Glenn’s long legs carried him swiftly down the terminal, leaving his assistant trailing behind after only a few strides.
Panting, the assistant broke into a jog to catch up. “Glenn, I just don’t get it. We finally got things settled overseas–why are we suddenly moving headquarters back to Serenity City?”
And it wasn’t just the timing. Their foreign investors were furious about the decision, with the board openly opposing it. Glenn had ended up signing a risky agreement: if Serenity City’s sales performed worse than the international branch, he’d be forced out as CEO and replaced by someone of their choosing.
This wasn’t the first time the assistant had asked–he’d been pressing Glenn since before they even boarded the plane.
Glenn knew if he kept ignoring him, the questions would just keep coming.
After a brief pause, Glenn turned, his tone sincere. “Because I was born and raised in Serenity City. I learned my craft abroad, but it’s only right to bring it home and give back.”
aves lit
The assistant’s eyes
lit up, momentarily inspired.
But then uncertainty crept back in. “Still, isn’t this the wrong time? Wouldn’t it make more sense to wait until our contract with the investors is up in a couple years?”
Glenn let out a quiet laugh. “UME’s valuation is skyrocketing. At this rate, do your really think they’ll let us go in two years?”
“But-”
He still felt uneasy.
He opened his mouth, but Glenn stopped him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “No more ‘buts. We’re here now, so let’s make the best of it. It’s too late for regrets.” For a moment, the assistant was speechless.
Why did it almost seem like Glenn was….happy as he said that?
He wanted to ask more, but Glenn was already striding ahead, eyes on his phone. His long fingers gripped the handle of his luggage, spinning it idly with a flick of his wrist–something he only did when he was in a particularly good mood.
13
The suitcase traced a smooth arc across the floor before settling neatly back into his hand.
Mystery solved.
Glenn was definitely in high spirits.
The assistant hurried after him, about to speak again, when Glenn suddenly slowed, glanced around, and without missing a beat, stepped back into the shadows
behind a pillar.
The assistant peeked around the corner, baffled–only to see a crowd gathered just ahead. Dozens of people were waiting, some waving little flags emblazoned with the UME logo, others clutching the company’s latest miniature robots.
A few wielded cameras, trained unblinking in their direction.
The assistant quickly ducked back behind the wall.
Glenn shot him a look. “Wasn’t this supposed to be a low–key arrival? Why are there so many people?”
The assistant wiped his brow, embarrassed. “Someone must have leaked your flight. online. I thought maybe a handful of fans might show up, but I never
expected…well, this.”
Not this many, and certainly not with this kind of energy.
The crowd was near–fanatical.
The assistant glanced at Glenn, unsure whether to be pleased or worried.
From day one, UME had never been about publicity. It was a research and development firm, dry and technical–nothing like the entertainment industry, where hype was the currency.
But two years ago, Glenn had gone viral after a video of an international conference surfaced online.
press
He was young, composed, strikingly handsome, with an athletic build, and–crucially–single. The mysterious aura of scientific research only fueled the intrigue, and soon, women everywhere were swooning. Online, he was dubbed the “celibate heartthrob of the science world.”
At the peak of his fame, his popularity rivaled that of A–list celebrities.
But Glenn had always preferred numbers and algorithms to crowds and conversations. The fame brought more trouble than benefit: malicious rumors,
Chapter 46
The suitcase traced a smooth arc across the floor before settling neatly back into his hand.
Mystery solved.
Glenn was definitely in high spirits.
The assistant hurried after him, about to speak again, when Glenn suddenly slowed, glanced around, and without missing a beat, stepped back into the shadows behind a pillar.
The assistant peeked around the corner, baffled–only to see a crowd gathered just ahead. Dozens of people were waiting, some waving little flags emblazoned with the UME logo, others clutching the company’s latest miniature robots.
A few wielded cameras, trained unblinking in their direction.
The assistant quickly ducked back behind the wall.
Glenn shot him a look. “Wasn’t this supposed to be a low–key arrival? Why are there so many people?”
The assistant wiped his brow, embarrassed. “Someone must have leaked your flight online. I thought maybe a handful of fans might show up, but I never expected…well, this.”
Not this not with this kind of energy.
many, and certainly
The crowd was near–fanatical.
The assistant glanced at Glenn, unsure whether to be pleased or worried.
From day one, UME had never been about publicity. It was a research and development firm, dry and technical–nothing like the entertainment industry, where hype was the currency.
But two years ago, Glenn had gone viral after a video of an international press conference surfaced online.
He was young, composed, strikingly handsome, with an athletic build, and–crucially–single. The mysterious aura of scientific research only fueled the intrigue, and soon, women everywhere were swooning. Online, he was dubbed the “celibate heartthrob of the science world.”
At the peak of his fame, his popularity rivaled that of A–list celebrities.
But Glenn had always preferred numbers and algorithms to crowds and
conversations. The fame brought more trouble than benefit: malicious rumors
2/3
Chapter 48
stalkers, even lost company secrets. Not to mention, plenty of industry insiders resented how someone so young had managed to secure such a strong foothold
in the field.
