Sonia led Lalatina and Sara through the laboratory, taking in the surroundings as they walked.
"I've heard that Mr. Stark is incredible, but I didn't expect it to be this impressive," Sara remarked, clearly in awe of the vast space.
"Lord Cassadin's evaluation of Mr. Stark is that his talents in technology are genuine," Sonia explained with a smile. "That's why he provided his full support even before Mr. Stark made any inventions."
Most members of the island, including Sonia, built their own homes or stayed aboard the warships, while Cassadin planned to construct a laboratory specifically for Mr. Stark upon his arrival. Although the scale of this place might not strictly qualify as a "laboratory," it was evident that Cassadin held Mr. Stark in high regard.
"Lalatina, since you'll be working on the Void Island, you'll find it much more liberating than the Elite Hotel," Sara added enthusiastically.
"Whether Mr. Stark will hire me is still uncertain, so let's take it one step at a time," Lalatina replied. She felt intrigued but understood that working for Mr. Stark might not be as straightforward as it seemed.
"If Lalatina is willing to work for me, I'd be thrilled," Tony's voice suddenly came from above, catching their attention.
He made a grand entrance, descending dramatically from above. Knowing that Sonia wasn't there to scold him, he had flown out of the laboratory to greet the three.
With Harvey's approval, Tony was ready to have Lalatina stay on the Void Island. Hiring her would solidify the confidence he'd projected during his bragging sessions.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Stark, but I'd prefer to observe you for a while. I fear I might not meet your expectations," Lalatina said, choosing her words carefully. "At the same time, I'd like to assess whether I can genuinely commit to working for you. This way, my decision won't be impulsive."
"Of course, there's plenty of time. No rush," Tony replied, appreciating Lalatina's cautious approach.
"What brings you here, Sonia?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"I came to learn about Lalatina's interaction with you, Mr. Stark. I also understand you wish to hire her as your secretary, assisting with your daily needs. Since she'll be staying on the island temporarily, it seems reasonable," Sonia said directly. "Sara currently lives on the island alone, so Lalatina's arrival will be a good match."
"Oh, is that all?" Tony grinned. "As long as Lalatina can show up for work, her living arrangements are up to her."
"Thank you, Mr. Stark," Lalatina expressed, feeling relieved at the acceptance.
"It's a common matter on Earth; you shouldn't feel overly concerned," Tony replied. "Before I witnessed the working hours at the Elite Hotel, I thought the jobs on Earth were quite demanding. I guess I underestimated the realities."
He then smiled at Lalatina. "I'll share my daily schedule and what you need to do. You'll be on call for a maximum of twelve hours a day. Just fulfill your responsibilities during that time."
Feeling the warmth of his encouragement, Lalatina smiled back.
"I didn't know much about jobs on Earth, but not all work is as demanding. For ordinary people like us, it's a trade-off of time for money," she explained. "Typically, after spending seven to eight years at the Elite Hotel, one can consider retiring and finding a more relaxed job to enjoy life."
The earnings from the women recommended by the Elite Hotel far surpassed her own, but every profession has its hardships—serving those worldly wealthy men was not an easy task.
"I admire your idealism and your willingness to act on it," Tony said, his gaze brightening.
His praise was genuine; he had seen too many young women, naive and unaware, who sacrificed their youth for quick gratification and then pursued fleeting relationships, leading them down a difficult path.
"By the way, do you have a car, Lalatina?" Tony asked. "If you don't, I can lend you one for your daily commute."
"I appreciate your offer, Mr. Stark, but since you're already letting me work so few hours, I'd rather not impose further," Lalatina replied, feeling grateful but shy to accept.