Charlie sat at his desk in his cluttered office, a mess of papers and files spread out in front of him. His brow furrowed in deep thought, his focus disrupted by the troubling question gnawing at his mind: What had he said to Alice in their last conversation?Lost in his own contemplation, the sudden sound of a knock on his desk jolted him back to reality. Leo, his colleague and friend, stood before him with a curious expression. Charlie blinked, momentarily surprised by Leo's unexpected presence."When did you get here?" Charlie inquired, his voice tinged with a hint of distraction."Not too long ago, just a few minutes," Leo responded, his tone casual yet inquisitive as he observed Charlie's preoccupied state.The weight of his unresolved conversation with Alice still lingered in Charlie's mind, making it difficult for him to fully engage in the conversation with Leo. As he struggled to shake off the tormenting thoughts, he realized that he needed to confront the issue head-on befor
As they considered the suggestion, Leo's enthusiasm was evident in his nod. "That sounds like a perfect idea," he responded. Charlie rose from his seat with determination as they readied themselves to take action.Together, they proceeded into the garage. Leo confidently settled into the driver's seat, while Charlie took his place in the back, their shared purpose paving the way for whatever lay ahead.He pushed his foot down on the accelerator, the engine roaring to life as they sped away from the familiar surroundings. With a sense of urgency, he navigated the city streets, following the directions provided by his private investigator, determined to uncover the truth.Upon arrival, they realized they had entered a tranquil setting, characterized by a prevailing silence that belied the bustling cyber business taking place in the area. The air was filled with an air of mystery, as they delved deeper into the enigmatic world before them.Leo surveyed their surroundings, a puzzled look
Leo clenched the steering wheel tightly as he navigated the winding streets, the flickering lampposts casting eerie shadows across the road. His frustration simmered just beneath the surface, evident in the furrow of his brow and the tense set of his jaw. Glancing at Charlie in the rearview mirror, he saw the reflection of his own exasperation mirrored back at him.The dull ache of disappointment settled in Leo's chest as he replayed the fruitless conversation with the uncooperative informant in his mind. The corners of his mouth turned downward in a grimace of disbelief. How could someone deny knowledge of his target's whereabouts when they had supposedly crossed paths multiple times at the very location Leo had just questioned them about? It didn't add up, and Leo's patience was wearing thin."The nerve of him," Leo muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with a hint of incredulity. He shot a questioning look at Charlie, silently seeking confirmation of their shared frustration.
As he approached his office at a brisk pace, his hand instinctively reached for the doorknob. Without pausing to knock, he confidently pushed the door open. Stepping into the room, he immediately confirmed his suspicions. Michael was there, sitting across from his father.He paused a moment, absorbing the scene before him. "Will you stand there the whole time?" Mr. Thompson's voice interrupted his thoughts, prompting a smirk from Charlie."Dad, am I here because of him?" he quipped, meeting his father's gaze with a knowing look. Mr. Thompson's nod confirmed his assumption.Charlie maintained his stance, the tension palpable in the air as the dynamics of the room shifted.As the words were spoken in a firm tone, inviting Charlie to take a seat and engage in a serious discussion, he couldn't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle. Despite his initial impulse to react, he chose to suppress it and complied by taking the seat offered to him.As he settled into the chair, a sense of apprehens
As Charlie arrived back at the office, a wave of anger coursed through him, fueled by his father's inexplicable decision. How could his own flesh and blood trust a stranger more than his own son? The mere thought left Charlie in a state of bewilderment. Desperate to make sense of it all, he dialed Alice's number, needing someone to talk to amidst the chaos of his emotions. He asked her to meet him at the office, hoping that her presence would provide some clarity in the storm that raged within him.As Charlie awaited Alice's arrival, she responded with a sense of urgency in her voice, promising to join him at the office shortly. "I am a bit busy, but I will be there soon," she remarked from the other end of the phone. In a brusque manner, Charlie retorted, "Make it snappy," before abruptly hanging up. The tension in the air lingered as he awaited Alice's arrival.Suddenly, Leo burst into Charlie's office, his expression filled with concern. "Did you find the news online?" he inquired
"Are you the boss, why don't you leave me to handle this on my own?" he asked, his voice laced with defiance, prompting a weary sigh from Leo."You are funny," Leo responded, a hint of amusement in his tone. "This company does not belong to only you. The fact that we are all part of the organization means our input is just as valid as yours. So, we are going to tell you what we think is the best way to do this," he elaborated, his expression calm yet resolute.Charlie scoffed at Leo's words, his sense of superiority evident in his dismissive reaction."You are a pain in the ass, I heard you. Just do what you think is best. Anything they are ready for the interview, let me know," he said, attempting to temper his frustration with forced civility.Leo's smile widened at the subtle concession, pleased that his persuasion had succeeded in getting through to him. "If this goes well, what will I get in return?" Leo inquired with a hint of expectation, his eyes keenly fixed on Charlie. Howe
Alice felt a rush of gratitude wash over her as his words of appreciation lingered in her mind. She savored the warmth of his compliment as she made her way down the familiar hallway to Charlie's office. Upon entering, her eyes fell upon Charlie engrossed in his work, his brow furrowed in concentration.Every step she took brought her closer to him, their professional relationship filled with unspoken cues and shared moments of understanding. "You can have your seat," he said, his voice confident yet preoccupied, as he gestured towards the chair without breaking his focus.Alice obeyed, sinking into the cushioned seat that had become her perch during many a meeting. Charlie's hands moved swiftly across the documents before him, the whirl of urgency palpable in the air."You asked to see me urgently," she ventured, her voice soft yet unwavering in its inquiry. Charlie's movements paused momentarily, the weight of her words sinking in as he took a moment to compose himself. With a deep
"I think you should speak with Fiona," he advised, his tone encouraging but cautious. "You should go and see her personally and ask her why she's doing this. I know Fiona loves you a lot, you guys can get on the same page. Maybe just a little communication will do wonders.""I hope that works out. She doesn't want to see me, remember?" he said softly, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness that he couldn't shake. Alice looked at him sympathetically, a warm smile spreading across her face, a silent reminder that hope and understanding could bridge any gap."You should try," she gently urged, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope. "Fiona truly cares and loves you. I am sure she might listen and reason with you. She sounds like a gentlewoman." Her words were filled with a quiet confidence, urging him to take the risk first, trusting in the power of love and understanding to mend whatever rift had come between them.And he nodded to the idea. "Well, this is the deal," he began, his voice