After the divorce, he begged

“I'll be waiting for that paycheck dinner,” lan said with a grin, not pressuring her. He was just offering another

option. “Work won't be as easy as it is now. If you're ever stuck late, just message me. I'll pick up Samuel.”

“Sure thing.” Rebecca didn’t even hesitate. Ever since they were kids, they'd always had each other's backs.

Saying no would only make things awkward between them.

After chatting for a while, Rebecca texted Elmer to let him know she’d be joining. Elmer replied fast, shooting her

over a list. of things she’d need for her first day at work.

Rebecca sent him a quick “Sure,” and having a real job sorted out finally helped her relax a little inside.

But since her mom still needed a bunch of cash these days, Rebecca hopped onto her side art account after

getting home. She posted a batch of her latest drawings, just to give potential clients something to check out for

commissions.

Her main account featured top-tier, award-winning work that could earn tens of thousands per job, but those big

gigs were rare. Her side account handled smaller commissions from many clients, bringing in extra income

regularly.

On Thursday, after dropping Samuel off at school, Rebecca made her way to the office. She arrived before nine,

and Elmer was there waiting to greet her himself. He helped her get the contract signed and gave her the

rundown on the new project.

Isn't this all supposed to be HR's job?‘ Rebecca thought, a bit puzzled. If she were sbig shot, maybe the HR

director would step in, but it was pretty rare for Eimer himself to handle every single part.

Elmer flashed a big smile as soon as Rebecca finished signing. “Welcto PrimePlay Technologies! With you on

the team, I'm confident our new project will be a success.”

“Ill do my best,” Rebecca said with a small smile.

Then Elmer led her to the floor where the new project was located. PrimePlay Technologies was a public

company, and they occupied the entire building. The new project team was set up on the eighth floor.

As Rebecca stepped into her new workspace and received her employee badge, a tide of complicated emotions

washed over her. The words Marcus and Candice had once said about her not having a job echoed in her mind.

“Rebecca,” Elmer called, bringing her out of her thoughts.

“Hmm?” Rebecca replied, coming back to herself.

“The rest of the team for the new project hasn't arrived yet. Once they're here, I'll introduce you,” Elmer said,

pulling out a folder and passing it to her. “This is the project brief. Take a look when you get the chance.”

Rebecca took the documents, one by one.

Elmer kept her for over twenty minutes, talking nonstop, covering the company’s growth, project details, and an

overview

of the new team,

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Chapter 44

84.30%

Once he finished introducing the last team member, Rebecca offered a polite smile. “Thanks, Mr. Taylor. If there's

nothing else, I'll get started.”

“Sure,” Elmer said readily.

Rebecca sat down and started going through the project files, immersing herself in the details all morning. She

also made sure to greet her new colleagues when she got the chance.

Later that afternoon, just as Rebecca was about to finish up the last of the files, the eighth floor suddenly buzzed

with

excitement.

It wasn’t long before EImer cover, looking way more serious than he’d been earlier. “Alright, everyone,

pause whatever you're doing. The new boss is here and wants to chat about the project.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing.

For sreason, Rebecca suddenly felt a wave of unease crash over her. It hit so quickly that her chest

tightened with dread before she could even react.

That sinking feeling was confirmed as soon as she stepped into the CEO's office. Jeffrey was there, rocking a

sharp suit and sitting cool as ever in his chair. When they walked in, his calm but intimidating gaze swept over

everyone in the room.

His eyes lingered on Rebecca for just a split second before moving on.

At that moment, Rebecca's good mood evaporated completely. She never expected that all her searching would

lead to something like this.

“Everyone, meet Mr. Hanson from the Hanson Group. For the next two months, he'll be stepping in as CEO of

PrimePlay Technologies,” Elmer announced. “He's calling the shots on this new project. So from now on, you can

report straight to him instead of me.”

“Understood,” the team echoed.

Elmer went around the room, introducing everyone to Jeffrey.

Rebecca's eyes had been glued to Jeffrey since the moment she stepped in; quitting ran through her mind on a

loop.

PrimePlay Technologies was public, but the Hanson Group owned hundreds like it. Jeffrey barely had tfor his

own empire. There was no way he was popping in just for fun. She wasn’t fooled; he had to be up to something.

“And this is Rebecca, our brand-new concept art and marketing artist,” Elmer continued. “She’s got loads of

experience and seriously strong illustration skills.”

Jeffrey shot Rebecca a quick look before glancing away, his tone perfectly cool. “Hmm.”

Elmer, who'd already gotten the inside scoop on Jeffrey from Jason, wanted to make sure everything was perfect

for Jeffrey. “Is there anything else you'd like to ask?” he said.

“Nothing for now,” Jeffrey answered, cool as ice. “Just here to check up on the project's progress,”

Elmer didn’t say anything more and gestured for everyone to head out.

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Chapter 44

Rebecca really wanted to corner Jeffrey and demand sanswers, but with so many eyes around, she had to

hold back.

Once everyone was back at their desks, the office instantly filled with gossip.

“Dude, did you check out the new CEO? He's stupid hot! That confident, mature-guy energy is absolutely killing

me,” someone gushed.

“Yeah, keep thirsting. Miss a deadline and he’ll eat you alive,” someone else snarked.

“Better keep your head down and work. That guy doesn’t look like he takes any crap,” another warned.

“Rebecca,” someone called out.

Snapping out of her thoughts about quitting, Rebecca quickly pulled herself together and looked over. “Yeah?”

“How's the project brief coming along?” the person asked, walking over. She was dressed in a sleek, professional

outfit, her cool eyes fixed on Rebecca.

“Almost done,” Rebecca replied.

« . .

If you have any questions, just come

» :

to me,” the woman said, her one

direct. Her shorpsfisulder ength

HERA her a no—nonsense vibe.

uw , ,

You're on my team, so let's get any

: . ”

issues sorted out right away.” The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

“Sure,” Rebecca replied, already knowing this was Jane White, her team lead.

Rebecca spent the afternoon in a daze, her mind scattered. She even thought about quitting on the spot, but the

hefty penalty was beyond her means.

After weighing her options, she decided to see Elmer, hoping the contract wasn't finalized yet and there might

still be a way out.

It totally slipped her mind that if this really was all part of Jeffrey's plan, there was no way he’d ever give her a

chance to

back out now.

Rebecca paused for a moment outside Elmer's office door before finally knocking.

Elmer looked up, saw her, and immediately set aside whatever he was working on. “What's up?”

Rebecca asked from the doorway, “Can | cin and talk?”

« » : :

Of course,” Elmer said, standing up

and grabbing his coffee Cup 35 be

headedto fof 196, {this about

. ”

work! or something else?” he asked

casually. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

“I was just wondering... Is the contract | signed this morning still here?” Rebecca asked, her voice a bit tentative

as nerves flickered beneath her calm.

« q

| already handed it over to Mr.

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Hanson. Why don't you gheclyuith

f ” . “ 3

him? Hepes said ae into his

chair and glancing behind her.

“ ) : ”

Actually, he's right here.” The content

is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

15:35 Thu, 18 Sept

Chapter 45