Revenge with My Quadruplets

Chapter 104

After Gimson died, Emily was finally able to work at the office alone.

Derek managed the company's documents during this period, making decisions on major matters, while Emily's assistant handled some minor tasks. A pile of documents accumulated on the desk over the past two weeks.

In the morning, Emily reviewed the project documents that hadn't been filed yet. It must be acknowledged that Derek's approach was truly wise, and many complex cases seemed straightforward through his methods. After perusing a dozen or so project cases, Emily felt that her business acumen had elevated to another level.

"Ms. Hopkins, everyone is here. It's time for the meeting," Emily's assistant softly announced, knocking on the door. Emily nodded, closed the file, and stood up, heading to the conference room.

Absent from the company for over half a month, she needed the meeting to catch up on the recent company developments.

"Ms. Hopkins, the company's financial statement for this month is out. The overall profit was sixteen million eight hundred thousand dollars..."

"Ms. Hopkins, the company's three biggest projects for this quarter have all started, making excellent progress..."

"A week ago, the overseas investment giant contacted our company. They proposed a new concept, artificial intelligence technology. Since our company focuses on Internet intelligent products, I found the concept intriguing. We've had a few discussions, and both parties are quite pleased. The planning department has drafted a preliminary program..."

Suddenly, Emily's composed expression wavered.

Her gaze turned cold as she inquired, "Why haven't I seen the application report for this project?"

"Ms. Hopkins, that's correct." The bespectacled client department manager stood up, explaining, "Because the previous meetings were exploratory and hadn't confirmed cooperation, there was no application report. The planning department submitted the initial cooperation program only yesterday, and I didn't have time to share it with you..."

"There's no need to discuss this project," Emily said in a cold voice. "Our company has no business in this area."

The client manager became instantly anxious. "Ms. Hopkins, you may not be aware, but the AI industry is flourishing overseas. The most crucial aspect is that this industry has a short return cycle. If we venture into this field, our company could undoubtedly become a premier player in the industry."

Emily cast a cold eye over him. "Don't you understand what I just said?"

The client manager was dumbfounded instantly. The marketing manager on the side quickly chimed in, "Our department has conducted market research on this artificial intelligence project. The prospects are very promising, and the potential profits are substantial. I believe we should consider giving it a try."

"Ms. Hopkins, there is no issue on the technical department's side either," the head of the technical department stood up and reassured.

Snap!

Emily threw the file in her hand heavily onto her desk, creating a loud bang that resonated in the conference room. The atmosphere fell silent, as if a pin dropping on the floor could be heard.

Everyone looked up in dismay.

Emily stood up, and her elegant fingers tapped a few times without rhythm on the desktop. Her eyes, sharp as knife blades, slowly swept past the faces of everyone in the conference room.

The crowd held their breath violently, not daring to utter a sound.

Emily coldly stated, "Don't bring up this project again. I don't agree."

The atmosphere in the conference room became increasingly somber.

The head of the technical department, who had joined the company in its first week, had always enjoyed a good relationship with Emily. Boldly, he opened his mouth, "Ms. Hopkins..."

"Shut up!" Emily's eyebrows furrowed violently. "So, even if I disagree, you all plan to collaborate on this project?"

"Ms. Hopkins, that's not what I meant," the Minister of Technology continued. "Within the bounds of laws and regulations, I think we can explore alternative approaches."

BANG!

Emily grabbed the coffee cup in her hand and smashed it.

The cup grazed the ear of the head of the technical department and crashed to the floor in pieces. The entire office was stunned. No one had anticipated Emily making such a sudden move, and even Emily herself froze.

While she wasn't generally bad-tempered and could typically handle any situation through communication, just now...

There was also that other day when Aaron accidentally stepped on her foot, and she snapped unexpectedly.

"That's it, meeting adjourned," Emily declared. She pinched her brow, turned around, and exited the conference room. Once she left, the tension in the room dissipated.

Emily stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the skyscrapers, her restless heart gradually calming down. She sipped her coffee and then turned around to sit in front of the computer.

Upon returning home from work, several children looked up at Emily. Only Diane rushed over, exclaiming, "Mommy, you're home!"

Emily pinched her chubby little face and inquired, "What did you do at home today?"

"Chris read books with me, Aaron helped me draw, and Ian assisted me with piano practice," Diane replied, tilting her head. "Mommy, can you read me a story now?"

Emily had taken two pills on her way back, supposed to induce sleep and calmness. Feeling the heaviness in her head, she just wanted to sleep.

She forced a gentle smile and said, "Mommy will take a half-hour nap first. After dinner, we can read a story together." She stroked the heads of the children before heading to the second floor, gently closing the door to her room behind her.

Diane's little face drooped, "Mommy seems very, very tired. Why does Daddy still let Mommy go to work at the company?"

"Mommy stayed abroad for more than half a month and hasn't been to the company since returning home. There are many things at the company that Mommy needs to handle personally," Ian explained. "Let Mommy sleep for a while; we'll wake her up during dinner."

Chris looked at Emily's room, his eyes filled with worry...

"Diane, let's play hide and seek," Aaron eagerly suggested. Diane's attention shifted, and she smiled, saying, "Chris, Ian, come find me together, okay?"

Ian set down his book and nodded, "We'll count to ten, so you can take your time to hide."

Diane turned around, her snow-white skirt fluttering like a flying little butterfly, as she ran upstairs.

After Ian counted to ten, the three boys opened their eyes together. Aaron whispered, "I hear my sister hiding upstairs; let's go get her." Ian hushed them, "Move softly and give our sister a surprise." Chris followed quietly up the stairs.

"Right here..." Aaron stood still in the doorway of the toy room, covering his mouth and snickering. He held up a finger and softly shouted, "One, two, three." The brothers pushed the door open, exclaiming together, "Diane, we found you!"

Diane, hiding behind the door, emerged unhappily, grumbling, "Do it again, and I'll hide again!"

Aaron interjected, "You hid once; it's my turn this time!" Amidst their playful banter, the noise caught the attention of the master bedroom next door.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Emily appeared with a cold and calm expression, saying, "How much longer are you going to make noise? Are you forgetting I need to sleep?"

The toy room fell instantly silent as four pairs of eyes stared at her, filled with obvious fear.

Filled with annoyance, Emily sternly warned, "Don't call me mommy if I hear any more noise!" With that, she slammed her door shut, causing the room to go quiet.

The abrupt sound made Emily realize what she had done. What was she doing? Why was she angry with the kids again? Hadn't she taken her medication? Why couldn't she control the agitation?

Covering her head, she buried it into the quilt, grappling with the unsettling thoughts. After a while, she gradually calmed down, reflecting on her actions.