The following day, Ethan was awakened by his phone’s constant notifications. He received a few texts from David.
David: [Good morning, Ethan. It’s the interview process today.]
As Ethan rubbed his eyes, trying to adjust to the morning light, his phone vibrated with another message from David.
David: [The office’s entrance, ground floor, and first floor are all setup. We just need to finish the second floor and the rooftop. Will you be coming to help with the interviews?]
Ethan couldn’t help but smile, impressed by the quick work Clara and her team had done in just three days.
The office was nearly ready, promising a lively and modern workspace. He believed it would be able to capture the right talent’s interest.
While still in bed, Ethan quickly typed his reply.
Ethan: [I trust you to handle the interviews, David. You have an excellent knack for spotting talent.]
After sending the message, Ethan’s thought wondered to Jessica. She had really caught Ethan’s interest.
Ethan: [ I think it might be better if Jessica assists you. Her agency should be able to spare her for a day.]
David’s response was swift.
David: [Jessica? Not a bad idea. She’s impressed me so far, and handling this alone would be tiring. I’ll get in touch with her. Good thinking.]
Ethan breathed a deep sigh of relief as he set his phone down. With David and Jessica handling the recruitment, he could finally shift his focus to the bigger picture; NovaTech’s growth and the development of the company’s first major project.
Not long ago, he would have been overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. He had always been an uninspired young man, his days consumed by thoughts of making ends meet and helping his family, earning just enough to scrape by.
Ethan’s future had seemed like a never-ending grind, each day blending into the next. It had been survival, not living. His ambitions were vague, his goals limited to simply staying afloat.
But all that changed the day the Unlimited System entered his life.
With the system’s abilities came not only power but purpose.
The missions it assigned were more than just tasks—they gave his life direction and provided him with a roadmap, something he had never had before.
Each mission built upon the last, pulling him out of the mundane and pushing him toward something more significant.
Suddenly, everything mattered. The system had given Ethan’s life a clarity he hadn’t known he was missing.
Now, as Ethan stood on the cusp of something extraordinary, he could feel the weight of his decisions. The sense of fulfillment that came with completing missions wasn’t just about the rewards—it was about knowing he was making real progress.
Ethan wasn’t just building a company; he was building his life, one mission at a time.
The most pressing mission before him was now tied to his first meeting with David Turner. He remembered the moment clearly—when the system assigned him the task to set everything in motion.
=====
[Mission: Deliver Success]
Objective: Successfully develop and launch the NovanCity Food Delivery App.
Reward: 5,000 EXP, 20 Ascension Points
=====
Ethan took another look at the mission panel, a half-smile on his face. “This name just doesn’t work,” he mused, shaking his head in mild amusement.
“I need something with more punch—something that sticks.”
Ethan was sure this was just the start. The app was merely the first step for NovaTech, signaling the beginning of something much bigger.
He could already see how this mission would lead to more, each broadening NovaTech’s reach and paving the way for innovative projects with even higher stakes.
***
Meanwhile, across town, David and Jessica were teaming up. Ethan was right to count on her; her agency had no problem giving her the day off to assist with hiring, considering Ethan was a key client.
Jessica arrived early at the office, stepping into the revamped reception area, and she couldn’t hide her amazement. The once-empty space now looked like a sleek, modern office full of promise.
“Morning, Jessica,” David welcomed her with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Mr. Turner,” she responded, smiling back and admiring the new office layout.
David quickly dismissed the formality. “Please, just David—Ethan does.”
With a smile and a nod, Jessica agreed, “Alright, David. Working with such an energetic team is just a bit of an adjustment.”
David laughed lightly. “I feel the same. Ready to get started?”
“Definitely,” she replied, straightening her blazer. “Let’s find the best people for NovaTech.”
David shared a moment of honesty as they headed towards the interview section. “I’m happy you’re here. Managing all this alone is tough, and having someone as capable as you by my side makes a big difference.”
Jessica’s smile grew a little. “I’m thrilled to be involved in this.”
David nodded, his face softening. He had to acknowledge that working with Ethan was a breath of fresh air compared to his usual experiences.
Unlike many startup founders who only focused on quick profits, he believed Ethan had the means, the smarts, and the patience to build something substantial.
David’s thoughts wandered as he considered the startups for which he had raised funds before. He had always supported them, hoping to open their doors with his network and resources.
But he was disappointed when, after he helped them find some success, these startups forgot his contributions and became hard to work with.
“Business is business,” they would often say, but it didn’t make it less painful for him.
“David?” Jessica’s voice snapped him back to the present.
He blinked, coming back to the moment. “Sorry, I was lost in thought.”
She looked at him with concern. “Everything alright?”
David brushed off his momentary distraction with a laugh. “Yes, I’m fine. Just eager to get things rolling today.”
Jessica checked the time. “We have about 15 minutes before the interviews begin. Let’s get prepared.”
As they made their way to the interview room, the number of candidates waiting in line seemed to grow.
The attractive salary packages and the modern look of NovaTech’s headquarters caught many people’s attention.
David even hired an event management company and a security personnel team to ensure everything went smoothly.
Ethan, with his unlimited wealth, spent it so that more than enough staff members were present to keep the environment safe.
Upon entering the room, Jessica looked around at the organized setup. She commented, “It looks like we’ve got everything under control. I doubt we’ll have any trouble today,” her eyes playfully scanning the security guards.
David smiled, “This is all new to me as well. I’m still getting accustomed to Ethan’s way of handling things.”
Jessica chuckled in agreement. “He certainly bold, doesn’t he?”
***
They settled in, bracing themselves for the long day ahead. However, as the interviews progressed, it was evident that not all candidates were as they presented themselves.
Some were clearly only after the high salaries, while others were caught lying on their resumes.
David let out a weary sigh after one particularly disappointing interview. “What a generation we’re dealing with.”
With a smirk, Jessica whispered, “This guy claims he’s launched three successful apps,” while looking over a resume. “But according to the information online, he was not even a part of the team.”
Shaking his head, David replied, “Seems like he’s mentioned some projects done by his last company without being actually involved in it.” He paused before adding, “I believe Ethan has a more impressive portfolio than this fellow. That’s a ‘No’ from us.”
Jessica nodded. Pretty much agreed with David. Too many lies in the resume and pretty obvious as well.
As the morning wore on, David and Jessica encountered more candidates with exaggerated resumes and subpar qualifications.
They shared knowing looks as they navigated through the underwhelming talent pool.
However, among the many applicants, Lena Volkov was immediately noticeable.
As she entered the interview room, her calm yet confident demeanor caught the attention of David and Jessica.
Lena wore a sleek, professional black dress, radiating intelligence and a subtle edge that made her stand out.
David and Jessica didn’t realize Lena was far from another job seeker. She was actually the infamous leader of the group that Zidan and Mark were part of, and she had set her sights on Ethan.
This interview was not merely about securing a job for Lena. She intended to use this opportunity to infiltrate NovaTech and get closer to her new target, Ethan.
Lena had carefully constructed a fake identity aside from her name. She boasted an impressive resume with fabricated credentials and a meticulously designed career history.
Her family’s legitimate businesses provided her with the resources to craft a believable facade, and her composed nature was the finishing touch to her disguise.
During her interview, Lena was flawless. She answered every question with precision and convincingly discussed her supposed career path.
She confidently talked about growth strategies, managing projects, and expanding businesses.
David, clearly impressed, leaned in. “You mentioned you were part of a team that brought a company to its IPO in just three years. That’s quite an accomplishment.”
Lena responded with a modest smile, “Thank you. It required much hard work but taught me how to excel in high-pressure situations.”
Jessica nodded, intrigued. “How do you see yourself contributing to NovaTech’s growth?”
Lena replied without missing a beat; “I believe I can bring in the right strategies to scale the company quickly and ensure it becomes a major contender in this industry.”
David and Jessica exchanged approving glances. “Well, you’ve certainly made an impression,” David remarked. “We’ll get back to you soon with our decision.”
Lena left the room with a discreet smile and felt her plan was on track.
Once she joined NovaTech, she planned to research on Ethan’s wealth and connections. Her ultimate aim was to use this information to strengthen her position against the other heirs of the Volkov family.
She knew she had to outsmart her competitors to claim leadership over the family’s vast empire—and if Ethan really worth it, having him beside her could be the ace up her sleeve.
Lena’s keen eyes spotted Ethan entering the building as she stepped into the hallway. However, he was quick and focused, not even sparing her a glance.
A wave of disappointment washed over Lena. ‘How could he not notice me?’ she wondered, feeling a sting in her pride.
Lena was accustomed to capturing attention wherever she went—especially from men.
But Ethan had completely ignored her.
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Lena reassured herself, her determination growing stronger. ‘I’ll make sure he notices me next time. And when he does, I’ll be in the perfect position to influence him—and through him, NovaTech.’
