A CEO No Longer to Be Pushed Around

I stared at the loss report on the desk, the dense numbers piercing my eyes like needles. My fingertips turned white; my knuckles ached from clenching. Tens of millions in direct losses, plus subsequent liquidated damages, weighed so heavily I could hardly breathe. "The new intern, Lisa Xavier, has botched three core projects within her first three months." Secretary Amy stood by the desk, speaking cautiously, "The first time, she miscalculated key data causing budget deviations; the second time, she lost critical partner documents, delaying progress; the third time, she relayed incorrect information, resulting in contract termination, and the company incurred five million in liquidated damages." I rubbed my throbbing temples and said, "Notify Human Resources to terminate Lisa Xavier immediately." Amy hesitated for a few seconds. "Ms. Lynn, Lisa Xavier is a distant relative of Mr. Taylor." "I am aware." I looked up, my gaze firm. "It is precisely because of this that we cannot show any leniency." "Have Justin Hall take over. He is meticulous and competent and can minimize the loss." Justin Hall is a long-standing employee of the company, having worked here for five years, rising from an entry-level position to a key member of the department. He is highly skilled and reliable but has yet to be promoted. Amy nodded. "Understood, Ms. Lynn. I will arrange it immediately." I lifted my coffee cup and had just touched its rim when a gossip notification popped up on my mobile phone — "CEO of the Lynn Group, is keeping a male subordinate Justin Hall as a mistress and forcing relatives out to support his lover." My heart suddenly sank, a chill spreading throughout my body. I trembled as I clicked on it; the poster was Lisa Xavier, whose profile featured a professional work photo. The post included several photos of Justin Hall and me together in the meeting room, shot from a cunning angle, deliberately suggesting intimacy. "Bella Lynn, abusing her CEO status, openly seduces her male subordinate Justin Hall. The office atmosphere is disgracefully ambiguous!" "I only made a few minor mistakes, yet she exaggerated everything to force me out. To be frank, it's to clear a spot for her lover!" "Bella Lynn is of questionable character and unfit to serve as CEO of the Lynn Group!" The comment section was flooded with obscene and indecent language. Clutching my mobile phone tightly, I dialed Edward Taylor, my tone icy: "Terminate Lisa Xavier immediately and have her delete those posts!" "Bella, please calm down first." Edward's voice sounded dismissive, "Lisa is young, just graduated and immature; it was merely a moment of impulsiveness. Don't take it to heart." "A moment of impulsiveness? Spreading rumors that I'm having an affair with a subordinate and ruining my reputation—is that what you call a moment of impulsiveness?" I sneered. "Perhaps there is a misunderstanding; I will ask her." Edward Taylor remained unfazed. "There is no misunderstanding!" I gritted my teeth. "I give you half an hour; either she deletes the post and issues a public apology, or I will have the Legal Department pursue legal action!" After hanging up, I leaned back in my office chair and closed my eyes, overcome with exhaustion. Married for three years, I believed we at least had basic trust; apparently, it was only my naivety.