Bruce fell silent, then stood up and left the room with even greater determination to destroy Ace Dai.
Everyone looked at Bruce and then turned to Ace. Aileen, who had been a little pale, breathed a sigh of relief because the tension was over. Casey immediately approached Ace and looked closely at the handsome man. Casey held Ace's hand to give him indirect strength. It was no wonder Ace was shocked earlier. However, he quickly regained control of the situation.
"I didn't think Bruce would use Miana as a weapon. I think we need to be prepared with maximum security for my family, Casey!" Ace instructed Casey and Aileen.
"I have confirmed that Miss Miana is safe at your house, sir!" Aileen said, taking the initiative to check on Mianna's situation.
"Ya... I know it's all just a small bluff out of desperation. That's why I've prepared the same thing," Ace said. Of course, he was referring to the edited photo of Bruce's father with a woman. Bruce even believed it without question.
"But we have to be wary of his crazy actions. We may be safe now, but we might not be later. I want you all to watch out for Bruce's actions. And Casey, monitor the acceleration of the hospital acquisition. Deploy the best financial experts to help you make the decision!" Ace ordered.
Casey nodded obediently and followed Ace and Aileen out. They still had a long way to go.
***
Ace and Casey walked to their apartment in silence. There was a lot on Ace's mind, and it was clearly visible on his face. Casey knew that the only way to calm his still-burning anger was to cook.
"Go take a shower. I'll cook dinner for us!" Casey ordered.
Ace just nodded and went straight to the bathroom.
[Point: 120]
[Skill: You gain 60 points to increase your vitality and muscle strength by 70%. The remaining 60 points are not yet enough to acquire a new skill.]
Ace smiled as he read the system report and began to understand how to earn points to improve his skills.
[Congratulations! You have earned 90 points for your efforts to make Miss Casey and Miss Aileen two of the most respected women in Brooklyn with their respective skills.]
"I think we make a great team, don't we?"
[Your team will grow bigger with the cooperation between Miss Casey and Miss Aileen. These two great women will help DAI Technology reach the top faster.]
"You're right."
After a refreshing shower, Ace noticed a significant change in his body. His muscles were growing and shaping his body even better. His face, which was once dull, now had a brighter complexion. Like magic, everything could happen very quickly.
"Is the food ready?" Ace asked when he returned to the kitchen and saw Casey still wearing her apron.
"Okay, let's eat!" Casey invited, who had apparently prepared the food on their small dining table.
"Thanks for the food. You're the best cook," praised Ace as he took some food and put it on his plate.
Casey didn't answer Ace's question because he was busy observing Ace's different appearance. With that plain white t-shirt, it was evident that Ace's arm muscles had also undergone changes, and Casey was fully aware of it.
"Aren't you eating?" Ace asked casually.
Meanwhile, Casey continued to look at Ace with confusion.
"What's wrong, Casey? Why do you keep staring at me?" Ace asked, looking back at Casey.
"I'm confused... it seems like you've changed, but I don't know what it is. Did I just not notice that your arm muscles are that big, Ace?" Casey asked, focusing.
"It's no big deal! I've just been working out. Don't you know how my body has been for a while?" Ace asked nonchalantly.
"I do, and that's what's confusing me." Casey immediately rolled up his sleeves and looked at his own arm muscles, which were not as big as Ace's.
Ace just smiled at Casey's absurd behavior. The woman he loved seemed more adorable every day.
"You should eat first before the food gets cold!" ordered Ace.
"So, what's wrong? My eyes or did you actually change?" Casey asked curiously.
"Nothing's changed. And Casey, do you think we should meet with Prof. Andy again to solve the unfinished algorithm?"
"I think we should. I plan to add 3 software engineers to the development program division. I'm still curious about the unsynchronized parameter," Casey said with a furrowed brow.
"Why that face?" Ace asked, drawing a circle in front of Casey's face.
Casey only pouted further as a form of protest.
"We'll be parting ways after graduation. I'm sure once this hospital transfer issue is resolved, you'll just toss me aside," Casey said.
Dealing with women was just as difficult for Ace. Since Megan's betrayal, Ace had closed himself off even more to avoid heartache again. Now Casey, who doesn't like smart and adorable women like Casey? Although not as sexy as Megan, Casey is still a woman, and Ace greatly values women.
"You want to part ways with me?"
"No. But I feel like I'll be kicked out... especially with Aileen around?"
"Jealous?"
"Maybe!"
Ace just smiled upon hearing Casey's words and ruffled his hair before getting up.
"Casey... we have to work!" shouted Ace, dispelling Casey's daydreams.
"Yeah... you're so annoying!"
Ace smiled again at Casey's complaint and said, "I hear you! Do you want me to cut your pay, huh?" pretending to threaten Casey.
"You're so temperamental..." muttered Casey again.
Casey got up from the dining chair, but instead of going to where Ace was sitting, he headed towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
"I want to go to the market across the street. Do you want to send something?" Casey asked the DAI Technology CEO casually.
"I'll just come with you!"
Ace's answer certainly made Casey furrow his brow. It's not usual for Ace to want to go shopping with him. Usually, Ace just sits in front of his laptop for hours on end without paying any attention to Casey, except when he's stuck and needs the bespectacled woman's help.
They walked down the apartment to look for instant food as Casey's shortcut to get snacks. They passed a small bridge that connected the apartment area to the main road.
Once they arrived at the market, Casey immediately grabbed some small foods to accompany him while working.
"You'll get fat if you keep eating ice cream!" mocked Ace.
"Let it be. You're the only one who complains," Casey replied fiercely.
"Then, I'll be the one who's bothered because you'll keep asking, 'Ace, am I fat?' And when I answer honestly, you'll hit me. Typical!" Ace was known for being economical with words, but when he was with Casey, he could talk more than usual.
Casey just stuck his tongue out and ignored whatever Ace said until they heard someone shouting, "Someone! Please help that woman!" A mother was yelling while looking up.
Suddenly, Ace looked up and saw a woman standing on the edge of a wall. It could be confirmed that she was planning to end her life.
“I will help that woman!” Ace said.
"Don't you dare joke around."
"Hey, you brainless Ace!" Bob, the manager, barked as Ace heaved a heavy sack of goods into the warehouse. "I received a report that you've been slacking off on the job, you worthless piece of garbage!"Ace stopped and turned to face Bob, incredulous. "What?! That's not true! I've been working non-stop all day!""That's what I heard," Bob replied tersely, crossing his arms. "I'm afraid there won't be a salary for you today."Ace had the misfortune of being both unlucky and poorly educated, leaving him no choice but to work as a porter. Despite this, he worked diligently to find a better job in the city. Unfortunately, his manager was always accusing him of something, which often resulted in him not receiving a salary. “I've done my best, boss,” Ace said, trying to emphasize his point. “Where did you get that conclusion?”Bob, who was only as tall as Ace's chin, sternly exclaimed, "You better stop talking and get out of my sight, or you won't have to work in this place anymore! Don't
Ten long minutes passed before the ambulance finally arrived, its blaring sirens and flashing lights piercing the air. Ace's body continued to writhe in agony as he was carefully lifted onto the stretcher and loaded into the vehicle. Two paramedics stepped out of the ambulance carrying a file of documents. However, from the outset, they were suspicious because they were picking up a patient in such a narrow alley. The VIP patients they usually picked up were in luxurious and well-known places, but not this time. A man who appeared to be of Italian descent was still confused about everything around him. "Is this the place?" one of the paramedics asked. "I thought we were picking up someone at a big house or an office!" he added. "Exactly. I think there's something strange about the pick-up location. Let me check the documents we brought again!" his colleague replied. They looked confused as they saw a ragged young man lying in the middle of the road. His dirty clothes made him groa
Ace's physical condition suddenly took a turn for the worse as he began to experience tightness in his chest, struggled to breathe, and coughed up a significant amount of blood. The paramedics, who were already present on the scene, had just finished measuring Ace's blood pressure when they immediately recognized the severity of the situation. Without wasting any time, they quickly reached out to Dr. Aileen, the attending physician on duty, for assistance.Upon receiving the call, Dr. Aileen sprang into action, providing clear and concise instructions to the paramedics on how to stabilize Ace's condition. Despite the chaotic scene around him, Ace could hear the sound of Dr. Aileen's voice in the background."Stay with me. Keep your focus on me." Her tone was urgent and commanding. She knew that maintaining eye contact could help ground Ace and keep him focused on the present moment, which was crucial given his critical condition.Ace felt relieved and assisted with the presence of Dr.
Aileen looked at Ace, knowing she had already gotten the job from him made her confident. Maybe it was time for Aileen to break free from the shadow of her arrogant superior. "Please do. Just fire me!" Aileen challenged fearlessly.Brian's face turned red upon hearing Aileen's boldness. Ace couldn't help but smirk, as he had taught Brian a lesson."Your account number?" Ace asked again without much ado, facing Brian who was still glaring at Aileen.Aileen glanced at Brian and Ace alternately, then took the phone that was handed to her. Aileen entered some numbers and handed the phone back to Ace."Don't forget to multiply the salary you want by 3 months. You will undergo training for three months and then I will evaluate you," Ace said."Alright, Mr. Ace," Aileen replied, feeling challenged by Ace's statement.Ace just smiled as Aileen asked for the actual value, the standard rate for a doctor. Little did Aileen know that Ace knew she needed a lot of 0? completed, Aileen was surprised
"You can admire me later. For now, let's focus on our mission. Can you do it?" Ace asked, releasing Casey's hand from his chin.Casey then stood up and walked back and forth in front of Ace. Ace knew Casey was thinking right now. Of course, he was prepared to wait until this petite woman stopped and spoke. "But to do what you ask, we need a room and also experts. Are you up to it?" Casey asked hesitantly.As expected by Ace, Casey would definitely take up this challenge from him. "Of course. Pick any place and I'll provide the funding. And to make it clear that I have money, I want you to fix yourself from top to bottom. Being beautiful is the first order you must obey!" commanded Ace with a serious attitude. It's no wonder because he's like that on campus too.A notification appeared on Casey's phone.[Brooklyn Central Bank] The account balance with account number XXX46 is USD 1,000,000.00"Really? You mean it?" Casey asked incredulously at what she was seeing now. Her balance swelle
Megan, who saw Ace's attitude all this time, could only guess what happened to the poor man she had thrown away.The property marketing person who had been listening to the conversation of the two potential buyers was quite confused and then answered, "Yes, sir, the Luxury type. It's more spacious because there's office space on the rooftop and wine storage underground!" he answered in typical sales style."More expensive, of course, than this one?" asked Ace again.Bruce raised his hand and was about to hit Ace, but... "Ughh...," Ace blocked Bruce's attack and said, "Don't you realize you're being recorded? You could be ruined if I reveal your behavior to your business colleagues. So stop the act!" Ace growled, throwing Bruce's hand away."You... just wait, you bastard! You'll get what's coming to you!" Bruce yelled aggressively."We can continue this in the real game, Bruce!" Ace threatened without fear.Ace then smiled a little and called Andrew to continue the payment for the hous
Ace looked up and stared sharply at Casey. It was an intimidating look, but Casey was used to it. She continued speaking carefully. "The latest diagnosis showed that Lupus is making it difficult for your mother's lungs." Ace still stared at Casey sharply, "How much percent?" "30%, our tools can't detect it until the total algorithm is distributed," Casey explained again. Ace frowned and stood up, taking the empty plate to the sink. He was hiding the pain that was hurting his heart so much. "That's why I need that hospital so that I can get a chance. We have to investigate this disease further. Early detection, so that I can prevent it earlier too!" Casey took a slow breath, not wanting to discourage Ace's desire. She heard the pain in every sound Ace made. Casey understood how much Ace loved his mother, and knew that this disease that continued to gnaw at her would definitely make the heart of any child cut. "I support you. Whatever the result, I support this research until it's
"Perhaps you have missed or been too focused that you didn't understand our explanation for the third time. But I would be happy to repeat it. DAI Technology wants full rights to operate the hospital for one purpose, to conduct further research on all early disease detection devices. Making a system without knowing the basis of the problem is certain to not find its way. Any other questions?" Casey explained elegantly and arrogantly.Ace and his team knew that Bruce was restraining himself in this meeting room. It felt too crazy if he showed his hatred in a forum that was led by his own father.Bruce tried to calm his anger with Dai's team's intentionally provocative statement that cornered him. But he knew very well that it was not possible to cause a scene at the moment, even though he really wanted to do it. "I have no other questions," Bruce replied with his sharp gaze still fixed on Ace."Thank you, Mr. Bruce," Casey replied, closing the Q&A session beautifully.After the meeting