Here is the latest project of Stellart Company, the "Four Seasons Wind" proposal.
She glanced through it for a while and then looked up at Elias Joyce calmly: "Is this project going to clash with the latest project of Sinclair Group?"
"That's right," Elias nodded. "We've been planning this project for so long, and we're about to hold the press conference. I really didn't expect Maxim Sinclair to stir things up at this time, I think he's doing it on purpose."
Summer Lowell frowned slightly. She knew what taking on her first project after returning to the country meant, both professionally and personally. If she could, she really didn't want to go head-to-head with Maxim Sinclair.
Elias noticed her concern and, after thinking for a moment, said, "I'll sweeten the deal for you. If you do well with this project, you'll not only be the design director of the Stellart Stellarion Division, but you'll also take on the role of deputy general manager."
Summer's eyes lit up at his words, "President Joyce, it's a deal then!"
"Of course," Elias put down the coffee cup he was holding. "I believe you're more than capable of taking on this project. Although Maxim Sinclair is not easy to deal with, you've been around him for a long time, so you should know what to do. In any case, I'm optimistic about you, don't let me down."
What Elias meant was clear: Summer, don't even think about refusing.
"Don't worry, I'm confident about this project." Summer agreed readily, knowing that avoiding it was not an option anyway.
Moreover, she was ambitious.
…
The high-level leadership of the Stellart Stellarion Division was gathered on both sides of the long conference table in the large meeting room on the top floor, waiting for the meeting to begin.
This grand setup was all because one of Stellart's partners, Noah, would be attending the meeting.
Noah, one of Stellart's founders, had lived abroad for many years, and was visiting Stellarion this time to temporarily take on the position of deputy general manager of the Stellart Stellarion Division, with the goal of assessing the domestic market.
Summer was led by Elias to the deputy general manager's office to meet the much-talked-about but never-seen Noah.
"Summer, I've heard of you." Noah smiled and extended his hand.
Summer quickly shook it, "President Norris, nice to meet you."
Noah smiled, "You're even younger and more beautiful than I imagined."
"You're too kind."
Summer gave a gentle smile.
"Work hard, and if you do well, this deputy general manager position will be yours." Noah patted her shoulder and turned to leave first, "Everyone's here, don't waste time, let's start the meeting."
In the large conference room, high-level leaders were seated along the enormous conference table with Summer following behind Noah, enduring the various gazes cast upon her and confidently walking into the room.
Elias introduced with a hint of laughter in his voice: "Everyone should be aware by now, this is our future deputy general manager of the Stellarion Division, Mr. Noah, who is also one of Stellart's partners. Let's all welcome him with applause."
As a round of applause resounded, Noah gently raised his hands to silence it, "I'm sure you're all aware of who I am, so I won't go into much detail. I hope our collaboration will be a pleasant memory for all."
Once Noah finished, he sat down next to Elias.
Next, all eyes turned to Summer, and Elias introduced her with a smile: "This is Ms. Summer Lowell, our newly appointed design director of the Stellarion Division. She's young and capable, and the headquarters thinks highly of her, let's all welcome her."
Summer took a step forward in her high heels, flashing a toothy smile, "Hello everyone, I'm Summer Lowell. I'm new here, so please guide me."
Applause rose again in the meeting room, but it was not as enthusiastic as before.
Summer could tell from the looks on their faces what they were thinking.
The position of the design director of the Stellart Stellarion Division had been vacant for quite some time. Back when she was at the Leonia Headquarters, she had heard that people in the Stellarion Division were resorting to all sorts of means to vie for this position.
It was unexpected that just when the competition was at its peak, a Summer Lowell appeared out of nowhere to claim the role of design director.
It was easy to imagine the resentment in their hearts.
Moreover, Summer was young, inexperienced, and from appearances alone, it was hard to earn the respect of these seasoned veterans.
As she contemplated this, a manager from the R&D department was the first to challenge her: "Director Lowell looks very young, like one of the university graduates we recruited this year."
"That's why I said she's young and capable," Elias jestingly remarked, "it took great effort for me to bring such a talent from the headquarters, and if it weren't for President Norris, I wouldn't have been able to persuade her!"
Noah, who was mentioned, gave a soft smile, "The headquarters values the Stellarion Division highly and specifically sent Director Lowell and me here to greatly develop the domestic market."
Upon hearing Noah's words, everyone's previously varied expressions changed.
After Noah spoke, he motioned to Summer, "Director Lowell, sit beside me."
The affectionate tone and manner drew looks from others that shifted from wary to ambiguous.
Thanks to her previous experience as Maxim Sinclair's personal secretary, Summer was familiar with such looks.
Back when there were rumors about her and Maxim in the Sinclair Group, many in the company looked at her this way.
Summer didn't like this kind of gaze at all, so she looked at Elias awkwardly, "Sitting next to the deputy general manager doesn't seem appropriate, right?"
Elias couldn't comprehend her inner thoughts, assuming she was too modest, given her newcomer status, and laughed heartily, "It's fine, no need for formalities, when you're offered a seat, take it."
Under everyone's eyes, Summer had no choice but to sit obediently next to Noah.
From the moment she sat down until the end of the meeting, the ambiguous glances directed at her never ceased.
Summer endured the entire meeting with difficulty and retreated to her office, mentally exhausted.
She didn't have the luxury of guessing what others thought of her now.
The priority was to do a great job on the project at hand.
In the afternoon.
Feeling sleepy, Summer took her coat to go up to the rooftop for some fresh air. As she sat down, she overheard not far off the sound of people discussing her.
Coincidentally, the topic was all about her.
"What do you think the relationship is between the new design director and the deputy general manager? They seemed quite close."
Gossiping about her again?
Summer couldn't help but shake her head.
Back in Leonia, she had heard of the name Noah, the partner, but had never seen him in person.
In fact, today was her first time meeting Noah, but she didn't know if others would believe that if she mentioned it.
"There must be some connection behind the scenes. I heard the deputy general manager defended her a lot during the meeting."
"Then this design director is really something, I heard that she used to have Maxim Sinclair from the Sinclair Group wrapped around her finger, and now she's got our new deputy general manager too, quite impressive."
Summer let out a silent bitter laugh, not wanting to hear more of their conversation, she got up and left the rooftop.
At the same time.
In the top-floor office of the Sinclair Group, Maxim Sinclair looked up with a sullen face at the person in front of him, "Are you sure that's what they're saying?"