Director Gary from the Planning Department smiled and said, "Ms. Wesley, I believe our arrangements have been solid all along. I don't see the need for any changes. And with a company this size, it's not wise to alter strategies so hastily. It's good to have drive at your age, but rushing in might backfire."
Bonnie twirled the pen in her hand and replied lightly, "That's an interesting comment, Gary. Sounds like guidance from a senior… or a lecture for a young boss who doesn't know better."
His expression shifted. "Ms. Wesley, I didn't mean..."
Bonnie cut him off with a polite smile and stood up. "Since no one else has anything to say, let me share my thoughts. Co-productions, foreign remakes… I counted. Our company produced seven of these dramas this year. And we've got three more in pre-production."
Her cool gaze swept across the room, sharp and commanding. "Let me ask. After such heavy investments, how much actual profit did we make?"
Silence fell. Director Gary was visibly sweating.
Bonnie tossed her pen onto the table. "Seven shows. Not one succeeded. They flopped so badly and you think our current strategy is working?"
Director Gary flushed bright red.
"If it weren't for the success of a few of our recent film projects, Eastvision would've already been booted from the industry." She sat back down, flipping through her documents. "Put these dramas on hold. Reassess their risk."
A female screenwriter immediately protested, "But those types of dramas used to be really popular overseas. Domestic audiences love young, good-looking actors. Are you going to dismiss all of that?"
Bonnie looked at her without a hint of expression. "Exactly because they used to be popular, our remakes are now being slammed online for ruining the originals. Why should we keep doing something so thankless?"
The screenwriter fell silent. After all, every time a remake was announced, netizens would question if all the screenwriters in the industry were dead.
Bonnie went on without pause. "We still have plenty of unproduced IPs. Screenwriting team dig through them this week and submit a shortlist of promising ones. Also, about the current casting process for our new film…"
…
By the end of the meeting, everyone looked utterly drained.
Bonnie closed her file and strode out in high heels, her posture sharp and composed.
Someone muttered under their breath,
"Anyone who calls her a pretty face again is getting punched. That woman's a damn mortar launcher…"
"She said it was going to be a relaxed meeting, and then ripped us to shreds in two minutes flat…"
Ken, who had just returned and heard it all: "…"
He cleared his throat loudly, and everyone straightened in a panic.
Expressionless, Ken swept his eyes over them. "Ms. Wesley said not to waste time. Get back to work so you won't have to stay late."
As he turned to leave, he added, "By the way, Ms. Wesley graduated from K University. She completed her degree two years ago and has been pursuing further studies abroad since. She's professionally trained in business management and project investment. And just so you know, some of the foreign films you've watched in the past couple of years? She might've had a hand in them. Underestimate her, and you're the ones who'll lose out in the end."
After a busy morning, Bonnie invited her father Barry Wesley to lunch.
Barry asked, "How's work at the company treating you?"
"It's alright."
She majored in business management in college, so she picked things up pretty quickly.
"Eat more," Barry said as he placed some food in her bowl. Then, as if in passing, he asked, "Why didn't you invite Derek to lunch?"
Bonnie paused.
"I'm telling you, a lot of people are interested in Derek. Don't keep bullying him."
Bullying?
Bonnie thought her dad clearly didn't know the real Derek Lee.
"Bonnie…"
She raised her hand to stop him. "I haven't even brought up the fact that you practically sold the house off to him. Don't even mention his name."
…
After lunch, Bonnie respectfully saw her father off. Through the car window, she said, "Thanks, Dad."
Barry replied, "What for?"
"For helping me with the PR mess on X yesterday."
"What X post? I don't have time for those petty things."
Bonnie was stunned. It wasn't her dad?
Then who was it?
Barry handed her an invitation. "Your Uncle George is hosting a banquet tonight. I can't make it, so go in my place."
Bonnie snapped out of her thoughts and took the invite with a bright smile. "Got it."
That afternoon, after finishing her work, Bonnie called Cathy.
At that moment, Cathy was staring at her ruined gown, her face pale with anger. In front of her, Ada flashed a smug smile and strutted off in her heels.
Cathy held back her tears and answered the phone. "Bonnie?"
Bonnie immediately sensed something was wrong. "What's going on with you?"
Cathy took a breath, trying to keep her voice steady. "Just a cold. What's up?"
"I was wondering if you're going to the Lee Group's banquet tonight. I heard your company's invited too."
"I was going to…" Cathy glanced at her destroyed gown and bit her lip. "But…"
"I'll come pick you up," Bonnie interrupted, sounding excited. "Let's grab dinner first, then go to my place to change. I hired a stylist. You'll get a full glam session."
Cathy was speechless. Was Bonnie an angel in her past life or what?
She immediately threw the ruined dress into the trash and stood up happily. "Bonnie, you're like my real dad!"
"…?"
After hanging up, Cathy left with a huge smile. Outside, Ada stood with her arms crossed and sneered. "Where are you off to?"
Cathy didn't hesitate. "None of your business, you fake bitch. Ada, I'm warning you. Pull another shady stunt behind my back and I'll rip your face off. I don't care if you have a heart condition!"
Without sparing her a glance, Cathy shoved past Ada and strutted away.
It wasn't long before Bonnie's car arrived. Cathy jumped in, immediately hugging her. "My sweet little cutie!"
Bonnie dodged her squishing and noticed Cathy's slightly red eyes. "Someone bullied you?"
Seeing Bonnie's fierce "Tell me who did it and I'll wreck them" look, Cathy burst out laughing. "Just the usual workplace drama, all that suck-up-to-the-top, step-on-the-bottom crap. But now that I've got Bonnie Daddy backing me, who would dare? Come on, let's not talk about annoying stuff. Let's eat."
Bonnie nodded, already planning something in her head. She had her father's driver take them.