Chapter 301
Seeing George’s smug look, Charles shook his head. Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, “George, what is Shakira handling in your team now?”
George responded cheerfully, “Mr. Gordon, Shakira is still getting used to things. Give it a few days, and I’ll evaluate her abilities before assigning her new tasks.”
Charles said, “You’re just wasting time. I think Shakira should participate in the Norpa project, not as an intern, but as a full- fledged team member.”
As soon as he said this, many in the meeting room gasped. They thought, ‘Shakira will be promoted to a full team member after only two days of internship? Normally, it will take at least a three–month transition period.’
Everyone was curious and wondered, ‘It’s just some meeting follow–up material. How impressive could Shakira be?‘ As for David and the other team leaders, they looked at George with so much envy.
If George hadn’t spoken up first yesterday, Shakira would have joined their team. Grinning, George quickly said, “Alright, we’ll go with Mr. Gordon’s decision.”
He winked at Shakira. “Aren’t you going to thank Mr. Gordon for the promotion?”
Charles said to Shakira, “Don’t listen to George; I don’t need flattery. At Lopez Group, we let ability speak for itself. Keep up the good work.”
Shakira nodded seriously. “Got it, Mr., Gordon.”
After the meeting ended, everyone left the room. Quincy tried to join David’s team, but David just told him to go to the warehouse to organize the files.
Quincy got upset with displeasure. As he turned back, he casually noticed Shakira walking behind him and angrily glared at her. Shakira paid no attention.
Rachel and Larry walked over. Rachel admired Shakira and spoke with her pen in a mechanical voice, “Larry and I were worried about you, but we shouldn’t have been. You’re amazing. Even the strict Mr. Gordon praised you and promoted you
to a team member.”
Larry looked cold, but he had a calming warmth in his voice. “It’s clear Mr. Gordon really appreciates you.”
Shakira curled her lips into a smile, “Thanks.”
“You don’t have to be so polite with us; we’re all interns here. We can help each other out if needed.” Rachel’s face looked shy, but when she smiled, her cheeks showed adorable dimples.
Shakira nodded. “Alright.” Noticing their closeness, she asked, “Did you know each other before joining the Lopez Group?”
Larry answered honestly, “Rachel and I are neighbors; we grew up together.”
Rachel moved closer, and spoke with the pen, “Let’s go to the cafeteria for lunch. I won a free meal yesterday. It’s on me today.”
Shakira blinked and said, “I have another friend. I wonder if she can join us for a free meal?”
Rachel’s eyes sparkled even more. “Sure. Shakira’s friend is very welcome.”
Shakira sent a message to Xanthe, and the four of them gathered at a table. The lively and straightforward Xanthe got along with the shy and sweet Rachel immediately. Both liked to gossip chatting away non–stop.
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Larry would occasionally join in with a few comments, while Shakira just listened quietly, enjoying the gossip as she ate.
In the afternoon, Shakira returned to work, and Maris came over a bit nervously. “Shakira, I’m glad you did well during yesterday’s meeting, or our team would have been in trouble.”
Maris, still a bit shaken, felt somewhat guilty thinking back to how cold she had been towards Shakira.
“I’ve sent you all the information on the Norpa project. Take a look, and feel free to ask me if you have any questions. We’ll handle this project together from now on,” Maris said.
Shakira sensed Maris’s attempt to curry favor with her and politely accepted before getting back to work
There was a welcome party for the month’s new employees this evening. Several department heads had arranged a venue, and everyone gathered to celebrate.
Shakira understood she couldn’t avoid the event. Before leaving she sent Walter a message telling him to have dinner without waiting for her. However, he didn’t reply, and Shakira guessed he was probably busy.
When Shakira arrived at the company’s open–air barbecue area, she noticed the understated yet prestigious Maybach parked across the artificial lake and felt nervous.
The colleagues around said in amazement, “Wow, someone actually drove a Maybach into this place. Whose car could it be?”
“It has a special license plate number. Could it be Mr. Lopez’s car?” one man said.
“Are you crazy? There’s no way Mr. Lopez would show up at our newbie welcome party; it’s probably some top executive’s car,” another man said.
“You don’t know, do you? There’s gossip that Mr. Lopez has a girlfriend within our company,” a woman said.
“Didn’t Brian personally debunk that rumor yesterday? Yet you still believe it?” another woman asked.
“You’re behind on the gossip. Brian debunked the rumor about Ms. Banks bragging about her closeness with Mr. Lopez, It turns out, Mr. Lopez’s girlfriend is someone else,” the woman said.
“Oh my gosh, does that mean Mr. Lopez’s girlfriend is one of us one asked.
The gossip was in full swing when Xanthe whispered in Shakira’s ear, “Isn’t she among us?”
Shakira shivered slightly and gave Xanthe a reproachful look, who was smug because she knew the biggest secret. Shakira asked her, “Did you tell him yesterday?”
Xanthe, who had been subtly helping Walter, quickly changed the topic. “Hey, why isn’t the moon out tonight? Where is it?”
Shakira thought, ‘With such a big moon overhead, are you blind?‘
Before Shakira could question her again, Xanthe quickly invited Rachel and Larry to go for a barbecue, completely blocking Shakira’s chance to get answers.
After dinner, colleagues gathered in small groups to drink and play games. Maris invited some people from Norpa to join in. When it was time for games, she called Shakira over, “Shakira, come join us. The more, the merrier.”
Shakira was about to refuse, but Xanthe saw Berry standing with people from Norpa. She immediately linked her arm with Shakira’s and approached with a sweet smile, “Sure. Can I play too?”
Shakira didn’t say anything.
Maris paused for a moment and said, “Uh, sure.”
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Xanthe, the friendly one, pulled Shakira down to sit. “What are we playing?”
“Never Have I Ever,” a girl from Norpa explained the rules, “Everyone has five chances to say something they’ve done that others might not have.”
“If someone hasn’t done it, he folds down a finger. If they have, the person who said it folds down a finger. Whoever folds all five fingers first has to accept a punishment set by the person with the fewest fingers folded,” the girl added.
Xanthe smiled, “No problem.” Then she leaned in to whisper to Shakira, “Shakira, it’s two against one. We have to take down that little brat.” Shakira didn’t know what to say.
Berry felt Xanthe’s icy glare. She quickly took the lead and said, “I’ll go first.” She held up five fingers, her eyes twinkling with a hint of unintended pride. “I…once called Brian late at night.”
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