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The most renowned man
When the CEO arrived at Beats Corporation, his assistant was already waiting for him in the parking lot, as usual. Lucas had steeled himself for a challenging day ahead already.
However, the moment his boss stepped out of the vehicle, he couldn’t help but notice an unusual lightness in his demeanor. While his expression remained typically inscrutable, there was a noticeable vibrancy about him.
As they strode towards the CEO’s office, Shawn instructed calmly, “Call back those individuals I let go two days ago. Additionally, ensure the entire team is compensated for any inconveniences caused by the impromptu meeting.”
Lucas was dumbfounded. He questioned his own hearing for a moment, certain he hadn’t correctly processed what his boss had just said. This was the first time something like this was happening.
Never before had the CEO called back to work those he… And to think he was going to compensate the officials for attending the meeting on the weekend…
The CEO’s assistant couldn’t help but cast a curious glance at the Big Boss from behind. Was this the same person he had worked alongside for several years? Doubt gnawed at him.
And yet, wasn’t yesterday that day…
Typically, it took the CEO at least a month to recover after the anniversary of the late Madam’s passing. During that period, he would exhibit heightened aggression towards everyone, terminate half of the Beats Corporation employees, seize every opportunity to drink, and show disinterest in everything.
What had sparked the change this year? Lucas pondered.
—–
Meanwhile, Mia halted Jasper from dropping her off at the school entrance.
“No need to worry, I can manage the short distance to school from here. It’s just a stone’s throw away now,” she reassured him, shouldering her bag and preparing to exit the vehicle.
She had Jasper stop the car a few meters away from her school. “Please, don’t mention this to your boss,” she pleaded with him.
After ensuring no one was watching, she swiftly stepped out of the car and hurried off.
—
Later, during school hours, Vivian, upon seeing her sister, grappled with guilt, finding it difficult to meet Mia’s gaze.
She quickly recounted the events to her sister, expressing deep remorse. “I truly despise myself right now. If only I had realized earlier that was what Mom had planned… I let them take you instead of me. I’ve been trying to reach you too… Did they hurt you? I’m so stupid-”
Before she could continue blaming herself, Mia swiftly interjected, smiling gently. “It’s alright, Vivian. It wasn’t your fault. Please stop blaming yourself, okay? I’m okay.” She nodded reassuringly.
Observing her sister’s features, Vivian let out a sigh of relief. Mia was indeed looking okay.
“Is everything fine at home?” Mia inquired.
Vivian knew she was asking about their father in particular.
She understood Mia’s strained relationship with their mother and respected her sentiments. “Yeah, everyone’s doing well. Dad’s doing great; he’s back at work too.”
Mia acknowledged her sister’s response with a nod.
Despite a passing thought about asking Mia how she managed to escape the Andrew family, Vivian quickly dismissed it. It didn’t matter, did it?
What truly mattered was that her sister was safe and sound.
With a silent nod of affirmation, Vivian embraced Mia, whispering from the depths of her heart, “I’m so relieved to see you safe and sound.”
—
After school, Martha and Max caught up with Mia on their way out of the premises, although Max’s demeanor was less than cheerful.NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake off the impact of that recent phone call from his mind. Although several days had passed, he just couldn’t help but be disgusted at Mia.
“It’s so great to finally see you. You haven’t been answering your calls,” Martha exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes as she embraced Mia. “And you never return my calls!” She added with a slight pout as they parted from the hug.
Meanwhile, Max remained at a distance, silently observing their interaction. When he witnessed Martha hugging Mia, his expression contorted with disapproval.
His girlfriend shouldn’t be getting too close to that girl and risking contamination. Stylishly, he pulled Martha away from Mia.
Noticing this, Mia frowned. She recalled the last time they had met… Max had displayed similar unfriendliness. What could be wrong? Without dwelling much on it, she pushed the thoughts aside and smiled at Martha.
“I’m sorry,” She apologized.
“Make sure you pick up your phone from now on, alright?” Martha pouted, and Mia nodded in agreement as they exited the school premises.
As soon as they stepped outside the entrance, a charming voice called out, “Madam,” from across the road.
All three friends turned their heads to see who it was, and when Mia caught sight of the person, she wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
Standing across from them was none other than her husband’s personal assistant, Lucas. A flush of embarrassment surged through her, and she bit down hard on her lower lip.
With most of the students having already left school and the remaining few hustling home, only the three friends had really noticed Lucas. Even Vivian had hurried back to the female dormitory as it was closing time.
Despite the lack of attention from others, Mia couldn’t shake off the inexplicable sense of shame.
Noticing that the Madam wasn’t responding, Lucas prepared to call out again, but before he could, Mia quickly crossed the road and joined him.
With a smile, he held the door open for her, and she swiftly hopped into the car. Without waiting for him, she reached out and slammed the car door shut.
“Is it because your husband can afford thousands of these cars that you’ve decided to render this one useless?” Shawn, seated calmly beside her with a magazine in his hands, muttered huskily.
Fuming, Mia swiftly turned her head towards him, her frown deepening as anger surged through her, her chest heaving with frustration. How could he? Just how could he?
Sensing her distress, Shawn calmly closed the magazine he was reading and placed it aside. “Let it out,” he encouraged.
“Isn’t Jasper the one who’s supposed-” She began.
“Is that the thank you I get?” He interrupted, cutting off her line of reasoning.
Mia huffed and shifted her gaze to the passing scenery outside, folding her arms across her chest.
“You’ll be done here soon anyway. Your CSAT is just around the corner. Let them think what they want,” he said, instructing Lucas to drive. “Go.”
“Or are you ashamed to be seen with me?” He mused, provoking a sharp glare from Mia.
He couldn’t believe that he, the CEO of Beats Corporation, the most renowned man in the country, had personally come to pick up this young girl from school, and yet she wasn’t overjoyed… Remarkable.
As the car sped off and disappeared from view, Max and Martha found themselves gaping, struggling to process what had just transpired.
‘What just happened?’ They blinked rapidly as they attempted to make sense of it all.
‘Did that man just call Mia ‘Madam’?’ Martha’s eyes widened, her astonishment palpable. ‘And he even opened the door for her to get in the car…’
She swiftly masked her jealousy and gazed up at Max, only to find him lost in thought.
“Max, this can’t be true. It doesn’t confirm the rumors…” she said, tugging at his shirt and shaking her head.
For a moment, Max remained silent. How could what they had just seen not be true?
His mind drifted back to the phone call he had made to Mia the other day and the voice that had answered… His heart twisted with anguish.
He had to admit, he was deeply disappointed in her. She was actually involved in all those activities leveled against her…
“Let’s go,” he stated, brushing off Martha’s question.