C13 The Game of Hunting Began

Like a release of pent-up frustration, Dai Ming shouted, "I know it's not easy for someone your age to raise two kids. If you settle down and do a good job as Yao Yao's assistant, I might just let you earn a living."

Everyone knew that Qiao Ann had two five-year-olds by the age of 25, with no known father. People kept quiet about it out of respect for her former position as a manager. Dai Ming's words today were nothing short of public humiliation.

The onlookers were eager for drama, curious to see the once-proud woman bowing down for a meager living.

Qiao Ann slowly stood up, straightened her clothes, and headed for the door. "If anyone wants scraps, they can have them. I’m not interested," she said, her voice cold and dismissive.

Everyone was stunned.

"Where's security? Get her out of here!" Dai Ming shouted angrily.

Qiao Ann lifted her chin, her back straight. "No need. I can leave on my own."

As she passed Wu Yao, she added, "Oh, and Wu, those eighteen projects you wanted? They're all yours. As for the final reports, you and your... motley crew can handle them. Good luck!"

Faces turned pale.

In the hallway, Qiao Ann's heels clicked sharply against the floor.

Xiaoya hadn't been in town long and had been sticking close to Ms. Qiao, naturally feeling indignant. "Ms. Qiao, they’re so ungrateful! If it weren’t for you landing those projects, the company would have been an empty shell by now."

"It doesn't matter. Just think of it as feeding a dog with sincerity." In truth, Qiao Ann didn’t regret it. The company hadn’t been thriving for years, not just because of Dai Ming, but also due to a group of employees just coasting along. If both the boss and the staff lack the drive to push forward, the business won’t last. Today's events only sped up her plan to leave.

"But the project completion reports are really satisfying! Whether they can actually finish them or not, just one report is enough to give them a hard time! And there are eighteen of them! It’s a shame you spent countless sleepless nights on them."

"Most people are driven by self-interest. Without real skills, you’re just wasting your time in the workplace. Let these projects teach them a lesson. You've worked hard sticking with me during this time."

Qiao Ann was quite reluctant to part with this young woman, who wasn’t much younger than herself.

"So, what are you planning to do next?"

"Even at the lowest point in life, never giving up is my motto." Qiao Ann smiled slightly.

Xiaoya felt like she was the one being comforted. Of course, with Ms. Qiao’s strength, she was bound to achieve great things!

"Don’t worry, I’m leaving."

"Take care of yourself, Ms. Qiao." Xiaoya's eyes glistened with tears.

"You too."

Joan stepped out of the office building, taking one last glance back.

Mosheng Building Headquarters.

Mo Kai stood tall and composed by the window, gazing down at the bustling streets below.

"Second Young Master, just as you predicted, she's been kicked out by Fuyang," Gao Yi whispered.

"I see."

The pristine glass reflected the man's deep, inscrutable dark eyes. He adjusted the square-framed glasses perched on his prominent nose, a barely noticeable smirk playing on his lips. The hunt had begun.

Mosheng Building, conference room.

Mo Kai sat at the head of the table as the heads of the subsidiary companies reported their progress one by one. He listened intently to each person, never interrupting, appearing approachable and easygoing. But those who knew him understood it was all a facade.

Mo Kai's standards for work were notoriously exacting. After each round of reports, he would zero in on a typical case for analysis, akin to a public critique.

As the reports concluded, everyone silently hoped, "Please, not me, not me, not me..."

Mo Kai tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Who's responsible for the bidding proposal for the Huachen and Swiss SRI collaboration project?"

With that, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, except for Huachen's General Manager, Wang Hee.

"Uncle... Director Mo, due to the tight schedule, our marketing department's proposal might not be perfect."

Mo Kai glanced at him with cold eyes, then slid a document across the table with precision, stopping right in front of Wang Hee.

Curious, Wang Hee opened it. It was a project collaboration plan.

The signature read: Marketing Department, Fuyang Pharmaceutical Technology Company, Qiao Ann.

Everyone in the room held their breath until a commanding voice broke the silence: "Learn from this. If you can't handle it, maybe it's time to step aside."

Mo Kai capped his pen and stood up. "Meeting adjourned."

Wang Hee stared blankly at the proposal in front of him, inwardly marveling at Qiao Ann's skill.

Step aside? What did that mean?

Suddenly realizing, he rushed to catch up with Gao Yi, who hadn't gone far.

"Special Assistant Gao, what did my uncle mean?"

"Young Director Wang, are you referring to...?"

Wang Hee held up the proposal.

"From what I understand, this is one of the few exceptional plans the Second Young Master has seen. It's meant for you to learn from, so don't let his efforts go to waste."

"And what about stepping aside?"

"That, I don't know."

"You've been with my uncle for years. If you don't know, no one does."

"Don't overthink it, Young Director Wang. Maybe it's just to motivate you to aim higher. But if someone who can write such a proposal joins Huachen, it would be ideal. The Second Young Master often says that talent is the lifeblood of a company."

Wang Hee seemed to partially understand, but he caught the main point from the conversation.

Recruit talent. Go back and recruit!