The sudden announcement by Cassie initiated the meeting.
The department heads and executives headed to the conference room.
Originally, the meeting was scheduled to start after lunch.
However, Cassie had postponed it.
This was to make time for a casual chat with Amon after lunch.
As a cold and calculating businesswoman, she had no confusion about prioritizing her conversation with Amon over the meeting.
Of course, there were complaints.
Suddenly postponing the meeting, then suddenly starting it—it was nothing short of tyranny.
But no one could reproach her.
One reason was that her power in the company was absolute.
The other reason was that the profits Cassie Reketio generated for the company far surpassed the combined contributions of everyone attending the meeting.
She had proven herself in just a few months.
No one in the room could even come close to competing with her results.
Perhaps she had more talent than her father, the chairman.
Because of this, no one could openly criticize her actions.
***
The meeting commenced under her leadership.
They reviewed the current performance, upcoming plans, and the ongoing projects.
“Currently, we’ve tasked a mercenary with the mission regarding White Dawn.”
The executives nodded in agreement at this update.
The meeting seemed to be wrapping up without objections when an executive raised his hand.
“May I ask why you chose that mercenary for the task?”
Cassie tilted her head slightly.
“Is there a problem?”
“I don’t trust that mercenary,” the executive said confidently, leaving everyone in the room dumbfounded.
‘What the hell is this guy saying?’
But despite the looks, the executive maintained his composure.
“He’s a mercenary. There’s always a risk of betrayal, yet we keep entrusting him with such critical projects. I think it’s dangerous. Moreover, this mercenary has rejected every employment offer. It’s hard to trust someone who operates without any leash.”
Cassie responded calmly, “What do you suggest, then?”
“I believe we should put a leash on him. If not, at the very least, we should cut ties.”
The room was filled with gasps of astonishment.
Occasionally, there were individuals who excelled in professional relationships but misjudged their priorities.
This particular executive seemed to prioritize the company and family over Amon as an individual, viewing Amon merely as a tool.
In a typical megacorporation, this mindset was common—individuals were often seen as mere tools for the company.
This executive, having been recently recruited from outside due to internal restructuring, likely operated under that very assumption.
What he failed to grasp, however, was that this company revolved entirely around the Reketio family.
In this company, personal emotions often took precedence over corporate priorities.
The other executives, fully aware of this dynamic, nervously glanced at Cassie.
Her expression remained neutral, unreadable as ever.
Ironically, her lack of visible emotion only heightened their anxiety.
Unaware of his blunder, the executive confidently addressed Cassie.
“I believe it’s too dangerous to continue sharing sensitive company information with Amon.”
When he finished, Cassie looked at him with an enigmatic gaze before nodding.
“I will consider it.”
***
That evening, the executive who had offered Cassie his advice was still at the office, well past normal hours.
In his office, he typed away at his computer, occasionally glancing at the clock.
10 PM.
Most of the other executives had already left.
The executive got up from his desk and left his office.
He entered the elevator and pressed the button for an upper floor.
As the elevator ascended, the AI system monitoring access questioned him.
[This floor houses Director Cassie Reketio’s office. Please state your reason for visiting.]
“I have a personal matter to report to the director.”
[Director Reketio has left for the day. Protocol advises reporting tomorrow unless you intend to leave a document at the door, in which case access will be granted.]
The AI’s flexibility was notable, but the executive shook his head.
“Is that so? Then I won’t go. By the way, is access to the archives available right now?”
[Access is permitted.]
When he arrived at the archives floor, the executive muttered to himself, “So, she’s gone home…”
Then, he eagerly typed away at a terminal in the archive room.
After a few moments, he inserted a USB drive into the computer, frequently glancing over his shoulder.
Once finished, he removed the USB, exited the archive room, and returned to his office.
Back in his office, he locked the door securely and made a phone call.
“Yes, Chairman. Once I deliver this, you’ll guarantee my safety, correct? Yes, I’m leaving right now.”
After ending the call, he grabbed his coat and prepared to leave.
It was then.
Crash!
A spear shot through the door.
The executive’s magic engraving activated, generating a shield in front of the spear.
However, the spear tore through the barrier and aimed directly at the executive’s chest.
He tilted his body to the side, attempting to dodge, but the spear curved toward his chest as if refusing to miss its target.
A sickening sensation spread as his sternum shattered, and his heart ruptured.
The spear that pierced his chest shifted direction from horizontal to vertical, skewering him like a kebab.
Suspended in midair, the executive’s consciousness began to fade.
His expensive life-support devices kicked into overdrive, but they were useless against a destroyed heart.
As his awareness dimmed, he vaguely noticed the broken office door swinging open as Cassie walked in.
“Probability of betrayal: 30%. I had my doubts, but you’ve proven them right,” she said coldly.
Cassie’s icy gaze was fixed on the skewered executive as she searched his pockets and retrieved his phone.
Two members of the security team—a hulking tanker and a mute sniper—followed her into the office.
Cassie tossed the phone to them.
“Track it.”
They nodded, immediately initiating a telepathic connection to their team outside.
[Clean up.]
Soon, soldiers in suits entered the office.
Some gathered documents, while others approached the suspended executive.
At Cassie’s signal, the spear released its hold, dropping the lifeless body to the ground.
The executive’s limp form was promptly packed into a body bag.
Cassie observed the scene with a frosty expression before turning and leaving the office.
The tanker and sniper followed closely behind.
The sniper whispered to her, “Shall we deal with his family too?”
Cassie shook her head.
“Amon wouldn’t like that.”
There was no indication that any security leaks extended to the family.
In other megacorporations, even the faintest suspicion often resulted in purging extended relatives, but Cassie refrained.
She did so for one reason: for her bluebird, Amon.
Her colleagues chuckled at her restraint.
“You’re completely smitten,” one teased.
Cassie smirked in response.
“And you two aren’t any less nauseating,” she quipped, glancing at the tanker and sniper holding hands.
The pair raised their clasped hands playfully, wiggling their eyebrows at her.
***
Late that night, they shared quiet laughter while preparing to leave for the day.
Meanwhile, as Cassie worked to restore order in the company, Amon and Sonia returned to their hometown.
When they had left their hometown, they avoided commercial airlines, opting for the bride’s car instead.
At the time, Amon was secretly under the sponsorship of the 3-Dollar Group.
He couldn’t flaunt his corporate ties, nor could he risk transporting expensive equipment and belongings via a potentially untrustworthy airline.
Though legal action could retrieve stolen items, it wasn’t worth the hassle.
Returning home, however, was a different story.
Now, they could openly display their corporate backing.
When Amon presented his Reketio executive card, the airline staff treated them with the utmost respect.
Without hesitation, the staff offered them premium-class seats.
Amon and Sonia gladly accepted.
During the flight, a stewardess cautiously approached Amon.
“We offer special meals and services for newlyweds. Would you be interested?”
Amon was taken aback, but Sonia looped her arm through his and nodded with a smile.
“We’d love that,” she replied.
The couple enjoyed their exclusive meal and even indulged in a foot massage during the flight.
***
Once they landed, Amon and Sonia headed straight to the orphanage.
“The dungeon exploration starts tomorrow,” Amon said, casually linking arms with Sonia as they hailed a taxi.
During the ride, Sonia chatted excitedly, her anticipation evident.
However, as they neared the orphanage, she grew quieter.
Her gaze fixed on a massive building looming ahead.
When the taxi driver announced their arrival, both stepped out and stared up at the structure.
The ten-story building bore a glowing LED sign that read: Perfume Rose Orphanage.
Sonia recoiled in disbelief.
“Wait, wasn’t it just supposed to be renovated?”
Amon was equally baffled.
“They said they’d do some repairs and minor interior work…”
“Are you sure they didn’t mean redevelopment instead of renovation?”
“I swear, they said interior work. The accountant sent by the 3-Dollar Group even gave us an estimate!”
“An estimate by a megacorp chairman’s standards, perhaps?” Sonia said dryly.
“Ah.”
The LED sign blinked brightly, occasionally displaying the 3-Dollar Group’s mascot winking and giving a thumbs-up.