The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Everyone was doing their best not to burst out laughing!

Ms. Noella was just too hilarious. It had been years since anyone had dared to speak to Cosmo in such a bold manner at the office.

Noella's frank words also left Cosmo feeling like he had just been slapped across the face! He knew from the get-go that this new boss was going to be a handful!

If they let such a young woman run wild in the company, it might just spell disaster!

Noella, with an emotionless face and a frosty demeanor, said, “Cosmo, got a problem? You mentioned we're here for a meeting, yet I've seen nothing substantial so far.”

Cosmo had no choice but to move past the incident, taking several deep breaths internally before turning to Simeon. “Simeon, it’s your turn to present your career report, go ahead.”

Simeon just shrugged. “Boss, this meeting was sprung on us last minute. My career report isn’t due until the 3rd of next month; I'm not prepared. Looks like you’re up.”

Cosmo couldn’t keep his composure anymore!

“Simeon, shouldn’t your presentation be ready by now?”

“I only got the memo yesterday, and it mentioned the meeting on the 3rd of next month. Plus, I had over a dozen design drafts to revise. Do you think I have nothing else to do?”

Cosmo always wanted results the very next day, that’s just how he was! But not everyone was as idle as Cosmo.

Noella glanced through the overtime records of the design department.

Simeon was practically working overtime till 10 PM every day, though his regular duties were completed before the day ended.

Even so, Cosmo had once denied Simeon's overtime request, thinking Simeon was just after the overtime pay.

Yet, Simeon’s work still had to be finished on time. Thus, for a long period, Simeon worked unpaid overtime!

Noella raised an eyebrow, “Is Simeon the only employee in the design department? The overtime situation is unreasonable, and you’ve done nothing about it?”

Cosmo waved it off.

“Ms. Noella, you don’t understand. This Simeon, he slacks off during work hours and piles up all his work for the evening to claim overtime pay!”

Noella coldly replied, “Judging by the workload, it seems more likely that you, Cosmo, are the one after the overtime pay.”

Cosmo chuckled awkwardly, “That’s not true. I always complete my work on time, so I don’t need to do overtime!”

Noella’s gaze moved past Cosmo, landing on the honest face of Simeon.

“The overtime pay will be compensated. Falen Gemstones doesn’t mistreat any employee. Of course, those who wish to slack off aren’t welcome here.”

Simeon’s eyes lit up!

“Thank you, Ms. Schnabel!”

Cosmo grumbled, “Ms. Noella, you clearly don’t understand our company’s policies. Simeon is just trying to slack off!”

Noella closed the file in her hand, her clear, piercing gaze holding a hint of icy understanding.

“Cosmo, if Simeon is problematic, we can always discuss his dismissal. Or are you trying to save the company some severance expenses?”

Cosmo didn’t want to fire Simeon because without him, Cosmo would lose his go-to person for polishing his drafts! Cosmo’s gaze darted around, avoiding a direct answer.

“Of course, it’s because I’m concerned about Simeon, who has two kids to support… I couldn’t bear it…”

“Cosmo, if you’re using company resources to foster your personal sense of humanitarianism, I'm not in agreement. I’m in need of a design assistant. Simeon, let's have Marisol discuss your salary.”

Cosmo’s face twitched uncontrollably! Being the design department’s deputy director versus being the CEO’s design assistant, it was clear which position sounded more prestigious.

However, everyone in the design department knew that Simeon’s deputy director title was in name only. Being called deputy director meant being Cosmo’s errand boy!

Cosmo was visibly upset. “Ms. Noella, you can’t just demote Simeon upon your arrival.”

Noella looked at Simeon, calmly stating, “Your salary will increase by 20% on your current base, with your commission rate going from 50 to 60, and weekends off. I dislike overtime, consider it.”

Simeon’s eyes sparkled! With such a significant salary increase and no overtime, who cared if the job title didn’t sound as glamorous as before!

Knowing the hardships of his current position, and considering the lack of overtime pay, Simeon felt a surge of excitement meeting Noella's strategic gaze. He stood up, fists clenched, his blood boiling with enthusiasm.

“Absolutely! I’m thrilled to join your team!”

Cosmo’s cup spilled as he knocked it over in shock!

“Simeon, think this through. If you leave, you’ll have nothing to do with our team anymore!”

Noella scoffed.

“Cosmo, this company is now mine. Simeon will be working directly under me, still focusing on design, not much different from before. Or are you suggesting, Cosmo, that working with me puts him against you?”

Though Noella could say it, Cosmo couldn’t! Even if that’s what he thought, Cosmo could only manage a forced smile.

“Not at all. Ms. Noella, you misunderstand. I’m just expressing my regret for Simeon.”

Noella touched her earlobe, yawning.

“Let’s continue the meeting. If you’ve got nothing new to say, just repeat the last meeting’s content.” NôvelDrama.Org content.

“Ms. Noella, our meetings are not meant for repeating old content. That’s a waste of time…”

Noella raised an eyebrow, “I believe this meeting has been a waste of time. Since that’s the case, let’s call it a day.”

Cosmo initially called this meeting to put Noella in her place, but it turned out he was the one who got schooled!

Walking out of the meeting room, Simeon quickly followed behind Noella.

“Ms. Noella, are you sure about me? I only handled minor tasks in the design department.”

"I've gone through your drafts; they're far from trivial," Noella remarked, lifting her gaze briefly towards him.

"Simeon, if you think your work doesn't matter, you're selling yourself short," she added with a stern look that could pierce through any façade of nonchalance.

Simeon knew the weight of his responsibilities better than anyone else!

Feeling a shiver run down his spine at Noella's intense gaze, Simeon realized this was more than just a pep talk.

"Working as my design assistant won't be a walk in the park, and you won't have to deal with the design department's workload anymore. I'm curious to see if Cosmo can manage without your help, without the need to work overtime."

It was clear to Simeon that Noella was streamlining the company's operations, and he couldn't help but feel grateful.

Stepping into the office, Noella handed Simeon a document.

"I need your drafts based on the seasonal themes, reach out to our suppliers and gemstone sources, and prepare a comprehensive report on our jewelry line. Have it done within a week."

The workload was substantial, indeed.

With hundreds of emails to sift through from suppliers and partners at Falen Gemstones, Simeon knew he had his work cut out for him, yet it was only half of what he was used to!

"Got it!"

As Simeon exited the office, Marisol leaned in closer to Noella.

"Marisol, could you have Cosmo drop by? And, oh, ask him to bring me a glass of water, will you?"