Chapter: 180

Kaitlin's expression tightened.

Her office was her sanctuary, not a public area.

Though Whitney appeared professional, her demands felt somewhat presumptuous.

“Ms. Jones, my office is not as spacious as it seems, and my duties extend beyond just Mr. Thomas' project. Your presence here would hinder my efficiency," Kaitlin said.

Kaitlin maintained her smile, keeping her voice even as she politely declined the suggestion.

Whitney's expression darkened, yet she held her tongue.

Upon the HR manager's arrival, Kaitlin gestured for him to attend to Whitney, signaling that he should make her comfortable.

Given Whitney was a representative sent by a client, the HR manager treated her with utmost respect, briefing her on various protocols and trying his best to meet her needs.

However, Whitney's arrogance only grew with this attention, and she failed to acknowledge his efforts.

"This area is too noisy. Everyone's working, and it's distracting. There's no natural light here. I'm not accustomed to that. This spot seems fine... oh, is the kitchen next door? What's available for afternoon tea?"

Whitney's demands and demeanor stretched the HR manager's patience thin.

"Ms. Jones, if I recall correctly, you're here to collaborate with us on behalf of your company. The location of your workstation shouldn't impact your ability to work. During busy times, you'll likely be in the meeting room with the rest of us. As for afternoon tea, we keep it simple here, but there's always plenty of coffee."

Chastened, Whitney moderated her behavior slightly. “Alright, we'll leave it at that for now. I will let you know if I need anything else," she said briskly.

As she turned to leave, the HR manager couldn't help but force a smile and roll his eyes.

Whitney wasn't just known for her short temper; she also had a penchant for showing off in front of others.

By day's end, she had managed to rub half of the design team the wrong way.

Phoebe, ever observant, was starting to feel a headache coming on.

"What's Mr. Thomas thinking? Is he trying to make our lives difficult? It seems like Whitney's more about appearance than brains. How did she even land the role of Mr. Thomas’ secretary?"

The conversation began to drift, and Kaitlin quickly steered it back.

“The client recommended her, so let's just bear with it for now. She won't be here long. Let's give the staff a bonus and remind everyone to steer clear of provoking Whitney."

Despite Kaitlin's warnings to the studio's team to avoid stirring Whitney's pot, Whitney's constant need for attention and knack for nitpicking were becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.

It appeared she was accustomed to flattery at her office, and now she was even more audacious.

Phoebe, growing increasingly exasperated, turned to Kaitlin with a complaint.

“I think we need to have a word with Mr. Thomas about sending her back. Her presence here could really disrupt the designers’ morale, and some of them are quick to anger. What happens if tensions escalate to a fight?"