Ethan, blissfully unaware that he had just walked past a woman weaving plans against him, continued down the hall toward the interview room. His pace was steady, but his thoughts were anything but.
As he walked, he couldn't help but take in the transformation of NovaTech's headquarters. The polished floors, the sleek lighting, the carefully designed open spaces—it all felt surreal.
"Well," he murmured to himself with a faint grin, "this is more than I imagined."
And it was. Seeing the 3D renderings during the planning phase had been exciting enough. Still, the reality of it—the tangible, walkable space—was something else entirely.
He'd shown the designs to his family, their eyes lighting up as he described what NovaTech would become. They'd been eager to visit.
'I could bring them anytime,' Ethan thought. The office was, after all, his. He could come and go as he pleased—a thought that still felt strange, as if he were a guest in someone else's dream.
Passing the waiting area, Ethan noticed several candidates lingering, their heads swiveling as they took in the impressive surroundings.
Though the interviews had wrapped up, they'd been given permission to stay until 5 PM, a decision made partly to showcase the workspace.
Security was vigilant, ensuring no one strayed into restricted areas, but the open spaces were fair game.
Ethan could see the reasoning. Letting people explore the office was a clever move—who wouldn't want to work in a place like this?
The environment practically radiated ambition and opportunity. Yet, Ethan knew that appearances alone weren't enough. NovaTech needed the right people, not just those dazzled by its surface.
"That's the tricky part," Ethan mused under his breath. Filtering through candidates wasn't just about qualifications—it was about finding people who aligned with the vision, even if that vision was still a work in progress.
Truthfully, Ethan didn't yet have a fully formed plan for NovaTech. The company's current direction was shaped by the system missions—developing apps that would, piece by piece, build something extraordinary.
Perhaps more missions would follow, guiding him further. Or perhaps he'd have to chart his own course once the system went quiet.
For now, he felt like a visionary in the making—his ideas scattered but potent, like seeds waiting for the right soil. "Maybe Alan Moses had moments like this," Ethan thought with a chuckle, "before he started sending cars into space."
His musings were interrupted as he walked past a group of candidates who barely glanced at him. It was no surprise. Nobody here knew Ethan Cole. They only knew David Turner—the public face of NovaTech.
Ethan had deliberately kept himself in the background, unsure how people would react if they learned he was the real "big boss."
Most would probably laugh, he thought, dismissing him as some lucky kid with delusions of grandeur. A few might try to cozy up to him, but the idea of people fawning over him made him shudder.
Still, the anonymity wouldn't last forever. Ethan knew he'd have to step forward eventually. "How troublesome that'll be," he muttered, though there was a glimmer of humor in his voice.
Taking out his phone, he scrolled through updates from David. It would have been a lie to say he wasn't eager to know how the interviews had gone. David had been keeping him informed throughout the day, and the latest update was promising: the interviews were complete.
To meet the demand, they'd split the candidates across three rooms, with additional support from senior representatives sent by the HR agency and accounting firm.
Even Charles had been roped in, though he'd had to rush back to his office to handle other matters. Charles didn't seem to mind; Ethan's projects had been a boon for his bank, after all.
Quickening his pace, Ethan felt a spark of anticipation. "I hope we've found the best," he thought, nearing the interview room. The day had been long, but the real work was just beginning.
Upon entering the room, Ethan found David and Jessica in the midst of wrapping up a discussion with the other representatives. The table was strewn with resumes, their crisp edges betraying the weight of decisions yet to be made.
"How's it going?" Ethan asked casually, his gaze skimming over the resumes as if he had walked into a conversation about the weather.
His question caught the others off guard. A young man had just strolled into the room and spoken as if he had every right to be there. Eyebrows were raised, and there was a moment of silence that seemed to stretch longer than it should have.
David, realizing the awkwardness of the situation, quickly stepped in to bridge the gap.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Everyone, meet Ethan Cole, the chairman of NovaTech Innovations."
The announcement landed like a small explosion. The room seemed to collectively blink as if trying to reconcile the title with the young man standing before them.
Ethan, with his easy demeanor and unassuming presence, looked more like a college student on a casual errand than the head of a cutting-edge company.
Ethan, well-versed in this sort of reaction by now, offered a polite smile. He made no effort to explain himself—it seemed pointless. Convincing skeptics often only added fuel to their doubts, and Ethan had no appetite for theatrics or dramatic revelations.
Instead, he held his ground with quiet confidence, greeting each representative as they stepped forward to shake his hand. David, sensing the undercurrent of skepticism, kept the conversation light, steering it toward small talk until the representatives were dismissed.
When the room finally emptied, David sighed, glancing at Ethan with a hint of regret. "Sorry, you had to deal with those looks."
Ethan chuckled, his tone carrying more amusement than bitterness. "Never mind. I've grown used to it."
David and Jessica exchanged a glance, unsure whether to laugh or sympathize. Both knew more about Ethan's wealth than the average observer.
David had pieced it together from Charles during the process of opening the company's accounts, and Jessica had witnessed Ethan's casual property purchases over the past few days.
Still, they suspected the full scope of his resources remained a mystery, even to them.
To shift the focus, David exhaled and said, "Well, about the interviews... we saw quite a variety of candidates today. Some were impressive, others less so."
He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "But one candidate stood out—Lena Volkov."
Jessica nodded in agreement. "She's sharp, confident, and carries a wealth of experience. I believe she could be a real asset to the team."
Ethan, intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "Lena Volkov? As in the Volkov? That Volkov family?"
Jessica confirmed with a nod. "Yes, she's one of them. The Volkovs are business tycoons. Her resume is nothing short of stellar."
David handed Lena's resume to Ethan, who scanned it with measured interest. "Impressive," he said aloud, though his expression hinted at something more reserved.
Jessica noticed his hesitation and leaned forward slightly. "What's wrong, Ethan? You don't seem as enthusiastic about her as we are."
Ethan smiled a faintly enigmatic curve to his lips. "Well, isn't it a bit unusual for someone from the Volkov family to be seeking a role at our company? With their resources, wouldn't she be building her own empire?"
Jessica tilted her head thoughtfully. "When you put it that way, it does seem odd."
David, ever the optimist, offered an alternative perspective. "Maybe she's testing herself? Not everyone in a family like that gets handed the reins to their top companies. She might be trying to prove her worth."
Ethan nodded slowly, conceding the point. "You may be right. But even so, we need to be cautious. Monitor her closely."
He paused, his gaze flicking between David and Jessica, before a sudden, almost mischievous smile lit up his face. "If she plans to use us for her own agenda, we'll make sure to use her for ours. A win-win."
There was something about the way Ethan said it—a calm certainty wrapped in an easy smile—that sent an involuntary shiver down David and Jessica's spines. At that moment, they couldn't help but feel there was more to Ethan than met the eye.
Before David or Jessica could respond, Ethan leaned forward, his expression warm but firm. "Let's finalize our decisions and announce the results by tomorrow. I trust you both to make the right choices."
David and Jessica exchanged a glance, then nodded. For the first time, they caught a glimpse of something new in Ethan—a quiet authority that hinted at the makings of a true leader.
It was reassuring, to say the least. NovaTech needed someone to steer the ship, and for the first time, it seemed Ethan was stepping into that role.
Ethan, noticing the shift in their expressions, broke the moment with a playful smile. "After all, getting started on the food delivery app is our main priority. If we hire people but have no project to give them, it's going to be a bit awkward—and a waste."
David nodded, his tone matching Ethan's lightheartedness. "Exactly. The new hires need something tangible to work on from day one. It sets the tone and gives them a clear direction."
"Precisely," Ethan agreed, reaching into his bag and pulling out two neatly prepared folders. He slid one toward David and the other toward Jessica. "I've drafted a preliminary layout and feature list for the app. It's just a starting point, but I think it'll give us a solid foundation to build on."
Curious, David and Jessica opened their folders. Their eyes widened as they scanned the pages, filled with detailed sketches, notes, and a framework that was as thorough as it was innovative.
"This is… impressive," David said, unable to hide his admiration. "Honestly, it's more detailed than anything I would've expected at this stage."
"But…" Jessica interjected, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on, Jessica. It's just a draft—I'm open to any and all feedback."
Trying to suppress a laugh, Jessica said, "Everything looks fantastic, but next time, maybe present it digitally? NovaTech is a tech company, after all."
Ethan burst out laughing, taking the jab in stride. "Point taken. I suppose handwritten sketches do seem a bit… vintage for our line of work."
Jessica grinned. "No worries. Once you've got the team in place, you can delegate all the tech-savvy presentations to them. Why hire people if the boss is doing everything?"
Ethan chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Fair point." His amusement lingered, but he couldn't help feeling a quiet pride in his work.
Jessica, meanwhile, was flipping through the folder again, clearly impressed by how meticulously Ethan had organized everything. David seemed equally struck by the depth of thought behind the draft.
For Ethan, the moment carried a small but satisfying realization: his recent upgrade in Intelligence had undeniably sharpened his abilities. The work reflected a clarity and precision that felt new, even to him.
***
As they conversed inside, Lena Volkov stepped out of the NovaTech building, taking her time to survey the surroundings. Her sharp eyes roved over the sleek lines of the office exterior, the careful attention to detail in its design, and the subtle hum of efficiency in the air. She allowed herself a faint smile, one laced with both admiration and calculation.
For all her experience touring the Volkov family's vast corporate empire, few of their offices, apart from the flagship companies, could rival what she'd just seen. There was something different about NovaTech—an air of ambition untethered from tradition, raw and full of potential.
"It seems Ethan Cole isn't as ordinary as he appears," she murmured to herself.
Her confidence in securing the job was unshaken. The interview had gone exactly as she'd planned, and once she was inside NovaTech, the second phase of her plan could begin. Winning over Ethan—though not romantically, of course—was central to her strategy. Ally or pawn, she needed him on her side. Preferably the latter.
As one of the contenders for the Volkov family's leadership, Lena knew the stakes. Resources were restricted, and privileges were carefully monitored.
Each heir had to build their influence from the ground up, armed with little more than their wits and the weight of the Volkov name. And even that name carried no guarantees. It was only as powerful as the connections and loyalty one could amass with it.
Novan City had been her starting point—a place where the Volkov name still held sway, though not overwhelmingly so. It was here that she began weaving her web, pulling local gangs into her fold. Mark and Zidan had been among her early recruits.
Though she had also brought a handful of loyalists from the main family, much of her success depended on her ability to carve out her own sphere of influence.
But Ethan Cole... he was different. Unexpected. He didn't fit the mold of the usual heirs and players from the great families of Novan City. His rise seemed almost accidental, and yet, Lena had sensed a potential in him that eclipsed even some of the more seasoned heirs.
"Ethan Cole," she whispered, his name lingering on her tongue like a puzzle yet to be solved.
Patience, she reminded herself. That was the game. A Volkov never rushed—the timing was everything. Her family's legacy was built on subtlety and strategy, traits that Lena had taken to heart.
Over the years, she had perfected the art of waiting for the opportune moment, of letting others make their moves while she calculated hers.
She had learned these lessons through countless schemes, each one honing her ability to play the long game. And now, she had less than a year left until the family's decisive evaluation.
This contest would determine the next leader. Every step she took between now and then mattered.
For now, Ethan was a piece on the board, and NovaTech was a promising territory in her growing empire.
But as she walked away from the building, her heels clicking softly against the pavement, Lena couldn't help but wonder: Was Ethan a pawn to be moved—or a rival she would one day have to face?
***
In the office, Ethan leaned back in his chair, his gaze resting on the neatly stacked resumes on the table. David and Jessica sat across from him, their exhaustion evident after a long day of interviews.
"You both did a fantastic job today," Ethan said warmly, a note of genuine gratitude in his voice. "Thank you for everything."
Jessica smiled but waved off the praise modestly. "It wasn't just us. David and the representatives carried a lot of the weight." She paused, suddenly remembering something. "Oh! I forgot to mention—Mr. Weston was here, too, lending a hand. He had to leave for other business, though."
"Charles?" Ethan asked, glancing at David for confirmation.
David chuckled, nodding. "Yep. He texted me to ask what I was up to, and I mentioned the interviews. Next thing I know, he's offering to help. I wasn't about to turn that down."
Ethan laughed along with them. "He's always helpful… at a price, of course. Still, that was decent of him."
The lighthearted moment faded as they turned back to the task at hand, sorting through the resumes. After a while, David pushed a stack of papers toward Ethan. "We've shortlisted fifty candidates. Each one brings something different to the table, but they all show potential."
Jessica chimed in; her tone was pragmatic. "David mentioned you're looking to hire no more than twenty people. I'd suggest picking the absolute best out of these fifty. It's manageable and keeps things focused."
Ethan picked up the stack and began flipping through the resumes, his brow furrowed in thought. "Fifty candidates… are we sure about each one?"
Jessica, despite her evident fatigue, nodded. "It's a diverse group. We've got newcomers with fresh perspectives, seasoned professionals, and even a few with specialized skills."
Ethan tapped the table absently, his thoughts clearly racing. Then, with a spark of energy, he looked up. "What if we just hired all of them?"
David blinked in surprise. "All of them? That's... ambitious."
Ethan leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Think about it. If they're all talented, why let them slip through our fingers? We need a strong team to make a big impact right from the start."
Jessica tilted her head, considering the proposal. "It's bold, Ethan. I'll give you that. But hiring so many people at once comes with its own challenges—budget aside, managing a large team right from the beginning will be tough."
She hesitated before adding, "It's not just about the numbers. We'll need to ensure they're properly guided, mentored, and evaluated. Without strong leaders in place, it could get chaotic."
Ethan nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging their points. "You're both right. We can't risk overwhelming the system—or ourselves—before we've even begun. We need to make sure we have the structure to support them. Leadership will be key."
His words carried a quiet conviction, one that seemed to settle over the room. It wasn't a dismissal of their concerns but a promise that every step would be deliberate, every decision made with care. For now, that was enough.
Edited: 11 December 2024