Helen's POV:
Because the Vlibert Company's project this time was relatively simple, we were able to quickly collect
relevant information.
All we needed to do now was to go back and perfect the report.
However, Anya didn't tell us to go back right away.
Instead, she gave us a day off.
Once Mattie was done with her report, she went to all the scenic spots in high spirits.I grew up in
Philadelphia, so nothing here seemed new and exciting to me.
Besides, during our business trip, I didn't think we have any real free time.
Anya might've brought us here to Philadelphia with other motives in mind.
After all, a small business deal with Vlibert Company wouldn't be enough to hold her attention.
But in all honesty, it was hard to guess what she might be thinking.
Coincidentally, I noticed a poster that read "Philadelphia Youth Robotics Competition" in the lobby of
our hotel.
The sponsor of the competition happened to be Zhester Technology.
And just as I had expected, Anya was in the venue of the competition.She was chatting with Boswell,
the chief technology officer of Zhester Technology.
"Helen!"
Anya beckoned me to come closer and said, "Why don't you go help Mr.Deleon with the setup of the
competition?"
I noticed that there was a female staff member busy setting up the site, so I hurriedly helped her.
Anya seemed to be in a good mood after successfully getting in touch with Boswell.He was no longer
talking down on me.
Once we returned to New York, I got off the plane and went home right away.
After taking a shower, I checked all the reports for the past few days on my laptop.
And once I was sure that everything was okay, I shut the laptop down.
This was my first project, so I didn't want to screw it up.
While I was away on a business trip to Philadelphia, I couldn't sleep well.It was rare for me to get some
sleep until dawn, so when I woke up today to the first ray of sunshine, I was filled with energy and I was
in a chipper mood.
The next day of work, I found that there was a tension in the air when we were holding a meeting to
discuss the Vlibert Company's project.
Anya threw a pile of documents in front of Mattie and shouted, "What the hell is this pile of garbage? Is
this all you have to show after we went on a business trip for four days?"
It was Mattie’s report.
There must be over a hundred pages in that report.
Aside from the part that she wrote herself, the document contained all kinds of information provided by
Vlibert Company.
In all fairness, the report was comprehensive.
But for some reason, Anya was very dissatisfied with it.
Mattie'’s eyes turned red.She sorted the documents out one by one.
Suddenly, she looked at me with eyes filled with resentment.
Before I could think any further, she pointed at me and said, "Boss, I'm only responsible for collecting
and summarizing the materials.As a matter of fact, the final review was completed by Helen!"
Her words left me stunned for a moment.it didn't take me long to realize that Mattie had pulled me
down with her.
That night, in the hotel, I helped her modify the report out of kindness.
But now that I had time to think about it, I realized that she had an evil plan all along.She deliberately
asked me for help on her report just to entrap me!
If Anya were satisfied with the report, Mattie could hog all the credit.
But if she were dissatisfied, Mattie could just use me as a scapegoat and pass all the blame on me,
because it was true that I had helped her with the report.
The meeting room fell into dead silence.
One might even hear the sound of a needle dropping in here.
Everyone's eyes fell on me, and I could tell that they were waiting for something entertaining to
happen.
Anya frowned at me, visibly dissatisfied.
"Did you really check her report? All the data that Vlibert Company provided can be falsified.Even as
an assistant lawyer, you're supposed to know that already! Isn't it irresponsible for you to hand over
data that hasn't been verified to the clients?"
The sound of her voice was frightening, but her piercing gaze was even more terrifying.
Meanwhile, Mattie was staring at me as though she had nothing to do with it.The others didn't bother to
analyze the situation further.
Even though Mattie wrote the report, they believed that I should be responsible for it, considering that I
did the final review.
"Yes, it's true that I'm charge of reviewing the data, but when I came home last night, I added some
new info into it.However, I haven't had the time to communicate with Mattie.This new report here is the
result of my investigation after visiting supermarkets, restaurants, and retail stores in Philadelphia
yesterday afternoon."
Before Anya could scold me, I took out another report and handed it to her.
Thereafter, she read through the report intently.
Slowly, her creased eyebrows relaxed and she threw the report at Mattie.
"This is how you're supposed to do a report! Learn from her.I gave you two a day off yesterday to do
this.Do you honestly think that I want you to go sightseeing in Philadelphia?"
Mattie's face turned red, lowering her head in humiliation.
Now, Anya turned her gaze towards the others.
"You're all the same as her! I gave you all the same opportunity.Whether you can seize it or not is
dependent on how good you are.While you're out there, travelling and having fun, the others have
already left you far behind!"
All of a sudden, someone stood up and spoke in defense of Mattie.
"Helen, you and Mattie were on a business trip together.Why couldn't you negotiate between
yourselves to work out a schedule? You acted on your own to hog all the credit.You have no idea how
to help and cooperate with your coworkers!"
Some other lawyers nodded in agreement and echoed the sentiment.
The only one who defended me was Phil.
"Why are you blaming those who take the initiative to work? Is being lazy something to be proud of?
Think about this carefully.After Helen joined the company, she's done everything you asked her to do
for you and she did a fine job at it! Her only problem is that she's not very good at expressing
herself.Miss Pierce, I'd like to put in a request to invite Helen into my team.I will personally mentor her!"
I was so shocked that I looked at Phil.Ever since I joined the company, he had taken good care of me,
but I never wanted to work for him.His way of handling cases was too wild, and he never acted
according to common sense.It wasn't that his methods weren't good, but they just weren't suited to my
personality.
Just as I was thinking of how to politely refuse Phil's suggestion, Anya said, "Sadly, I can't give her to
you for the time being.She'll be working on the Zhester Technology's case with me."
Everyone in the meeting room burst into an uproar upon hearing her declaration.My heart was racing
so fast that I almost doubted if I heard her right.
If Zhester Technology really chose us to represent them and the acquisition case could be handled
smoothly, it could be a new high to Hesmor Law Firm.It was a really big case.
Moreover, I was a newcomer.
Even the senior lawyers in the department might not be qualified to participate in the case.
Yet I got the precious opportunity! As tears blurred my vision, I looked at Anya gratefully.
"Thank you for the opportunity, Miss Pierce.I'll do everything I can to make sure this case succeeds!"
That afternoon, Anya took me and Phil to Zhester Technology.
While we were in Philadelphia, Anya and Boswell was able to get acquainted with each other.
Boswell showed us around the exhibition area and the office.He also showed us several high-tech
products that their company had developed.
Later on, he took us to the meeting room.
"Miss Pierce, I have to be honest.Meeting with me now isn't going to help you.Mr.Affleck is currently
abroad, and he won't be back until next week.All I can do is introduce you to him, but winning the case
will depend on your abilities.What I can tell you now is that Mr.Affleck has already spoken to three law
firms about this case,"
Boswell remarked solemnly.I had run a background check on him and found out that he was one of
George's most capable subordinates.
Naturally, Anya understood what he meant.
Both parties had a good conversation, thereafter.
About an hour later, we all stood up, bade our farewells, and left.
Just then, the door of the meeting room was opened.
A man came in to say, "Boswell, come see me in my office."
The sound of his listless voice made my body stiffen.It was George!
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