Unaware of his brief encounter with a woman plotting against him, Ethan walked confidently toward the office with a wide grin.
He was thrilled with the office renovations and the next steps for NovaTech’s expansion.
Deep down, he knew the Unlimited System, with its missions, was behind all the improvements. It had changed everything for him.
Before, he was just another guy worried about making ends meet. Now, he had a clear purpose.
The missions from the system had started to transform his life. They weren’t just tasks; they had become his objectives. Completing each one made him more confident in his path, and the rewards were a nice bonus.
But it was more than the rewards. The sense of progress and achievement was what really motivated Ethan. He felt like he finally knew where he was going.
Walking past the waiting area, he saw some job candidates looking around the impressive office. Security kept an eye on them to ensure they stayed out of restricted areas.
Nobody paid attention to him. Ethan thought that if he revealed himself as the real “big boss” of the company, it would result in one of two things: either he would be mocked, or people would suddenly be eager to curry favor with him.
However, he was convinced that most would react with skepticism. Who would actually buy into Ethan’s story and recognize his talents?
Ethan was checking his phone for updates from David, eager to hear about the interviews. He quickened his pace as he approached the interview room, curious about the day’s progress.
Upon entering, he saw David and Jessica finishing up the last interview.
“How’s it going?” he asked, looking at the resumes scattered on the table.
Jessica leaned back in her chair and let out a sigh. “We’ve seen a variety of candidates. Some were impressive, while others were less so. However, one candidate truly stood out—Lena Volkov.”
David agreed, nodding. “Yes, she’s sharp, confident, and has much experience. I believe she could be a valuable addition to the team.”
Ethan, intrigued by the name, raised an eyebrow. “Lena Volkov? Is she related to the Volkov family by any chance?”
Jessica confirmed, “Yes, she is. The Volkovs are a well-known business family. Lena has the family name and boasts an impressive resume to support her candidacy.”
David passed Lena’s resume to Ethan, who quickly reviewed it. “Impressive,” he remarked after reviewing it. Let’s finalize our decisions by tomorrow. I trust you both to choose wisely.”
Before they concluded, Ethan added with a playful smile, “After all, getting started on the food delivery app is our main goal. It’s what brought us together in the first place.”
David nodded in agreement. “That’s good thinking. The new hires need a concrete project to tackle right from the start. It gives them a clear direction.”
“Exactly,” Ethan chimed in, reaching into his bag and pulling out two folders—one for David and one for Jessica. I’ve compiled a preliminary draft of the app’s layout and features. We can use this as a starting point and build from there.”
Curious, David and Jessica flipped open their folders, their eyes immediately widening in surprise at the detailed sketches and notes Ethan had compiled.
“This is really impressive,” David couldn’t help but express his admiration for Ethan’s work. “Honestly, it’s more thorough than I had initially proposed.”
“But…” Jessica started a playful smile appearing on her face.
Ethan looked at her, intrigued. “Please, go ahead, Jessica. Remember, this is just a draft. I’m completely open to any suggestions.”
Trying to hold back a laugh, Jessica responded, “Well, everything looks fantastic… but maybe next time, try presenting it digitally. We are a tech company, after all,” she playfully ribbed him.
Ethan laughed along, taking Jessica’s light-hearted critique well. “You’re right. It does seem a bit old-school for a tech company to depend on handwritten sketches.”
“No worries,” Jessica said, her smile playful. “We’ll have a team for that. Why hire people if the boss has to do everything?”
Ethan laughed and nodded, happy about the team spirit they were fostering. Jessica admired how efficiently Ethan had organized everything.
Ethan was pleasantly surprised by his capabilities. The recent improvements to his intelligence had noticeably sharpened his mind, and this was clearly reflected in his work.
***
As they conversed, Lena Volkov left the building, her thoughts racing ahead to formulate her next moves. She was confident about getting the job. The interview had been a breeze, and once she got her foot in the door at NovaTech, her plan to gradually win over Ethan would commence.
Her main objective was to gauge Ethan’s wealth and influence. Understanding the scope of his assets was crucial for Lena to outmaneuver the other Volkov heirs in their family rivalry.
Gaining leverage over Ethan or NovaTech would significantly boost her position in her family’s ongoing battle for supremacy.
However, Lena knew the importance of patience. Playing the long game was her forte, a skill honed by her family’s legacy of being astute business minds and masterful behind-the-scenes players.
Having participated in numerous undercover schemes, Lena understood the perfect timing for action. For now, she needed to bide her time. Patience was her current strategy; she had a year left until the decisive evaluation to choose the family’s next leader.
***
In the office, Ethan relaxed in his chair and looked over at the neat stack of resumes. David and Jessica sat opposite him, exhausted from a day packed with interviews.
“You guys did a fantastic job today,” Ethan complimented. “Building a strong team is crucial for our success.”
David slid a stack of resumes toward Ethan. “We’ve selected fifty candidates. They all have different skills, but each one has potential.”
“David told me you’re looking to hire no more than twenty people. So, I recommend, out of these fifty-plus individuals, NovaTech should pick the top twenty,” Jessica added.
Ethan looked over the resumes carefully. “More than fifty… are we sure about each one?”
Though visibly tired, Jessica confirmed, “It’s a diverse group. We have newcomers, seasoned pros, and some with niche skills.”
Ethan, more engaged now, tapped the table thoughtfully. “What if we just hired all of them?”
David was surprised. “All of them? That’s a big step.”
Ethan clarified, “If they’re all talented, I wouldn’t want them to end up elsewhere. Besides, we need a strong team to get off to a good start.”
Jessica looked doubtful but didn’t outright reject the idea. “It’s a bold move, Ethan. But how about handling so many people right from the beginning? That will be tough. It’s not just about the budget; it’s about managing them effectively and keeping track of their performance. It’s a significant undertaking.”
Ethan acknowledged their concerns. “You’re both right. It would be hard to manage such a big group immediately. We also need to ensure we have enough leaders in the team.”
