A pay raise is well-deserved, but such a drastic increase is downright terrifying.
As the Executive Vice President, Maggie was essentially the one managing the entire Dasheng Group, while Fyren only oversaw major decisions.
In short, when the boss wanted to spend money, she had to step up and play the villain.
When the boss proposed a pay raise, she had to oppose it!
This was Maggie's management philosophy, honed over the years, as well as her personal strategy.
First, she had to constantly demonstrate her loyalty: Boss, I'm on your side—I'm here to save you money.
Second, if the boss insisted on raising salaries, her opposition would only highlight his benevolence and generosity.
As a result, Maggie's reputation within the company was terrible. Employees all cursed her for being in cahoots with the boss.
Nonsense! My annual salary of over 10 million comes from the boss. If I didn't side with him, if I spent every day demanding benefits and pay raises for the staff… why would he keep me around?
She was the boss's dirty gloves—he got to be the good guy, while she handled all the shady, unpleasant tasks.
But today, Fyren had blindsided her. He'd made the announcement in the meeting without discussing it with her first.
Maggie pushed up her glasses and stood. "Fyren, as the group's vice president, it's difficult for me when you make decisions like this without consulting me. Why don't you give me some time? I'll meet with the finance department's actuarial team and cost accounting to draft a concrete proposal before we—"
"You will hold a meeting," Fyren interrupted. "But it'll be to discuss how to implement my decision as quickly as possible. Notify the PR department—this news must be communicated to all employees company-wide. The raises must take effect by the end of the month."
All eyes turned to Maggie.
You're the highest-ranking person here besides him. Go on, keep talking—let's see how long you'll keep being his lapdog.
"But the specifics of the pay raise can't just be decided so casually. We need approval from—"
Fyren smiled. "Maggie, you've worked very hard these past two years."
"For you and for Dasheng Group, it's no trouble at all."
"Hmm." Fyren nodded. "In that case, I'm doubling your annual salary. Keep up the good work."
Maggie's eyes widened in shock—she couldn't believe her boss was being this generous.
Fyren continued, "As for the rest of the executives, increase their salaries as you see fit."
He walked up to her and gave her shoulder a light tap. "Don't try to save me money."
Maggie was completely disarmed by Fyren's sudden moves. "Fyren, such a major decision really should be reconsidered—"
Before she could finish, one of the executives stood and began clapping. "Everyone, let's give a round of applause to thank Fyren!"
The entire conference room resounded with thunderous applause and praise.
"Fyren is domineering and mighty!"
"We vow to share the honor, disgrace, and fate of Dasheng Group!"
"From now on, we will be loyal to Fyren and never have second thoughts!"
"Fyren is truly a conscientious boss, a benevolent ruler!"
Maggie frowned. She understood that these people didn't want to give her a chance to speak—they were trying to cement the decision with their applause and flattery.
She narrowed her eyes at Fyren, who was basking in the crowd's adoration, and her mind raced.
What in the world is this man planning?
This makes no sense!
Am I missing something? Is he preparing for a major reshuffle?
First, he wins over the employees, then secures my loyalty with a huge raise—is he planning to replace me as vice president afterward?
I was going to take my team and start my own venture, but now his move has completely derailed my plans.
I kept everything airtight! There's no way he could've found out!
He wouldn't throw this much money around for no reason—something must've gone wrong!
Maggie wailed inwardly.
She had already interviewed several of her trusted vice presidents and senior executives. Over the years, she had built a strong team of her own.
Originally, she had planned to take them all and strike out independently.
But now, with this sudden move, she was left isolated.
All those who had promised to follow her now avoided her gaze. It was obvious—why would they abandon their high salaries at Dasheng to join her in some reckless rebellion? Were they stupid?
But… Fyren had just given her the authority to decide the raises for all top executives.
What does this mean?
Maggie's heart was uneasy, and her mind swirled with a hundred different thoughts.
Her palms were sweaty. She had a vague sense that a storm was brewing within Dasheng Group—no, it had already begun!
Fyren accepted handshakes, hugs, and thanks from the executives one by one.
He wore a smile, but inwardly, he was annoyed:
[Is this amount of money really getting you all this worked up?
Damn, is this never going to end? Stop crowding me—half of you are balding, just shave it all off already.
Ugh, shaking hands and hugging men all day is so tedious. I prefer pretty girls.]
Beside him, Chloe let out a giggle.
Fyren glanced back at her. "What are you laughing at? You're not getting a raise."
Chloe pouted. "Fyren is bullying me."
Maggie was even more shocked.
Chloe is pouting at Fyren? She's usually so formal and distant—what's wrong with everyone today?
Could it be that Chloe has been Fyren's favorite all along? If so, this girl is terrifying—she's endured all the workplace rumors while secretly being in cahoots with him!
Are we all being played?
Fyren walked up to Maggie, who immediately smiled.
"No hug?"
Maggie immediately opened her arms and hugged her boss with a big smile, mentally screaming: Don't touch my ass in front of all these people, please!
But Fyren nailed it - a very polite, respectful, decent hug limited to expressing appropriate collegial affection.
Now Maggie was even more flustered.
Oh no! He's not interested in me anymore? Didn't even take the opportunity to touch my ass!
This is a bad sign!
It means he's sick of me and knows I'm a traitor, so he's only pretending to be nice!
Maggie smiled awkwardly and clapped along with everyone else.
Fyren returned to his seat and sat down in his boss chair, feeling smug like an emperor:
"Alright everyone, back to your seats. I have a big announcement to make."
Everyone returned to their seats, still unable to hide their excitement.
Fyren signaled to Chloe, who put together a slideshow that began to play.
"On the screen is the shantytown project in our south downtown area, which is now less than thirty percent complete. The previous consortiums have all pulled out. I'm going to take over the next phase and keep working on it."
Maggie turned her head and looked at Fyren like she was seeing a ghost.
She was thoroughly confused.
What the hell is wrong with this person today?!
The shantytown renovation project! The government has approached us many times about this, and we've just been politely receiving them while making excuses to avoid getting involved.
But now our boss actually wants to take on this project!
This is a money pit - extremely complex, where the slightest misstep could lose everything.
Maggie hurriedly said, "Fyren, this project is a minefield - too dangerous. It's time-consuming, resource-intensive, involves too many stakeholders, and is basically rotten. Even without a formal assessment, no one would touch it. The four major families of Crystalpeak City have all repeatedly rejected the government's offers to take over. We..."
"I know, I know all that."
Fyren said in a drawn-out voice, still reveling in his "emperor" vanity, very dramatically:
"Fortune favors the bold! You can't catch a wolf without letting go of the child, can't catch a rogue without letting go of your daughter-in-law, can't... right?"
The executives looked at each other in confusion.
From a professional standpoint, this wasn't even a question worth considering.
Anyone with common sense wouldn't touch this project - it's just throwing money into a bottomless pit.
But Fyren seemed determined.
Fyren saw that everyone was silent and tapped the table himself. "It's settled! Don't worry - this time I'm the only decision-maker. You're only responsible for execution. If anything goes wrong, it's on me. If there's a loss, I'll bear it alone. Chloe!"
"Fyren."
"Record today's meeting for the files. If there are problems in the future and I get angry at anyone, everyone can use today's record as proof."
"Yes."
Fyren smiled faintly. "Now is everyone at ease?"
"Fyren is decisive and commanding, just like an emperor!"
"Fyren has piercing insight - he can see business opportunities invisible to us! We'll execute this with full effort!"
"Fyren is far-sighted and powerful - we're so shallow we can only gaze at his back!"
"Fyren is awesome!"
"Fyren is awesome!"
Fyren sat in his chair, swiveling triumphantly, noticing Maggie hadn't spoken.
"Maggie, why aren't you saying anything?"
Maggie was burning with anxiety.
"Fyren... have I done something wrong? If you have something to say, just say it directly."
Maggie was certain Fyren already knew about her plans. This project was clearly meant to torment her.
But exactly how - with Fyren's temperament - she didn't know and didn't dare imagine.
Fyren had no idea about her inner turmoil. Looking around, he saw everyone supporting him simply because of the raises and being absolved of responsibility.
Fyren smiled. "I know I've given you all a bad impression before."
"No no, Fyren is wonderful. We're all grateful."
"Yeah yeah."
"No need to lie." Fyren stood up:
"Let me share some of my hobbies."
He began:
"First, I love money - I don't care how much I earn. I'd happily put all the world's wealth in my pockets."
Everyone laughed - it was an undeniable truth.
"Second, I love pretty girls. Young or mature, sexy or cute - I love them all!"
The room erupted in laughter, finding Fyren unusually humorous today.
Fyren continued, "My third love is family."
He slammed the table. "So set your minds at ease! I'll make you rich, help you afford beautiful women, and let you provide for your families! Higher salaries for greater achievements! Any questions?"
They roared in unison: "We follow only Fyren! We'll execute Fyren's great vision!"
Fyren smiled and pointed at Maggie: "Maggie, you'll personally oversee this. I have one demand - we must sign the contract within a week!"
Under the table, Maggie clenched her fists. Staring at Fyren, she was completely bewildered.