218 Going Big

As soon as this statement was heard in the room, a hush appeared while Liz and Will both focused on the headsets around their ears, eagerly waiting to see if their plan would succeed.

Mark was similarly nervous. His future would depend on this moment: if he succeeded in convincing these people to take the bait, he would practically be set for life.

Only, it looked like it wouldn't be that easy.

"Big words coming from a mere Director who just came to the meeting."

As Jonathan said this, sweat started to appear on Mark's forehead, but he forcefully calmed himself down and put on an apologetic expression on his face.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to make my opinion known. I believe that this is the best plan."

Once again, Mark's words met by silence.

In the room where Liz and Will were listening, both of them were looking at each other with bewildered expressions on their faces.

This was definitely not going according to the script.

Liz had been expecting difficulties, but she hadn't thought that they would get stuck so early on.

Well, all they could see was wait and see.

Thankfully, before sending Mark in, they had also installed a top of the line bone conduction earpiece on his jaw, which was so tiny that with a little makeup, it had faded into his skin.

This was apparently another military product, and Liz had found it quite funny that they were using that for this little 'project' of theirs.

Well, being the girlfriend of the CEO did have its perks.

After a few more moments of silence, Jonathan spoke again.

"Well, that is one plan that we can consider. It is true that getting into his good books might benefit us more in the short run, but I can't decide if it's worth it. And…if we follow this plan, we will all be directly involved, which is something I don't think we would like. Let us discuss other options."

As she heard this, Liz looked at Will with a sigh, and the latter shrugged.

However, after he did so, he said, "Let's wait and see. It's best not to lose hope, yet."

With a nod, Liz continued listening in.

For a half hour, the rest of them discussed various ways in which they could make her life hell.

Liz found herself burning up with anger which increased with each second as she heard each plan, and she had to try hard to control it. It was like she was a simmering pot of water which was being filled, bit by bit, so that eventually, the water would overflow and burn everything in its way.

As Will looked at Liz and saw her angry expression which had also made her face become red like a potato, he secretly smiled to himself.

She looked really cute even when she was angry.

He had this thought, but knowing tact, Will did not say it out loud.

Even he was angry, but he had already decided that he would never forgive these people.

Mark remained silent for the most part throughout the half-hour, as he had already said a lot in the beginning. He did throw in a few inputs just to stay relevant, but that was it.

Finally, it seemed that it was time for the meeting to end, which made Liz despair.

"All right, people. Last call. If you have anything else, speak up, or we will be going with the plan of giving her flawed projects which will eat up her time, place a huge amount of workload on her and also make her see failure."

It was now or never. If Mark didn't say anything now, this opportunity would be gone.

Will was looking at Liz, waiting for her to make her decision. He knew that he could step in to help, but he didn't want to do so unless he was asked.

That was simply because he knew that she might not need it, and when she did, she wouldn't hesitate to ask, just like before when she had taken his help in setting all this up.

Liz ran through her options one last time, but found nothing satisfactory.

As she grew desperate, a thought suddenly appeared in her mind, which quickly grew to fill it and make her nothing else.

It was the last chance, anyway. Why not just go big?

Decisively, Liz pressed the button on the mike and sent Mark instructions, which made Will raise one eyebrow, as he was thoroughly impressed.

Meanwhile, right after receiving the instructions, Mark had wondered whether he had fallen asleep and was dreaming.

Clearly, he wasn't.

It was bold, but it would definitely affect him, personally.

However, was offending these 5 fogies worth the CEO's good impression?

Definitely.

'That woman…is definitely terrifying', he mused, before getting up and, thus, gathering the attention of everyone in the room.

He had remained deferential and respectful until now, but all of that was gone. Instead, it had been replaced by the expression of one who was disgusted due to his company.

In a mocking voice, Mark said, "Well, this was an utter waste of time. I had heard stories about how you 5 are the last of the wise men and women who knew the true value of class. Clearly, you all are more like grannies and grandpas in a village who want to make trouble for someone they don't like. You all know that my plan is the best. But you're cowards who aren't ready to even take a little bit of risk! Well, good night to you, sirs and madam. When I get to your stage, I know that I won't be as uselessly prudent as you folks."

Leaving these words, Mark headed to the door in a flourish.

Yet, sadly, he saw that even this had failed.

In a mirror placed beside the door, he could see Jonathan remain unmoved.

Clearly, he was a clever person who would not be moved by mere words.

With a sigh of disappointment, Mark was just about to leave, but he paused when he heard someone speak.

It was Ben, the one sitting behind Jonathan.

"Jonathan, he's right. What the hell are we being so prudent for? Let's do it! Make her the Chief! I want to see her fail!"

This seemed to have broken the floodgates.

The rest also started to speak out, which startled even Jonathan, himself.

Meanwhile, Liz had a broad, surprised smile on her face as she heard the other 4 speak.

Even though it hadn't been decided, she knew that she had succeeded.

After all, a general without his soldiers was useless. With all of them speaking out, Liz was sure that Jonathan would have to oblige.

With joy, she put the headset to the side and sprang forward to hug Will tight.

She couldn't have done it without him, and, at this moment, she realized that this was the first time they were properly working together.

She loved it!

The way he was encouraging, while not trying to rub his ideas and thoughts on her, and the way he had patiently pushed her to bring a result had truly impressed Liz. What more could she ask for?

With a laugh, Will put the headset to the side, too, before hugging Liz back.

After he did, he naturally bent to give her a small kiss on her lips, but when he did, their intoxicating softness made him pause, and look into Liz's eyes.

Liz had paused for the same reason. In that moment, she had felt a sudden…pull in her body, as if she wanted something.

After looking at each other for another brief second, Will and Liz madly clutched at each other and joined their lips, while a single thought ran through both of their minds.

'I need you.'