Ashley stood there with the documents Jacob gave her in her hands and bit her bottom lip. "Why am I not qualified? Isn't any experienced employee here used to be a new employee?"

Debbie was stunned for a second, furrowed her brows more tightly, and then walked to Ashley step by step. "As a newcomer, how dare you talk to me like this? Believe it or not, I will immediately ask the Human Resources Department to expel you from the company."

"I joined the company through the normal interview process and have gone through the entry procedures and signed the labor agreement. You cannot fire me at will." Ashley could clearly sense Debbie's hostility, but she did not want to lower her head. After all, she had tried very hard to eventually get the chance to get close to Leonard.

Debbie did not expect the girl before her to be so smart and then picked up the telephone on the table with a frown. "Director Reid. The new assistant you've recruited is unqualified. You'd better deal with it immediately. No matter what method you use, don't let her appear at the president's office."

Brenda frowned slightly and smiled, "Assistant Lewis, are you ordering me? Don't forget, you were also recruited by me. And our company's personnel department has independent recruitment rules and systems. You've said that the newly recruited assistant is unqualified. Are you questioning Director Mia's professional abilities?"

Debbie paused for a second and then realized that she had gone too far. She was just President Bryant's personal assistant, and Brenda was the head of the entire President's Secretariat. She should not have talked to her in that tone of voice.

"Brenda, I didn't mean that. I was too angry just now, so my tone didn't sound right." Debbie let out an awkward smile. "Please don't get mad at me."

Brenda also smiled. "Assistant Lewis, you're one of President Bryant's assistants. I hope that you can maintain your best state all the time at work and don't get overwhelmed by your sense of superiority. After all, your position requires the holder to be young, and there are quite a few people at the secretariat that can replace you."

Debbie turned pale, holding the phone tightly. "Thanks for the reminder, Director Reid. I'll keep that in mind. But the new assistant you've arranged for Assistant Dawson is really not suitable to go on a business trip with us. Please send someone else over."

"The secretariat has been incredibly busy lately, and there is no one else to replace Ashley. Also, Assistant Dawson thinks Ashley is quite suitable. That is not a hindrance to you anyway, right? After all, the nature of senior assistants and personal assistants is completely different." Brenda's tone of voice was light. However, she was hinting Debbie to be aware of her status and not to go too far.

"In that case, let's hope the new assistant will not make any mistake or cause any trouble. Otherwise, it will put you, Director Reid, in an awkward situation, right?" Debbie smiled and then hung up.

Ashley stood there, watched Debbie finished the call, and then understood her intention. "Assistant Lewis, this is the first time we met each other. I'm wondering when I offend you to make you hate me so much?"

Staring at Ashley's smooth, pretty face, Debbie somehow felt uncomfortable inside. Maybe that was due to the repulsive force between females, especially beautiful ones.

"Ashley, right?" Debbie sneered. "Why do I hate you so much? Well, that's an interesting question. Do you think that you're very likable?"

Ashley was confused and did not make an immediate reply to the other woman.

"The President Office is not a fairyland for you to stay. You'd better not make any mistake. Otherwise, the personnel department will definitely kick you out of the Bryant Group." Debbie finished her words in a cold tone and then turned to leave.

After a while, Jacob hurried back to the office and asked immediately after getting seated, "Ashley, how is the preparation work?"

"Almost done." Ashley was still thinking about Debbie's words.

Jacob looked up at Ashley while typing on the keyboard. "Don't be nervous. You just need to memorize the information well and then treat this business trip as a holiday."

"A holiday?" Ashley was surprised. "I heard that President Bryant is a very demanding person. How can I treat a business trip as a real trip?"

Jacob smiled, "President Bryant is indeed horrifyingly demanding in terms of work. Although Frida and I have worked for him for many years, we still tremble every day for fear of any omissions. This time, we're going to A City mainly to survey a famous tourist attraction there. Our company plans to build some villas and leisure clubs nearby. We have prepared all the information, i.e., those documents I've told you to memorize. As long as you answer all the questions when they raise and not make any mistake, it will be fine."

Ashley nodded slightly. "I see."

Ashley spent the entire morning reading and memorizing the information. Also, she checked recent news about tourist attractions in A City on her own.

"Ashley, you may go to lunch now." At noon, Jacob had not finished his work. He looked up at Ashley and said, "The food in the staff restaurant downstairs is not bad. You can give it a try."

"Staff restaurant?" Ashley paused for a second, replying, "Mr. Dawson, aren't you going to have lunch?"

Jacob kept looking at the drawings and materials with his head down. "I'm not going. We're leaving tomorrow morning. I have to confirm all the details once again."

"What would you like to eat? I'll fetch some for you." Ashley suggested with a smile, "Otherwise, it's bad for your stomach."

Jacob lifted his head, saying, "Okay, then. It's up to you. Thanks!"

"You're welcome." Ashley left the office and went downstairs by elevator.

In the elevator, Ashley happened to meet Brenda and greeted her politely, "Hello, Director Reid."

Brenda glanced at Ashley, saying, "The staff canteen is on the second floor, and you can buy food there with your corporate card."

"Thanks." Ashley nodded at the expressionless woman's words, and her impression of the latter improved slightly.

Ashley was shocked when she arrived at the restaurant on the second floor. She never thought that a company's staff restaurant would be so luxurious. It was even better than a restaurant at a five-star hotel. She walked in slowly and saw not only local food but dishes from all over the world.

After getting her food, Ashley placed the tray on the self-service counter. Immediately, the meal fee appeared on the screen, and she paid with her employee card.

With the tray in her hands, Ashley found a seat to sit alone. She was new here and was not familiar with other colleagues yet.

"Ashley?" Suddenly, someone patted Ashley gently on the back.

She looked back to find that it was Carla, the personnel assistant.