"Hahaha, it’s alright, don’t be shy. This is a good sign, right, Isaac? Our family will soon be reunited again?" Lewis’s sentence echoed in the room, leaving Be speechless.

Be could feel how hot her face was now. And this time, it was not from the fever. She lowered her head and started eating the breakfast that Nick had just served.

Thevish breakfast Nick prepared and the elders’ excellent breakfastpany make Be forget her fever. Or maybe it’s because the medicine is working? She doesn’t care. She enjoyed her breakfast in peace and quiet while listening to these shameless geezers talking about her and Tristan being a couple again.

Gosh!

Shortly after, Nick returned to the dining room to let Be know that Sam had arrived to pick her up. She immediately excused herself.

"Grandpa," Be said as she stood up from her seat. "I will go now. And I’ll probably be back before dinner." She bowed slightly and left without giving them a chance to say anything.

As Be walked quickly towards the main entrance, she tried to calm her mind and heart after hearing a conversation between two grandpas.

Be still couldn’t believe her grandfather had blessed Tristan so quickly. She remembered her grandfather always said he would repeatedly break Tristan’s legs, but now?

When did they be so close? Is it because their houses are next to each other, and Tristan always dines with them?

She feels puzzled.

Soon, Be remembered that Tristan and her grandfather always chatted without her after dinner.

Be’s smile became even more sour, guessing that Tristan had won her grandfather’s heart.

Now, she feels suspicious. Tristan not only wins Grandpa, but he is also already getting Aunty Noora, too.

Unbelievable!

’After Dax, he now won Grandpa and Aunty Noora. What nice progress...Tristan Sinir!’ She can’t help but feel amused by his determination to win her heart.

Now, she also feels like her heart will soon betray her mind.

...

"Good Morning, Boss," Sam’s voice distracted Be from her own thoughts.

She greeted her before getting into the car and tried topose herself, not letting the morning’s events bring her mood down.

However,

Be was unable to get away from Leo.

Leo greeted her with unusual cheer and said, "Hello, boss. You look beautiful and charming, as always."

"Thank you for your always upliftingpliment, Leo," Be said, ncing at the new chauffeur behind the wheel.

"Good morning, Ms. Donovan. I’m Randy from Celebes Energy. I’ll be your driver while you stay in this city." The driver greeted her.

"Hello! Good morning. Thank you, Randy... it’s nice to meet you," Be returned the greeting with a smile and then looked at the view outside.

Last night, even though the moon was bright, she couldn’t see the view toward the Vi clearly. Now, she was amazed to find their Vi surrounded by tall, lush trees.

"Be, why is your face slightly red? It looks like you’re angry about something..." Leo’s voice suddenly broke the silence. "Did something offend you this early?"

Sitting beside the driver, Sam was surprised to hear Leo’s words. He looked in the rearview mirror at Be and saw that her face was a little red.

Be turns her attention to Leo.

"Leo, you should start considering wearing sses. I don’t think you could even see my face clearly..." Be said casually while turning her gaze. She looked at the garden their car passed, and finally, the main gate appeared.

After the car reached the main road, Be noticed no houses near the Vi. About a mileter, she saw another building.

"Boss,e on, spill the tea. Who offended you?" Leo asked again, but Be didn’t entertain or answer his curiosity—she could only continue looking outside to ease her mind.

As the car journey continues,

Be’s silence bes more pronounced. And Leo acted ordingly. He started to talk about the works. Soon, her mind is preupied with the busy schedule that Leo had re-updated for her.

They will visit Celebes Energy’s head office to meet the executives and tour a mining site.

The mining location is quite far from the city, which would be a terrible trip if her fever returned. She would likely be unable to make the two-and-a-half-hour drive.

Soon after, they are driven into themercial street, andter, the car stops at the Celebes Building. It is a ten-story building with a modern architecture.

As the car halted just outside the entrance, Be spotted Leo’s secretary, Dana, and the CEO of Celebes Energy, Lucian Bloomdale, waiting for them near the main entrance.

Lucian extends his hand to Be, "It’s great to meet you in person finally, Ms. Donovan," he says, surprised by how beautiful she looks.

Be epts his handshake and is also surprised to see Lucian. He is so tall and massive—it’s like meeting the Rock in person.

Before long,

They all gather in the executive meeting room, including a few executive directors whom Be had already met online.

Celebes Energy is a miningpany with oil and natural gas mines on the coast south of Nova City. The area is known for itsrge energy reserves.

Despite having a potentially profitable business, corrupt local government officials preventpanies from maximizing profits.

This practice has been ongoing for years despite thepany’s attempts to intervene. The officials were well-connected to the capital’s military and rted government ministry, rendering thepany inefficient.

When Andreas Corby was the COO* of Quantum Capital, he made it even worse. He took advantage of the situation to his own benefit. He did nothing to stop the ill practice and the consequent losses and inefficiency.

Thepany has been operating here for around 20 years; unfortunately, corruption has been a persistent issue.

Even if an old corrupt official retires, a younger one who takes their position continues the cycle. Thepany loses millions of dors each year due to these corrupt practices. It’s a smooth and tyrannical system that’s been going on for too long.

Be listens to their report calmly andposedly without uttering a single word.

----

*COO = A chief operating officer (COO) is the corporate executive who oversees ongoing business operations within thepany. The COO reports to the chief executive officer (CEO) and is usually second-inmand within thepany.