Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Victoria’s remark no longer came as a surprise for Samantha. After all, the fact that Victoria could reach such heights in her career was proof enough that her judgement—both in terms of a person’s character or of a certain situation—should not be underestimated.

Samantha nodded and said, “Yes. I’m going to hand in my resignation.”

She joined Lychee TV full of enthusiasm but was disappointed time and again despite joining the company of her dreams.

Nothing and no one seemed to conform with her worldview and principles, be it her department head, colleagues, or the way the station handled problems.

For her, being an anchor was not just a job—it was an ambition. If she continued to stay there, she would either assimilate into the environment there or would have to face the same situation again the next time it happens.

If that was going to be the case, she might as well leave right away

.

Victoria smiled. “You have the same temper as I had when I was young. Even our experiences are similar.”

“Ms. Goldman… have you…ever thought about leaving Lychee TV too?” There was a hint of surprise in Samantha’s eyes.

As a fan of Victoria’s, Samantha knew Victoria’s professional experience like the back of her hand. She remembered that Victoria had always been with Lychee TV.

“Not once. Plenty of times,” Victoria corrected.

“…What? Why?”

Victoria chuckled softly. “Their ideas weren’t in line with mine, and I can’t stand the sight of those old men.”

The so-called old men she spoke of were the group of higher-ups in the station.

Every time an accident happened, all they thought about was abandoning their pawns and protecting themselves. It was always a case of pushing others to shoulder the blame while their own hands remained clean, and they would do anything as long as the station’s interests were not affected.

Her frankness prompted Samantha to ask straightforwardly, “I see… then…why are you still here?”

“Since the company can’t afford to let me go, they had no choice but to agree to my conditions and allow me to form my own team.”

Victoria looked through the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office and glanced at the office space outside. “The anchors and reporters you see here work under my orders. My team and Lychee TV’s anchor team are completely separate entities. My people are solely responsible to me and me alone, and they’re all given freedom of course. If anything happens to them, I will protect them to the very end as long as they did not do something that goes against the law and basic morals!”

“I have five people in my team. Two of them are here while the other three have gone out to do their tasks. They’re free to leave if they have assignments to complete and there’s no need for them to clock in from nine to five.”

Samantha suddenly realized why the office lobby was so empty. It turned out that the anchors had more freedom when doing their work.

She could not help but acknowledge the refreshing work model that Victoria had implemented. It was a very pleasant one too.

Such a model was vastly different from when she was under Carl, who liked to emphasize that he was the boss and manipulated the people under him. His employees were more like puppets than they were employees. His people could only do work if he gave the word, otherwise those who went against him would be severely oppressed.

Samantha pursed her lips slightly and said, “May I ask why are you telling me this, Ms. Goldman?”

Victoria could tell that Samantha was smart enough to know what was going on, yet she still acted with decorum and asked politely.

In response, Victoria answered kindly, “Ms. Larsson, you’re a promising individual and I admire you very much. Your departure will be a loss to Lychee TV, and I find it regrettable too.”

“Therefore, I’d like to invite you to join my team. I’ll mentor you personally and give as much room as you need for development. I will also protect you so you can rest with ease.”

She did not mention anything superficial because money and benefits would never sway those who had ideas to strive toward—it was the passion in their hearts that had to be ignited.

Samantha went to Lychee TV that day feeling extremely disappointed.

She knew that Lychee TV would take advantage of the situation and try to keep her around, considering how she had come out victorious and had since become so popular on the internet.

Even so, she had already made up her mind to leave.

Victoria, however, managed to sway her heart with those few sentences alone.

Samantha strove to achieve her dreams and it was only natural that she would hope to move forward without needing to worry about anything. In that regard, the station was supposed to provide her with a good platform and a solid backing, not deal further blows to her when she went out to do her job.

She had suffered greatly in her recent endeavor because she was attacked by those within and outside of the company.

Samantha might not have survived the ordeal had it not been for the people who cared for her—Timothy, Ronald, Old Madam Barker, and Aunt Julia.

She clenched her fists slightly as her emotions fluctuated a little.

Victoria did not rush her but waited quietly instead. She even continued to pour more tea once Samantha’s teacup was empty.

She did not have put-on airs like some of those higher-ups and valued talent more than all else. For the past few years, she had been searching for good prospects whom she could nurture because all circles needed a steady stream of fresh blood in order to continue developing.

Victoria had been optimistic about Harmony in the past, but the latter had the wrong mindset. Nurturing a person who is inclined towards an unprincipled path would only turn them into malignant tumors.

By contrast, she did not really like Samantha in the beginning.

The first reason was because Samantha was sharper than most. A person like that could easily become egotistical and uncontrollable.

Secondly, Samantha had a reputation as Mrs. Barker, and Victoria could not be sure whether she was there to pass her days or whether she was really serious about the job.

In the end, the facts have shown that Victoria had been somewhat prejudiced against Samantha.

Samantha loved that job more than anything else, and at the same time, she stood out in terms of ability and acumen. More remarkably, she lacked ego and had a humble heart, in addition to holding on to principles that were befitting of those working in media.

She had never taken the initiative to invite anyone to join her team before, so it was unprecedented of her to offer a chance to Samantha, although it must be said that Samantha deserved it.

Samantha drank three cups of tea silently and looked up at Victoria. She then said seriously, “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind if such troublesome incidents happen again in the future, Ms. Goldman?”

The implication was that such ‘troublesome incidents’ would happen again in the future.

Victoria smiled. “Not at all.”

Samantha then asked, “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind if your reputation was on the line in the future?”

“Not at all.”

Samantha took a deep breath and finally said, “You do know that my loved ones were in extreme danger because of what I did, and it might be you the next time. Are you sure you won’t mind that?”

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The smile on Victoria’s face remained unchanged and she answered without hesitation, “Not at all.”

Samantha closed her eyes and opened them a few seconds later. She then stood up and stretched her hand out to Victoria, “Thank you for recognizing my worth, Ms. Goldman. I’m more than willing to join your team.”

Victoria stood up and accepted the handshake while saying confidently, “I knew you wouldn’t refuse. Welcome, Ms. Larsson.”

…

Samantha then walked out of Lychee TV’s entrance. She was just about to call Timothy and share with him the good news when her phone rang first..