The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1685 Charles' Rage

"Of course. Or else why would I ask you to come in? Go work on it!" Sheryl exclaimed.

"Okay, Ma'am. I'll start working on it now." Suppressing her anxiety, Phoebe nodded before she stepped out of the room.

Sitting alone in her office, Sheryl fell into deep thoughts again. She couldn't tell whether she was doing the right thing or not, but she was sure that it was the only possible solution right now. Meanwhile, in the Shining Company CEO's office.

It had only been two days since Charles had been discharged from the hospital. Without a doubt, there were a lot of things that he needed to deal with within the company. He clearly had his hands full all day. Standing outside of Charles's office, David was hesitant to go in. He wasn't really sure whether he should knock or not. Looking down at the paper in his hand, he felt fear surging from his heart for the first time To him, the most complicated issue in this world was having a relationship. David heaved a bitter sigh, inhaled deeply, and finally knocked on the office's door.

"Come in!" Charles was busy reading some documents when he entered. Knowing that he had already permitted the visitor to come in, he didn't even raise his head. David closed the door behind him and walked towards his boss.

Noticing that Charles was busy reading something, David coughed softly to draw his attention. "Sir, here is a..." His sentence came to a sudden halt.

Charles waited for the next half of his sentence. When David didn't seem to want to continue, he looked up and ordered, "Say it!"

"Sir, we received a letter from Mrs. Lu's lawyer. She is going to sue you for the divorce." Mustering all the courage he had, David finished the sentence as he put the lawyer's letter on Charles's desk. Putting down the document he was holding, Charles turned to stare at the piece of paper in front of him.

"All right. I get it. You can go now." Charles felt anger burning in his heart, but decided not to vent it on David. He tried to keep his temper, at least for now.

Hearing Charles' words, David heaved another sigh of relief and quickly left the office.

Soon enough, Charles was alone in his office again. Wearing a grim expression, he grabbed the piece of paper and tore it into pieces.

Charles could feel his heart thumping heavily in his chest. He had kept a passive attitude towards the entire 'divorce' thing. Initially, he thought that Sheryl was merely playing tantrums and that after she had enough of it, she would naturally come back to him. But to his surprise, she was seriously considering divorce this time!

Earlier today, Charles had planned to have a heart to heart talk with Sheryl, but that would have to wait until after he had dealt with company matters. However, the lawyer's letter was all that Sheryl had in store for him.

"Knock! Knock! Knock!" Charles looked at the door after hearing someone was outside.

"Sir, the meeting with the sales department, scheduled for three pm, is starting soon. Is there anything else that you need me to prepare?" His secretary reported as she walked into the office.

"All good. I'll be coming soon," Charles replied in a low voice.

Hearing Charles' order, the secretary went to prepare for the meeting. As she left, she couldn't help wondering what had happened to the CEO.

After seeing the irritation in Charles' eyes, as well as the paper on the floor that had been torn into pieces, she couldn't come up with anything that could have triggered her boss. 'Never mind then,' she thought.

Half an hour later, Charles went to the boardroom to join the rest of his team.

The people in charge of the sales departments were already in the boardroom when he entered.

"You can starting reporting now." Charles motioned for them to begin. The Shining Company had three sales departments. Each department had its own department manager, who was working with two sales managers each.

The meeting was meant for all department managers and sales managers.

The manager in charge of department one started with his report. He cautiously presented the updates on his department.

Charles just sat there and didn't express his opinion during his presentation. Soon, it was the second department manager's turn.

After all the managers had finished presenting, Charles seemed to be lost in thought.

After a minute or so, he flatly said, "As compared to last year, each department is operating at a negative profit of five million per month. Is it because you feel that I couldn't possibly fire you? Or is it because I've been too considerate?"

Even though Charles had been silent throughout their presentations, that didn't mean that he hadn't really been listening.

"Sir, the numbers will surely go up in the second half of the year. That's when the businesses start operating. I think the numbers are good enough, considering it's only been the first half!" the manager of department three explained.

"Well, why are the numbers for the last year higher then?" Charles questioned back.

This particular manager was the most capable amongst the three. Even if Charles had always appreciated his performance, this time, Charles was being really harsh.

The manager couldn't refute that point, but he still felt disgruntled.

"I don't want any excuses," Charles stated. "What I want is a solid plan. Since most businesses come in during the second half of the year, then what's your plan to boost our sales?" Charles threw them this question.

The three managers exchanged glances with each other. In the end, it was still the same manager who replied, "Sir, we are planning to work together for the next few big projects and to sell some estates..." Running over their plans, the manager promised that the sales numbers would overtake last year's sales by the end of this year.

After finishing his explanation, the manager looked at Charles, anticipating his commendation.

To his surprise, Charles smashed the document he was holding onto the desk and exclaimed, "Don't you see where the problem is? It must be because of the project with the Star Company!" "Sir, it's a minor issue. We can fix that problem soon!" the manager explained in a hurry.

"Minor issue? It's been dragging on for a month! And you call that a minor issue? Now tell me, what is a major issue to you?" Charles yelled impatiently.

"I..." The manager tried to say something to defend himself, but he couldn't find any words to do so.

"The Shining Company doesn't need anyone who can't deliver work properly. If you can't do it, then let others do the job instead. I don't want to hear empty promises anymore. I want to see results!" Charles stressed each syllable, making sure everyone in the room heard him.

Surprised in seeing this side of Charles, all the managers silently wondered what had made him so angry, but none of them dared to speak up.

The secretary had just returned from fetching a cup of water for Charles. Terrified, upon hearing him scolding the managers aloud, she accidentally spilled the water on the desk, splashing it onto Charles. "I'm really sorry, sir," the secretary immediately apologized, her voice quivering. In a hurry, she grabbed some tissues to wipe it dry, her hands literally trembling.

"Get out! Who asked you to come in?" Charles raged at his secretary.

Embarrassed and terrified at the same time, she apologized again before leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed, the room succumbed to a pin-drop silence.