Chapter 300
December 24th, Christmas Eve, sounded like a very romantic time. However, that wasn’t the case.
It happened to be a weekend, and despite the beautiful day, those who needed to work overtime still did so, exhausted to the bone. The business team had to chase after clients, bending backward to secure contracts.
At the Innovate Group headquarters, quite a few people returned to work early in the morning. The competition was so fierce that any lapse in attention could mean being replaced, so no one dared to relax even during the holidays.
“Ms. Isaac, why are you back at work today? Most employees knew Hayley. Seeing her, they greeted her immediately. Hayley was usually efficient in her work and treated her subordinates with courtesy and respect, earning their admiration.
“Ms. Isaac, aren’t you spending today with your boyfriend?” A few female colleagues entered the elevator with her. Given that it was Christmas Eve, the question came naturally.
“Men don’t find me attractive. Hayley smiled, chatting with them.
“Ms. Isaac, when you say that, we single folks feel so embarrassed. If you just gave the word, there’d be a line of guys in the company waiting for you,” one of the employees said.
As the elevator ascended. Hayley responded casually, “For now, just want to focus on my work.”
“Ms. Isaac is right. We women can be financially independent and don’t need to rely on those lousy men. Besides, some of those managers are just reaching for the moon.”
The women were flattering their boss, but Hayley was uninterested in their conversation. Suddenly, one secretarial staff exclaimed. “Ah, I just remembered, Mr. Wellington said he would be coming in today.”
At this moment, the elevator doors opened.
Two colleagues from the advertising team stepped out on the 42nd floor, leaving behind the secretarial staff and Hayley.
“Mr. Wellington is coming in for overtime today?” Hayley asked nonchalantly.
“Yes,” the secretarial staff replied.
“Is it because of a company project?” Hayley asked again
“Not really, I’m not sure.” Hayley had significant influence at the Innovate Group, and everyone was eager to please her. The secretary did her best and informed her, “It’s probably a personal matter, but we don’t dare to ask about it.”
In fact, many people at the company, especially in the secretarial department, knew precisely what Hayley thought of their
CEO.
The secretarial department was renowned for its talented and beautiful women. Many admired their CEO, though few could ever get close to him. Hayley was an exception.
Do you
know where he has been going after work lately?” Hayley asked suddenly, her tone tinged with urgency.
Faced with a question from someone as high–ranking as Hayley, the young secretary would usually answer truthfully. However, this question was a bit sensitive.
Though she was new, she knew the rules, especially regarding their difficult–to–please CEO, Discussing his private matters
was off–limits.
Hayley realized her slip and gave the young employee a warm smile to ease the tension.
Chapter 300
“Yesterday, while dining at the Wellington Villa, the driver mentioned that Mr. Wellington has been driving himself lately. Mr. George Wellington asked me about it, but I wasn’t sure. I thought you in the secretarial department might know
ething.” Hayley spoke casually, deliberately mentioning her dinner at the Wellington Villa and George’s inquiry as if just
out of curiosity.
The elevator stopped with a ding at the 68th floor. They stepped out together.
Not thinking much of it, the secretary replied. “We really don’t know where Mr. Wellington goes after work, but lately, he’s been driving himself from the garage.”
She added with a playful tone, “Last week. Mr. Roberts came by just as we were finishing up for the day, but Mr. Wellington said he didn’t have time to see him and left through age. It seems our CEO doesn’t like his private time being
VIP
disturbed”
‘He doesn’t like his private time being disturbed. Hayley paused, a complex expression crossing her face.
Dominick hadn’t returned to Wellington Villa lately. Although he had lost his memories and had become more distant with family and friends, where was he staying now?
Dominick had numerous private properties, making it difficult to track him down, especially since he disliked interference.
Since it was a Saturday, a few employees worked overtime, but the place was quiet. Hayley hesitated in front of the CEO’s office door.
With the chief secretary off duty, there was no need for formal notifications.
Hayley pushed the door open and entered. She hadn’t really tholight much about it. She simply wanted to see him.
But as soon as she stepped inside, she realized Dominick was not there.
The large office was empty. Its cold, stark decor reflected his efficient style. Hayley was about to leave when she noticed a document on the bookshelf to her right was askew and about to fall
People who worked at high intensity often developed a touch of OCD. She walked over and straightened it.
“Creak.” The heavy office door was pushed open forcefully, accompanied by a cold, stern question. “Who’s so interested in my private life?”
The footsteps that followed were heavy and full of anger.
Hayley instinctively crouched down, hiding behind the large desk.
She knew better than anyone how much Dominick hated people prying into his privacy. If he found out she had sneaked into his office, he would only distance himself from her even more.
Hayley couldn’t tell who he was talking to on the phone, but his tone made it clear he was impatient. “The USB drive is still missing! Are you telling me that it just vanished or that you haven’t tried hard enough?”
“A USB drive? What USB drive? Hayley quickly ran through the recent major projects in her mind but couldn’t make any
connections.
The medical personnel have all gone missing, so you think it’s unnecessary.” His voice grew colder as he walked towards the floor–to–ceiling windows.
Whatever the person on the other end said made him so furious that he smashed an antique vase to the ground, sending shards everywhere.
Hayley’s heart leaped in her chest as she heard his command, full of rage. “The USB drive hasn’t fallen into Oscar’s hands yet. Expand your search. If you don’t find it by next month, you can disappear along with it!”
“A USB drive. Dominick is looking for a USB drive. Hayley’s minil was in a fog. She stayed motionless behind the desk. body rigid, until her legs went numb, and she was sure he had left. Only then did she slowly stand up
Her breathing was shallow and rapid, suppressed but urgent. Her heart pounded so wildly that her face alternated between pale and flushed.
“Ms. Isaac, you’re still here?” A sudden voice from behind startled her. Hayley turned stiffly to see the young secretary from
earlier.
“I’m leaving now,” she replied. Her voice was unnaturally tense.
The secretary didn’t ask any more questions. She tidied up her documents and prepared to leave, too.
But as she watched Hayley’s hurried steps, she felt a twinge of suspicion.
Working overtime on the weekend was voluntary, and since it was Christmas Eve, most people had only worked the morning and had already left. But Hayley’s expression was truly odd.