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Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Aurelia was taken aback, a surge of nausea rose to her throat, but she swallowed it back, frightened
“The doctor prescribed me medication for blood clots that tends to upset the stomach. I feel nauseous
every time after I take it
“I see,” Elowen eyed her suspiciously, half believing, “I heard a woman needs to rest for several days
after an abortion. How come you are back to work so soon?”
Aurelia tried her best to maintain her composure, and to dispel Elowen’s doubts, she even made a show of hopping a bit.
Tve rested for four days, that’s sufficient. Besides, I am pretty tough, not so frail.”
Bowen let out a sigh of relief. Even thinking of Aurelia hadn’t gone through with the abortion would
have scared her to death.
“Were you in Mr. Leopold’s office just now?”
Aurelia nodded. “The director asked me to present the new design proposal to Mr. Leopold.”
She quickly pressed the elevator button, slipped in as soon as the door opened.
The atmosphere was too awkward; she didn’t want to stay a second longer.
If Elowen found out she hadn’t aborted the baby and had married the big boss, she’d go insane!
Elowen watched the closing elevator doors, a cold light flickered in her eyes.
This little hussy was a dark horse. If it weren’t for her unfortunate name being Aurelia, how could the doctor have made a mistake?
This woman couldn’t stay in Astral Enterprises anymore.
Eye–sore trash should be cleared out.
The annual performance review scores for the staffs came out.
Aurelia suddenly became the focus of everyone’s attention.
She was the first “E” under Leopold’s tenure and the only “E” in the company for nearly five years.
Astral Enterprises‘ performance scores were divided into five grades, ABCDE. An “E” was the worst Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
rating, facing the risk of being fired.
Aurelia couldn’t believe her eyes, staring at the computer for a full five minutes, as if struck by
lightning.
How could she get an E? She was always diligent and dedicated.
Taking a deep breath, she walked towards the director’s office.
‘Director, why is my performance appraisal an E?”
Kelly glanced at her indifferently, “I am fair and just in grading all colleagues in the department.”
Aurelia was speechless, was this some kind of misunderstanding of fairness and justice?
‘I have never been late or left early since I joined the company. I haven’t even taken any time off, and I
have always completed the design proposals ahead of time. It’s impossible for me to get an E!”
Kelly shrugged, “I don’t think you fit in our department. Every one of our colleagues has studied abroad
except you. You graduated from such an ordinary university, and you never participate in any
gatherings. You can’t fit into this team. You might as well find a company that suits you.”
Aurelia realized that Kelly had always been biased against her. Initially, she didn’t agree to hire her. It
was the Personnel Department Director Emily who appreciated her design talent and admitted her in exception.
As for not participating in gatherings, it was because she had no money. Besides the little living
expenses, all her money went to her brother’s medical expenses.
“If you look down on me, why do you use my design drafts? Don’t forget the promise you made to me.”
Her name wasn’t on the design drafts, but only Kelly’s, which was effectively plagiarism. If it weren’t for
her promise of a promotion, she would have objected long ago.
Kelly’s lips twitched. If her design drafts hadn’t been repeatedly rejected by Mr. Leopold, she wouldn’t
have risked using Aurelia’s.
“Aurelia, the truth is, this is what the management wants. I personally appreciate you a lot, but I am
just a department director, I can’t do anything.”
Aurelia shuddered, instantly thinking of someone.
“You’re not talking about Mr. Leopold, are you?”
Kelly didn’t answer, she just sighed lightly, which was as good as admitting it.
Aurelia was stunned, her world shattered.
Just because she had argued with him a few days ago, he was retaliating by trying to fire her?
The mighty group boss was so petty and vindictive?
She turned around and stormed out, heading straight for the CEO’s office like a rocket.
The Stirling Group had dozens of listed companies under its umbrella, Astral Enterprises was just one
of them. Leopold used to come only for meetings, but he had been breaking the routine by being there
every day recently.
At the moment, he was leaning back in his chair, savoring a cup of hand–ground Blue Mountain
coffee.
Aurelia had no time for beating around the bush and got straight to the point.
“Mr. Leopold, I got an E on my performance appraisal, did you know?”
Leopold tapped his slender fingers on the table.
He had known about this in the morning.
Was she here to plead with him?
“Everyone in Astral Enterprises is an elite, you are indeed special.”
His tone was mocking. Aurelia could hear it, and it only added to her frustration.
‘Yes, I am special. I am your vessel, Mr. Leopold. A new official applies strict measures., it seems like
your first measure is to fire me, the simple vessel.*
Leopold furrowed his brow.
Ever since she had defied him, the term “vessel” had started to sound rather unpleasant to his own
ears as well.
“Is this how you ask for help?”
Coming to him for help with such a tone, was she seeking trouble?
Aurelia glanced at him, seemed to understand something, and snorted, “You must have been very
angry when we had an argument last time. So you manipulated my performance appraisal to make me
apologize and beg you, right?”
Leopold was slightly taken aback.
Did this woman really think he was behind this?
“Is your brain filled with water? Do you think I have that much free time?”