The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Chapter 38 A Sudden Promotion
“Ha! Are you absolutely certain you had no idea?!” The General Manager’s voice thundered through the phone, the sheer volume causing him to wince and pull the device away from his ear momentarily before cautiously returning it. “Don’t think we’re oblivious. Weren’t you attempting to sell the CEO’s niece’s car just moments ago?! Go ahead, continue with your charade. Just hope the CEO decides not to escalate this any further, or you’ll be facing dire consequences!” With that, the general manager abruptly terminated the call.

Things unfolded so swiftly that he barely had a moment to process it all. It took a while for the reality of the situation to sink in, and he stared at Athena with wide, incredulous eyes.

Shortly after, another phone began to ring. Following the sound, the store manager’s gaze landed on Jess, who was already answering the call.

“He-hello, General Manager?” Jess’s voice quivered with nervousness, his words catching in his throat. Recalling the previous caller’s mention of his potential promotion to manager only heightened his anxiety. It would be dishonest to deny that he wasn’t bracing himself for a significant upheaval that could alter the course of his life. The thought of such swift, transformative change left him pondering the fickle nature of fate. Yet, despite the glimmer of hope, a sense of pessimism crept in, overshadowing his anticipation with doubts of empty promises.

“I believe you’ve already spoken with the CEO,” the General Manager’s tone softened, expressing gratitude for the integrity displayed by an individual within his branch. He couldn’t help but feel relieved, knowing that if the CEO discovered complicity among all branch members in the sale of his niece’s car, he’d bear the brunt of the repercussions. He was genuinely thankful that such a situation had been averted, largely due to the actions of the person on the other end of the line.

He even entertained the idea that his branch would see improvement in the future with the change of personnel, perhaps no longer languishing at the bottom of the performance chart. This anticipation filled him with a sense of optimism and satisfaction about promoting the individual in question.

“CEO?! When?!” His eyes widened to the size of saucers as the realization hit him. In a swift motion, he turned his head to gaze at Athena. ‘No way! Could it be what I’m thinking?’

The general manager chuckled softly. “Didn’t he just speak with you on the phone? He expressed his gratitude for your intervention, ensuring his niece wasn’t bullied and her car wasn’t taken. You see, that particular car was personally requested by the CEO from the manufacturer for customization, which is why it carries a higher price tag compared to the standard limited edition model,” the general manager clarified.

Jess found himself in an extraordinary situation. Opening his mouth, then closing it repeatedly, he struggled to find the right words to articulate the whirlwind of emotions coursing through him. Overwhelmed and at a loss for words, he turned to Athena, his reddened eyes reflecting a mix of astonishment and gratitude.

The General Manager seemed to empathize with Jess’s overwhelmed state and chuckled warmly before speaking. “You’ve performed admirably. The CEO plans to send you additional rewards for your actions. Tomorrow, make sure to show your gratitude to the CEO by excelling even further in your duties,” he advised, then added, “Also, ensure that the bastard responsible for the incident is escorted out of the store, as he’s already terminated. Since I’ve conveyed everything, I’ll conclude the call. I’ll send your promotion contract to your email for your review and electronic signature, ensuring your pay increase.” With those final instructions, the General Manager ended the call.

Observing from the sidelines, Minerva sensed a shift in the atmosphere, recognizing that something had gone awry and it wasn’t in their favor. While unaware of the specifics of the call, a knot formed in her stomach, prompting her to swiftly text her brother, urging him to take immediate action.

Rafael felt a surge of headache coming on, prompting him to pinch the bridge of his nose before dialing the number of the car dealership’s general manager. His call was promptly answered after the second ring.

“Hello, Young Master Briley! How can I assist you today?” The General Manager’s enthusiastic voice resonated through the phone.

“Hello. My sister is currently at the store and appears to be experiencing some trouble. I’m reaching out to seek assistance. It seems that the car she was interested in has been taken forcibly by someone else,” Rafael explained.

“Oh! I apologize for the oversight, Young Master Briley. I’ll rectify this mistake immediately. Could you please provide me with details regarding the car she’s referring to?” The General Manager responded humbly.

“She mentioned it’s a Bugatti Chiron in mint green. She was ready to drive it out when someone intervened,” Rafael relayed. Despite his seemingly humble words, his voice and tone carried authority. He wasn’t merely requesting assistance; he was commanding it.

Taken aback, the General Manager wiped the sweat forming on his forehead. ‘So, it seems Young Master Briley’s sister is the one attempting to acquire the CEO’s niece’s car. What an unexpected turn of events!’

After regaining his composure, he responded respectfully to Rafael. “I apologize once again, Young Master Briley, but there’s currently a situation that prevents me from assisting you with this matter.”

Rafael’s brows furrowed. “Go on,” he said, his voice taking on a colder tone.

“The reality is, that car was intended as a gift from our CEO to his niece. While we can certainly assist with placing an order, that specific car was meticulously prepared by our CEO himself. I trust you understand the situation,” the General Manager explained.

“Niece? I can’t say I’ve ever met CEO Jackson’s niece,” Rafael remarked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

“That’s understandable, Young Master Briley. She’s recently returned after exploring life outside, and the car was intended as a welcoming gesture from our CEO.” The General Manager respectfully explained, hoping Rafael would comprehend and acquiesce.

“Understood. I’ll handle my sister,” Rafael declared before ending the call. The General Manager felt as though he had aged several years due to the day’s events.

After piecing together the entirety of the situation, considering everything he had heard, and revisiting the messages from Minerva, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. His sister was evidently stirring up yet another problem outside, all while the recent one remained unresolved.

Rafael then sent a text to his sister. “Do not covet what does not belong to you. It seems you still haven’t learned your lessons. Hmm?!”

When Minerva’s phone buzzed, she eagerly checked the text from her brother, anticipating the usual “Done” message he typically sent when handling her affairs. However, she was taken aback to find herself being reprimanded instead. Her eyes flared with anger as she shot a glance over to Hera. ‘It must be because of her again!’ she seethed inwardly.

Her deduction seemed even more credible now; Hera must have truly seduced her brother. She couldn’t comprehend how he had discovered Hera’s involvement and her friend. Indignant, she grabbed Alexi’s arm, determined to leave and confront her brother about the matter. However, consumed with thoughts of Athena and the others, she failed to notice that Alexi’s gaze remained fixed on Hera’s face, his eyes still lingering on her with the gaze of a smitten fool.

Minerva was infuriated witnessing her boyfriend’s lingering attachment to his ex. Her anger surged to a boiling point, and she directed all her hatred towards the silent Hera, despite her lack of involvement in the situation. Minerva’s animosity towards Hera had escalated to a level of deep-seated hostility, with no sign of abating.

‘Very well, Hera! You truly are great!’ Minerva seethed inwardly. She now believed that coexisting with Hera was impossible—either she or Hera had to be eliminated, and Minerva was adamant that it should be Hera. With one final disdainful glance at Hera, Minerva stormed out, forcefully dragging Alexi along with her.