In the blink of an eye, everyone was seated in the conference room. Emma Johnson sat at the head of the table. When the room fell silent, she spoke in a low, firm voice. "Matthew Cole is no longer the deputy director of the advertising department. On Ava Brown's recommendation, that position will be temporarily filled by the former creative team leader from the advertising department. The team will elect its own new leader."
Given the expression on Matthew Cole's face when he walked in, everyone had already guessed what was coming. After Emma confirmed it, their suspicions were solidified.
"From now on, I am the new chairman of New York Fashion Magazine. Regardless of what you think of me because of past events—whether recent or from five years ago—I have only one requirement for my employees: no gossiping while on company time. If I catch anyone, they will be dismissed immediately." Emma's voice rang out clearly.
As she spoke, her eyes narrowed, scanning the people below. She pointed upward.
"You, you, and you... We are establishing a new oversight group. You will be transferred there to work."
Several people had been feeling smug just moments ago when they saw Matthew Cole being called into the office. Now, hearing that they were being reassigned after working at New York Fashion Magazine for so long—two of them had even worked alongside Emma before—they were stunned. How could they be moved to a department with practically no real responsibilities?
Realizing that Emma had likely noticed their earlier expressions, the few of them were too afraid to speak, though anger simmered beneath the surface.
After announcing several new company policies, Emma declared the meeting adjourned.
"New York Fashion Magazine now has clear rewards and punishments. Don't try to be clever, and don't think you can coast by on seniority. You know what to do. Meeting over."
Watching Emma, Ava Brown couldn't help but sigh in admiration. She truly was powerful—worthy of being her idol. Emma had managed to take the scattered, chaotic situation at New York Fashion Magazine and bring it under control.
Take the old employees, for example. They took their salaries, did nothing, relied on their connections, and acted entitled. They weren't easy to fire, so Emma transferred them to a new department.
They were lazy, unwilling to innovate or work, so she forced them to work—or gave them an environment where they could derive creative inspiration.
And then there was Matthew Cole...
Ava cast her eyes toward him.
Maybe right now he was still complaining about Emma, but it wouldn't be long before he realized that meeting her was actually his good fortune. His punishment was a reward in disguise.
On the other side.
Pinnacle Corporation, President's Office.
"Did she really do that?" When Liam Williams heard what his informant told him, his surprise outweighed his sense of loss.
It seemed there were many strengths in Emma Johnson that even she herself hadn't fully discovered.
Given the state of New York Fashion Magazine, it would have been impossible for her to turn it around alone in a short time and make it prosperous.
Before this, Liam had wanted to help her. With the backing of some Chinese forces, the magazine's rise wouldn't have been so long or difficult.
But considering Emma's attitude in the past, it was a good thing he had only placed someone inside New York Fashion Magazine to keep an eye on things. If he had acted rashly, it would certainly have provoked her displeasure. However, after hearing about this latest development, Liam had every reason to believe that whether he interfered in the magazine's affairs or not, Emma had enough power to make it rise on its own.
And this time, it certainly wouldn't take too long.
Suddenly, Liam couldn't contain the excitement in his heart. He wanted to see that pure face of hers.
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Liam immediately got up and left the office.
After a long day of handling company affairs, as night gradually fell, Emma dragged her tired body out of the office.
"Good evening, Chairwoman."
"Good evening, Chairwoman."
Some of the people passing by seemed to have just come in from outside, planning to work overtime. When they saw Emma, they all greeted her.
But the curious, gossipy look in their eyes made Emma wonder what was going on.
It wasn't until she stepped out of the New York Fashion Magazine building that she understood what they had been staring at.
A Land Rover. Black card.
In the entire city, only one person would drive such a car and have a reason to be here—Liam Williams.
She hadn't expected Liam to show up at New York Fashion Magazine without warning to pick her up from work. She had no idea what he was thinking. But the gossip from those employees earlier suddenly made sense. Emma noticed the car, then walked around from behind it, intending to avoid Liam.
But Liam got out of the car and strode around to block her path.
"Move aside!" Emma's tone was harsh. She didn't want any contact with Liam except regarding Charlie. She wouldn't give him any chance to get close to her.
"It's time for dinner. Let's eat together. I've made a reservation at a restaurant." Liam's tone was indisputable, his eyes fixed firmly on Emma. He didn't believe she would agree with him. In fact, he wasn't even sure himself.
But he would persist.
However, in this situation, his tone only earned him a sneer from Emma.
"Why would I have dinner with you?"
"Let's talk things over properly."
"Everything we had to say to each other was finished five years ago." Emma refused curtly, walking around Liam and continuing, "I didn't want to say anything to you five years ago, and I don't want to say anything to you now. Give up."
Liam followed her. Seeing her firm attitude, he stopped. "Emma, I was wrong about that first thing. But that was just my original intention. Later, I fell in love with you, and I was serious about you."
"So... you mean... you personally sent the person you truly loved to the police station?" Emma snorted coldly and walked forward quickly. "Liam, it's truly shallow and selfish to speak of your love so easily!"
Hearing Emma's words, Liam was stunned. He didn't catch up.
Time had changed. Even he himself had almost forgotten that he had done such a thing to Emma after all. Therefore, no matter how bad her attitude toward him was, no matter how resolutely she refused, it was justified.
But wanting Emma back, wanting to remarry her—the road ahead was probably still very difficult.
However... what Liam wanted to do, he never gave up easily. He would redouble his efforts to make Emma change her mind in the shortest time possible and take her and Charlie back to Sunrise Manor.