Cutting down Supervisor An
Thursday, continued…
Anna Jones handed the documents to Assistant Wang and, after closing the door behind her, set her handbag and laptop case down. Supervisor An stood there, simply watching the exchange unfold.
“Miss Jones,” Assistant Wang said, handing her the documents she needed. He added quietly, “Madam Hou.” His voice rose as he looked at Supervisor An, asking, “Why is she here?”
“Assistant Wang, I told her I’m here on a specific task, but she refuses to believe me and insists on supervising me,” Anna replied, her voice calm but firm. “I dared her to ask the CEO if she’s so bold. If she wants answers, let her go straight to him.”
Anna’s voice dropped as she added, “Get security here. We’ll deal with her properly, and she needs to be escorted out once we’re done.”
Supervisor An, undeterred, snapped, “Lawyer Jones, I demand to know what you said to Assistant Wang. I’m your supervisor, and I have a right to know.”
Anna stood her ground. “You’re not my supervisor, Supervisor An. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
She turned to Assistant Wang, giving him a pointed look. “Remember what I said.”
Turning back to Supervisor An, Anna spoke with finality, “I’m going in for my appointment with the CEO.”
As Anna neared the door to Hou Yi’s office, Supervisor An shoved past her, forcing the door open and barging in. “CEO Hou…”
Hou Yi’s voice thundered. “Who in the world are you?”
He then saw Anna walking in behind the woman, looking shaken. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, gently pulling Anna into the room and shutting the door behind them. “Who in the world are you?” he repeated, his tone furious, this time directed at Supervisor An, who was staring at him with an expression of almost infatuation.
“CEO Hou, I’m Supervisor An—” she began, but Hou Yi cut her off, his gaze never leaving Anna’s face as he noticed the visible tremble in her.
Ignoring Supervisor An, Hou Yi turned to Anna, his anger momentarily softened. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”
Anna nodded, though her voice was a little unsteady. “Darling Yi, I’m fine. I just need to sit down. I was nearly knocked off my feet.”
With that, Anna made her way to the couch, casting a pointed glance at Supervisor An. Hou Yi, though clearly wanting to sit beside his wife, knew that standing would make his authority clear. Once he was sure Anna was settled, he turned back to Supervisor An, his voice sharp with fury.
“What gives you the right to do that?” he demanded.
“CEO Hou, Miss Jones is under my supervision…” Supervisor An started, but Hou Yi interrupted her sharply.
“Supervisor An, get it right. She is not under your supervision. She is here on behalf of her Australian employers to handle a specific matter.”
“But CEO Hou, she was placed in my section within the legal department, and I have given her instructions she has refused to follow,” Supervisor An argued, her voice stubborn.
By now, the anger in Hou Yi’s voice was unmistakable. “Supervisor An, as I said, she is not under your supervision. She is simply here on behalf of her Australian employers, and it just so happens that there was space in your section. Nothing more.”
“But CEO Hou, she—” Supervisor An began again, but Hou Yi raised a hand, cutting her off.
“Miss Jones is not under your supervision. Are we clear now?” His anger was building, his patience thinning.
Anna, sensing the tension escalating, knew it was time to intervene before it spiraled further. She stood up and, with gentle insistence, guided him to look at her. Reaching up, she pulled his head down and kissed him softly on the lips, her gesture an unspoken plea for calm.
Hou Yi’s anger faltered, and for a moment, he seemed to collect himself. “I’ll deal with this,” he murmured, his voice quieter but still firm.
