her into the room. “Or do you think you can disregard my words because you have your father to back you up?!” Sophia lowered her head and said, “Please don’t misunderstand me, I just don’t want to give up something I’ve started. If I leave the company just because you said a few harsh words to me, that would mean the utmost disrespect toward you and the company.” Maisie looked her up and down for a long while before saying, “Come in.” “Thank you, Ms. Leadman.” Sophia entered the office with the books clutched against her chest. Since she had not been assigned any tasks, she made herself comfortable on the couch and began reading. In the past, she had devoted herself entirely to dancing and neglected all her classes. The only reason she got admitted to a top-tier college back then was that she had dance as her extracurricular, so the college made an exception for her. She found such highly professional academics boring and tormenting, but these were nothing worth mentioning after spending two years in prison. Maisie quickly scanned through the books, and when she noticed keywords like ‘2018 Certified Public Accountant’s Cost Management Examination’ and ‘Corporate Strategic Management and Tax Laws’, she piped up, “You don’t even have a solid basic foundation and you’re reading these… You clearly have eyes bigger than your stomach, just like your father!” Sophia closed the book, shrugged off the sneering tone directed at her, and asked sincerely, “What books do you think are more appropriate for me, then?” Maisie, “...” Sophia leaped at the opportunity to exploit the situation to her advantage! “The Basics of Accounting, Tax Laws, Tax Planning…” Maisie proceeded to list out over a dozen books all at once. Sophia blinked her eyes with a solemn expression. “I think I remember all the titles you just said but even the faintest ink is better than the best memory. Why don’t I add you on WeChat so you can send me the list of these books?” Maisie looked at her coldly without speaking. Sophia had a taste of suffering under people like Charles and Master Harris, so naturally, she was not afraid of Maisie’s overbearing attitude toward her. “I believe that you’re a good leader and you would hope to see a newcomer improve under your guidance.” “You don’t even have the slightest bit of basics and have completely zero knowledge of the subject. The first thing you do is fawn over your superior. Is this what your father taught you?” Maisie never liked people who curry favors, so she responded to Sophia’s question straightforwardly. Sophia’s expression did not change under Maisie’s sharp words. “I personally think that establishing a good relationship with my superior isn’t the same as fawning over my superior.” This time, Maisie kept quiet. “Besides, you were my grandparents’ right-hand personnel,” Sophia continued. “Although I’ve only heard stories of them and don’t have many memories of them, I have always respected and admired them, so if I’m being honest, I would love to get closer to you so I can know more about them... If possible.” Then, the room went silent. Maisie seemed to be deep in thought as nostalgia flashed in her eyes. After a long moment, she picked up her phone in defeat and opened her WeChat account’s QR code. Then, she threw her phone on the table. “Didn’t you say that you want to add me as a friend? Come over here!” Sophia mumbled a quick response and scanned the QR code to add Maisie as a friend. “Your profile picture looks as good as you do in real life, very neat and tidy,” she said. “Don’t think that I’ll go easy on you just because you brought up your grandparents and threw in a few good words!” Maisie said with a stern glare. “Of course.” Sophia nodded. She hoped that Ms. Leadman would be strict with her too so that she could learn more. After all, even if Ms. Leadman went easy on her for her grandparents’ sake, she knew for sure that Leah and Master Harris would never let her off easily. “I hope for your sake that you inherited more from your grandparents and not your… Father!” Maisie snorted. Sophia kept her head low and stayed quiet. No matter how wrong her father was, she would not speak ill of him in front of an outsider. After all, he was still her father. “Stop reading in the office too! I’ll give you a month. A rookie like you will only be able to pick up very superficial knowledge at best!” Maisie drummed her fingers on the table. Sophia replied, “I’ll study hard after work.” “I don’t want you to just talk, I want to see real progress!” Maisie proceeded to lecture her while she nodded along. When Maisie had finally finished her long lecture, she reached out for a document from a stack of document files and threw it on the table. “I have something that doesn’t require professional knowledge right now that you can do. Have a look at the information first.” Sophia nodded, but as soon as she reached out for the document, Maisie pressed the file to the table before she could even open it. She looked up and stared at her superior in confusion. “You won’t be able to understand this document if you go through it now, so look at it when you go back tonight.” Then, Maisie paused for a second before continuing, “Ask me if you don’t understand anything, and you must not let Mr. Harris see this. Understand?” “Yes,” Sophia replied. As Maisie continued staring at her uneasily, she drew the file from beneath Maisie’s hand. “You have my WeChat contact, so take a picture of anything you don’t understand, mark it, and ask me… Text me anytime and I’ll reply when I see it!” Maisie kept her gaze glued to the document and repeated, “Remember, do not let Mr. Harris see this!” Frankly, this was not a confidential document, but after the several occasions when she dealt with Charles, just thinking of those experiences gave her goosebumps. This young man was able to infer the direction of a project by just looking at some clues and then use them to Harris Group’s advantage. An outstanding leader did not just need exceptionally great professional expertise but a long-term vision and the ability to formulate strategies for the company’s development direction. Charles was very much equipped with such skills. In time, this man would grow to become a much more terrifying person than Master Harris, and he certainly was capable of bringing Harris Group, a leading company, to even new heights. After Sophia reassured her several more times, Maisie finally loosened up and passed her the documents. “White Industries is working with Jones Group on a collaborative project called ‘Sunshine’. They should have made their remaining payment of 162,300,000 five days ago but they want to delay it again.” “So are you asking me to… Go ask them for the money?” Sophia asked. “No.” Maisie continued drumming her fingers on the table. “Only usurers do that, we’re just reminding them to pay up!” Sophia, “...” With that, Maisie gave her five days’ time. If she was able to successfully get the payment in these five days, Maisie agreed to be her personal mentor from then on. Maisie did not mention anything in the case where she failed to do so, but she could easily imagine how that would not be ideal. One thing to be noted was that today would be counted within the five-day time limit!