CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: SENIOR, WAS I NOT OBVIOUS ENOUGH?

"You... resigned?"

During lunch break, in the coffee area of Hawthorne Corporation’s annex, Serena Sinclair looked at Ian Young in surprise, "You worked so hard to reach this position, why did you resign?"

Adrian Lockwood isn’t a tyrant.

Ian Young’s capabilities were evident to him, surely he knew their worth.

With Ian Young’s ability, he could serve as a vice president internally at The Lockwood Group, or as a general manager at one of its subsidiaries.

"How could you resign?... Did something happen at home?"

Serena was full of concern.

Ian Young became even more certain that he had made the right choice by resigning.

As an employee, he couldn’t challenge Adrian Lockwood’s decisions.

But as a man, he found Adrian Lockwood’s actions contemptible.

Not to mention Chloe Lynch had always disliked him and had been causing him trouble in the past six months.

Rather than wait for Chloe to gain power and overtly sabotage him, it was better to leave early.

Aethelgard is so large; he didn’t believe there wasn’t a place for him here.

If nothing else, he could return to his hometown.

"No."

Ian Young thanked Serena, "Just wanted a change of environment."

"That’s good..."

Serena smiled, "With your ability, you’ll be fine wherever you go."

Not far away, in the French restaurant, Wyatt Hawthorne was absentmindedly poking at the salad on his plate.

Meanwhile, he was observing Serena smiling elegantly in the coffee area in the distance.

The man sitting directly across from Serena was dressed in a suit, but from the back, it was hard to tell who he was.

But seeing Serena’s demeanor, he seemed like an old friend she knew for many years.

On one hand, it seemed inviting someone to Hawthorne Corporation’s employee lounge assured legitimacy.

On the other hand, he couldn’t help but speculate, what was the purpose of the visit?

Serena just divorced yesterday.

And today someone couldn’t wait until after work and rushed to Hawthorne Corporation?

Ding!

Putting down the fork in his hand, Wyatt Hawthorne stood up and left the restaurant.

The barista at the coffee bar saw Wyatt from afar and quickly prepared the coffee.

Wyatt took the cup, turned around, and halted.

Looking slightly surprised, "Senior, such a coincidence?"

Serena also felt it was quite the coincidence.

But then again, considering this was Hawthorne Corporation, Wyatt’s territory.

It seemed... quite natural?

In a moment, Wyatt had already walked over and sat down.

Serena timely introduced, "Ian Young, this is..."

"Hello, President Hawthorne!"

Ian Young stood up, nodding respectfully, "I’m Ian Young, Ms. Sinclair’s former subordinate."

Former.

Subordinate.

Wyatt nodded, "Left The Lockwood Group?"

Ian Young responded affirmatively.

Wyatt continued asking, "What area of business were you responsible for at The Lockwood Group? Why did you leave?"

Ian couldn’t help but glance at Serena.

Rationally, he told himself it was all a coincidence.

It just happened to meet Wyatt in this timely manner.

But his intuition told him that it might not be that simple.

If you were the boss, would you casually greet your subordinate’s friends warmly during lunch break?

Even if that subordinate was your senior from college.

In his mind, he decisively shook his head.

Ian Young sat upright, maintaining a correct attitude, "I was President Lockwood’s executive assistant, responsible for dispatching the entire secretarial department, coordinating various departments’ daily affairs and managing President Lockwood’s schedule."

Wyatt raised an eyebrow lightly, "Did you make a mistake?"

An executive assistant position is not something just anyone can do.

Firstly, professional capability is undoubtedly required.

Secondly, deep trust from the president.

Such a person doesn’t easily circulate in the market.

Even the most high-end headhunters may not necessarily recruit talents like Ian Young.

Unless he committed an unforgivable error.

Or crossed Adrian Lockwood’s boundaries and got fired.

"I voluntarily proposed resigning."

Ian Young was straightforward, "President Lockwood has already approved."

Resigned just two hours ago.

Then met Serena.

Either caught in romance or showing loyalty.

The former must be nipped in the bud.

And if it’s the latter...

"Hawthorne Corporation is in great need of talents like Mr. Young, interested in having a chat?"

Wyatt extended the olive branch.

Ian Young was stunned.

Serena was also stunned.

A few minutes later, Ryan Rhodes hurried over and took Ian Young to the adjacent seat for a detailed conversation.

"Wyatt..."

Serena’s emotions were complex, "Your actions make me feel like you’re intentionally targeting Adrian Lockwood."

Wyatt chuckled, "Senior, am I not making it obvious enough?"

Serena was taken aback.

Wyatt smirked, "A treacherous person deserves to be punished by all! I am just doing what a normal person wants to do, and conveniently has the ability to do."

Serena: ...

Over half an hour later, Ian Young walking out of Hawthorne Tower felt the bright sunlight on his head, as if he was still in a dream.

Two hours ago, he had just left The Lockwood Group.

The future was uncertain.

In a blink of an eye, he received an offer from Hawthorne Corporation, set to become an employee there.

Ryan Rhodes acknowledged and assessed his work capability.

Giving him two directions.

Either start as a mid-level executive secretary at Hawthorne Corporation’s executive office.

The future promotion path was clear, Ryan Rhodes’s current position would one day be his own.

Similarly, Ryan Rhodes’s future was also his future.

Or choose a city he liked from Hawthorne Corporation’s subsidiaries in Syburg, Fablewood, Atheria...

Beginning as a vice general manager.

The future promotion path is equally clear.

Vice General to General; excel to the extreme and transfer from the subsidiary to the headquarters, starting from headquarters’ vice general.

In summary, both paths possibly lead to the same ultimate goal.

Ryan Rhodes said, giving you three days, you can think about it.

Ian Young took only three seconds to make up his mind.

Serena chose Adrian Lockwood, recommended him to Adrian Lockwood, transforming him from a miserable design assistant into The Lockwood Group’s executive assistant, second only to one.

Serena chose Hawthorne Corporation.

Then, he also chose Hawthorne Corporation.

He trusted his ability.

He trusted Serena’s judgment even more.

"Ms. Sinclair..."

Called Serena on the phone, Ian Young’s voice was excited, a far cry from the morning’s melancholy, "Starting tomorrow, we’re colleagues. In the future work, please take care of me!"

Serena: !!!

"Serena..."

A voice called from the door.

Serena turned around to see Clara Lynch speaking loudly, "Join me tomorrow for that municipal bidding conference!"

"Alright!"

Serena answered.

For this project, their department had been busy preparing for months.

Although she’s only observing, and will not influence the result even a bit.

Serena felt, regardless of Hawthorne Corporation’s scale or her colleagues’ seriousness towards this project, it proved one thing.

Hawthorne Corporation was determined to secure this land.

So, it was evident what the outcome for other companies who also eyed this land would be.

For example, The Lockwood Group.

Serena opened her stock trading account.

The money wasn’t much, just over half a million.

But it was squeezed out of the household money Adrian Lockwood gave her years ago; she opened the account herself and studied investments.

Over the years, she would buy a little every slump.

With only one thought in her mind.

Difficulties are temporary, eventually will overcome them.

She wanted to accompany Adrian Lockwood, to grow The Lockwood Group stronger alongside him.

Unexpectedly, it led to today’s point.

Fortunately, though Adrian Lockwood let her down, the stocks she invested in The Lockwood Group treated her very well.

Over the years, they increased nearly tenfold.

Although the stock market was closed today, the current trade held no significance.

No one could predict the direction of The Lockwood Group shares after tomorrow.

However, for her, after the divorce, everything between her, Adrian Lockwood, and The Lockwood Group ended!

Serena gently clicked the mouse, selling everything.