MY Masochistic CEO

"Thank you!"

After dropping Lucy off at home, I hurried to the company. To avoid running into anyone I knew, I parked my car in a different area.

At 8:30, I arrived at the office on time.

As soon as I entered, Melody saw me. "Good morning, William!"

I walked right past her, ignoring her.

Returning to my desk, I felt calm. Just then, Jessica Lawrence came out of the director's office.

"Everyone, quiet down."

She stood on the platform, and the large marketing department fell silent, all eyes on her.

I don't know if it was my imagination, but Jessica Lawrence seemed less harsh and more feminine. Her makeup, usually in cool tones, now had warmer shades.

"Let's review last week's progress. It was very disappointing. With nearly 300 people in the project department, we only closed fifty deals, totaling eighteen million. This severely impacts our quarterly progress. Each team supervisor will now reflect on this."

Her words were as cold as ever, proving that Jessica Lawrence hadn't changed despite her warmer makeup.

Each team supervisor went up to self-reflect, taking over half an hour. She issued a stern directive. "This is the last week of June. We must hit forty million. If we don't, expect overtime. Got it?"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison.

It didn't add up. I alone handled sixty million, pushing this month well over a hundred million. Had she not included my sixty million?

"I have another announcement. Due to inappropriate remarks and causing a negative impact, Philip Black is dismissed from his position as Team Five Supervisor. His deputy, Andre, will temporarily assume the role."

"Additionally, Philip Black will have half a month's salary deducted, his quarterly KPI reset, and he will not be eligible for the annual outstanding employee award, with his year-end bonus halved."

The penalty was severe. Based on Philip's performance, losing the outstanding employee award and half the year-end bonus would cost him at least ten thousand.

Many gasped, especially Brandon, who looked shocked and disbelieving.

Philip looked utterly defeated, a stark contrast to his usual confident self.

"Philip, you've set a poor example. Come up and apologize."

Jessica's voice was emotionless.

Philip stumbled to the stage, holding a paper. "Dear leaders and colleagues, I, Philip Black... have caused great harm and damaged William Maine's reputation. Today, in front of everyone, I apologize to William Maine, hoping he can forgive me."

The letter of reflection was at least a thousand words, sincere enough to make me feel a bit uneasy. It made me seem like an evil villain if I didn't forgive him.

"William, what do you say?" Jessica asked.

"Admitting mistakes and correcting them is important. We'll still be good colleagues."

"Good. Since William forgives you, take your seat and learn from this."

"Yes!"

Philip walked down with a bitter face, and my frustration dissipated.

Many looked at me, and when I met their eyes, they quickly looked away. I wanted to make it clear that I wasn't to be trifled with. Anyone who dared to provoke me should think twice.

"Meeting adjourned!"

Jessica returned to her office, and Paul and Mia immediately gathered around me. "William, you were amazing!"

Paul gave a thumbs up. "That jerk will never dare mess with you again."

"Not just him, everyone else will avoid you too." Mia chuckled. "Alright, enough teasing," I waved my hand and said.

"Are we going or not? The client is pressing," Mia said.

I looked at the time: it was already past nine. "Okay, let's go!"

"William, come with me for a moment!"

At that moment, Melody approached. "I need to talk to you!"

I said, "Ms. Wilson, if you have something to say, you can say it here."

A flash of anger crossed Melody's face. "Either you come with me, or you're not going anywhere today!"

"I need to see a client!"

"You can see the client after you review the project in the project department!"

The so-called review was essentially another form of supervision or an audit to prevent the marketing department and project department from colluding. This way, there was shared responsibility. Reviews were usually done at the end of a project. She was clearly making things difficult for me by asking me to review now.

"Ms. Wilson, what can't you say in front of us?"

Mia couldn't hold back her anger. "Besides, according to the rules, we review after the project is completed."

"Are you the supervisor or am I?" Melody glared coldly at Mia. "You're not going out either. You stay here for the review!"

"You!"

I stopped Mia. "The client is pressing. You need to go. Tell the client I'll be there a bit later."

I looked at Melody. "Ms. Wilson, can we talk privately?"

Melody snorted, "Follow me!"

With that, she strode away.

"William, she's going too far!" Mia said angrily.

"Alright, you go ahead. Don't keep the client waiting."

I gave her a quick instruction and then followed Melody.

On the rooftop, Melody Wilson said, "What do you mean?"

I sneered. "What do I mean? Didn't I make it clear yesterday? Ms. Wilson, do you have a problem understanding?"

"I don't want to argue with you. Didn't low-key guy tell you? I was joking. My best friend asked me to mess with you because you ignored me all day."

"Best friend? More like a male best friend!"

"William, I'll say it again. I haven't gone out with any men. I haven't in the past, and I won't in the future!"

She was getting anxious. "Add me back right now, and I'll pretend nothing happened."

"No!" I replied.

"What did you say?" she asked angrily.

"I said no!"

"William, what do you want from me? You ignore me, and you won't take me to the beach. Am I not even allowed to go with my friends?" She seemed a bit aggrieved. "You ignored me first. We just started dating, but you're already neglecting me. I don't feel the care you talked about. I even feel like you pursued me just to get back at me."

I didn't say anything because, initially, my approach to her was to get back at her for a year of mistreatment. But gradually, that desire for revenge faded. After all, playing with a girl's feelings is not an honorable thing.

I was conflicted about how I really felt about her. My subconscious distancing was deliberate. Deep down, I still harbored a slight desire for revenge, wanting to retaliate against her harshly.

If I hadn't persevered, I wouldn't be where I am today. Some say hardships shape who you are today. This statement is partly true, partly false. But I can't bring myself to be grateful.

"I think we need to take a break and seriously consider whether we should continue this relationship."

Melody's face turned pale instantly. "What did you say?"

"I said..."

"You want to break up through silent treatment?"

Melody said, "Do you really think I don't understand anything? I'm telling you, either you add me back now, or we end this immediately."

"Suit yourself."

I gave her a cold look and walked away without looking back. Behind me, Melody Wilson shouted, "William, stop right there, do you hear me..."

I even heard her crying. I stopped, thinking this was the rooftop. What if she gets too upset and does something rash?

I turned around and saw Melody Wilson walking in the opposite direction, and I felt a rush of fear.

Oh no, is she really thinking of doing something stupid?

I ran over quickly and grabbed her hand. "Come downstairs with me."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "I don't need you to care. You said 'suit yourself,' so why are you bothering with me?"

"Are you out of your mind?"

I was angry and slapped her hard on the back. "Come with me now, or I won't be so gentle!"

She burst into tears. "Fine, hit me then, better yet, hit me to death!"

I am most afraid of women crying, and Melody Wilson had always been so proud. Seeing her cry was almost impossible. But now, not only was she crying, but she was crying loudly, which made me panic.

"Go away, I don't need you. Why did you come back if you decided to break up!"

"Who the hell said I wanted to break up with you? Which ear did you hear that from?" I glared at her. If being gentle didn't work, I'd be tough. If I couldn't drag her away, I'd carry her. "If you dare move, I'll take you right here!"

I said fiercely, and to make her believe, I even unbuckled my belt.

"William, don't mess around!"

"Still want to jump?"

"Who said I was going to jump?"

"Then why were you heading that way?"

"Don't you know you can also go down from there?"

I was speechless. Damn, it was a misunderstanding.

"You thought I was going to jump?"

She snorted. "Why would I do something so stupid for a man!"

I let go of her. "Goodbye!"

"Hey, don't go!"

She immediately grabbed my hand. "I was wrong, William. I really know I was wrong. I won't listen to my friends anymore, and I won't joke like that again. I swear I haven't gone out with other men. If you don't believe me..."

She bit her lower lip and whispered in my ear. "You can check for yourself, or I can go to the hospital to get proof that I haven't slept with anyone!"