Chapter 144


    On Friday, the Architects officially opened for business.


    Since it was Dempsey Architects’ first venture into the domestic market, they went all out with a big


    opening ceremony to make some noise.


    The ceremony was set up in the Starlight Group’s first-floor reception hall, and the headquarters really


    put on quite the show.


    Don, as the head honcho of the new branch, was hustling from the crack of dawn to get everything


    ready for the big day.


    One moment he was checking the stage lighting, the next he was double-checking the guest list to


    avoid any unexpected hups.


    Kent was right there with him, buzzing around like a busy bee.


    By the time they wrapped up, there was less than half an hour left before the auspicious moment to


    kick things off.


    Guests were trickling in steadily.


    Don and Kent were casually greeting the neers while sneaking peeks at their watches and


    scanning the crowd, with Don asking, “Where’s your boss?”


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    “Probably holed up in his office.”


    Kent responded in a hushed tone while smiling and nodding at guests.


    Don frowned, “What’s he doing in there? Isn’t heing down?”


    Kent nced at him and quipped, “What do you think?”


    Don was momentarily thrown off, “Huh?”


    Kent nudged him, “Have you picked your design director yet?”


    That was when it clicked for Don, and with the realization came a headache.


    He had texted Sophia the other day to see where her head was at, and she had texted back right away.


    Just as he suspected, she hadn’t made up her mind yet.


    But she didn’t want to hold up their work, advising him to go ahead with someone else if the project


    was urgent or if the office was swamped, no need to wait on her.


    Don hadn’t pressed the issue since then, nor had he poked his nose into the backup list for the design


    director. Deep down, he was still holding out hope for ast-minute surprise on opening day.


    The deadline was set by Brandon, and Sophia had every right to take her sweet time until the final


    second.


    He wanted to see if there was still a chance for ast-minute miracle.


    But judging by the current situation..


    Don checked his watch again and couldn’t resist scanning the room one more time.


    The ce was buzzing, but Sophia’s familiar face was nowhere to be seen.


    He nced at his phone – dead silent, not a peep.


    Don let out a sigh, turned to Kent, and said, “Hold down the fort. I’m going upstairs.”


    Kent nodded, “Go ahead.”


    In the CEO’s office on the top floor, Brandon was sitting at his desk, propping his chin up with one


    hand, eyes closed, recharging the batteries, looking both worn out and serene.


    The sunlight was streaming through the window, casting a mix of shadows and light upon him.


    To his left was his phone, and to his right, the resumes of the candidates for the design director


    position.


    As Don pushed the door open, he was met with the sight of Brandon taking a breather, a rare hint of


    fatigue on his face.


    “Another night without sleep?” Don queried with a raised eyebrow as he approached.


    Brandon opened his eyes and gave him a look, “Got some work stuff on my te.”


    “Is it really work or are you just distracting yourself with it?”


    Don asked as he walked up to the desk, his eyesnding on the resumes, then shifting to Brandon.


    Brandon nced at the resumes, then at his silent phone, and looked at Don, “No word from Sophia?”


    Don nodded dejectedly, “Nope, no sign of hering, and she’s not here.”


    Brandon nodded, stood up, and grabbed the resumes, “Then it’s time to scrap the Zenithan-style


    project.”


    “Start over with someone new.” He tossed the resumes to Don as he said, “Pick him for the design


    director. He’s got skills, a couple of sessful projects under his belt, and a pretty distinctive personal


    style.”


    Don frowned and nced down at the resumes, “We’re not out of time yet.”


    He checked his watch, “We’ve still got over ten minutes till the official opening.”


    Brandon also looked at his watch, “Let’s go, don’t want to miss the lucky moment to start.”


    With that, he grabbed his phone off the desk and headed for the door.


    09-29.


    Don watched Brandon’s retreating figure, upright and austere, his profile steady and determined, his


    expression cold and almost without emotion, leaving no room for second-guessing.


    Don sighed deeply, his enthusiasm dampened, and followed him out.


    When the two of them reached the opening hall downstairs, most guests had already arrived, mingling


    in small groups, the ce alive with excitement and festivity.


    The emcee was already on stage, doing mic checks, prepping for the opening.


    As the big shots of the newpany, Brandon and Don were seated in the front row.


    As Brandon made his way to his seat, the guests who spotted him came up with warm greetings.


    Brandon just nodded politely in response and then sat down, stone-faced.


    His chilly demeanor left the greeting guests feeling a bit puzzled and uneasy.


    Quick on the draw, Don came up with a smile to smooth things over.


    Kent also swooped in with a grinning face to y peacemaker, and after calming the waters, he


    couldn’t help but whisper to Don, “What’s up?”


    All he got in return was Don’s helpless shake of the head and sigh.


    After his sigh, Don couldn’t help but cast one more hopeful nce towards the entrance.


    Still no sign of her.