Luring the Leaders

Jessica stood in her real estate agency's sleek, modern lobby, holding the cold envelope containing her resignation letter. She had imagined this moment many times, but now that it was here, it felt surreal.

The weight of her decision to resign felt heavier than she had anticipated.

As she walked towards her manager's desk, she could hear whispers around her. The office had always been competitive, and Jessica knew that too well.

She noticed the judgmental glances and heard the envy in her colleagues' whispered comments.

"Blinded by the commission, no doubt," one muttered.

"She makes one big sale, and suddenly she thinks she's too good for this place," another scoffed, disapproving.

Jessica didn't let it get to her and held her head high. She had learned that success in real estate was a double-edged sword.

The moment you outperform others, they turn against you. It's a world driven by appearances, envy, and rivalry. But they didn't understand Jessica's decision wasn't about a single sale or a hefty commission.

It was about something bigger—something beyond their comprehension.

Just as Jessica was about to hand in her letter, a familiar voice broke through the office chatter.

"You guys really don't get it, do you?"

Jessica turned around to see Mia, her closest colleague, standing up from her desk with her arms crossed and a knowing smile on her face. Mia's clear and distinct voice cut through the office chatter, silencing everyone.

"She's not leaving because of a commission issue," Mia announced, her eyes shining with pride. "Jessica's moving on to NovaTech."

When NovaTech was mentioned, the office suddenly buzzed with whispers. For weeks, everyone had been talking about this company, famous for its quick rise to fame and the attractive job openings it advertised.

The high salaries and perks they promised seemed almost too good to be true, and most people hadn't even considered applying, thinking they wouldn't have a shot.

"NovaTech?" repeated one agent, her tone full of skepticism. "The same NovaTech that's offering three times what we make?"

Jessica stayed quiet, letting Mia's words and silence confirm the truth. The mood in the room changed immediately, with looks of disdain turning into expressions of shock, envy, and a newfound respect.

Then, someone brought up Novatech's job listing on their phone and showed it to everyone. "This building in the video…" they trailed off, a realization dawning. Isn't this the same one Jessica sold to that kid?"

Jessica had recently sold a building to Ethan Cole, the young founder of NovaTech. Although this name was unfamiliar to many just a few weeks ago, Ethan was no longer just a client.

He was about to become her boss. The more Jessica worked with him, the more she realized that Ethan was not your typical CEO.

A collective gasp filled the room. Jessica's deal wasn't just any sale—she had brokered a deal with the founder of NovaTech himself. And now, she was going to work for him.

For the first time, her colleagues looked at her differently. Their envy was replaced by a recognition of her savvy move. Jessica had secured her place in something much bigger than they had imagined.

Jessica didn't stop to enjoy their reactions, though. She wasn't trying to prove anything to them. For her, this was about stepping into a future she had never imagined possible.

Right after, Jessica found herself in a serene café, with her tablet propped open and her coffee slowly cooling off to the side. The thrill of the morning still hung in the air. Yet, her attention was now fully on the task ahead: propelling NovaTech to heights beyond the current buzz.

She revisited the organizational plan she and David had discussed yesterday. It was a solid plan, but a closer examination revealed some oversights.

Hovering her fingers over the tablet, Jessica noted down her thoughts. To achieve the rapid growth Ethan envisioned, they urgently needed to bolster their Legal and Customer Support departments.

Drawing from her real estate background, Jessica knew all too well that overlooking even a minor detail could throw a wrench in the works.

She wasted no time in messaging David.

Jessica: [David, reviewing our staffing, it's clear we lack Legal and Customer Support. I believe we need to keep hiring.]

David replied almost instantly.

David: [You're right. I thought we were set, but you've made a good point. Let's address this.]

Pleased with David's swift concurrence, Jessica then reached out to Ethan.

Jessica: [Ethan, we must increase our Legal and Customer Support hires. It's vital for our next steps.]

Ethan's prompt response came through.

Ethan: [Understood. Do whatever is necessary. Hire as needed.]

Jessica's smile returned. Ethan's steadfast decisiveness and trust in her and David reinforced her commitment to leave no stone unturned.

Working with someone who didn't second-guess every decision but also raised the stakes was refreshing. Jessica had to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks.

At Novatech's main office, David showed a group of top professionals around the newly decorated workspace. These individuals were not ordinary candidates; they were highly experienced leaders in their fields, personally selected by David.

Among them was Jonathan Hale, an operations expert with more than twenty years of experience. He looked around at the modern, cutting-edge facility with interest.

"I must say," Jonathan cautiously began, "I was doubtful when you first reached out to me, David. But after seeing this place and hearing about your vision... it's quite interesting."

David responded with a gentle laugh, "Interesting? Just wait until you meet Ethan. Once you do, your interest will turn into full belief."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow but said nothing else. He was not one to be easily impressed by flashy presentations or big promises. His career had flourished on the basis of stability and gradual growth, so the idea of leaving that path wasn't something he considered lightly.

David guided the group through the immaculate halls, pointing out the high-tech workstations and the modern, innovative office layouts.

The ground and first floors were already set up, showcasing the sleek and modern design that reflected Novatech's vision for the future. Despite their extensive experience, the senior executives were visibly impressed.

"This place is incredible," whispered Sophia Grant, an HR specialist. "I've worked with the best firms but never seen an office like this."

David couldn't hide his smile, clearly enjoying their reactions. "And this is just the start. The second floor and the rooftop are still being worked on. Once completed, Novatech will change people's thoughts about working in this city."

Then, they walked into the main conference room. David invited everyone to sit down, whipped out his tablet, and, with a few taps, projected the company's bank account balance onto the big screen at the front of the room.

$1,000,000,000.

The room went silent suddenly. Even the seasoned professionals in the room, who were usually quite confident in their success, seemed taken aback.

David broke the silence casually, "That figure represents the company's available funds, the paid-up capital. Ethan put in the entire amount by himself. Plus, he mentioned he's willing to invest more if necessary."

Jonathan's skepticism faded as he leaned forward, "That's... higher than what I anticipated."

With eyes wide open in surprise, Sophia chimed in, "This changes the entire game."

Now that David had everyone's full attention, he seized the moment. "And there's more. Our company, NovaTech, provides benefits unlike any other in the city. We've got partnerships with insurance companies, legal firms, and travel agencies."

The group was all ears, eager to hear what David had to say next. He announced, "Our comprehensive benefits package offers excellent healthcare, attractive retirement plans, company shares, luxury travel opportunities, and flexible working hours."

He then showed a slide that detailed the benefits package, prompting impressed looks from everyone around the table.

David went on, "You'll have everything you need to work here and thrive. Ethan aims to build a company that people are eager to be part of for the long haul, not just as a stepping stone on their career path. And with the structure he's proposing, that will happen."

Sophia and Jonathan shared an impressed look. "This is… remarkable," Sophia said quietly.

The executives seated around the table all nodded in agreement. NovaTech was not just another startup with big ideas. It had the resources and the vision to make those ideas a reality.

David leaned back in his chair, exuding confidence. "Welcome to NovaTech. And don't worry about your current jobs—we'll handle all compensation and exit agreements. You can join us right away."

The executives looked at each other, their initial reservations gone. They were ready to join NovaTech and help build something truly special.