Chapter 3
1159words
Cherry Thorne stood before the building, gazing up at its cloud-piercing summit. Today, she would formally enter this battlefield as Vice President—a position once unreachable that she now must conquer.
She wore a razor-sharp navy suit dress, her long hair pulled back in a sleek knot. Her makeup was flawless yet cold, hiding last night's tear tracks and the shadows of sleeplessness.
She was no longer the Cherry Thorne who had humbled herself for love; she was a warrior coming to reclaim her dignity and power.
The Vice President's office awaited her—spacious and bright with an excellent view, yet sterile and impersonal.
Her secretary, a recent graduate named Vivian Linden, looked nervous as she placed a stack of documents on the desk.
"Deputy Director Thorne, these are the basic materials for the New Energy Project Department and files requiring immediate attention. President Sinclair suggested you familiarize yourself with them first. There's a department meeting at 10 a.m."
"Got it." Cherry nodded, her voice cool. "Bring me black coffee—no sugar, no milk. And have the resumes of all project department members sent to my office within an hour. Core technical staff and key management personnel especially."
Vivian looked startled, clearly not expecting this newly-appointed vice president—subject of rampant gossip—to be so decisive. She quickly nodded and backed out of the room.
Cherry sat down and opened the files. She knew that despite Sullivan's agreement to her terms, the company veterans who had built the empire alongside Old Mr. Sinclair would never accept her easily.
In their eyes, she was just a vice president who had "blackmailed her way to the top"—worth less than the decorative vase in the corner.
At ten o'clock sharp, Cherry strode into the project department's conference room.
When she entered, the previously buzzing room fell instantly silent. Over a dozen pairs of eyes locked onto her—some curious, some scrutinizing, some filled with undisguised contempt, others with barely concealed amusement, as if awaiting a comedy.
Project Manager Winston Zachary—a forty-something man with thinning hair—was a company veteran and staunch Sullivan loyalist.
He stood with a plastic smile. "Deputy Director Thorne, welcome, welcome. Everyone, this is Deputy Director Cherry Thorne, who will oversee our new energy sector from now on. She's just joined us and may not be familiar with our projects yet, so please offer your full support."
His words were polite, but his perfunctory tone and thinly veiled hostility were obvious.
Cherry appeared not to notice as she walked directly to the head seat and sat down, her cool gaze sweeping the room. "Let's begin."
During the first half of the meeting, Winston Zachary reported on the project's progress. He spoke rapidly, peppering his presentation with technical jargon—clearly trying to overwhelm Cherry and force her to retreat in confusion.
His report skimmed over crucial issues while dwelling on trivialities, briefly mentioning technical bottlenecks and funding delays before launching into lengthy descriptions of the project's "promising future."
Cherry listened quietly, occasionally making notes without interrupting.
When Winston finished, he looked at her with barely concealed smugness. "Deputy Director Thorne, do you have any further instructions?"
Cherry closed her notebook and fixed her gaze directly on Winston's face. "Manager Zachary, you mentioned a bottleneck in improving the battery's energy density, with lab data consistently below expectations. Where exactly is the problem? Material formulation or manufacturing process?"
Winston looked startled, clearly not expecting Cherry to zero in on this core technical issue. He replied vaguely, "Well… we're facing some challenges with material stability. The R&D department is working hard…"
"How long have they been 'working hard'?" Cherry cut him off, her voice steady but carrying unmistakable pressure. "Three months? This bottleneck has existed for over a quarter now. Is the research direction flawed? Are resources insufficient? Where's the detailed analysis of specific difficulties and proposed solutions? Why wasn't any of this in your presentation?"
Her methodical questions struck at the heart of the matter. Winston's forehead beaded with sweat as he stammered, "Deputy Director Thorne, technological development takes time, and these details…"
"Details determine success or failure." Cherry cut him off again, turning to a bespectacled man sitting quietly in the corner. "Engineer Lockhart, as the core technical expert on this project, please explain the main obstacles we're facing and potential breakthrough directions."
Engineer Lockhart looked startled at being addressed directly. He pushed up his glasses, glanced at Winston's darkening expression, then at Cherry's expectant face. After a moment's hesitation, he began explaining, his speech halting but precise.
Though not eloquent, his technical explanation was logically sound. He outlined both the challenges and attempted solutions with scientific precision.
Cherry listened intently, nodding occasionally. After Lockhart finished, she asked several targeted questions that revealed she wasn't ignorant about the technology. Her cramming session the night before was paying off.
The atmosphere in the room subtly shifted. Initially dismissive gazes gradually turned serious.
Cherry finally turned back to Winston, her tone brooking no argument. "Manager Zachary, I expect a detailed analysis of these technical bottlenecks by tomorrow afternoon, with specific solutions including timelines and resource requirements. Also provide a written explanation for the funding delays. Sinclair Corp hasn't invested millions to hear empty promises—I want to see results."
She stood and surveyed the room. "I don't care what opinions you hold about me personally. Now that I'm in this position, I have one goal: making this project succeed. I need problem-solvers who create value. For those with ability, I'll never withhold resources or support. For those just going through motions or creating obstacles—don't blame me when I enforce the rules."
Her voice wasn't loud, but its steel-edged determination reached every ear in the room.
"Meeting adjourned."
She was the first to exit, leaving behind a room full of stunned faces.
Winston's face turned ashen as he realized this young vice president would be far more formidable than he'd anticipated.
She was not only perceptive but forceful, and worse—she seemed to genuinely understand the business and wasn't afraid to challenge veteran executives like himself.
Cherry returned to her office, closed the door, and only then released a soft sigh. Her back was damp with cold sweat.
In this first battle, she had needed to establish her authority without showing the slightest hesitation.
She knew this was just the beginning—greater storms were brewing.
Vivian entered with a cup of black coffee, newfound respect in her eyes. "Deputy Director Thorne, your coffee."
"Thank you." Cherry took the cup and sipped. The bitter liquid slid down her throat, sharpening her focus.
At that moment, the internal phone rang. Sullivan Sinclair.
"Come up here." His voice betrayed nothing.
Cherry set down her coffee and straightened her collar.
She knew the real game was only beginning.
She would face challenges not only from her subordinates but also from the man who had forced her into this position.
