Aila nodded and set off in search of Suzane around the house. It didn’t take long for her to find her, and the two women made their way to Riana’s office. Upon arriving, Aila gently knocked on the door and entered, announcing Suzane’s presence.
— Riana, here is Suzane. — Aila said, smiling at the two women in front of her.
Riana looked up at the newcomers, returning the smile politely.
— Thank you, Aila. I’ll talk to her now. — Riana said before turning directly to Suzane. — Please, come in, Suzane. Step forward and take a seat here.
After a detailed and thorough conversation with the nanny, Riana felt confident that she had found the right person to care for her child, whose arrival was getting closer. Suzane’s answers to her questions and her previous experience left Riana feeling assured in her choice.
Satisfied with the conclusion of the interview, Riana headed to the office. As president, she had a number of responsibilities to fulfill and an important meeting scheduled for that afternoon. The workload was significant, but she knew it was temporary. Riana was determined to find someone trustworthy to complete the development of the software that her brother had left unfinished. This task was crucial for the company’s future, and she was set on finding the right person to take on this responsibility.
THE SOFT GENIUS, a renowned technology company, was known for its exceptional work in developing electronic products, software, computer networks, and communications. However, since the death of Junior Raddoc, Riana’s brother and the head of the IT team, nearly a year ago, the company had faced significant challenges.
Junior was a key member of the IT team and was deeply involved in the development of various software. However, after his death, several projects were abruptly halted, as he had worked independently on some of them and did not leave adequate records of his work. This gap left the company in turmoil, with vital areas of its business in limbo and considerable uncertainty about the future of those projects.
Despite the explanations given to Riana about the situation, many questions remained unanswered, leaving her perplexed and determined to investigate further. The lack of clarity surrounding Junior’s activities before his death was a source of concern for Riana, who saw an urgent need to resolve these issues to ensure the continuity of the company’s operations.
In light of the critical situation faced by the company, Riana made a bold decision on a Wednesday: to call a meeting with the IT team and appoint Estevan as responsible for the projects left by her deceased brother, Junior. This drastic change did not go unnoticed by Paulo, who felt uncomfortable with Riana's decisive attitude.
After the meeting, Paulo headed to Riana's office with the intention of confronting her about her decision. Upon entering, he began the conversation directly, revealing his dissatisfaction with Riana's action. However, his demeanor was immediately noted by Riana, who detected a tone of insult in his voice. Without even looking at Paulo, she reacted with irritation:
— Since when can you enter my office like this? — she questioned, clearly expressing her displeasure with how Paulo approached the situation.
Paulo, realizing the discomfort caused by his approach, quickly apologized, trying to ease the tension:
— Sorry, but you held a meeting with the IT team without me. What’s going on?
Paulo’s words only served to intensify Riana’s irritation, and she stood up from her chair with determination. Looking directly at him, she responded incisively:
— Two months ago, I put you in charge of solving the IT personnel issue, and so far, I haven’t seen any results. So don’t question me. I am the president here.
This exchange revealed not only the tension between Riana and Paulo but also the weight of the responsibilities that Riana bore as president of the company. Her decision to take firm action reflected her commitment to directly and effectively tackle the company’s challenges, even if it meant confronting colleagues.
The tension in the room was palpable as Paulo, visibly disturbed, tried to control his emotions in the face of Riana’s cutting words. His face showed an expression of indignation, and his previously calm voice now carried irritation:
— You’re wrong, Riana.
Riana’s reaction couldn’t have been more energetic. She stepped out from behind the desk, facing Paulo with an intense expression, demanding a clear explanation:
— What did you say?
Paulo, perhaps realizing the gravity of his words, tried to soften them, but the damage was already done:
— I meant that you can’t act this way towards me.
Paulo’s words only served to further inflame Riana’s fury. A tear of anger welled up in her eyes, but she did not hesitate to assert her authority firmly:
— Never again dare to say that I am wrong. This company is mine, I am the president, I am the one in charge here, understood?
Before the tension could escalate any further, Julião interrupted the confrontation by entering the room, visibly concerned about the argument that could be heard down the hallway. His timely intervention broke the tense atmosphere hanging in the room. Riana, still filled with conflicting emotions, took a deep breath and decided to step back from the situation, turning to face the calm view of the city outside the window.
After wiping the tear that had rolled down her cheek, Riana faced the situation head-on, staring at the two men in silence. Paulo and Julião fixed their gazes on her, waiting for her next words. In a firm voice, Riana addressed Paulo:
— Paulo, I hope this is the last time you question something you haven’t had the competence to resolve. Understood?
Paulo remained silent, his expression overflowing with anger. Riana did not wait for a response and continued to assert her authority:
— Now, get out of here.
Paulo turned his back and left the room in silence, while Julião remained standing, watching Riana with concern. Riana, in turn, took her seat again and invited Julião to join her:
— Julião, sit here. We need to talk.
Julião approached and took a seat as Riana continued:
— Today, your brother crossed the line with me, and he will face the consequences. I placed Estevan in the IT team, and that’s where he will stay.
Julião shrugged, demonstrating resignation to the situation, and commented:
— That’s fine by me. If that’s why Paulo was questioning you, I don’t see a reason. My brother Estevan is very competent with technology.