Chapter 10 Chatting About Life
The office door was closed, and Barton and the others dispersed with a sense of disappointment.
Bella, still fuming, stood in front of Louie. Her rosy face and heaving bosom accentuated her frustration. Louie, wearing a faint smile, quickly let his eyes scan Bella's heaving chest.
"Take a seat. Standing is tiring," Louie said, gesturing for Bella to sit down.
Bella remained standing, speaking angrily, "Supervisor, I don't understand why you're so petty. Just because others don't respect you, you retaliate against your subordinates. Someone with such a narrow mind can't lead us. Besides, you don't understand sales at all. In our type of product sales, it's possible not to secure an order for several months. But once it happens, it could be worth several million or even tens of millions. Clients don't always need us; negotiations could take months or even half a year from expressing interest to signing a contract. And now, by doing what you're doing, you're clearly trying to cut our wages. I think you're just seeking revenge. Hmph, our previous supervisor would never do this."
Watching Bella fume, Louie unexpectedly burst into laughter. He enjoyed seeing Bella angry. When Bella got upset, her face turned red, and the combination of blush and anger made her look all the more charming.
Since returning to Sradarc, Louie's life had undergone a stark contrast. His current life was calm yet filled with contradictions. He lacked nothing, and because of this, he had no clear goals. If life remained mundane, Louie would find it boring. Therefore, he always found reasons to make his life more exciting. Louie attributed this mindset to being "abnormal" and considered his own mentality far from normal.
In addition, he harbored concerns. Years of arms dealing had inevitably garnered enemies and rivals. One day, these adversaries might shatter his peaceful life. That's why Louie strived to savor the rare taste of a normal life.
"Bella, you're complaining that my decision is unfair to you all, but have you ever thought about why you have the leisure to chat and play games online?" Louie put away his smile, adopting a serious and solemn expression. The lazy demeanor from moments ago vanished, replaced by a new, stern visage that brooked no doubt.
Bella, momentarily taken aback, found herself unconsciously sitting down, intimidated by the authority emanating from Louie.
Louie continued, "As a qualified salesperson, your primary focus should be on gathering information, identifying potential clients. Tracking client information is essential—communicate regularly, stay updated. When entering negotiations, understanding the client's needs and expectations is crucial to guide them effectively. Now, aside from the other salespeople, I won't comment on what they did during my five days in charge. Let's talk about you. What do you think of your performance?"
Louie stared into Bella's eyes, and she, feeling the weight of his gaze, shifted her eyes away. She dared not meet Louie's gaze; she had never encountered a man whose eyes were so sharp, as if he could see through her thoughts.
"I feel... I feel it's not enough," Bella admitted, surprising even herself. She was the type to voice discontent whenever she faced issues. It was precisely this trait that gave her the courage to oppose Louie openly. However, at this moment, she realized she had no courage in front of Louie. The authoritative aura he exuded completely overwhelmed her.
"If you acknowledge your shortcomings, it means there's still hope for you," Louie finally revealed a slight smile, picking up a folder from the desk. "These are the projects you're currently tracking. Of course, these are significant projects you've been working on for a long time and are in the final stages. I believe if you can close these deals, achieving this year's sales target won't be difficult. However..." Louie's tone shifted, "you're on the verge of giving up the Glacier Refrigeration project, which could have been secured. Although it's not a large deal, it's an opportunity to meet the assessment criteria. If you can secure such small deals every month, by the end of the year, you'll have completed a project worth several million. The idea is to accumulate, and these small deals aren't challenging. The key is whether you're willing to pay attention."
Louie took a document freshly printed from the printer and handed it to Bella. "This information you collected, although not detailed, satisfies me. From this, I can roughly understand Glacier Refrigeration's situation. Firstly, they need a reliable engine, and judging from their registered capital, they would likely choose an affordable and practical small engine. The 3240 model you recommended is a perfect fit. Secondly, the main contact person is Marcus, the one you've been in touch with. So, I believe you're close to winning this deal. It just needs time. However, now that there's an issue with this order, our goal is to identify the problems."
Bella was impressed by Louie's keen observational skills, unknowingly bridging the gap between them. She temporarily set aside her speculations about Louie's character and recounted her involvement in the project, highlighting the recent issue with Marcus, the manager at Zaamtech, who explicitly stated their disinterest in purchasing InfinityGroup's engines.
After listening to Bella's account, Louie scrutinized her carefully, making Bella feel a bit uneasy. She checked her attire, finding nothing amiss, and looked back at Louie. To her surprise, Louie's mischievous grin returned, revealing the supervisor she detested.
"I suggest you call Marcus immediately and tell him you're inviting him to sing tonight, perhaps discuss life in a hotel room," Louie teased.
Bella didn't catch the words clearly and asked, "A hotel room?"
"Yes, a hotel room," Louie confirmed with a sly smile. "And make sure he feels really comfortable."