My Ex Boyfriend Is My New Company CEO

"Where's Hadley? Has anyone seen Hadley?"

Emir Holmes was swiftly moving through the office when Eloise Cunningham mentioned, "Wasn't she supposed to pick someone up at the airport?"

Unfazed by the chaos around, Emir instructed the nearby assistant, Ding, "Ding, try to reach Hadley and ask her to get back to the office immediately. Eloise, grab the TY design plans and come with me to the Ritz-Carlton."

Eloise sensed the urgency and hurried after him, choosing to stay silent. Emir, with critical members of the design team in tow, exited the office in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Hadley anxiously scanned the crowds at Heathrow Airport, prominently holding a noticeable sign, yet no one approached her. The 3:30 PM flight's boarding gate had already closed.

Frustrated, Hadley glanced at her watch. It was past four o'clock, and the supposed client from Manchester was nowhere in sight. In anger, she tossed the sign into a trash bin and left the airport, heels clicking as she walked.

Back at the company, colleagues whispered among themselves. Some speculated that the new secretary might have decided to leave on her own. Just then, a visibly irritated Hadley entered the office.

Eloise, arms crossed and appearing formidable, approached Hadley first. "Hadley, do you think you're here to slack off every day? The company pays you to work, not to mess things up. Even the janitor does a better job than you!"

"Could you at least get your facts straight before blaming someone, Eloise?" Hadley retorted, her own frustration rising. She had never received a friendly greeting from Eloise, and now this unwarranted scolding was too much.

"You messed up and still have the nerve to shout? Do you realize the trouble you've caused the company by not picking up the Manchester client? Where's your sense of responsibility as the manager's secretary?"

"I lack responsibility?" Hadley shot back indignantly. "I waited at Heathrow from 1 PM to 4 PM, even for the second flight from Manchester. Yet, I never saw this so-called client. You tell me, how's that irresponsible?"

Eloise's voice turned icy, "The client arrived at Gatwick, not Heathrow. Who told you to be so 'clever' and go to the wrong airport? Did you even engage your brain at work today?"

Hadley was momentarily taken aback, her sharp gaze fixed on Eloise as the truth dawned on her. Reining in her anger, she walked to her desk and opened the file Eloise had given her. Indeed, the destination clearly stated 'Gatwick,' but Hadley knew the handwriting wasn’t the same for that particular entry.

Eloise seemed satisfied with Hadley's expression, "So, Secretary Marshall, do you have anything else to say?"

"I don't want to argue with you. I'm going to speak with Emir," Hadley said, realizing a verbal spat with Eloise was futile, and headed toward the manager's office. Eloise attempted to block her, "Emir is busy cleaning up your mess. You'd better not disturb him."

"Let go, Eloise!" Hadley demanded, breaking free from her grip, and stormed into the manager's office without knocking, slamming the door shut behind her.

Emir was on the phone, speaking quietly, "Yes, I'll address the project issues. We'll discuss the timeline with the relevant departments. Please, as a long-time client, don’t let this incident affect our relationship. We aim for a pleasant collaboration."

Hadley, surprisingly composed, faced Emir as he hung up and looked at her intently, waiting for her to speak.

"Emir, I want to know how much loss this failure to meet the Manchester client has caused the company."

Emir replied coolly, "Are you planning to resign over this?"

Taking a deep breath, Hadley stepped forward, "When I received the notice from Eloise, the document clearly stated that the pickup was at 'Heathrow.' I can't offer proof to back my story, but if it’s my mistake, I'll own it. However, if I’m not at fault, I won’t resign quietly."

"Are you finished?" Emir leaned back in his chair, hands interlaced. "Let me say this: I can’t take your word for it, but I won’t fire you either. The incident has occurred; I’ll handle it. If you wish to make amends, focus on doing your job well."

With Emir's firm stance, what more could Hadley say? She lowered her head slightly, "Yes, Manager."

"When colleagues tried calling you in the afternoon, why was your phone unreachable?"

Hadley answered honestly, "I lost my phone, got a new one, and forgot to update everyone about the number."

Emir extended his hand, "Let me have a look at your phone."

As Emir dialed his number from Hadley's phone, his previously amiable expression darkened upon seeing Coleson Reynolds' name listed prominently as the first contact. The simplicity of the name sparked a hint of annoyance in Emir.

"Here you go," Emir handed the phone back, dispelling further thoughts, "There's nothing else. It's about time; you can leave for the day."

"Yes," Hadley nodded, exhaled, and left the manager’s office.

Gathering her things, Hadley was making her way out of the building when a confident Eloise bumped shoulders with her, casting a disdainful glance before striding away in her heels as if she’d just handled something unpleasant.

Maintaining her composure and muttering to herself, Hadley said, "Don't stoop to her level. It's like being bitten by a dog; you don’t bite back."

Still seething, she walked briskly until her heel got caught in a storm drain.

"Ouch!" The snap of her heel sent her tumbling to the ground. With her patience exhausted, she yanked off the broken heel and cursed at it, "Stupid storm drain! Stupid shoe! Are you both just trying to make me miserable today? Think I'm easy to bully, do you? See how you like this!" And with that, she flung the shoe behind her in frustration.

"Ouch—" came a voice from behind.

Startled, Hadley spun around to see who she'd hit, her eyes widening in surprise.

Coleson was rubbing his head, the culprit—a high heel—lying at his feet. Bending down to pick it up, he approached Hadley, "Really, Hadley? Littering like this isn’t very eco-friendly," he teased.

Hadley snatched the shoe back, countering firmly, "Give it back. Who said it was trash?"