Chapter 26


    The Rain International Building looked very imposing. Its 80 floors towered over Hyacinth Bay’s Central


    Business District. Serene recalled that she looked at this same building with excitement and


    enthusiasm after she had graduated. On her first day of work, she felt nothing but pride when her high-


    heeled feet first set on its premise.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    How ironic, now here she is, craning her neck as she tries to look at the skyscraper’s expanse. She no


    longer felt the same amount of excitement, pride and tion she felt almost three years ago. The


    feeling of dread now reced those emotions. She dreaded to see those three men.


    Taking a deep breath, Serene lifted her foot and entered the building. She approached the lobby


    receptionist, whom she no longer recognized. She informed her of her name and purpose; the


    receptionist gave her her ID pass.


    She’s scheduled to meet with the CFO in the conference room for a product introduction and data


    gathering. The conference room is on the top floor. She pressed 80 on the elevator and waited for it to


    ascend.


    As the elevator moved up, Serene’s heart also moved erratically in her chest. She clutched her bag


    tightly to help divert her attention. This is her first presentation for arge enterprise. The task is


    already daunting. However, knowing that she had to be on the 80th floor added to her stress. Justin’s


    office was on the 80th floor.


    I hope he’s super busy today, or he’s on a business trip. Serene repeated this in her head like a chant.


    When the elevator finally opened to the 80th floor, her heart was already beating on her neck and her


    hands mmy from perspiration.


    She informed the floor’s receptionist of her purpose. She then ushered her to the conference room.


    The conference room was still empty. Inwardly, Serene uttered a thanks. This gives her a small time to


    gather herposure and prepare her presentation.


    At exactly 10:00 in the morning, the conference door opened and a man in his 40s stepped in. He was


    tall, his physique on the slim side, he wore ck square-framed sses. Two men apanied him.


    Both seemed to be in theirte 20s or early 30s. Both wore long-sleeved cored shirts and ties. Both


    had the same body build as the older man, but the younger men did not wear eyesses.


    “Ms. Ellis?” The bespectacled man spoke. He smiled at her and extended his right hand. “Arthur Flynn.”


    “Hello Mr. Flynn. I’m Serene Ellis from Lewis Technologies. Nice to meet you,” he took his offered hand


    and gave it a firm shake.


    “These are my ounting staff. Richard Johann and Leonard Wood”


    Each of them extended their hands for a handshake which Serene epted and returned.


    The young man with a blue tie was Richard, who wanted to be addressed as “Rich”, while the other


    one who wore a ck tie was Leonard, who requested to be called as “Leo”.


    They took their seats across from hers. The younger men sat on each of Arthur’s sides. After they had


    taken care of the formalities, Serene opened herptop and prepared to start her presentation. Just as


    she was about to open her mouth to start her product introduction, the conference room door opened.


    Serene’s calm heart once again beat wildly in her chest. Her eyes rounded in surprise. “I apologize for


    head of the conference table. “Please continue, Ms. Ellis.”


    Thankfully Serene gathered herposure quickly. She had apanied several project managers


    already, and it’s not unusual for CEOs to join the project meetings. Taking a deep breath, she began


    with her presentation.


    Her small audience was silent. After going through the slides that exined their product and their


    timeline, Serene ended sharing her screen. She engaged her audience with questions rted to their


    ounting structure and expense reimbursement process. While their questions centered on data


    integration.


    Overall, the meeting went on smoothly. They finished their discussion, agreeing on their action items


    and scheduling their next meeting. Arthur’s team left first.


    Ignoring Justin deliberately, Serene busied herself in collecting her things. When she had settled


    everything, she turned in his direction and said, “Mr. Rain. Thank you for today. I’ll go ahead. Please


    call me if your team needs my help.”


    He simply responded, “En” and gave her a quick nod.


    Serene stepped out of the conference room and walked towards the elevator.


    “Shen, Baby!” Serene halted and her head looked in the speaker''s direction.


    “Kurosawa! How are you?” She smiled at him widely and stretched her arms towards him. He walked


    towards her and gave her a hug.


    “Wanna have lunch?” She looked at him with an expectant smile.


    “Sure”


    “Alright, let’s go!”


    “You mean now?”


    “Yeah, you got something?”


    “No, not really.”


    As the two happily settled their lunch, Justin, who left the conference room immediately after she went,


    and watched her walk ahead of him. He gloomily looked at Dn when their eyes met. Receiving all of


    Justin’s killing stares, he leaned closer to Serene and said something to her ear. She then nodded


    while she looked back at him.