The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 46 Autumn's Back in the Office

The next morning, Charles got up silently to avoid waking up Autumn. After getting dressed, he went to work. As Autumn didn't have to go to work today, he let her sleep a little longer. Soon, Autumn got a call from the HR Department. The call woke her up.

When she went downstairs, she saw Gary watering the flowers alone in the garden. She cried out gladly, "Grandpa." Hearing her passionate greeting, Gary said, "Why did you not sleep a little longer?" Autumn replied, "I got a call from the office. I have to go to the company to finish some procedures of resignation."

Gary frowned and said, "Chris can give you a ride as she is also going outside." 'Every time Autumn went out, she had to take a subway. It's not very convenient. I must talk to Charles about this next time.' Gary thought to himself.

Autumn declined immediately, "I'd rather not give her any trouble, grandpa."

Hearing their conversation, Chris came and said, "That's fine.". Chris took her by the arm, and said, "Let's go. I'll take you to the office."

While they walked out of the house, Gary asked Autumn to get things done quickly so she could come home early. After she got in the car, Autumn told Chris the address of her office. Thinking of Gary's words, she asked curiously, "Where are you going today?"

"Few days ago, I got an offer from a hotel. Today, I will go there for an interview." Chris said smilingly,"I learnt hotel management at college. I think that hotel is perfect for me, so I plan to work there if I pass the interview."

"Why didn't you ask your brother to get you a job?" In Autumn's eyes, Chris had been a protected child ever since her childhood. She was a spoilt princess. Autumn never imagined that Chris would replace a job on her own.

"I can't always rely on my brother." Chris tried to smile and said, "It's not easy for him to run such a big company. As his sister, I can't lag behind him. So I want to see how far I can go and whether I can support myself without my brother's help."

Hearing this, Autumn began admiring Chris. She thought the two of them were very alike.

Chris drove the car to the Cloud Advertising Company and said, "Autumn, I can wait for you here." Autumn slightly shook her head and said, "Don't you have an interview? Go there now. I don't know when things will finish here. I'll take the subway later."

"Alright." Chris nodded slightly, and said, "Then I'll go now. Take care of yourself on your way back home."

Autumn didn't go upstairs until Chris left. When she entered the office, Leila walked up to her and said, "Ye, you are finally here."

Autumn glanced at Leila's face, and asked in confusion, "What's going on?" She was surprised by Leila's excessive enthusiasm.

"This time Paula pissed off our boss." Leila grabbed her arm, and they walked to a quiet corner. She said, "Paula went to Shining Company after you left yesterday. I heard that things didn't go well and Mr. Lu from Shining Company made it clear that he wouldn't cooperate with our company without you."

Leila looked around cautiously and continued, "Ye, after Paula told this to Mr. Zhou, he was shocked. Today Mr. Zhou himself went to the Shining Company to solve this problem, but he didn't even get to meet Mr. Lu. On coming back to the office, he scolded Paula and asked her to get you back immediately. Today the call from HR Department that you received was her plan to get you back in office."

After pausing for a moment, Leila continued, "Mr. Zhou said that if she cannot solve this, she will have to quit her position as planning director. Now she has become a laughingstock in the company. She became planning director yesterday but now she will get demoted soon."

Autumn frowned in disdain.

When Paula got promoted to planning director yesterday, they all tried to please her. But in just one day, their attitude towards her changed.' She mused.

Autumn didn't make any comment on it, but said, "Well, I see." She added, "It's work hours, go get back to your work."

'It's impossible to come here without meeting a companion. Besides, I have to go to the HR Department to get my money.' She thought.

"Ye." After hesitating for a while, Leila took Autumn by her arm and asked, "What's going on between you and Mr. Lu? Why did he do this for you? Do you really..."

Autumn stopped her immediately and said, "What are you thinking?" She frowned slightly and proceeded, "Perhaps Mr. Lu made this decision because he was worried that she would screw it up. After all, Paula didn't participate in this case. Don't talk nonsense. Mr. Lu and I are clean. Don't spread this rumour."

Hearing this, Leila became a bit displeased. She replied in embarrassment, "I won't spread the rumour."

Then, Autumn went to the HR Department directly. She found the accountant and said, "Mr. Li, I'm here to receive my bonus and salary."

The bonus in the past few years added up to a huge sum of money. In her eyes, she deserved the money for she had worked hard all these years.

At the sight of Autumn, Mr. Li treated her nicely. He asked her to sit down patiently and said, "Ye, you are finally here. Please be seated. I have some matters to deal with, please wait for a moment."

"It's fine. Take your time," Autumn said. She took a seat, and then Mr. Li brought her a cup of tea. A few minutes later, the door was opened.

Paula came in and walked to Autumn. When they looked at each other in the eye, a bit of embarrassment and anger flashed through Paula's eyes. Paula stood in front of Autumn and said, "Mr. Zhou wants to meet you in his office."

"For what?" Autumn didn't raise her head, but kept drinking the tea. She said, "I have nothing to do with this company since I was fired. I have no reason to meet Mr. Zhou. Besides, I got nothing to talk with him.

Upon hearing this, Paula got more angry. Her face turned red. She stammered, "You..." 'She is right. Since she isn't an employee of the company anymore, she didn't have to listen to Mr. Zhou.' Paula thought to herself.

Paula overcame her anger. 'It's a bad idea to piss Ye off at this moment. I can't be the laughingstock in the company.

I should try and convince her instead.' She told herself.

"Autumn, I'm sure that you have already known why I am here. You've worked for this company for years. Now our company is in trouble, you're supposed to offer a helping hand even though you left this company a while ago." Paula softened her voice and continued, "Now, Mr. Zhou is waiting for you in his office. We have been companions for years. Can you do me this favour and come see him?"

"Do you a favor?" Autumn laughed coldly and said, "Did you treat me as your companion when you framed me in all this?"

Paula looked perturbed and replied, "I didn't." Did she replace out what happened yesterday?

How is it possible? If Mrs. Lu knows Ye flirts with her husband, she wouldn't let it go so easily.' She wondered.

"Come on." Autumn said with a grim face, "You're right that we are companions for years. That's why I know what type of a person you are. Don't you remember what you said to me at the exit gate yesterday? Now you're desperate, so you come to me for help."

"Don't you hate me the most here? So why come to me for help?"