The assistant’s face looked incredibly grim at this moment. Upon seeing Secretary Zhou’s expression, he promptly shut his mouth.

The Minister couldn’t have picked a worse time to badmouth someone, especially with Secretary Zhou standing right behind him. Wang Wei, sensing no movement whatsoever, became even more enraged. That coward dared not even refute him.

He couldn’t help but curl his lip: "Using that old hag to intimidate me day in and day out. Why don’t you hurry down to get the work done? And why are you all just standing here? Haven’t you noticed the new project has come through recently?"

Seeing Secretary Zhou standing behind Wang Wei, everyone silently prayed for Wang Wei’s sake.

Yet, at this moment, they couldn’t alert him; they simply pretended to be busy as Secretary Zhou’s face instantly darkened.

Though he worked for the CEO, he genuinely believed he hadn’t offended the head of the project department. But the head’s words were extremely unpleasant.

Lightly clearing his throat, Wang Wei mistook it for his assistant and prepared to scold him. Turning his head, he was met with Secretary Zhou’s gaze, and his legs suddenly went weak. Had he not grasped the nearby table, he might have stumbled.

"Oh, Secretary Zhou, what brings you here? Why didn’t you say anything? I could have sent someone to receive you."

Wang Wei spoke, forcing an incredibly awkward smile. He glared at his assistant, wondering why he hadn’t informed him of Secretary Zhou’s arrival.

He hoped Secretary Zhou hadn’t heard his previous remarks. With this thought, he hurriedly apologized: "Secretary Zhou, I misspoke earlier. Please don’t take it to heart. I truly admire you."

After Wang Wei’s spiel, not only Secretary Zhou but even those present didn’t believe him. Some even chuckled coldly, thinking Wang Wei was truly adept at pretending, speaking ill of Secretary Zhou right in front of him.

Secretary Zhou had no intention of forgiving Wang Wei, so he folded his arms, pulled over a chair, and sat down.

Wang Wei clenched his fist, irritated that this old witch still dared to show him an attitude. Once he became vice president, he vowed to make her pay. But for now, he had to pacify her, so he swallowed his pride.

At this moment, no one in the project department dared to breathe audibly, knowing Secretary Zhou’s loyalty to the CEO. They waited eagerly for Secretary Zhou to speak, but the secretary calmly placed a file on the table, curiously observing Wang Wei, whose demeanor broke under the scrutiny, leaving him with no choice but to hang his head.

He then looked up, wearing a flattering smile: "Oh dear, what seems to be troubling Secretary Zhou? If there’s an issue, let’s discuss it. Please don’t wear that expression; I’ve always wanted to build a good relationship with you. If you disdain my upbringing, I can minimize my presence, though we do have to interact in a work environment, right?"

Observing Wang Wei’s plump figure, Secretary Zhou felt no need to comment further, lightly coughing once.

Pointing to the file on the table, he departed, leaving Wang Wei staring at his retreating figure, spitting directly at it.

"That old witch is nothing but a miscreant at the CEO’s side. To dare show me attitude now, I’ll certainly sort her out in the future. And you all, hurry up and get back to work instead of gawking."

Upon Wang Wei’s directive, others became curious about the file’s contents. Recently, word had gotten around about the financial department’s plight; now they worried it would be the project’s turn. Concerned yet unable to approach directly, they strained their ears.

Wang Wei casually opened the files, shocked to find a dismissal notice inside. Terrified, he flipped through it, revealing it was for him. The CEO had terminated him, and the official seal confirmed it.

Disbelieving, he flipped it back and forth, scrutinizing the text which contained no errors. He sank into his chair, unable even to contemplate anything further.

Seeing Wang Wei in shambles, his secretary was the most pleased. Glancing over, her sudden outburst couldn’t be contained: "Oh my, I can’t believe the CEO directly fired the Minister!"

The assistant’s comment left Wang Wei utterly embarrassed. But in his current state, he lacked the strength even to reprimand her, rising instead from his chair, his face pale.

Grabbing the document, he sprinted to the CEO’s office, barging in without knocking—a remnant of his delusion of grandeur.

Xu Ke was long prepared for Wang Wei’s arrival, but didn’t spare him a glance. Upon seeing Xu Ke, Wang Wei’s anger boiled over, slamming the file heavily onto the desk.

"CEO, what is the meaning of this? I’ve been wholeheartedly committed to the company, yet you want to dismiss me? Surely you can’t justify this to the board members?"

Finishing his tirade, he tossed his long hair assertively, confident in his tight connections with board members who had assured him of his vice-presidency. He had ties with Headquarters, too, making him fearless before Xu Ke.

Xu Ke cast a glance at Wang Wei, resembling a mere rebellious youth: "You’re aware of the project you managed, yet you come questioning me—that’s hardly necessary."

"And remit what you owe to the company immediately. I’ll have someone else take over this project. We’re terminating collaboration with Natural Company due to the presence of numerous non-natural additives in its products; it’s utterly unreliable."

Having said this, Xu Ke ignored Wang Wei, who felt his mind explode like fireworks. How did Xu Ke learn of this—he thought he’d concealed it thoroughly? Perhaps someone had deliberately unveiled his behavior. Dwelling on this, Wang Wei’s face darkened.

It must have been his assistant. Storming out of the office with this realization, Wang Wei burst into the project department, kicking open the door. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Ah, you traitorous rat! I’ve been so kind to you, yet you snitched on me to the CEO, using such shameful tactics. I can’t bear it anymore. You’re fired; are you satisfied now? But don’t think you’ll escape unscathed."

With this, Wang Wei seized his trembling assistant, violently yanking his hair, preparing to kick him.

Colleagues intervened swiftly. Wang Wei, dismissed, no longer commanded any authority in their eyes. They were unwilling to entertain his directives.

Wang Wei’s dictatorial approach had caused them endless frustrations—they’d offer suggestions only to face his wrath. With this rare opportunity to ridicule Wang Wei, none wished to pass it up.