The sound of that slap was exceptionally clear, and in an instant, everyone's eyes turned toward the source.
Qin Xi, her face stunned, covered the spot where Wang Meng had struck her, angrily exclaiming, "You—you actually hit me!"
"I hit you because you deserve it, you shameless woman. How many of the tasks I assigned to you have you actually completed?"
"I told you to negotiate cooperation with the Xiong family, but what happened? Not only did you fail to secure the deal, you even offended them."
"If you can't handle big tasks, fine, but now you can't even make a few copies properly. Was I wrong to hit you? If you don't want to work here anymore, quit and get out!"
Wang Meng acted as though she had every right to hit Qin Xi, listing several of her so-called "mistakes."
Many of the onlookers wore expressions of amusement, and even if some wanted to help, they didn't dare. It was obvious to everyone that Wang Meng was deliberately picking on her.
Qin Xi's eyes reddened, her heart filled with grievance and indignation. But since Wang Meng was her superior, she had no choice but to obey.
"Print twenty single-sided copies of all the documents. If you delay the meeting, even if you don't resign, you'll be fired!" Wang Meng snarled viciously.
Biting her lip, Qin Xi had no choice but to comply with Wang Meng's demands.
"Sister Meng, you're amazing! You've got that vixen completely under your thumb."
"Look who Sister Meng is—she's the head of our sales department. That shameless woman thinks she's something just because she's a little pretty. We've all been sick of her for a long time."
"Sister Meng, my husband brought back this authentic Dior from his business trip abroad. I think this shade would look perfect on you. It's still sealed—here, it's yours!"
...
As soon as Qin Xi left, several young women immediately crowded around Wang Meng, some flattering her, others offering gifts. Wang Meng reveled in the attention.
Before long, Qin Xi returned with twenty freshly printed copies of the materials.
"I've printed them all single-sided as you asked," Qin Xi said, carrying a stack of documents.
Wang Meng suddenly smirked. "You can take them back now."
"What do you mean?" Qin Xi frowned.
Wang Meng, holding a cup of coffee, replied with a smile, "I just felt like messing with you. Now that I've had my fun, why would I want you lingering in front of me?"
*Slap!*
Qin Xi lost her temper, slamming the documents onto the table. "You get off on tormenting me, don't you?"
"You dare slam the table at me? Do you not want this job anymore?" Wang Meng threatened.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Xi coldly asked, "Wang Meng, do you really think becoming a department head means you can bully everyone in this company?"
For a moment, Qin Xi's aura was overwhelming, and Wang Meng felt a flicker of fear, as if the formidable female president from years past had returned.
But the thought vanished as quickly as it came.
Wang Meng, now furious, snapped, "That's right! Becoming the sales department head *is* a big deal—at least a hundred times better than a worthless woman like you."
"Don't think I don't know what you're planning. You want to climb back up from the bottom, step by step, until you reach the top again. But let me tell you, as long as I'm here, you'll never surpass me. Every day you're under me, I'll make sure you suffer."
Her face twisted with malice, making Qin Xi's heart ache.
Back when Qin Xi was the company president, Wang Meng had been nothing more than a fresh graduate. Qin Xi had taken pity on her poor background and made an exception by hiring her as her personal secretary, even paying her twice the standard entry-level salary.
Yet now, in Qin Xi's lowest moment, Wang Meng was the one humiliating her.
Qin Xi's expression gradually turned icy. She gave Wang Meng a deep look. "I hope you won't regret this."
With that, she turned and walked back to her workstation.
"Who does she think she is? Does she really believe she's still the president from five years ago?" Wang Meng scoffed, though for some reason, Qin Xi's words left her with an uneasy feeling.
Just after Qin Xi left, a heavily made-up woman walked over holding a "flowing red flag" award, smiling as she announced, "Congratulations, Director Wang! This month's company-wide department evaluation ranked the sales department first in overall performance. And you've been personally awarded a 100,000-yuan bonus!"
"Really?" Wang Meng was overjoyed, her earlier gloom instantly forgotten.
"Of course! Here's the award flag, and the bonus will be included in this month's salary," the woman said with a grin.
"Thank you, Sister Liu! When I get my paycheck, I'll treat you to a feast," Wang Meng said excitedly.
"I'll hold you to that!" The woman laughed before leaving.
News of the sales department's first-place ranking spread quickly, and soon, many people came to congratulate Wang Meng.
"Director Wang, congratulations!"
"The deputy manager position in the sales department is vacant—maybe it's being saved just for you!"
"Director Wang, once you get promoted, don't forget about us old friends!"
...
For a while, everyone fawned over Wang Meng.
"Thank you all for your support! To show my appreciation, tonight I'm treating everyone to dinner at Beiyuanchun Restaurant!"
Wang Meng's announcement was met with cheers. "Long live Director Wang!"
But then, a mocking smile curled on Wang Meng's lips as she glanced toward Qin Xi's direction. "Everyone is invited—except for *her*."
Even if Wang Meng had invited her, Qin Xi wouldn't have gone. But by publicly excluding her, Wang Meng had delivered a blatant insult.
Qin Xi's eyes reddened as she looked at Wang Meng with disappointment. "Then I hope you enjoy your dinner."
"No need for your concern!"
Wang Meng sneered. "You'd better go home and have your useless husband cook for you instead! Hahaha!"
"Hahaha..."
The crowd burst into laughter, echoing Wang Meng's mockery.
Qin Xi shot Wang Meng a cold glance, then pulled out her phone and sent a text message.
Meanwhile, at Yan Chen Group, Yang Chen was listening to Luo Bin's work report when his phone buzzed with a new message.
Opening it, he saw it was from Qin Xi. The message was brief:
**"I want to be general manager."**
A faint smile touched Yang Chen's lips as he typed a single-word reply:
**"Done."**
After sending it, he turned to Luo Bin. "Draft an official red-headed document in the headquarters' name, appointing Qin Xi as general manager of Sanhe Group."
"Yes, Chairman!" Luo Bin replied, slightly startled.
"If she's being forced to ask me directly, she must have suffered extreme humiliation and unfair treatment at the company. In that case, investigate it thoroughly."
After a brief pause, Yang Chen added, "Especially that woman named Wang Meng. Focus on her. If there's nothing wrong, find an excuse to fire her. If there is, show no mercy—hand all the evidence to the police."
"Understood. I'll handle this personally," Luo Bin said before leaving.