Chapter 10 No going back


    Robert stormed into his house, his face a mask of anger and frustration. The news of Pedro''s firing and the sale of his shares to ire had left him seething


    He went to his study and swept his arm across the table, sending documents crashing t


    He was furious with ire''s actions as well as Pedro''s betrayal.


    "That bastard."


    the floor. to the


    His wife cautiously entered the room. "Robert, what was that noise?" she asked softly.


    Robert''s temper red, and he snapped, "Just leave me alone!"


    "I heard ire is back."


    To make matters worse, his wife mentioned ire''s return, probing for information.


    "How did she manage toe back, Robert?"


    Robert''s re was enough to make his wife flinch. Without another word, she retreated from the room, closing the door quietly behind


    her


    Alone in his study, Robert paced back and forth, his mind consumed with thoughts of ire and the precarious situation at Metacortex.


    Meanwhile, ire, who is in her studies, is currentlying up with a n to create new software. For 3 years, Cortex software has never had a significant update.


    For three y years, thepany had stagnated under Robert''s leadership, with minimal updates to the Cortex software. She knew if she didn''t show up, Metacortex would soon face bankruptcy and all that hard work go to waste.


    Her focus shifted to the task at hand: creating Cortex 2.0. It was time to revolutionize the software and bring Metacortex back to the forefront of the industry.


    As she brainstormed ideas, her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. Without bothering to check the caller ID, she answered, only to be met with a familiar voice.


    "Hello?"


    "ire is this really you?" Talia''s voice quivered with disbelief.


    "Talia?" ire eximed, her surprise evident in her tone.


    ire''s heart skipped a beat.


    There was a pause filled with heavy breathing, as if Talia couldn''t believe her ears. "I can''t believe it. You''re alive!"


    ire felt a lump form in her throat. "Yes, Talia, I''m alive"


    Talia''s voice cracked as she spoke, tears evident in her tone.


    "I''ve missed you so much. I thought..after the ident..."


    ire''s eyes welled up with tears, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "I''m sorry for scaring you, Talia."


    Talia''s emotions poured out as she spoke, recounting the pain of losing ire without closure.


    "1


    "I tried to search for you, ire. The police couldn''t identify the victim, but I knew it was your car. I just I''m just not sure."


    "Thank you, Talia for having faith in me."


    "Where have you been all this time? Why did you disappear like that?"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ire hesitated. "It''splicated. I''ll tell


    you one day."


    Talia''s voice softened. "I understand, ire. I''m just d you''re okay.


    They talked for hours, catching up on lost time. ire listened intently, grateful for the chance to reconnect.


    "We should meet up sometimes."


    "We really should, Talia."


    They said their goodbyes, ire hung up the phone, She had mix emotion and in disbelief that Talia still remembers her.


    The next morning, ire entered the bustling meeting room, filled with faces she knew were capable of taking on the big project ahead. As she stepped in, the loud buzz of conversation gradually quieted down


    She greeted everyone with a warm, "Good morning, everyone. I''m ire Peterson, and I''m excited to inform this project with all of you."


    She began, making a quick round of introductions to ensure everyone felt included.


    Without wasting any time, ireunched into the heart of the matter. She disyed the presentation she had worked on tirelessly the previous night and exined the details of her n for Cortex 2.0. The room listened attentively as she outlined the vision for the new project.


    "As many of you know, we haven''t seen significant development in our technologies over the past few years," ire remarked, injecting a touch of humor into her tone. "It''s quite funny for a technology and softwarepany tog behind in quality Improvements, don''t you think?"


    A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, indicating that ire''s observation resonated with the employees.


    As the presentation concluded, ire''s voice rang out with excitement.


    "Now, here''s the fun part. We''re going to divide into groups, and each group will brainstorm ande up with innovative ideas for Cortex 2.0. The winning idea will lead this project!"


    The room buzzed with anticipation and energy as employees exchanged excited nces and ideas started flowing


    It''s been a while since experienced this thrilling excitement.


    "Could you please bring up the names of the groups on the screen, Sandra?"


    ire asked her secretary, who promptlyplied, disying the group allocations for everyone to see.


    "Since we are in a tight schedule, I will give you a week to brainstorm your ideas. I wish to see all of your innovative ideas. Good luck to all of you."


    ire said with a smile as she wrapped up the meeting,


    The employees dispersed into their groups, their voices no longer hushed but filled with animated discussions and brainstorming sessions.


    ire watched them go, a sense of pride and happiness filling her.


    "I was right. You really are the worst CEO, Robert" ire said as she entered her office.


    Throughout the day, ire had been buried under a mountain of documents, signing one after another, barely taking a break.


    The sun had started to dip, casting long shadows across the office as the day turned into evening. ire remained focused and serious, determined to finish her tasks before heading home.


    As the sky darkened, Matthew peeked into her office. He noticed how absorbed she was and decided to make his presence known. With a friendly grin, he walked in and took a seat in front of ire''s desk. "Hey there, Boss. Looks like you''ve been busy all day," Matthew remarked, trying to lighten the mood.


    ire, caught off guard by his sudden appearance, lifted her head from the papers and gave him a stern look.


    "Matthew, please stop doing that. You scared me!"


    Matthew chuckled, realizing his mistake. "Sorry about that. I just wanted to check in on you. Are you almost done with all these documents?"


    ire sighed. "I''m getting there. Why do you ask?"


    Matthew leaned back in his chair, a yful glint in his eyes. "Well, it''s gettingte, and I bet you haven''t had a proper meal all day. You need food, ire."


    "I''m not hungry, Matt."


    H


    Despite insisting earlier that she wasn''t hungry, ire''s stomach betrayed her with a load grumble at the mention of food.


    "Not hungry huh?" Matthew lips curl up to a smirk.


    Chapter 10 No ading


    She tried to hide her surprise but couldn''t help but smile faintly at Matthew''s


    "Fine, you win," ire relented, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "But where do you suggest we go?"


    Matthew grinned triumphantly. "I know just the ce. Let''s go to your favorite restaurant and have a nice dinner."


    "I can''t believe how much I missed this food," ire remarked, a content smile on her face. "It''s been three years since west had dinner like this."


    As ire started to gather her things, she noticed the mischievous glint in Matthew''s eyes.


    "Oh, no, no, no. I know that look."


    It was toote to back out.


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