Headquarters of the Hawke Group in Virelia.


    "Who exactly is this Miranda? Did she save Marion''s life or something? Why is he so devoted to her?"


    Michael Hawke frowned as he listened to his subordinate''s report over the phone, his expression darkening.


    After all, Marion was a talent he had his eye on for quite some time. Back in school, Marion had already caught the attention of big corporations, but he was too proud back then and turned down multiple offers from major firms.


    Even then, his market value was in the millions per year. Later, everyone in the industry knew that Marion had served time for viting some country''sws. So, they waited for him to be released.


    Surely, prison would have dulled his sharpness. That would be the perfect time to recruit him for their purposes.


    But Marion ended up working with some unknown young woman. Wasn''t this a p in the face for these top globalpanies?


    HR Manager remarked, "Mr. Hawke, from what we''ve gathered, this Miranda is the daughter of the Lancaster Group in Ardenza, but she''s adopted. Lavinia, who currently runs the Lancaster Group, is her adoptive mother. As for why Marion is willing to follow her, we''re still not sure."


    Michael''s face grew even darker. "I just don''t get what these young people are thinking. Is being with a young heiress who isn''t even in charge yet more appealing than a multi-million-dor sry?"


    It wasn''t just Michael who was puzzled; the HR Manager was too. A multi-million- dor sry -there weren''t many people worth that kind of money worldwide. Marion was one of them.


    Who wouldn''t jump at that opportunity? What could be so appealing about running an entertainmentpany? Sure, the industry was lucrative, but it was small- scale.


    They were a multinational corporation, a giant among giants. Compared to them, entertainmentpanies were insignificant.


    "Alright, so you couldn''t get Marion. But why can''t you get Maximus?" Michael asked coldly.


    The HR Manager rubbed his nose. It wasn''t just him who couldn''t recruit Maximus. He had asked around. Other headhunters hadn''t seeded either.


    For a conglomerate like theirs, legal


    battles were almost a daily urrence. Themercial


    interests involved were vast. A well-known, capablewyer was a highly sought-after talent for


    Maximus''s track record was impressive, and his courtroom skills were unmatched. Companies had long sought to win him over.


    "Mr. Grey also declined. I offered him


    the best terms, but he still refused. Mr. Grey is also at Ardenza, serving as legal counsel and advisor at thepany where Marion works. They seem to have a good working rtionship."


    Michael''s face was grim. "Both of them are not working for that Miranda, are they?"


    The HR Manager cleared his throat, cautiously saying, "Well, it''s not entirely impossible."


    Michael was rendered speechless. After a long silence, Michael felt slightly better knowing he wasn''t the only one facing setbacks.


    The Hawke Group had been in a bit of a slump over the past couple of years. Compared to its peak, the overall trend was downward.


    Even Michael, the current head of the Hawke Group, couldn''t solve thepany''s current predicament. The entire upper management and think tank couldn''te up with a viable solution.


    Every year''s financial report showed a decline of dozens of millions. So they were desperately in need of someone who could turn things around.


    Among the newest generation, there was no standout candidate, leaving the heir to the Hawke Group still undecided. That was why Michael was eager to find someone like Marion, willing to offer a highsry and extend an olive branch.


    "Oh, there''s one more thing," the HR Manager hesitated, unsure whether to continue.