I Married the President

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Differential Treatment

’Five million reads...’

’That’s an insane number.’

Claire Sinclair felt it was an impossible task.

After all, environmentalism wasn’t celebrity gossip. People online only cared about which celebrity had great legs or who was crying on camera; they couldn’t even be bothered to click open an image for an environmental piece, let alone read a long-winded essay.

Even so, Claire Sinclair was more than willing to take on the task.

Promoting environmentalism was, after all, better than promoting materialism.

Putting her thoughts aside, Claire Sinclair began to go over the research materials.

...

「Meanwhile, in the Content Editorial Department.」

The new chief editor was Warren Wallace. He had been transferred from another newspaper and was a seasoned veteran reporter.

Warren Wallace called Phoebe Lockwood into his office and started with some pleasantries. ”Lockwood, it’s your first day. How are you settling in?”

”I’m doing well, Uncle Wallace. I’m adjusting just fine.”

Warren Wallace nodded. ”Yes, well, your father had me transferred here, so I’ll be sure to guide you. But you’re a rookie now; you have to start with the basics. For today, go online and read some of the past feature articles published by the Astoria Daily.

”Tomorrow, I’ll take you to interview the chairman of the Stanton Group and let you have a shot at writing a feature profile. From now on, you’ll be in charge of the business leaders section. That way, you’ll get to know more influential people, which will benefit your father’s career down the line.”

”Yes, sir! I’ll do my best!” Phoebe Lockwood was suddenly fired up with determination.

Warren Wallace said, ”You’ve got this. Now, get to it.”

Phoebe Lockwood excitedly returned to her dedicated desk, picked up a back issue of the weekly, and opened it to the profiles section.

Before long, Holloway, the assistant to the editor-in-chief—the same woman from yesterday’s interviews—suddenly appeared at the doorway. She called out to the entire department, ”Meeting in five minutes, everyone in Editorial! Editor-in-Chief Summers has an announcement!”

’Editor-in-Chief Summers...’

’So the top boss in the editorial department isn’t the new chief editor, Warren Wallace? There’s someone even higher up?’

Claire Sinclair gained a new perspective on the department. It seemed she’d need to get a proper grasp of the office hierarchy to avoid embarrassing herself down the road.

Everyone filed into the main office, the same room where the interviews had been held the day before.

Claire Sinclair took a seat in the corner and watched from a distance as a stern-faced, middle-aged woman walked in through the doorway.

Holloway followed behind her, reporting quickly and clearly, ”Editor-in-Chief Summers, here is this month’s editorial report and a classified document that just came in. Also, I Group has invited you to their summit at the end of the month. We need your response by this afternoon.”

Editor-in-Chief Summers took the files, her expression impassive. ”Decline the summit invitation. I have more important arrangements.”

”Yes, ma’am.” Holloway turned and left.

Editor-in-Chief Summers walked to the lectern and announced bluntly, ”A notice has come down from on high. The president of Country K will be visiting our nation for a cultural exchange at the end of the month. Our paper will be partnering with the television station next door to produce a special feature. Everyone, get focused and prepare. Veterans, stick to your usual duties. The two rookies—you’ll provide support. Meeting adjourned.”

Everyone: ...

’This has to be the most efficient department meeting I’ve ever attended,’ Claire thought. ’Not a single wasted word!’

Everyone filed out of the conference room and returned to their desks, and the office quickly became a hive of activity.

As a rookie with no immediate assignments, Claire returned to her desk.

She had just sat down when she heard someone call her name. ”Claire Sinclair, print this document for me.”

”Yes!” Claire hurried over, took the USB drive from her senior colleague, and headed for the printing room.