She knew the rules, at least.


    On her first day, Elodie familiarized herself with her new responsibilities with


    surprising speed.


    Up on the top floor.


    Jarrod toyed with a pen, his gaze fixed on the ring on his finger. He barely registered the report his subordinate was giving him.


    He was thinking.


    Elodie had also just graduated. She was still young, just a girl, really. Could she adapt so quickly to the harsh realities of the corporate world?


    He wanted her to get some experience, and the PR department was the perfect ce to temper her personality, but he couldn''t help but worry.


    "Mr. Silverstein, ourpetitors have been maliciously manipting public opinion about our autonomous driving division. The PR department has prepared three emergency response ns. Would you like to review them?"


    "The PR department?" Jarrod looked up and suddenly stood. "No need. I''ll go discuss it with Manager Stone in person."


    The executive was stunned. "You''re going yourself, sir?"


    Was that really necessary?


    Jarrod ignored him and headed downstairs.


    The Silverstein Building consisted of two towers connected by a double helix sky bridge. The PR department was in the other tower. Jarrod''s sudden appearance was a surprise to everyone.


    When Manager Stone saw him, he hurried out to greet him, trailed by a crowd of anxious employees.


    Jarrod''s eyes casually swept over the desks,nding on the one in the far corner. A head was bent low over a pile of documents, busy organizing materials.


    He followed the manager into his office. The one-way ss offered a view of the office floor, but all he could see of Elodie was the top of her head in the distance.


    "Mr. Silverstein, do you have any suggestions regarding the ns?" Manager Stone had never seen anything like this. The fact that Mr. Silverstein hade down personally made him suspect all the ns had been rejected and he was here to dole out punishment.


    After all, no matter how big the problem was in the past, Mr. Silverstein had never made a special trip down.


    "It''s fine. Just walk me through the ns, one by one," Jarrod said, his gaze drifting outside.


    Unsure of what to make of the situation, Manager Stone wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and nervously began the presentation with his team.


    Jarrod remained silent, ncing across the office every few minutes.


    The atmosphere in the room was incredibly tense.


    Everyone''s heart was pounding, terrified that one sign of displeasure from Jarrod would mean they''d be packing their bags.


    The presentation dragged on for nearly forty minutes.


    Still, Jarrod said nothing.


    It was impossible to tell if he was satisfied or not.


    Manager Stone was on the verge of tears. When had Mr. Silverstein ever had so


    much time to spare, to sit here for so long?


    Suddenly, Jarrod stood up. "The second version."


    With that one sentence, he strode out of the office with long legs.


    Yes, strode. It was practically a run, his steps were sorge.


    Andrea, who had just returned, fell in step behind him, gesturing for Manager Stone


    and his team not to see them out.


    Jarrod had seen Elodie get up and head out, so he followed her directly.


    Through several panes of ss, he watched Elodie enter the break room. She massaged her sore neck and shoulders. She was hungry and tired and was looking for a snack and some coffee, but the break


    room was empty.


    She could only sit down on a chair and continue organizing the research materials.


    Jarrod watched this from a distance and immediately frowned at Andrea. "Go get more cookies and snacks. Don''t we have our own brand of Coffee Have more sent over And tell Rock Stone that when it''s time for funch, people should eat. Don''t just wear out the new hires with overtime. Does he know how to manage his team properly?"


    Andrea was speechless. "...?"


    Weren''t you the one who wanted her to gain experience, sir?


    But he wouldn''t dare say that out loud, so he just nodded and turned to make the arrangements.


    Jarrod didn''t leave. He stood there, watching Elodie.


    Elodie had a faint feeling that someone was watching her. She turned her head to


    look.


    With lightning-fast reflexes, Jarrod


    ducked down, hiding himself b


    a pane of frosted ss in a


    that was less than graceful


    Elodie didn''t see anyone and just shook her head before returning to her work.


    Crouching there, Jarrod slowly realized what a stupid thing he was doing.


    He pressed his lips together and closed his eyes.


    What is wrong with me?