"Hey, Greg... Are you distancing yourself from me?"Greg paused for a moment, his eyes glued to the phone screen, his fingers hovering over the keys as he contemplated his response to Dylan. "No, it's just your feeling. I'm not distancing myself from you."But Dylan, not satisfied with the vague response, pressed further. His voice grew more insistent, laced with frustration. "Are you sure? It feels like you're keeping something from me."Greg continued to evade the question, his own unease manifesting in his reply. "Dylan, you're overthinking it. Seriously, it's nothing. You just…"That’s it! Dylan couldn't take it any longer. The past few days had been a relentless cycle of Greg brushing off his questions, and now, frustration bubbled within him. He decided to confront his friend and subordinate head-on."Greg, we've been through everything together, okay? We've shared our secrets, our plans, our fears. But now you're shutting me out? You didn't even answer my question about your pl
Greg's brows furrowed as he entered the empty dining room. He scanned the place with a faint frown creasing his lips. The table sat untouched, and the newspapers lay neatly folded on the shelf as if Dylan hadn't even grazed them."Is he perhaps leaving early?" Greg muttered, his voice tinged with concern.Just as he was absorbed in thoughts about Dylan’s whereabouts, a maid in a neat uniform passed by. Her presence was quiet and unobtrusive, a subtle reminder of the bustling household staff that attended to Havenwood Estate.She curtsied politely as she greeted him. "Good morning, Master Von Ritcher. Would you like some breakfast?"Greg's attention shifted from his thoughts to the maid's inquiry. His concern for Dylan momentarily took a backseat as his stomach reminded him of its emptiness. A brief smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Yes, please. I could use some breakfast," he replied, his voice holding a note of gratitude.The maid's demeanor remained poised as she continued,
Greg stared at his phone in frustration, his thumb hovering over the screen as he tried to dial Dylan's number once again.PIP![Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently out of reach now. Please call in a few minutes or leave a message and—PIP!]“He didn’t answer my call again… This never happened before, is he still that mad?” Greg thought, his brow furrowing in concern. He clenched his phone slightly, a mixture of frustration and worry gnawing at his thoughts.Greg tried dialing Dylan’s number again, and once again, the familiar ringtone played for a brief moment before being replaced by the operator's voice.After several attempts, Greg finally gave up, realizing that Dylan was not going to answer. He sighed as his shoulders slumped in resignation."I guess it's useless to keep trying. If Dylan wanted to talk, he would have picked up by now, well... I have no other choice but to leave him for the sudden exclusive meeting. It’s not like I didn’t try to call him anyway,” Greg m
DOR! DOR! DOR! "GOOD MORNING EXCLUSIVE GREG!" *** The booming cheers echoed through the corridor, creating an atmosphere that was far from what Greg had expected when entering Behav Company's headquarters. He stood there, dumbfounded, trying to process the sudden burst of energy and excitement that had enveloped him. “W—What’s this?” Greg's mind raced in confusion as he took in his surroundings. The once normal corridor now resembled a scene out of a lively party, with security personnel dressed in festive attire, holding cans of confetti poppers, and the air filled with an almost tangible anticipation. Not to mention that the unending confetti makes the party vibe stronger! Before Greg could fully comprehend the situation, the chorus of voices erupted once more. "GOOD MORNING EXCLUSIVE GREG!" Greg was shocked once again, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked around, still struggling to make sense of the unexpected spectacle before him. His attention was momentarily diverted as
Greg listened intently as Bradley began recounting the story behind the unique executive greeting."Yes, Mr. Von Ritcher. So, that's the real reason why we had this greeting," Bradley explained, his tone carrying a mix of pride and amusement. "You know, if it’s not because of Karel's ingenious insight, we won’t ever think to have this unique idea."Greg raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Karel's insight? What do you mean?"Bradley's lips curved into a knowing smile. "You see, Karel, one of our executives, is a firm believer in the power of positive energy and camaraderie. He's been a strong advocate for team-building activities and strategies that boost morale."Greg nodded, intrigued by this revelation. "So, the greeting is a morale-boosting strategy?""Exactly," Bradley confirmed. "Karel proposed that a vibrant, energetic entrance to our executive meetings could set a positive tone for the discussions that follow. He believed that by starting the meeting with a burst of excitement li
The conversation in Behav's exclusive meeting room continued to swirl around the enigmatic figure of Greg. The executives speculated and theorized about his background, each theory becoming more outlandish than the last."I heard he's actually a spy sent by a rival company to gather information.""A spy? That's quite audacious, isn't it? What would a spy be doing with a name as ordinary as 'Greg'?"A bespectacled executive chimed in, "Ah, that's the brilliance of it. He's using a fake name to throw us off his trail. No one would suspect a 'Greg' of espionage."Laughter and playful banter filled the room as they concocted wild stories about Greg's origins. The excitement was contagious, and even the more reserved executives couldn't help but join in the speculative fun."And you know what's the most unbelievable part?" the fiery-haired woman interjected with a grin. "I heard he's the child of a powerful politician, and he's here to manipulate this company for his family's political gai
The room fell into a deep silence after the executive's condescending remark hung in the air like a heavy fog while Greg just remained composed with an unreadable expression as if he had expected some level of skepticism and had come prepared to face it head on.His silence seemed to have unnerved the executive who had just spoken, and a hint of discomfort was visible on his face. He probably didn't anticipate such a calm response from Greg.After a long silence, Greg finally spoke, his voice was measured and confident. "Of course, let's address the elephant in the room first," he began, his tone carrying a quiet authority that commanded attention.The room's eyes shifted from the skeptical executive to Greg, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation as if they sensed that something significant was about to transpire."You see,” Greg continued, his gaze steady. “Skepticism is a healthy aspect of any organization. It fosters critical thinking and ensures that decisions are
At Havenwood estate…Dylan stepped through the polished mahogany doors of the Havenwood estate, his footsteps echoing softly in the grand foyer. The spacious mansion was a sight to behold, a testament to wealth and privilege. Yet, despite its opulence, the house felt strangely empty today."Hmm, this house seems empty...Is everyone gone?" Dylan mused to himself, furrowing his brow. He had expected at least some of the household staff to be bustling about, attending to their usual tasks. But there was an eerie emptiness that hung in the air. Then Dylan's gaze turns on the ornate grandfather clock standing against the wall. Its hands indicated that it was 10.00 am in the morning which means it was already working hours. "Hm... That's strange, I haven't even seen Greg," Dylan thought aloud, a tinge of concern in his voice. "Could he also leave too? But wait... Where will he go? There's no way he went to behav since his role as an executive begins tomorrow."Dylan pondered before a soft
At The Faith's Company.The imposing wooden door of Charles Faith's office had a distinct rhythm as it received three sharp knocks, echoing through the hushed corridor."Come in."The door swung open, and his impeccably dressed secretary entered with a respectful bow. She carried a folder and a map, her demeanor exuding professionalism."Good morning, Mr. Faith," she greeted. "I just wanted to inform you that the Faith Company's market is experiencing rapid growth. The score was higher than last month, and the number held a new sales record for our company, so our marketing team decided to set a higher score so that we can achieve higher success. Charles Faith, seated behind his polished mahogany desk, was engrossed in reviewing a stack of documents. He glanced up from his work, intrigued by the news."Oh really? Is that so?" he inquired, his piercing gaze focused on the secretary. Then, with a calculated curiosity, he asked, "And how is Von Ritcher doing? Have we surpassed them, and
Months had passed since the chilling night at Bluebell Inn, and the air of uncertainty still clung to Greg. The events that unfolded during the banquet remained etched in his memory, and the questions surrounding Griffin and Behav's secrets continued to haunt him. [Breaking news flashed on the screen, interrupting the usual morning routine. "In a shocking turn of events, it has been months since the youngest heir of Von Ritcher, Griffin Von Ritcher, died mysteriously of poisoning and now, another blow has struck the Von Ritcher family as one of their main subsidiary companies, Behav, has been revealed to have been hiding a significant secret. The company was linked to the water disposal incident from Bluebell years ago, a scandal that has sent shockwaves through the corporate world and---"PIP!] "Another day, and the news seems unending, huh?" Greg mused as he stared at the blank screen. CKLEK!“Hey, Greg. Sorry for bothering you, but I just want to remind you that minutes from n
Greg's thoughts swirled with uncertainty, the weight of the situation heavy on his shoulders. And just as he was wrestling with the question of how to navigate the unexpected presence of Griffin and Mara, a sudden knock at the door disrupted his contemplation. It was one of Bluebell Inn's servants."Good afternoon," the inn servant began, "I'm sorry for bothering you, but I wanted to remind you that the banquet is now available, and you are welcome to join if you wish."Greg nodded, acknowledging the information. "Thank you. We'll head to the banquet shortly."As the servant left, Dylan turned to Greg. "Looks like the banquet is already open. Shall we go now?" he asked, and Greg nodded."Sure. Let’s head to the banquet," he said.+++TIME SKIPAs they had arrived at the banquet, the room was already full with the executives.The room was adorned with elegant decorations, giving it the air of an official gathering rather than a simple dinner."Wow... the banquet is quite full," Dylan
As Greg continued to ponder the familiarity of the bag, Alan's voice abruptly brought him back to the present.“Hey, Greg. I’ve been searching for you everywhere," Alan said with a friendly smile. "We need to get inside the lab building. Everyone's already gathered inside since Mr. Smith has already arrived.""Alright, I'll come in," Greg said, as he followed Alan.Inside the Old Behav Lab Building...Greg stepped into the old Behav lab building and found that everyone had already gathered inside. The room buzzed with whispered conversations as the executives engaged in hushed discussions. There was a certain nostalgia in the air, a reminder that many of them had started their careers in this old abandoned lab when they were young scholars. Some of the executives were reminiscing about the past, discussing their memories of working in this very building."Everyone must be feeling nostalgic, considering it's been a long time since they set foot in here," Greg mused as he observed thei
The morning sun bathed the Bluebell Inn in warm, golden light as the executives of Behav Industries enjoyed a grand breakfast. As everyone was eating, Greg, who was sitting on the corner couldn't help but observe Jason, who was now sitting at a table, laughing heartily with Bradley. It was a stark contrast to his furious demeanor just the day before. "Hm, that was weird, how come Jason suddenly changed his mind in one day? Wasn't he still angry yesterday?" Greg mused as he silently drank his coffee."Is Bradley perhaps saying something to him? He must have said something to Jason since he was still mad yesterday. "What did Bradley say that managed to change Jason's mind in one da—” "Hoh, newbie, so you're joining our trip to the lab, huh? What did you say to Karel that made him suddenly let you? You didn't tell what Dr.Lou tells right?" Greg, who heard someone call his name, shifted his gaze and he immediately met with Alan's smiley face. Returning his smile, Greg said, "Nah
Greg now stared in disbelief at the sight before him. Under the bed, there was…“Dylan?” Greg exclaimed, his voice betraying his astonishment as he looked at his subordinate who grinned mischievously before slowly getting up from his hiding place."Hey, Greg," Dylan greeted with a smirk. "Phew, I was relieved to no longer be down there. It's pretty dirty under the bed."Greg scoffed, still bewildered by Dylan's sudden appearance. "Weren't you just out with your belongings minutes ago?"Dylan chuckled as he brushed off some dust from his clothes. “Well, about that… Let’s just say, I didn’t really go out since I was kinda curious about what you and Karel are about to discuss so I decided to eavesdrop for a while before going back to Maria and the teen room,” said Dylan, making Greg roll his eyes.“Anyway, Greg, about Karel’s question…” Dylan's grin faded, and his expression turned serious. "It was strange, don't you think? Like, why would he suddenly ask about Bradley and forgiveness? I
BRAK!The suite room's door swung open, and Karel stepped inside, his eyes scanning the spacious and luxurious surroundings. "Oh, so this is the room, huh? It's pretty big," Karel remarked as he began placing his belongings on the floor. "It's almost as big as the city's hotel suite room. Bluebell Inn should try to advertise more about this place. It'll definitely elevate their income."Greg followed Karel into the room, placing Karel's other belongings beside his own. "Well, yeah, I agree with you. Bluebell should try to advertise this place more" Greg replied, keeping his tone casual. 'Tsk, how come he and Dylan had the same thought?' Greg mused.Karel continued his assessment of the room. "And also, I think they need to fix the connection too. You know, even though this is an inn based in nature, this world is already modern, so Wi-Fi and a good connection have become primary needs, just like food and drink."“Yeah, I agree with you,” Greg briefly said.As they settled into the ro
Karel sighed as he heard what the receptionist said, his mind racing to find a solution to his predicament. "Hmm… So the only option that's available is just an extra bed, huh?" Karel said, a hint of frustration in his voice. The receptionist nodded, her eyes sympathetic.“Yes, sir, the only option available right now is the extra bed. But don’t worry, even though you'll be sleeping on an extra bed, we will give you a free breakfast as our apology for any discomfort you might experience—”As the receptionist talked about the inn's apologetic service, Karel, on the other hand, fell silent as he contemplated this option. Sharing a room with the executives wasn't his idea of a peaceful night's sleep given his personality as a picky person who had zero tolerance to someone else's habit."Hm… who should I sleep with? Alan and Mr. Anderson, or Dr. Lou?" Karel thought as pondered about the sleeping candidate. "It will be troublesome if I sleep with Alan and Mr. Anderson remembering how talka
"I know that exposing the lab and Bradley's activities will tarnish the company's reputation, but seriously, destroying Behav... Should we really just stay silent and let them do it?"***The tension in the room was palpable as Greg and Dylan exchanged thoughts about the executives' plan to expose Behav. Greg's brow furrowed as he considered Dylan's words, the weight of their conversation sinking in before saying, "Well, yeah. I guess so...?" Greg said, raising an eyebrow. "I mean...Why should we stop them? Just like what you said, by exposing the company, it will automatically tarnish its reputation. So what's the difference with letting the executives do that instead? Won't it be good since it didn't dirty our hands?"Greg asked, and Dylan nodded thoughtfully as he acknowledged the validity of Greg's points."Well, you're not wrong about that," Dylan admitted before continuing, "However, our purpose is different from theirs Greg. Our purpose in revealing Behav's illicit activities