Redmption 251


    Xander hung up and sighed. Then, his face brightened with a radiant smile when he looked at me.


    “Have a seat, Ms. Crown.” Xander gestured for me to sit.


    As soon as I settled into the chair, he sighed again. “It’s really tough to find good talent these days.”


    I had picked up on a hint from his earlier phone call. “Are we really short on technical talent now?”


    “Yes, we’re short. An engineer from our tech team resigned yesterday, and we were already


    struggling to find this type of talent. This just makes things worse,” Kander said.


    He shook his head, an unusually stressed expression on his face. Since I joined the Hueton


    Corporation and got to know him, Xander had always appeared cheerful and seemingly carefree.


    “Right now, there’s a divide in thebor market at Hilcord. There’s no shortage of highly educated


    professionals, but weck skilled, experienced workers.


    “On the other hand, there are plenty of unskilledborers, but we need workers who are willing to


    put in the effort on the front lines,” I exined the current employment situation.


    Xander nodded enthusiastically and gave me a thumbs–up. “You’ve nailed it, Ms. Crown. You really


    understand both the business and human resources aspects. You’re a multi–talented professional.”


    1 could only manage a forced smile at the praise. Then, I took out the contract Harold discussed


    with me


    earlier.


    “I reviewed thepany’s information. Although it’s a newly establishedpany, its leadership


    structure and future prospects look promising. Moreover, their willingness to cooperate seems


    genuine. Xander took the contract from me. “Alright. I’ll review it and make a final decision.


    “Great!” I agreed. Then, I thought about my appointment with Bree and realized that I might not be


    able to return to the office untilter in the afternoon.


    “Mr. Roulder, I need to step out for lunch. I’ll be back in the officeter in the afternoon.”


    “Ms. Crown, you don’t need to inform me of these things in the future. Just make your own


    decisions,” Xander said with a wave of his hand.


    “Thank you!”


    As I started to leave, Xander called out to me. “Ms. Crown, you seemed to know a lot about the


    talent market. Do you happen to know or have connections with any skilled technical professionals?


    If so, please introduce them to me.”


    His question reminded me of Brandon. But since he had a stable job, I couldn’t ask him to leave it


    for thispany.


    “I’ll keep an eye out,” I told Xander.


    “Ms. Crown,” Xander called out again as I reached the door.


    I turned back to him. “Is there anything else, Mr. Roulder?”


    He smiled again. “Are you off to a date or something?”


    1 was speechless.


    “I’m just curious. You’re such a beautiful woman and now single, so… Well, ha ha…” At that


    moment, Xander was acting downright obnoxious.


    Despite his slightly irritating demeanor, I couldn’t get too annoyed. I decided to be honest and said,


    “I’m not going on a date.”


    “Oh. That’s good to know.” Xander’s reaction gave me the impression that he had some personal


    interest


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    in me.


    Despite his excessive concern, he didn’t show any other signs of interest. Still, it was best to resolve


    things before they gotplicated.


    So, I added, “I’m not single. I already have a boyfriend.


    Xander’s eyes brightened. “You have a boyfriend? Who is he?”


    I found it difficult to answer. We weren’t close, so I wondered why he acted like he was my brother.


    As I wondered how to respond, someone outside suddenly said, “Who here is Madeline Crown?”


    I didn’t have to answer Xander after all. I stepped outside and started to speak. “I’m-”


    But the rest of my words were caught in my throat when I saw who was calling me and what he was


    holding in his arms.