Emma's eyes flickered with irony; she fully comprehended the undertones of Howard's statement. After clearing her throat, she languidly articulated, "Miss Phillips has instructed me to convey that fifty percent of your monthly salaries and annual bonuses will be deducted."

"What?"

The collective reaction was one of agitation. Without project-based commissions, their livelihoods were contingent on their salaries and year-end bonuses. The news was unequivocally distressing.

Howard swiftly regained his composure, secretly reveling in Lilah's perceived naivete and folly. He saw this as an ideal opportunity to gain the trust of his colleagues after Lilah's imprudent move.

"Could this be due to our absence at the morning meeting and Miss Phillips' subsequent displeasure?" Howard, now wearing a concerned expression, added, “I'm willing to accept any deductions on my part but our dedicated employees shouldn't suffer. I'll discuss this with her."

Emma replied with finality, “It's unnecessary. Miss Phillips has made her decision."

The directors under Howard seethed with anger.

Even Matthew, known for his strictness, refrained from such treatment.

The audacity to deduct their salaries from Lilah, a young woman, caught them entirely off guard.

“Humph! Well done, Lilah Phillips. In any case, the Phillips Group is heading for bankruptcy and I won't be lingering here," a brash director grumbled.

The sentiment echoed among the others, "Nor shall we."

Howard released a troubled sigh, his anxiety palpable.

His inner satisfaction, however, remained concealed.

Should they all decide to depart, he harbored doubts that Lilah could sustain her position as CEO.

Yet, Emma observed them with a dignified and distant smile, unmoved by their threats. “Should you wish to resign, kindly proceed to the HR department."

With that, she departed without endeavoring to persuade them to stay.

As the office door closed, the room collectively felt a stinging slap of reality. Voices rose in discontent. "Mr. Brown, Lilah displays an excessive arrogance. We've dedicated years to the Phillips Group. How can she treat us in this manner?"

Howard appeared conflicted, caught between a rock and a hard place.

“Let us maintain our composure. Lilah is but a young woman. She even mentioned she would seek to get the money back from Chris. Her audacity knows no bounds. We are her senior colleagues. Let's impart a valuable lesson."

“I concur. Resigning is the answer. She will soon regret her actions and feel the pangs of anxiety."

At the prospect of Lilah urging them to stay, they saw it as an opportune moment to broach the subject of a wage increase.

They doubted Lilah possessed the audacity to deny their request.

In that moment, the seasoned executives recognized the potential before them. Without hesitation, they dispatched their letters of resignation to the HR department.

A department director, observing Gladys engrossed in preparing for a meeting within her department, couldn't help but feel perplexed.