[Ding!]
Name: Charlotte
Age: 24
Talent Grade: C
Talents: Law Knowledge
Description: Charlotte possesses slightly above-average talent in her field. While her skills aren’t groundbreaking, she has potential to make positive contributions and can grow into a leadership role. Given time, she has the capability to lead a small to mid-size company successfully.
Noah’s eyes lingered on Charlotte for a moment longer. Her talent wasn’t exceptional, but it was promising. At 24, she had years ahead of her to grow, and Noah appreciated her potential. Someone like her could be moulded, and shaped into a competent leader if given the right opportunities.
“Thank you, Charlotte,” he said with a faint smile, making a mental note of her name. “Next.”
The line continued, and after what felt like an eternity of scanning average and below-average talent, Noah’s patience was finally rewarded.
[Ding!]
Name: Harlow
Age: 31
Talent Grade: B, C
Talents: Law Knowledge, Truthful
Description: Harlow possesses an extraordinary talent in his field, capable of not only handling complex legal matters but also transforming legal processes to streamline operations. His natural honesty is a rare trait in this cutthroat industry, making him both a reliable and competent leader. With the right guidance, Harlow can significantly impact and improve a mid-sized company’s structure and long-term strategy.
Noah’s gaze sharpened as he stared at Harlow. Here was the true gem he had been looking for. A B-grade talent in law, paired with the valuable trait of truthfulness. Honesty in this world was scarce, and to find someone with the talent and integrity that Harlow possessed was a rare combination indeed.
Noah could see it clearly—this man had the potential to turn the legal department around, to elevate it beyond what it was.
Noah didn’t show his thoughts outwardly, but inside, he had already made his decision. Harlow was the key to stabilizing and improving this department, and perhaps even more.
“Alright,” Noah said, his voice carrying authority and certainty. “I’ve made my decision.”
The employees, who had been nervously watching him, stiffened. The room seemed to freeze as all eyes were locked on him, waiting for his verdict.
“First,” Noah began, his voice calm but commanding, “Charlotte will become the new manager of the law department.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise, her hands clasping together in front of her nervously. She had expected nothing more than a nod or a smile from her new boss, but a promotion? She glanced around at her colleagues, some of whom looked shocked, others envious.
Noah continued, “Richard, on the other hand, will be demoted.”
The room gasped. Richard was one of the department’s managers, trusted for his long-term loyalty.
But Noah knew better, using his talent finder, he saw that Richard was not only lacking in significant skill but also possessed the dangerous D-ranked talent of deceitfulness. Such a person could never be trusted in a position of authority. This demotion was both necessary and strategic.
“Richard has served this company for a few years” Noah explained, his voice carrying a hint of icy detachment, “but as we move forward, I need people who can take us into the future, not hold us back. Richard’s performance has been average at best, with not much much progress in his ability.”
There was a murmur of agreement from the employees, though some still looked unsettled by the rapid changes.
“And now,” Noah said, turning his attention to Harlow, “Harlow, step forward.”
Harlow, visibly shocked, hesitated before stepping out of the line. His face showed a mixture of surprise and cautious optimism. Noah extended his hand toward him, and Harlow took it, shaking hands firmly.
“You,” Noah said, locking eyes with Harlow, “are now the law director of Walls4Us. I expect great things from you.”
Harlow’s face flushed with emotion, and for a moment, he looked as though he might tear up. He gripped Noah’s hand tightly and said with a voice full of sincerity, “Thank you, boss. I won’t fail you.”
Noah smiled, but behind that smile, his mind was still working, analyzing every reaction in the room. Harlow was a good choice, and Noah knew it. The man had the talent, the truthfulness, and now the motivation to make a real difference.
“No mistakes, Harlow,” Noah said, his voice soft but laced with warning. “This is your opportunity, but if you fail, there won’t be a second chance.”
“I understand,” Harlow replied, his voice steady with determination.
Noah turned his gaze back to the rest of the employees, the weight of his decisions still hanging in the air. “The future of this company depends on people like Harlow and Charlotte. I don’t tolerate incompetence, and I don’t forgive betrayal. Keep that in mind as you continue your work here.”
The employees nodded silently, their faces reflecting a mix of fear, respect, and awe. Noah had, in a matter of moments, completely shifted the power dynamics of the department. He had not only promoted new talent but had also sent a clear message—loyalty and competence were rewarded, while deception and failure would be crushed.
As Noah and John turned to leave the room, the employees watched in silence, the weight of the day’s events pressing down on them. Noah had shown them the cold, calculating hand of a leader who saw through their masks, and from now on, every step they took would be under his watchful eye.
And as Noah walked away, he couldn’t help but smirk. He had chosen his players carefully, positioning them like chess pieces on a board. Now, it was time to watch them move.
As Noah descended the elevator, each floor echoed with a quiet finality that only he could hear. John trailed a few paces behind, his expression still tight with anxiety.
Arriving at the ground floor, Noah stepped into the open reception area. The space was well-lit, with modern furnishings that reflected the company’s success. Yet, the atmosphere felt heavy today, like the weight of what had transpired upstairs had seeped down to the lower floors.
The receptionist, who had been organizing some files at her desk, glanced up as Noah entered her field of vision.
Her heart skipped a beat. She had seen the police earlier, witnessed the law director being escorted out of the building in handcuffs, his face pale, eyes darting in panic. She didn’t need anyone to tell her who was behind that. She immediately sensed that the young owner was not one to be trifled with. His actions were swift, decisive, and unforgiving.
Her hands shook slightly as she placed the files down and quickly straightened her blouse. She stood up from behind the desk, clasping her hands in front of her, trying to steady her nerves.
Her anxiety was at its peak; she didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to herself, fearing that a wrong move could result in her being the next person escorted out.
Noah’s gaze swept across the room, cool and detached. He didn’t need to look directly at her to sense the fear radiating from the receptionist. He could feel her tension as she moved toward him, offering a small, respectful bow of her head.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Thompson,” she said, her voice just a little too controlled, the nervousness hidden beneath a veneer of professionalism.
Noah barely nodded in acknowledgement. His eyes didn’t linger on her for long, but the subtle twitch in her posture, the way her fingers clasped tightly together, told him everything he needed to know.
She was afraid of him—afraid that the same fate that had befallen the law director might await her if she wasn’t careful. And that fear was power in his hands, a tool he could use to shape the behaviour of everyone around him but you also needed mercy with it.
John, walking behind Noah, noticed the exchange as well. He had seen the same look in the eyes of the law department earlier—fear mixed with awe. Noah wasn’t just the boss; he was a force of nature in this building, reshaping everything in his path. And the receptionist knew it too.
As Noah continued toward the exit, she stepped back, giving him plenty of space. She didn’t dare ask questions or make small talk.
Her only goal was to remain invisible, to ensure she wasn’t the next person in line for scrutiny. Noah’s footsteps, measured and deliberate, seemed to echo louder than normal in the silence of the reception area.
He paused at the door for a brief moment, turning his head slightly toward the receptionist. His expression was unreadable, his voice cool and kind. “Keep up the good work,” he said, his tone calm but laced with that same undercurrent of quiet control.
The receptionist exhaled slowly, grateful she had been acknowledged, but also terrified by the implications of what it meant. Keep up the good work.
She understood the hidden message behind those words—failure was not an option under Noah’s leadership. One lapse in judgment, and she would be out, just like the law director.
“Thank you, sir,” she replied quickly, her voice just barely steady. She nodded her head again, standing perfectly still as Noah turned and walked through the glass doors, leaving the building.
The moment the doors closed behind him, the receptionist let out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding.
Her knees felt weak, and she sank back into her chair, her hands trembling slightly. She could still feel the weight of his presence even after he had left, as though the shadow of his authority lingered in the room.
“Scary.”
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