Chapter 673
Zack took the initiative to help Ken push open the door to the conference room.
Inside, the technical team was already gathered and stood up respectfully when they saw Ken enter. “Mr. Swanson!”
“Please, everyone, have a seat.” Ken pulled out his chair and sat down, starting the meeting.
After the meeting concluded, Ken was about to leave for the Swanson Group headquarters when Zack suddenly called out to him. “Mr. Swanson, the HR manager mentioned that there’s a job applicant who might require you to go over and talk personally.”
A hint of curiosity appeared in Ken’s eyes. “For which position?”
Anyone who needed his personal involvement in an interview had to be significant.
“For the technical department,” Zack said in a low voice. “This person has a rather extraordinary background. His name is Warner Chapman, and his grandfather is Nickolas Chapman, who resides in Naymar Manor…”
Ken’s eyebrows lifted. “Let’s go meet him.”
In the interview room, Warner’s resume as a smart product development genius had the HR manager nodding in approval. After a few questions, the HR manager was almost ready to schedule Warner’s start date right away.
But he hesitated, knowing it wasn’t his place to make that decision when he thought of the two big shots in the company sitting next door.
However, the fact that neither of them had intervened so far suggested they were at least inclined to approve Warner’s hiring.
After a few moments of thought, the HR manager asked, “We’re very satisfied with your qualifications. Do you have any additional requirements?”
Warner responded, “I’m very interested in your boss. He’s someone I aspire to surpass. My additional request is to have a few minutes to speak with him before I start.”
“Well …” the HR manager hesitated.
“If that’s not possible, I’m afraid I won’t be able to join the company,” Warner said.
Ulric had already extended numerous offers, but Warner had long admired the enigmatic head of Ximber Tech. In the end, he decided to turn down Ulric’s promises and applied to Ximber Tech instead.
The HR manager found himself in a difficult position.
Ken was sitting right next door, but without his agreement, the HR manager couldn’t make the call.
Just as the HR manager was breaking into a sweat, the door connecting the interview room suddenly opened.
Warner instinctively turned his head to see who had entered.
When he saw the familiar, handsome face, a realization struck him, and his eyes widened. “Ken Swanson?”
Ken’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Mr. Chapman, how are you?”
“You…” Warner was truly surprised.
Ken extended his hand toward him. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the owner of Ximber Tech. I understand you wanted to speak with me?”
Warner’s suspicions were confirmed, and he stood there, utterly stunned.
At the Swanson villa, Margaret had completely recovered from her illness and could already sunbathe and play with the kittens in the back garden.
Melody was finally at ease, but just then, she received a call from Zara.
Her first thought was that something had happened to Zara, so she nervously answered, “Zara, what’s wrong?”
On the other end of the line, Zara quickly reassured her and said, “I’m fine, Melody, don’t worry. I just finished shooting and wanted to see if you’d like to have lunch together?”
Melody let out a sigh of relief and said, “Sure, you pick the place, and I’ll head over now.”
“I’ll text you the address,” Zara said.
“No problem.” After telling Margaret, Melody had Spencer take her to the destination.
The address Zara sent was for a popular restaurant in the city center. Zara had booked a private room, so there was no need to worry about the crowd recognizing her as a star.
It was only when Melody entered the room that she realized Zara wasn’t alone. A plain-looking middle-aged couple was with her.
“Melody, here!” Zara exclaimed, standing up to greet her warmly.
Melody nodded slightly and looked at the couple before asking, “And they are…”
“They are my parents,” Zara replied, scratching her head with embarrassment. “They happened to visit me today. I mentioned on the phone that you’ve helped me several times and are a good friend, so they insisted on meeting you. I didn’t tell you beforehand because I was worried you might feel awkward. I’m really sorry about that.”
“That’s okay.” Melody smiled and shook her head before turning to Zara’s parents. “Hello.”
Zara’s parents seemed a bit shy and, after a brief greeting, Zara’s mom, Grace Wentworth, handed Melody a basket.
“Melody, I’m not good with words, but I brought this from home. One basket for you and one for Zara. I hope you will like it.”
Melody glanced at the basket, noticing it was filled with farm-fresh eggs, and felt a warm sensation in her heart. “Thank you, Mrs. Wentworth, that’s very thoughtful of you. It’s hard to find authentic farm eggs around here.”
Grace had been a bit worried that Melody might not appreciate the gesture, but she was relieved to see her accept the eggs. “I’m glad you like them. When we visit next time, we’ll bring more for you.”
Melody nodded and said, “I grew up in the countryside too, and back then, I ate farm-fresh eggs every day. I didn’t realize that once I arrived in Silverlake, they’d become a luxury item.”
Hearing Melody talk about her countryside upbringing eased the tension in Zara’s parents, and the conversation flowed more easily.
After finishing her meal, Melody excused herself to go to the restroom and decided to pay the bill on the way.
As she completed the payment, she noticed Zara stepping out of the private room, surrounded by a group of men dressed in punk attire.
The leader, a man flaunting his wealth with brand-name clothing and an air of arrogance, tilted Zara’s chin with his hand and said with a smirk. “I went to the cast and tried to see you a few days ago, and you dared to avoid me? Now I’ve still caught you, haven’t I?”
Zara, not wanting to cause a scene in front of her parents or drag them into trouble, forced a polite response, saying, “Mr. Jensen, I’m sorry for missing you last time. Let’s talk another day. I’ll treat you to dinner to make it up to you.”
“Another day? Huh? Do you take me for a fool? Don’t even think about brushing me off! You’re coming to dinner with me today. If I’m satisfied with the evening, I might let you go!” the man said, as he reached out to grab Zara’s hand.
Zara, preparing to pull away, was suddenly interrupted.
A cell phone flew through the air, striking the back of the man’s head with a thud.
He clutched his head in pain, letting out a miserable scream. “Ah…”
His friends turned in shock. “Who dared to hit Mr. Jensen? Show yourself!”
“It was me.” Melody stepped forward, her expression calm and unyielding. “Harassing a girl in public, what kind of man are you?”
When they saw Melody’s face, they all laughed in disbelief.
How could someone like her dare to confront them?
With concern, Zara looked at Melody, who had stepped forward to defend her, and shook her head anxiously, silently pleading with Melody to stay out of it.