chapter79

For a company this big, losing over twenty million in half a year didn't really seem shocking.

that

Colt didn't even blink. "That's right, Ms. Norwood. We lose money every year. Honestly, this past six months was the best we've done. If our current sales keep up, we should finally stop bleeding money and maybe even turn a profit by the end of the year."

Lydia almost laughed. Was he serious?

She glanced at Colt. "Get me every financial report from the day this company was founded until now. I'll read them in my office."

A company this size, with Norwood Enterprises backing it, was losing money year after year? Something was definitely off.

Colt hesitated and tried to brush her off. "Ms. Norwood, that might be difficult. We only have the recent half-year's reports organized. And those old files... honestly, there's no point. What matters is how the company's doing now. If you focus on the current numbers and help boost sales, that'll make a real difference."

Lydia's voice turned cold. "Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?" Her eyes, clear and sharp, held a pressure that made even Colt, who'd been around for years, falter.

"No, of course not. Since you want them, I'll have my team pull everything together as soon as possible."

Lydia nodded. "I want them on my desk before the end of the day."

Colt was rattled by her commanding presence and quickly agreed. Yes, Ms. Norwood."

Once Lydia and Josef had left, Colt huffed to himself. He'd been in the business world for years and thought he'd seen it all. How had a teenager managed to put him on edge like that?

After leaving the finance department, Josef noticed Lydia's chilly mood and asked carefully, "Ms. Norwood, should I call a meeting with the department heads?"

Normally, a new president would run a bunch of meetings on their first day.

But Lydia just said, That can wait. Show me to my office first." "Yes, ma'am."

The president's office was on the top floor. By the time Lydia and Josef got there, Rose was already inside, venting to her husband Parker about how rude and arrogant Lydia was.

Parker was short and stocky, balding with a greasy shine, and had the kind of shifty eyes and beer belly that made him look like the walking definition of sleazy. As Rose complained about Lydia threatening to fire two receptionists her first day and acting like she owned the place, Parker just smirked.

What a cocky little brat.

"Honey, she's so young and already thinks she runs the place. You need to figure out a way to get rid of her before she messes everything up." Rose couldn't explain it, but Lydia made her feel uneasy from the moment they met.

Parker was used to being the big boss around here. He just scoffed. "She's only seventeen. What's there to worry about? Let her play tough for a while. She'll calm down soon enough."

Rose was about to say something back when they heard the secretaries outside greet someone politely. "Good morning, Ms. Norwood."

Parker's interest was piqued. "Let's go meet our new boss."

Josef was just showing Lydia around the top floor, pointing out the president's office, when Parker strolled out, grinning. The moment he saw Lydia a tall, striking girl with bright eyes and a cool, effortless confidence his eyes lit up.

He hadn't expected Ms. Norwood to be this gorgeous.

Rose let out a quiet, annoyed sigh. "The prettier the flower, the deadlier the poison." She knew exactly what kind of man her husband was. He'd messed around with more than a few attractive girls in the company. For the sake of their family, she'd just learned to look the other way.