CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: THE GRIM REAPER’S ABOUT TO LECTURE YOU

The next afternoon, Clara received the test results from the testing agency.

She took the results to the company’s technical department and asked them to help with fingerprint screening.

She thought it would take some persuasion.

Unexpectedly, the leader of the technical department smiled as soon as he saw her and said, "Assistant Sterling, right? Special Assistant Lynch already mentioned it to me today; just hand over the materials to me, and I’ll arrange for the screening."

Clara was puzzled, "Special Assistant Lynch?"

"It’s Zachary Lynch, Special Assistant to President Sheffield."

It turned out Silas Sheffield had already instructed him.

Clara nodded and handed over the materials, "Alright, I’ve also sent the electronic files over, I appreciate it."

Soon, the technical department completed the screening.

Clara’s suspicion was correct.

Jonah Shaw had indeed handled this document.

She took the evidence to Julian Hawthorne’s office.

The surveillance video on Julian’s side had also been repaired.

The footage showed that during afternoon tea yesterday, everyone went to the break room for snacks, and Jonah Shaw took a piece of paper to Clara Sterling’s workstation.

With the evidence conclusive, Julian Hawthorne called Jonah Shaw to the office for a talk.

Clara returned to her workstation.

Lisa Holloway leaned over and asked, "How did it go? Did you find out?"

"It was Jonah Shaw."

"I knew it was him," Lisa Holloway said, "No one else would do that kind of thing."

Clara frowned, "I can’t figure out why he would do this. How would it benefit him?"

Lisa Holloway lowered her voice and whispered, "It’s definitely to get you out of the way, so he can get promoted to President Hawthorne’s senior assistant."

"Senior assistant?"

"Yes, the three of us are currently at the same level, but if someone gets promoted to senior assistant, it would be different. A senior assistant is above a regular assistant, and the salary is two thousand higher. Jonah Shaw is just jealous of your abilities, afraid you’ll get promoted and take his assistant position."

So that’s how it is.

Clara curled her lips into a cold smile.

"Even if I leave, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll get the position. Your abilities are also better than his, and after what happened last time, President Hawthorne likely doesn’t have a favorable view of him."

Lisa Holloway scoffed, "Yeah, he’s just like that, a deceitful person, yet so full of himself, always thinking he’s so impressive."

"If someone lacks skills, they resort to scheming," Clara said, "People like that never achieve success anywhere."

As she spoke, the door to Julian Hawthorne’s office opened.

Jonah Shaw walked out.

His face was gloomy.

He walked to his desk and said coldly to Clara Sterling, "Didn’t expect you had some tricks."

Clara retorted, "Actions speak louder than words. Instead of spending time framing me, you should use that time to improve your skills."

"Hah, don’t be smug," Jonah Shaw sneered, "Even if I leave Sheffield, I can still find a great job with my credentials."

"And you..." Jonah Shaw looked at her with disdain, "You’re nothing but a pretty face."

Lisa Holloway couldn’t stand it anymore, "Are you brain-dead? Your skills aren’t as good, so you resort to tricks to frame others, just leave!"

...

Jonah Shaw was fired that afternoon.

After he left, Julian Hawthorne walked over to Clara Sterling and said, "Come with me to the president’s office, we need to report this to the president."

Clara was slightly taken aback, "Pre... President?"

"Yes." Julian Hawthorne smiled slightly, "Don’t be nervous, the matter has been investigated, and since you’ve been framed, I’m sure President Sheffield won’t make it hard for you."

"Oh... okay..."

Lisa Holloway whispered, only loud enough for Clara to hear, "You’re done for, The Grim Reaper is going to chew you out, hang in there sister, I can’t do anything to help."

Lisa Holloway’s sympathetic and sorrowful expression made Clara laugh.

"It’s alright, I heard President Sheffield is quite reasonable."

"You’re new so you don’t know, President Sheffield is very strict with subordinates, and he has high standards. Although this isn’t your fault, losing five million for the company is a serious matter, good luck sister."

Several colleagues heard Julian Hawthorne say he was taking Clara Sterling to the president’s office.

They showed sympathetic looks.

After Clara left, everyone started whispering.

"Is Clara Sterling going to get fired?"

"I don’t think so, wasn’t she framed by Jonah Shaw? Jonah Shaw’s been fired, maybe she’ll just get scolded."

"Hard to say, she’s facing The Grim Reaper," the person said with a shiver.

"Yeah, President Sheffield is very strict, even though Clara Sterling was framed, she still has some responsibility for not safeguarding the contract."

"I feel she might not get fired, but she surely won’t escape a reprimand."

"Just thinking about President Sheffield’s icy stare makes me scared."

"She’s really unlucky; only here for a month and she’s caught up in this mess."

Silas Sheffield’s office is on the top floor.

This was Clara’s first time going to his office.

She felt a bit nervous.

The elevator door opened, and Clara followed Julian Hawthorne inside.

Along the way, people greeted Julian Hawthorne.

"President Hawthorne."

"Hello, President Hawthorne."

The entire 30th floor, half of it is Silas Sheffield’s office.

The remaining half is the office area for his assistants and secretaries.

Julian Hawthorne walked through the assistant area, leading Clara inside and knocked on the door, "Knock knock knock."

"Come in."

The door opened.

The office interior was simple yet luxurious.

Using black and gray as the main color tones.

Silas Sheffield sat behind a large black desk.

Behind him was a broad window, offering a splendid view of the city’s skyline.

Silas Sheffield was engrossed in processing documents.

Julian Hawthorne: "President Sheffield, Clara Sterling is here."

Silas Sheffield lifted his head and looked over.

Clara pressed her lips together.

Silas Sheffield replied indifferently with a "hmm."

Julian Hawthorne left once he brought her in.

Clara thought Julian would report the situation with her.

Turns out Julian’s task was just to bring her there.

He left.

In the vast office, only Clara Sterling and Silas Sheffield were present.

"Come over," Silas Sheffield still showed no expression.

Clara obediently walked over.

Stopping in front of his desk.

His voice was magnetic, "Come to me."

Clara moved her feet around the desk, walking to Silas Sheffield’s side.

He reached out and pulled Clara to sit on his lap.

"Everything’s been cleared up?"

The pleasant woody scent subtly filled her nose, diffusing into her lungs.

Clara replied with an "Mm."

"Were you scared?"

"A bit, but it was good to get it cleared up."

Silas Sheffield, dressed in a light gray suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, exuded both sophistication and reserve.

Clara, sitting on his lap, felt the warmth of his embrace, her heart beating faster.

This was in his office.

Being so openly intimate, what if someone comes in later?

Silas Sheffield picked up a bag from beneath the desk and placed a box on the table.

"Your favorite blueberry cupcake."

Clara was surprised, "When did you get it?"

"Just had it delivered."

Silas Sheffield scooped a piece of cake with a spoon and held it to Clara’s lips, "Have some dessert to calm your nerves."