"..."
"You know, most people promote their subordinates one step every few years. But with you, it's practically calculated by the hour."
After giving Killian a deep look and confirming that he was not joking, Lisa could not help speaking.
However, the relaxed expression in her brows and the corners of her lips that kept lifting upward clearly revealed just how happy she was.
And after everything that had happened today, Killian had also realized that he really did need to start delegating power.
To be honest, there were many management positions in the company. Aside from the CEO role he currently held,
there were not only vice presidents, but also Executive Vice Presidents, along with the top managers of Human Resources, Operations, Finance, and the other major departments, as well as the ordinary Vice Presidents.
And among the VPs, there was also a distinction between Senior Vice President and Vice President.
Below them were two more levels, Director and Senior Director.
And the role Lisa currently held was Senior Project Manager, which was still below Director.
The reason Killian did not want to promote her too quickly was, first, that it could create a bad precedent for the future promotion system.
Second, things that came too easily were often valued the least.
What was more... given AIM's current growth potential, anyone with even a bit of sense would know that what Killian was offering her now already surpassed what ninety-nine percent of companies could provide.
Lisa was ambitious, but she also understood the bigger picture and knew when to advance and when to stop. Killian had always known that.
And he just so happened to need that kind of person.
So as long as it stayed within proper limits, if she produced results, he would never be stingy with rewards or promotions for her.
But only where ability was concerned.
What he needed now was someone who could step forward and help solve problems for him.
But not desperately so.
The development of a company was like the governance of a kingdom. There could be no carelessness at all.
"You have ability, and I need your ability. That's enough."
After saying that, Killian stopped speaking.
...
When she appeared again, Lisa was wearing a light blue evening dress, while Killian, dressed in a sharp suit, arrived with her at a banquet being held in a private estate.
"Hello, Mr. Killian. I am the butler of Biltmore Estate. Mr. Moss has been expecting you for quite some time. I will now lead the way for you. Please come this way."
After seeing Killian's party arrive, the butler waiting at the entrance quickly stepped forward and spoke respectfully.
"Lead the way."
After Killian's words fell, the butler gave a slight bow, then turned and walked ahead along one side of the path, making sure not to block the sightlines of Killian and Lisa.
After passing through several corners, the two arrived at the guest room on the second floor.
And only then did Killian finally see the main figures of tonight's visit, the famous Democratic representatives Milko Kennedy and Landon Redman.
And in the entire room, there were only the two of them and their respective female companions.
Judging from the arrangement of the room alone, it was enough to show just how much importance they attached to Killian.
Likewise, after seeing that, Killian's expectations for this meeting also rose.
Sometimes mutual interest was not the hard part.
The hard part was when the other side felt nothing at all.
"Hahahaha, this must be Mr. Killian, I presume."
"See, Redman? I told you our Mr. Killian has even more presence in person than in the photos."
"Come on, you lost the bet. Ten dollars. Pay up."
After seeing Killian walk in, Kennedy stood up first, came over laughing to Killian's side, joked as he spoke, and even urged Redman, who followed behind him, to pay up.
"Sorry about that, Mr. Killian. Forgive us for using you in a little wager. That was rather presumptuous."
After slipping the ten-dollar bill Redman handed over into his pocket, Kennedy then apologized to Killian.
"Oh? Of course I don't mind. And to be noticed by the famous Senator Kennedy is more of an honor for me."
Taking in the old man's behavior, Killian responded with an expression as though he were deeply honored.
"Hahaha, let me properly introduce myself. I am Milko Kennedy, and this gentleman here is Landon Redman. We are both friends who strive for the freedom and democracy of the people."
After hearing Killian's reply, the smile on Kennedy's face grew even wider, and he began introducing both himself and Redman.
"There's really no need for introductions. I've long heard of both Senator Kennedy and Senator Redman."
"Under the stewardship of the two of you, Florida can truly be called one of the safest and happiest major states in America."
"And Miami has become the first choice for young entrepreneurs. Countless new technologies are born here every year. If not for that reason, I would never have chosen Miami as the place to develop my business."
After hearing Kennedy's words, Killian immediately began delivering praise as though it cost him nothing.
"Hahaha, not at all, not at all. That's the result of all the American people building it together."
"And of course, contributions from outstanding entrepreneurs like you, Mr. Killian, are also indispensable in all of this."
Kennedy accepted every bit of Killian's praise with a smile, clearly enjoying it, to the point that he almost seemed unable to stop smiling.
Afterward, he invited Killian and Lisa to sit down, and under the butler's arrangement, they began enjoying the dishes that had already been prepared.
During the meal, the three men chatted enthusiastically about small anecdotes from everyday life, as if they were old friends who had known each other for years.
It was almost as though this dinner had truly been nothing more than a friendly reunion.
But everyone present knew very well that all of this was merely warming things up.
"Of course. Contributing to the people and to the country is also something a proper company ought to do."
"However... I still don't know what exactly Mr. Kennedy invited me here for tonight?"
After feeling that the atmosphere was just about right, and after once again responding to Kennedy's topic, Killian asked directly.
"Haha, Mr. Killian, worthy of an outstanding young man. Since that's the case, then I won't beat around the bush either."
"Germany, didn't you already prepare the dessert gathering? Why don't you take Miss Lisa and Mrs. Redman to enjoy it first?"
After hearing Killian's question, Kennedy laughed, then turned to speak to his wife at the side.
And after hearing her husband's words, Germany immediately understood. She stood up and invited the two women to step out with her.
Lisa, upon hearing the invitation, also very tactfully left the room.
And the atmosphere, which had been lively only moments before, instantly became quiet.
(End of Chapter)
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