Oliver walked up to the glass door of a high-end apartment building in Manhattan. He paused for a moment, looking up at the sleek exterior before making his way inside. This was Sofia Torres' world. Unlike the others, she wasn't struggling financially, didn't have any desperate need for cash. No, this recruitment would have to be different. The offer had to be compelling enough to draw her in.
He was greeted by the doorman, who ushered him up to the 12th floor where Sofia lived. The moment the door opened, Oliver was struck by the air of sophistication. The apartment was minimalist, yet elegant. There was a subtle but undeniable air of affluence. Sofia herself was no less impressive.
Tall, with a slender frame and long dark hair cascading in waves down her back, she gave him a quick smile. Her hazel eyes were sharp, as though they could see right through him. Oliver had done his research, and he knew Sofia was the type of woman who valued intellect and precision above all else.
"Oliver, I presume?" she asked, her voice smooth, with a hint of curiosity. "You're here to pitch me something."
'As expected of her, she already knew someone was researching on her and she had dig into the person on her own too. This is the reason I want her,' Oliver thought, stepping inside. "But I'm not here to waste your time. I know you're not exactly hurting for cash or opportunity. However, this project I'm putting together—let's just say it's something that might challenge even your considerable intellect."
Sofia raised an eyebrow. "A bank robbery, from what I understand. I've seen some of your... associates. They're skilled, but do you really expect me to believe this is something worth my time?"
Oliver smiled. "This isn't just any bank robbery. It's the biggest of its kind. We're not talking about going in guns blazing and grabbing what we can. No, this is surgical. Every move calculated, every risk accounted for. And that's where you come in."
He slid a tablet across the table, pulling up encrypted files. Sofia glanced at the data, her eyes narrowing in concentration. As Oliver explained the plan, laying out the complex series of steps required to pull off the job, Sofia's expression shifted. She leaned in closer, clearly intrigued.
"This isn't just about brute force or clever tricks," Oliver said, watching her closely. "It's about seeing every angle before it even presents itself. It's about data. Information. And you're the best when it comes to breaking that down and anticipating outcomes. I need someone like you to make sure we stay ahead of every possible scenario."
Sofia sat back, crossing her arms. "And you think this is something I'd want to risk everything for?"
Oliver nodded. "You wouldn't be here if you didn't crave something more than just a comfortable life. You're someone who wants to solve the unsolvable, push your limits. I can see that. This isn't just about money—it's about pulling off something no one else could even dream of."
Sofia was silent for a long moment, considering his words. Then, she smiled—a small, knowing smile. "Alright, Oliver. I'll admit, I'm intrigued. But if I'm going to do this, I expect to be fully involved. I don't sit on the sidelines."
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Oliver said, extending his hand.
Sofia shook it, sealing the deal. "I'll get to work on the analysis immediately. This will take some time, but if you're right about the potential here, we might just pull off something extraordinary."
---
Days passed, and Oliver focused on gathering some of the critical supplies needed for the operation. He visited contacts across the city, acquiring specialized tools, encrypted devices, and high-grade equipment that would ensure the success of the heist. But there were still more things to secure, and for that, he'd need the full team on board. Everyone would need to contribute to obtaining what was necessary—each bringing their own expertise.
As he prepped, Oliver relayed the date of the first team meeting to Ethan. "Tell Nico and Maya to be ready. The time's set. Everyone needs to be there," he instructed.
Ethan nodded, understanding the gravity of the task. "I'll make sure they're ready."
With everything now in motion, Oliver could feel the weight of what they were about to embark on. This wasn't a simple job. Every detail had to be perfect, every contingency planned for. And with the team he was assembling—people with exceptional skills, driven by very different motivations—he believed they had a real shot at pulling it off.
The day was set. Soon, they'd all meet. And once they did, there would be no turning back.
---
Theo Jensen strolled through the city, hands shoved deep into his pockets, his mind racing as usual. Today was yet another attempt to land a job—something stable, something that could support his sisters after everything they'd been through. Though Theo hadn't attended college, his mind was a sponge, absorbing every piece of information he could find. Physics, chemistry, mathematics—his knowledge was vast, and his photographic memory made sure he rarely forgot a thing.
Arriving at the marketing company for his interview, Theo sat in the waiting room, fidgeting with the hem of his jacket. His mind wandered to his potential answers, recalling various strategies and campaigns he had studied. As he absentmindedly scanned the room, a familiar scent interrupted his thoughts—a fragrance he had encountered once before. He straightened slightly, recognizing it instantly: a subtle yet distinct blend of vanilla and jasmine, with a hint of citrus. It was her perfume.
Without turning, Theo knew Sophia Reid had entered the room. He glanced sideways, and there she was, seated not far from him, just as elegant as he remembered. Sophia, with her sharp green eyes and dark blonde hair neatly swept back, looked professional yet effortlessly stylish. Today, she wore a fitted navy blue dress that accentuated her figure in a sleek, modest way, paired with a cream-colored blazer. The ensemble was polished, the perfect combination of poised and practical for an interview.
She seemed to notice Theo as well, her expression shifting to one of recognition. For a brief moment, Sophia opened her mouth as if to speak, but just then, her name was called. She quickly composed herself, offered Theo a fleeting smile, and gracefully walked toward the interviewer's office. Her heels clicked against the polished floor, her stride confident.
Theo watched her go, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and admiration. He hadn't expected to run into her again, let alone at the same company. But as she disappeared behind the office door, Theo focused back on himself. His name would be called soon, and he needed to be ready.
In the office, Sophia's interview seemed to flow smoothly. Her poise and preparation paid off as she confidently answered questions about market research, campaign strategies, and customer engagement. Her well-tailored responses, combined with her strong communication skills, impressed the panel. As the interview concluded, one of the interviewers, an older woman with a discerning eye, smiled at Sophia and offered her hand.
"Congratulations, Ms. Reid. We'd love to have you on board."
Sophia's face lit up with a genuine smile, her green eyes sparkling as she shook hands with the interviewers. Exiting the office, she glanced around and saw Theo still waiting, casually flipping through a magazine. She felt a surge of excitement at the news she would soon share with her father, but also a sense of curiosity about how Theo's interview would go.
Just as she pondered sitting down to wait, Theo's name was called. He stood up, glanced in her direction, and offered a small smile as he passed by her. Sophia watched him enter the office, intrigued by the seemingly calm demeanor he always seemed to carry.
Inside the office, Theo took his seat. His interviewer, a stern-looking man in his fifties, glanced down at Theo's file and frowned deeply. He skimmed through the paperwork, his expression growing darker by the second.
"This… is unbelievable," the man began, his voice cold. "The last time you went to school was high school. No college degree, no formal qualifications. How do you expect to get a job here? I can't even offer you a position as a cleaner, let alone in marketing. This is a waste of my time."
Theo felt a lump rise in his throat, but he swallowed it down. His mind raced, but he remained calm. Standing up, he leaned forward slightly.
"Sir, please," Theo said earnestly, "I know my qualifications aren't what you expect, but my parents died in the Night of Strike, and now I'm responsible for my little sisters. I'm doing everything I can to support them, and this job could change our lives."
The man's harsh expression softened slightly as he glanced at Theo. There was a moment of silence before he sighed.
"I sympathize with your situation, truly. But hiring you isn't within my power. Without the right qualifications, it's simply not possible."
Theo paused, his mind whirling with thoughts. And then, an idea sparked.
"Give me a chance," Theo said, his voice steady but determined. "Ask me three questions about marketing—anything—and I'll answer them. If I get them right, just consider giving me the job. If not, I'll leave, no questions asked."
The interviewer raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Theo's sudden confidence. After a moment, he leaned back in his chair and smirked.
"Fine," he said, folding his arms. "Let's see how far you get. First question—define a segmented marketing strategy and explain its importance."
Theo didn't miss a beat. "Segmented marketing is dividing a broad consumer or business market into subgroups based on shared characteristics. It's essential because it allows companies to tailor messages and campaigns to different audiences, increasing relevance and engagement, which drives better results and customer loyalty."
The man blinked, caught off guard by how swiftly and accurately Theo answered. He composed himself and leaned forward, deciding to up the difficulty.
"Alright. Second question—how would you optimize a digital marketing campaign that's seeing a decline in engagement?"
Theo didn't flinch. "First, I'd conduct a thorough analysis of the campaign's metrics, including click-through rates, bounce rates, and conversion rates. Then, I'd assess the content to see if it aligns with the target audience's current needs and trends. From there, I'd A/B test different elements, such as the subject line, visual content, and call-to-action, to identify areas of improvement. Additionally, I'd consider retargeting strategies for previous visitors and integrate SEO to improve organic reach."
The interviewer's mouth fell open slightly. He quickly recovered, hiding his astonishment behind a skeptical look.
"Alright, last question," the man said, clearly trying to stump Theo. "What are the most complex challenges in predictive analytics for market forecasting?"
Theo smiled. "One of the major challenges is the quality and accuracy of historical data. Inconsistent or incomplete data can lead to unreliable predictions. Additionally, changing consumer behaviors and external factors like economic shifts add layers of complexity, as they're harder to predict. Companies also face difficulties with the integration of AI and machine learning, particularly when interpreting results and adapting them to actionable strategies."
Silence filled the room as the interviewer stared at Theo, disbelief etched on his face. He sat back, letting out a deep sigh.
"Congratulations, Mr. Jensen," the man finally said. "You've got the job."
Theo let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He nodded, standing to shake the man's hand. It wasn't the usual path, but he'd done it.
As Theo left the office, he saw Sophia still sitting in the waiting room. She looked up, smiling warmly. Theo smiled back, feeling a sense of victory, both for himself and for the responsibility he carried.