Chapter 005

This wasn't the second time Leander couldn't find Camila in the classroom. His concern surged because ever since she started spending time with Rex, she had been skipping important lectures, especially those on quantitative analysis, which she struggled with. Leander's pride was wounded as he remembered how he had consistently helped in preparing her for exams, which had impacted her grades.

Curious, Leander approached Marcella, a friend of hers and asked, “Excuse me, I haven't seen Camila attending lectures since yesterday. What's going on?”

Marcella gave Leander a deadly side-eye. Snarling in disgust, she spat out, a radiant smile dancing on her face, “Why do you ask, loser? Are you still claiming Camila as your girlfriend?”

Leander quickly cut in, his words heavy with authority and confidence, “I don't want any insults about chasing after Rex’s crush or whatever. I just wanted to know her welfare.”

“Alright, she's okay, but it's just personal emergencies,” Marcella replied in a rude manner.

As Rex, Sebastian, Brayden, and three others entered the classroom, Leander discreetly checked the time on his Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. He noted he had exactly three hours left before his scheduled arrival at the Veritas Group HQ.

Quickly, he hid his phone, unaware that they had caught a glimpse of it. Surprised, their attention shifted. With a feigned smile, they all approached Leander, with Rex extending a handshake, his demeanor cool, “You good, dude?”

Leander sensed a forced politeness in their tone, sending a chill down his spine. He responded, “Pretty good. And you guys too?”

Brayden muttered approvingly, “Same here!” Afterwards, they shook hands.

Brayden’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as he inquired about the brand of the phone he had noticed earlier with Leander.

“It wasn't mine to begin with, and uh, I don't even know the brand,” Leander responded with a soft sigh.

“Oh, it's alright, there's no problem about that,” Brayden, realizing Leander's reticence, concluded.

As they turned away and exited without any clash, Leander couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their actions—a hidden agenda known only to them. It was unsettling to imagine how those threatening him could act friendly.

With uncertainty and anxiety, Leander left the space and headed off-campus. Opting for public transport, he boarded a sleek train to Veritas Group HQ, just six miles away.

Upon reaching there, he walked in, the scent of exotic flowers calming his nerves. The headquarters, with its towering skyscraper and logo gleaming under the sunlight, sat on a sprawling 30-acre plot.

He approached the receptionist's office, where a stunning young lady with piercing moss-green eyes inquired about the purpose of his visit.

Leander, maintaining a steady voice, introduced himself and explained why he needed to meet the CEO of Veritas Group urgently. However, the receptionist's eyes widened at his poor attire, a subtle frown forming on her face.

The receptionist hesitated briefly before denying him entry, questioning why he couldn't present himself more professionally. However, her demeanor shifted slightly as she asked, "Do you have the Executive Visitor Pass? That's the only protocol for entry." She argued, "Your name isn't on the visitor's list.”

Frustrated, Leander demanded, "Could you... please check again? It's very urgent." The receptionist remained stern with an unwavering resolve, his pleas falling on deaf ears.

"Ah, I can't breach the order from the management, I will be held responsible for any forfeit,” the receptionist narrated.

Fed up with delay, Leander pulled out his Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and dialed the number linked to the unfamiliar Veritas Group founder.

Ring! No answer. The call was not forwarded.

Leander's eyes darted restlessly in all directions, unable to process what to say next.

The door swung open, revealing another confident lady striding towards the reception desk. As she settled into the chair, her wrinkling brows hinted at an unspoken unease.

Leander was taken aback by what he saw as the lady muttered appreciation to the receptionist.

However, the so-called receptionist stood up and left the reception immediately. Caught off guard, Leander took a stride, requesting with a tense breath, "Whoa... are there two receptionists here?”

"No," she shook her head before completing her words, "...I'm the receptionist."

"And why is the other lady sitting here?" Leander, furious, cocked his brows, his voice confrontational.

"My apology, sir, if there is any problem. I have always been here permanently; I have never left my office during working hours. I rushed to the CEO's call, and that's urgent!" the receptionist said, her words filled with regret.

"How may I help you?"

“Uh…. I'm actually from Etherium University…” Leander began, but was cut off abruptly by the receptionist.

“.... oh, the CEO informed me about your arrival,” she stated crisply.

Sighing, curiosity sparked in Leander, "Who is that other lady?" His smirk revealed his growing anger.

“She's one of the directors here,” the receptionist described.

Determined to address her behavior, Leander exclaimed sternly, “Alright, I need to teach her some courtesy for her lunk-headed behavior.” His words left the receptionist visibly unsettled, perched on the edge of her seat.

“Any problem sir?” The receptionist's surprise was evident in her tone. However, Leander wasted no time in recounting the incident to her.

“I can't do much; she's my boss but please accept my apology on her behalf?” the receptionist admitted helplessly.

Understanding her position, Leander replied solemnly, “Roger that, ma'am.”

“Mm-hmm, don’t you have an Executive Visitor Pass?”

Leander let out a long exhale of relief, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "No, I don't have one," he admitted.

The receptionist nodded understandingly. "I'll get one so you won't face any issue next time you visit. That's all I can do to help," she assured him.

"You've handled this situation wisely," Leander’s eyes lit up with a genuine smile to show his appreciation.

“Uh-oh. It’s a pleasure, Master Goldstein.” The receptionist gave a subtle bow.

A few moments later

Led by the receptionist, Leander reached the elevator after getting the visitor pass. Arriving on the fifteenth floor, his excitement waned as he bumped into the formidable director from reception. Despite her piercing glare, Leander stood his ground confidently.

“You scoundrel! What are you doing here again?” she spat venomously.

"And who the hell are you? Don't you have common courtesy? If I were the owner of this entity, you wouldn't go scot-free," Leander shot back sharply, fueling the fiery confrontation.

she chuckled before replying, “Oh, you'll find out soon enough. If you're here for a job, I’m ready to spoil your dreams right now.”

Leander retorted defiantly, “Are you out of your mind? Who told you I'm here for a job hunt even though I’m a student?”

Caught off guard by his statement, the lady buried her face in her hands in embarrassment, realizing she had made a costly mistake.

"So, you're the illustrious Mr. Goldstein, the one my boss has been eager to meet?" she quipped.

She quickly knelt before Leander, beseeching, "Please... I'm... I... I'm sorry. I thought you were one of the job seekers, aiming to displace me as the director." Frustration filled her as tears threatened to spill over.