Chapter 83: Chapter 83: A Workhorse Without a Trough
With a polite, welcoming gesture, Secretary Summers opened the door to Sebastian Hawthorne’s office for Cecilia Croft.
Cecilia Croft thanked her quietly and stepped into Sebastian Hawthorne’s office.
Sebastian Hawthorne was at his desk, absorbed in a document. The sleeves of his black shirt were rolled up slightly, his expression intent as he focused on the papers in his hands.
Cecilia Croft walked up to his desk and spoke softly.
"Mr. Hawthorne, I’m here."
Sebastian Hawthorne grunted in acknowledgment, his expression unchanging. His eyes never left the document.
Cecilia Croft pursed her lips and began to explain.
"I wasn’t late. You were meeting with Miss Golding, and I didn’t want to interrupt, so I waited for you in the main office area."
Sebastian Hawthorne’s brow furrowed. He looked up at her, a hint of dissatisfaction lurking in his deep, dark eyes.
Cecilia paused, mentally replaying her words. She couldn’t find anything she’d said that was out of line.
She had even been perfectly respectful.
After all, he was her boss now.
It was only natural for her to adopt a more deferential posture.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Hawthorne?"
Seeing him staring at her without speaking, Cecilia asked softly.
"It’s nothing," Sebastian Hawthorne replied coolly, his gaze dropping back to his document.
When he didn’t assign her any work or even mention which department she’d be in, Cecilia found herself unable to guess his intentions. She had no choice but to ask.
"Mr. Hawthorne, which department should I report to?"
’He’ll probably put me in the planning department.’
’That would be perfect. I’d get to work with more of the top talent and learn so much.’
Cecilia had always believed that surrounding herself with brilliant people would make her better, too.
’Once I’ve fulfilled my promise to Sebastian Hawthorne and returned to the Croft Group, I’ll be able to apply everything I’ve learned.’
Sebastian Hawthorne glanced up. Seeing the look of anticipation on her face, he stated flatly,
"Right here."
Cecilia was stunned.
"Here?"
’Isn’t working in the CEO’s office a job for secretaries and assistants?’
’I’m not really suited for that.’
Sebastian Hawthorne nodded.
Just as Cecilia was about to speak, a buzzer sounded.
Sebastian Hawthorne pressed a button on his desk and said in a deep voice,
"Come in."
A moment later, the manager of the project department walked in. His eyes landed on Cecilia Croft, a flicker of confusion in their depths before he quickly looked away.
"Mr. Hawthorne, you wanted to see me?"
He stopped beside Cecilia, his posture respectful.
Sebastian Hawthorne nodded, then rose from his chair and headed toward the small meeting area within his office.
The project manager followed.
Cecilia saw that Sebastian was holding her proposal, so she took the cue and followed as well.
"Sit."
After Sebastian Hawthorne took a seat, he gestured for them to sit.
Cecilia politely waited for the project manager to be seated before taking a seat herself.
’I’ve seen him on the financial news channel before.’
’Keith Warren, manager of the Hawthorne Group’s project department.’
’If Sebastian is sending me to the project department, then he’ll be my direct supervisor.’
’I should be tactful, of course.’
Sebastian glanced at the deferential Cecilia before speaking to Keith Warren.
"This is Cecilia Croft. She’s the one who wrote the proposal I showed you yesterday."
Hearing this, Keith Warren quickly rose from his seat and extended his hand to Cecilia.
"A pleasure, Miss Croft. Your proposal was absolutely brilliant."
Sebastian’s introduction for Keith was exceptionally brief, just his name.
"Keith Warren."
Cecilia rose to her feet almost as soon as Keith did, shaking his outstretched hand with a warm, humble smile.
"Thank you for the praise, Manager Warren. It pales in comparison to your design for The Waterfront Business District."
Hearing this, Sebastian Hawthorne glanced at Cecilia.
A flash of surprise crossed Keith Warren’s eyes as well. He hadn’t expected her to know he was the one who designed The Waterfront Business District.
That was the project that had made his name at the Hawthorne Group, and it remained a source of great pride for him.
Their exchange of pleasantries was cut short by Sebastian Hawthorne.
"You’ll have plenty of time for pleasantries after work."
Hearing this, Cecilia and Keith quickly sat back down.
Sebastian’s expression was impassive, betraying no emotion, yet there was an undercurrent of displeasure about him.
Keith Warren sat stiffly, feeling as if he were on pins and needles.
Cecilia, however, had grown accustomed to Sebastian’s unpredictable moods and saw nothing amiss, so she simply remained quiet.
"Since you’re so impressed with her proposal, she can be in charge of the Silvercrest branch project."
"You can handle the handover with her."
Keith Warren glanced at Cecilia before nodding in agreement.
"Yes, Mr. Hawthorne."
Cecilia was taken aback. She had only just arrived at the Hawthorne Group, and Sebastian was already handing her responsibility for the Silvercrest project. Still, she didn’t refuse. After all, she was the one who had made such bold promises to him when fighting for this job.
Refusing now would make all her previous commitments seem like a load of hot air.
Next, Sebastian had Keith Warren give a brief overview of the Silvercrest branch project.
Cecilia listened intently, her focus absolute.
She was very familiar with Silvercrest and caught on immediately. The moment Keith Warren mentioned the project’s location and general direction, she grasped the key points and was able to engage with him in a seamless discussion.
Keith Warren was astonished by her quick grasp of the situation and her sharp instincts for the project.
He snuck a glance toward Sebastian Hawthorne. The CEO had been sitting silently at the head of the meeting area, but now, there was a clear look of appreciation deep in his eyes.
Keith Warren responded to Cecilia’s questions with an amiable smile, but inwardly, alarm bells were blaring.
’Cecilia Croft’s arrival could be a threat to my position.’
’He had secured his position as project manager with The Waterfront Business District, but in the years since, he’d never managed to top that achievement.’
’At his age, in his stagnant position, how could he not worry about a rising star coming to take his place?’
After this initial briefing, Cecilia had a solid grasp of the basic information.
Keith Warren had other work to attend to, so once their discussion concluded, he prepared to leave.
He paused at the door and turned back to Sebastian Hawthorne to ask,
"Will Miss Croft’s desk be temporarily set up in the project department? I can have someone arrange it."
Sebastian Hawthorne shook his head.
"That won’t be necessary."
"She’s coming with me to Silvercrest in three days. Just find her any open seat for now."
"Yes, I understand."
Keith Warren took the hint and left. As he went, he shot Cecilia a furtive glance, his eyes filled with deep suspicion.
When Cecilia first saw Keith Warren, she’d thought, ’If I can’t be in Planning, the Project Department would be good too!’
’But now, from the sound of it, Sebastian doesn’t intend to put me in Planning or Projects.’
’He’s probably ready to kick me out of the Hawthorne Group at a moment’s notice, so why would he bother assigning me a proper desk?’
’I’m just a disposable workhorse to him.’
