A celebration dinner party?
Katelyn’s eyebrows furrowed, and it seemed like Vincent could read her mind.
“You need to be there as the key contributor to our success this time,” he told her.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Katelyn’s eyes as she asked, “Am I expected to give a speech or something?”
Interacting with people had always been a struggle for her, even with those on her own team. Despite being a leader, she often struggled to recall everyone’s names.
“It’s just an office celebration with our team. Don’t stress about it,” he reassured her.
This comforted Katelyn. She had often felt more at ease as a team member rather than in a leadership role. Her focus had always been on the tasks at hand, leaving personal matters for after hours. As an ordinary employee, there was no need to stress over trivial issues or managing office dynamics.
She was grateful to Vincent for allowing her to use half his office so she wouldn’t have to interact with people all the time.
The celebration was set for 7 p.m. at Granville’s finest restaurant, with the grandest private room reserved just for them. Following Vincent, Katelyn entered the room to find it filled with their design team.
Warm greetings were exchanged as they walked in.
“Here comes Miss Bailey, our stellar contributor!”
“Miss Bailey is the reason for our success today.”
Though the praises were heartwarming, Katelyn felt a tinge of discomfort but managed a smile. “Thank you for the kind words. This was a collective effort. We all share in this success, and it’s not just my own. Let’s keep up the teamwork and aim for even greater achievements.”
L?t?st chαpt?rs in glnovels.
The room erupted in cheers as she finished. Smiling, Katelyn took her place in a nearby chair. Vincent offered a faint smile and turned toward her.
“Didn’t you mention you usually steer clear of formality?”
Katelyn returned the smile. “Seems I can’t escape it after all.” She wasn’t fond of formalities but knew how to navigate social norms.
She had an instinct for societal manners yet remained down-to-earth and sincere.
That was simply Katelyn being herself. The moment passed quickly.
The conversation soon shifted to discussing the day’s successful press conference in smaller groups.
The dinner ambiance grew lively.
Katelyn observed everyone, her eyes twinkling with amusement at their jokes. Such moments added to the beauty of life.
Vincent was equally reserved, embodying the evening’s intent—to provide a well-deserved break for the team.
At one point, a young woman wearing glasses rose, her hand clutching a wine glass as she addressed Katelyn. Her excitement was evident, much like a recent graduate.
“Miss Bailey,” she began, “I’ve admired Iris for years, and it was her influence that drew me to this field. I never dreamed I’d get to work so closely with someone I’ve looked up to.” Her voice quivered at the end, her eyes glistening. She was new to the job and thrilled by the proximity to her role model. Only a true fan could relate to her exhilaration.
Katelyn gently handed her a tissue and offered a comforting look.
“Take it slow. There’s no rush to express yourself,” she reassured her.
The young woman quickly dried her eyes and said, “I struggle with words, but I want to toast to your future success.” She then confidently finished her glass of wine in one gulp. The wine, a mild fruit variety chosen by Vincent, was ideal for the occasion—light and enjoyable.
Katelyn got up, poured a drink for herself, and, with a warm smile, she looked first at the young woman and then over the entire design team.
“Mr. Adams and I appreciate the dedication and effort everyone has put in recently. Thank you all for your hard work. Let’s continue to strive for even greater achievements. As I’m new to leadership, I welcome your honest feedback on any area for improvement. Don’t hold back on your comments. It’s by recognizing our shortcomings that we can grow.”
After her speech, Katelyn toasted the gathering and drank her wine all at once.
Her confident and relaxed manner prompted cheers from the crowd.
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