06 Check on Progress

Lemon Building.

Jack didn't wait for the secretary's reply and went in on his own.

John was just wearing a white shirt, with the collar unbuttoned, looking over documents with his head down.

"Mr Williams, why are you so free these days? You're even getting involved in the models of our marketing department?" he sneered, "Such trivial matters, even I'm too lazy to bother with. Why are you so interested?"

John put down his pen and nodded, "You're right, I did that."

Jack didn't pay attention to his words and kept his tone abrupt, "We have special requirements for our models, what are we supposed to do with the modeling agency we've already signed with?"

"Just this once." John said calmly, leaning back against the wide black chair, seeming a bit impatient.

Jack wanted to say more, but John had already changed the subject, "You haven't complained about your partner? That's a surprise."

Jack let out a heavy breath, "No matter what, don't do that again – it's a hassle. The hotel's manager is quite capable, the young lady is sharp."

"Oh?" John raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued.

"You know her too, don't you? Miss Smith, the one who showed you around the room that day." Jack got up and said, "I'm leaving." Before he left, he couldn't help but stressed, "Just this once, please don't interfere with our arrangements again."

John watched him slam the door shut, shook his head lightly, and turned his eyes away, seemingly recalling the young beautiful woman he often encountered at the hotel recently – sometimes carrying a bag to work, who would greet him with a smile;

Or sometimes when she came to check the rooms and they happened to meet in the hallway, he'd see her half-kneeling, inspecting the carpet, half-turning her head to speak to the staff behind her, her tone gentle and her expression serious and focused. Suddenly, he felt in a perfect mood.

Alice was still busy these days, but she was quite content. On her days off, she seemed to have nowhere else to go except the bakery café, lazily leaning against the window, letting all her thoughts envelop her.

It was better to be busy at work. When she got home, and as soon as she fell asleep. The dreams would be sucked into the black hole of busyness and fatigue, and when she opened her eyes, it would be a new day.

That morning, someone suggested the fashion show could be held outdoors, which would be more open and creative than indoors.

Alice shook her head repeatedly, the elegance of the Lemon's meeting hall had some issues with the style, feeling it didn't suit the simplicity and modernity of the phone.

Alice held the plan and told Jack Building Four was a business tower with a Nordic style leaning towards cool colors, which should complement the phone well.

Jack furrowed, his expression dead serious, unlike his usual easygoing. He dismissed the previous suggestion with a curt nod, not even sparing it a glance, "Outdoors? Do you expect the guests to suffer the cold wind at night?"

He paused to consider, then turned to Alice and said, "Miss Smith, call the engineering department and let's go see how much work it would be to convert Building Four's lobby into a venue."

Alice called the engineer department and got up to get her coat, "Let's go then."

The group rushed to Building Four and got straight to work.

Just then, John happened to drive by and parked his car to follow them into Building Four.

Jack, who was standing at the entrance, was in deep discussion with Engineer He when he heard a chorus of greetings from behind.

He turned around to see John leaning casually against his car, a faint smile playing on his lips, "Mr. Williams, what are you doing here?"

John replied with a relaxed shrug, "You could say I'm checking on progress, Director Wright." He glanced around and walked over to Alice.

Alice was busy discussing room arrangements with the head of Building Four when she noticed her colleague's odd expression and quickly turned around. There, a handsome and gentle man was greeting her with a smile, "Hello, Miss Smith."

"Hello, Mr. Williams!" Alice greeted him cheerfully, "We're quite busy setting up the venue. Is there anything I can do for you?" They'd been running into each other a lot lately, and they were getting quite familiar.

"I just happened to be passing by, so I thought I'd drop in and say hello. You all work hard," John said, nodding to the head of Building Four as well. Alice gave a quick glance and she could see her colleague Ruth was beet red.

"Thanks," Alice replied with a smile.

"It's not a holiday today, right?" John asked casually. "You all seem to be really pushing yourselves. Mr Thompson should give you a bonus for this."

Alice's eyes sparkled, explaining with a laugh, "Our rest and work schedule is a bit different. When things are busy, we just keep working. We get compensated for days off when it's quieter."

John leaned forward slightly, listening intently, "When you're done, I'll treat everyone to a meal."

Alice was taken aback for a moment before she grinned, "That would be great, thank you, Mr. Williams."

As he walked away with style, Alice heard the girls whisper, "Wow!"

"Dear, did you see how lascivious you were just now?" Alice tapped her colleague playfully on the head, feeling the chilly breeze seeping in through the open door.

Ruth hung her head, dejected, "Really? Miss Smith, you didn't even get nervous!"

"You guys are so obvious. Anyway, I'm not interested in him," Alice flashed a mysterious smile at her colleague, and continued to work.