Chapter 525 - Unexpected Promotion

Meanwhile in the XI Corporation lobby…

"The atmosphere in the company has been very gloomy… I wonder if the rumors are true?"

"What do you mean? Young Master Xi is on vacation."

"You really believed that? They say he was in an accident. Have you seen Young Master Xi take any vacation leave?"

One after another, everyone was talking about Matthew's absence. Although not many of them had seen him personally, the company had been enveloped with a stifling aura. Thus, rumors continued to spread every passing day that Matthew wasn't inside the building.

It was just different without the head of this company. Although Vivian was around every now and then, her mood just worsened the atmosphere in the company. It was as if everyone were walking on thin ice without any clear reason.

But that was what everyone felt. 

Just as the lobby was bustling with employees going in and out of the building, Matthew's figure appeared at the entrance. 

"Do you really think that the young master is in a vegetative state?"

"Shh!" One group of employees shut up as one of them shushed them. He then pointed at the direction of the entrance that made everyone turn their head in Matthew's direction.

"Young Master," Surprised, everyone that he passed by bowed and stepped aside to make way for him.

After what happened a week ago with Scarlet Tan, some who saw Matthew's face gasped and bowed. Sweat immediately broke out from their back and forehead while some snuck glances at him.

Matthew appeared normal. There were no bruises or any evidence that he was in an accident like the rumors said. Thus, everyone assumed Matthew was truly on vacation! However, some wondered why he was alone.

They shifted their gaze and the popular right hand of the king was not around nor the guards that often surrounded Matthew. He was just alone and to everyone's puzzlement, Matthew used the lobby instead of his private elevator.

Matthew, who was the center of the attention, didn't even bat an eye at anyone. He headed directly towards the front desk and knocked his knuckles lightly on the front desk's surface.

"Is the chairwoman around?" Matthew inquired, turning his pair of cold russet eyes to the female employee bowing behind the desk.

"Y -- yes, Young Master Xi." The female clerk stuttered for no reason as she slightly raised her head.

"I see." Matthew nodded and headed for the elevator without a word.

As he made his way towards the elevator, Matthew suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked around. Everyone, even the employees farther from him stopped everything they were doing and were bowing their heads.

'This brings back memories,' He uttered internally as he recalled their previous life. 

After marrying Zoey, she would often drop by his office just to tease him. Yet, whenever she comes, everyone wouldn't do such a thing just like right now. 

Why? Because she told them to. Zoey was a humble lady who sort of disliked such grandness. Also, since she was a humble lady, everyone liked her. Thus, even if they don't bow as deep as this, everyone respected her.

"Huh," Slowly, the side of his lips curled into a subtle smile at the memory that flashed across his mind. "They will surely like her again."

Matthew whispered as he resumed in his steps. However, upon taking two steps forward, Matthew halted again and turned his head to the two men bowing on the side.

"You two," He spoke, staring at the two familiar employees from a week ago.

Startled, both men's shoulders shuddered as they cautiously raised their head to meet the king's cold eyes.

'Oh no! I think he will fire us!'

'We were not doing anything wrong! They said Young Master Xi fires someone just because their ties were crooked or he found them displeasing in the eyes!' 

Both men grew cautious as they sneakily scanned their ties and suits if they looked unprofessional. Matthew had a strong complicated reputation and they were afraid they did something wrong without them knowing! 

As the men broke out in buckets of sweat, the thought of the horrendous looking woman flashed across their mind. They recalled that the woman who had a vague relationship with him had to do with this. 

They heard that the woman was bad news as Matthew was sent to the hospital that day. Thus, the two men could not help but shudder as they waited for the royal decree!

"Weren't you with the woman a week ago?" Matthew asked, bearing the same blank tone. "The one with the… excessive makeup." 

Upon hearing his words, both men clenched their teeth as they knew she's bad news! However, they couldn't go back in time.

"Young -- Young Master!" One of the men raised his head, showing his pale complexion. His lower lips trembled as his words clogged in his throat.

Matthew studied both men's front and confirmed it was them. He nodded in understanding as he couldn't mistake the two who sided with Zoey despite the confusion he had caused by calling Scarlet Tan.

Well, Matthew called Scarlet to make headlines and spread false rumors that they were dating. The reason? To make his wife jealous since she wasn't reaching him. Matthew figured how childish he was to come up with a method to get Zoey's attention.

"Which department are you?" Matthew inquired as he darted his gaze between the two male employees.

"I -- Human Resources."

"Finance Department."

Despite their growing fear before their boss' boss' big boss, they answered after mustering enough courage. All they needed to hear was they were fired and should clean their desk because they were fired.

What bad luck they had! 

"Vacate your desk today." Matthew uttered without batting an eye that caused the two to turn as white as a sheet of paper. However, his next words brought them back to life.

"From now on, you'll be working directly under me. Go see Assistant Qian's assistant. I'll send them my word." 

With that being said, Matthew resumed in his steps and left the lobby in a complete silence. The two male employees who were expecting to find another job were rendered speechless.

"Did… did we just get… promoted?" One of the two whispered listlessly as they watched Matthew's retreating back. They felt their knees weakened not because of stress but because of disbelief at the thought of working directly under the CEO!

"What just happened…?"