Five Years Ago
"I've given you over 100 million in funding to recover all the lost materials and
data, so why is the collected data still in this state?"
Maya,a 28-year-old woman, questioned the lab workers who had been under her employment for six months. Her brows furrowed in frustration.
"There are still too many missing files. I remember every detail clearly, but I
entrusted all of you to find them. What are you working for? You'll never
complete a single robot if you continue to be this careless. DE PHILIPS CORP
creates extraordinary robots, not just average ones. If you succeed, you will
be sponsored. My company is big enough to welcome those with ambition and just as big to dismiss those unwilling to commit."
Maya snapped at the employees who were taking their work too lightly.
Beep,
beep.
The sound of the security-coded door unlocking echoed through the lab. An elderly man with a white beard, wrinkled face, and a lab coat entered, greeting Maya. It was Mr. Bills Hammington, better known as Mr. Bills—the person closest to Maya.
"Don't get angry too quickly, or you'll age faster," Mr. Bills chuckled.
Maya pouted.
"He can handle this minor issue. He's been my protégé for a long time, but he just didn't want to work under you," Mr. Bills gestured behind him as he walked
toward the main computer.
Maya frowned. Who was he talking about?
There was no one behind him. The room remained silent. Mr. Bills, realizing his
mistake, slapped his forehead in realization—the person was still outside.
Maya shook her head and walked toward the security-coded door, swiping her access card. As the glass sliding door opened, a man stood before her, scratching his head in confusion.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with fair skin, cinnamon-brown eyes, and a
perfectly styled side-part haircut. His sharp nose and dark red lips enhanced
his striking features. Dressed in a black casual shirt and a lab coat, he
exuded a masculine aura.
Their eyes met.
Maya's expression remained serious as she examined the man before her. Without a word, she turned on her heels and walked back toward Mr. Bills. The man followed.
Mr.Bills grabbed his arm and nudged him forward.
"Oh,hi. I'm Arden Enrique Zayn. Nice to meet you all, and I hope Miss Maya will
accept me as a new employee," Arden introduced himself with a tight-lipped
smile.
Maya looked shocked, turning to Mr. Bills in disbelief. Since when had she accepted a new employee?
"Oh,my dear Maya, you know I always bring in the best people to solve your
company's problems. And you also know I never bring just anyone. Arden is the
best person to take DE PHILIPS CORP to even greater heights," Mr. Bills
coaxed, standing beside her.
Maya stared at the old man, momentarily speechless. She let out a deep sigh before sinking into the long gray sofa she had bought two weeks ago for her and the lab employees to use. Crossing her legs and resting her arms on her knees, she fell silent for a moment.
"Fine.Show me that you can solve this problem," she finally directed at Arden.
Arden's lips curled into a smile, revealing straight teeth with slightly sharp canines.
His cold aura made him seem somewhat intimidating. He nodded in agreement.
Maya
dismissed all other employees, giving Arden full access to the lab to resolve
the long-standing issue. Mr. Bills, meanwhile, went to the designated room
where employees working overtime could change into more comfortable clothes.
Maya
stood up and walked toward Arden.
With
a sharp gaze, she straightened Arden's dark blue tie, which had been slightly
disheveled. Leaning in close, she whispered, "Do your job properly. Don't
make mistakes. You're dealing with my company. Remember, if there's a single
mistake, you and Mr. Bills will never set foot in this place again.
Understand?"
She deliberately
invoked Mr. Bills' name, knowing full well she would never actually fire the
hardworking and brilliant old man.
Arden,unbothered by the threat, locked eyes with her, his gaze just as sharp. He
slightly lowered his face toward hers and whispered back, mimicking her tone,
"Understood, Miss Maya."
Maya was small compared to Arden, but her confidence never wavered. If he were to embrace her, she would fit perfectly in his arms.
Letting go of his tie, now neatly fixed, Maya raised an eyebrow, let out a small laugh,and walked away—completely unfazed.