###Chapter 104: Desperation Is an Ugly Look
Maxine let out a laugh. "I relied on this."
She tapped her temple, then pointed to the proposal on her computer. "And, of course, Mr. Hawthorne’s tily appearance helped assert so authority."
But Coco and Bubbles were sharp. It clicked for them instantly. They exchanged a look—another mont for their ship!
"Regardless, Maxine, you’re incredible!" Bubbles imdiately switched into work mode. "I’ll get started right away on the tech demo proposal for Mr. Langdon’s team next week."
"Yes! I’ll get on the follow-up!" Coco said, rubbing her hands together eagerly.
Seeing her team’s morale instantly ignite, Maxine was in high spirits.
She stood up, walked to the door of her office, and clapped her hands, drawing the attention of all the employees in the open-plan workspace.
"Everyone, we had a nice win yesterday." Her voice was clear and tinged with a smile. "To celebrate, and to thank you all for your recent hard work, this quarter’s bonus for the entire team will be increased by an additional 20%!"
"WHOA—!" The office instantly erupted in fervent cheers and applause.
"And there’s more," Maxine continued once the cheering died down. "Starting next week, the company will be providing daily afternoon tea from Serenity Pavilion. Fruit, pastries, coffee, and other drinks—all in unlimited supply."
!!!
Another wave of excited murmurs and cheers swept through the office.
"Also, I’ve reviewed the health check-up plan proposed by the administration departnt," Maxine said, her tone turning serious. "The standard is too low. We’re upgrading it to the top-tier comprehensive physical exam package—the one that includes genetic and early cancer screenings. It will be an annual benefit, and you can extend it to a parent or spouse. Health cos first."
At this, even the most reserved tech geeks couldn’t help but applaud. Such benefits were practically unheard of at a startup!
"And one last thing," Maxine said, her gaze sweeping over the young, energetic faces before her. "The company is currently negotiating a new round of funding. If we’re successful, I will set aside a portion of my stock options to reward our core contributors.
"Stellar Tech isn’t just my company; it’s ours. I hope that one day, every single person in this room will achieve both financial and professional freedom as a result of choosing to be here."
Her speech completely ignited the room. The applause was thunderous and unceasing, and every face bead with excitent, approval, and a powerful new drive.
Their boss not only had the ability to lead them to victory but also possessed the vision and sincerity to treat them genuinely well.
Coco sidled up to Maxine and whispered, "Maxine... we’re a startup. Can we really afford to burn through cash like this?"
Maxine looked at her vibrant team, her gaze firm. "Our people are our most valuable asset. If we give them peace of mind, keep them healthy in body and spirit, and show them tangible rewards, they’ll create a hundred, even a thousand tis more value for the company. It’s an investnt that’s well worth it."
Bubbles gave her a heartfelt thumbs-up. "Brilliant! I’d follow Ms. Rhodes for life!"
Coco nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling. " too!"
Maxine laughed at their enthusiasm.
「After work, outside the Stellar Tech building.」
Just as Maxine stepped through the building’s revolving doors, a figure darted out in front of her.
Benjamin Sterling blocked her path, holding a bouquet of white tulips.
"Maxine! Why did you block my number? Why did you block on WeChat? Can’t we just talk?"
Maxine stopped in her tracks, not even bothering to look up. "Move. We have nothing to talk about."
"Don’t be like this!" Benjamin Sterling reached for her arm. "I really know I was wrong. I’ll change! Look at these flowers, they’re your favorite—"
"Benjamin Sterling."
Maxine finally looked up, her gaze perfectly calm. "I’m going to say this one last ti. Move."
Just then, a voice laced with obvious derision drifted over from behind them.
"Tsk."
That single sound made Benjamin Sterling go rigid.
Ethan Hawthorne was standing about ten feet away, though no one had seen him arrive. He had one hand in his trouser pocket, the other toying with a tal lighter.
"Mr. Sterling."
He began, his voice laced with a condescending pity, "It seems you have a serious ti managent problem now that your company has been dissolved."
The color drained from Benjamin Sterling’s face.
Ethan Hawthorne slowly closed the distance. He wasn’t much taller than Benjamin, but his calm, imposing aura was enough to make the other man take an involuntary step back.
"These flowers," Ethan Hawthorne said, leaning in to scrutinize the tulips with a slight frown. "The petals are curling at the edges, and the stems are limp. Did you buy them from a roadside stall? Or... are these just the ones you failed to give away yesterday?"
He straightened up, looking at Benjamin Sterling with unconcealed mockery. "When giving a gift, especially to a woman, what matters is thoughtfulness and freshness. This..."
He shook his head gently, like a teacher critiquing a failing student’s assignnt. "You can’t even guarantee they’re in basic presentable condition. Where’s the sincerity in that?"
A smile played on Maxine’s lips as she watched Ethan’s performance.
Benjamin Sterling’s face burned with humiliation, and his fingers tightened on the flower stems. "Mr. Hawthorne, this is between Maxine and —"
"Oh?" Ethan Hawthorne raised an eyebrow as if he’d heard sothing amusing. "A matter between you and Ms. Rhodes?"
He suddenly smiled. It was a faint smile, but it was bone-chillingly cold.
"If I recall correctly, Ms. Rhodes is the founder of Stellar Tech and an important strategic partner of the Hawthorne Group."
His tone was level, each word crisp and clear. "And you are Ms. Rhodes’s forr boss and the forr legal representative of a now-defunct company."
He tilted his head slightly, his tone one of almost innocent curiosity. "So, in what capacity, exactly, are you blocking the entrance to our partner’s company and interfering with her personal ti?"
"I..." Benjamin Sterling was rendered speechless.
But Ethan didn’t give him a mont’s respite. He turned to Maxine, his tone instantly softening. "Ms. Rhodes, next ti you run into this kind of unnecessary harassnt, just let security handle it. And if the person in question refuses to cooperate..."
He paused, his gaze shifting back to Benjamin Sterling’s face. He offered a slight smile, one completely devoid of warmth.
"I have plenty of other thods. Nothing too drastic, but they’re always effective at helping certain people who can’t seem to grasp their own position see things a little more clearly."
Benjamin Sterling’s face went completely pale.
Having said his piece, Ethan didn’t spare him another glance. He turned to Maxine with a perfectly natural air, gesturing for her to precede him. "Let’s go. I’ll take you ho."
Maxine nodded and, without sparing Benjamin Sterling so much as a sideways glance, walked directly to the black sedan that was waiting for them.
Ethan followed half a step behind her, pausing for a fraction of a second as he passed by Benjamin.
In a voice low enough for only the two of them to hear, he let a final comnt drop. "Mr. Sterling, when sothing’s in the past, you should have the self-awareness to leave it there. This desperate clinging..."
He let out a soft chuckle. "It’s a very ugly look."
*****
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