Laying The Foundations
Bailey followed Brandon and Gordon to the Blackstone Music Group Headquarters.
Brandon, Bailey, and Gordon strode through the gleaming glass doors of the Blackstone Music Group headquarters.
The lobby buzzed with energy, a stark contrast to the chaos Brandon had witnessed during his first visit.
As they approached the reception desk, a young woman in a crisp BMG uniform greeted them with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Blackstone. It's wonderful to see you."
Brandon nodded, pleasantly surprised by the polite reception.
"Please, follow me. I'll escort you to the executive elevator," she said, gesturing towards a sleek set of doors at the far end of the lobby.
As they walked, Brandon's eyes darted around, taking in the transformed atmosphere.
Gone were the lax security measures and unprofessional chatter. Instead, he saw focused employees moving with purpose, their badges prominently displayed.
'Impressive,' he thought. 'Jessie's really whipped this place into shape. It's like night and day compared to last time.'
The staff member swiped her access card, and the elevator doors slid open silently.
"Have a great day, Mr. Blackstone," she said as they stepped inside.
As the elevator doors closed, Brandon glanced at Bailey.
Her usual bubbly energy seemed dampened, her shoulders slumped slightly as she stared at the floor.
He frowned, concerned by her uncharacteristic demeanor.
"Hey, B," Brandon said softly, using her hacker alias.
"What's eating you?"
Bailey looked up, her eyes lacking their usual mischievous spark.
"It's just... with everything going on, I feel so useless. Everyone's doing something important, and I'm just... here."
Brandon's brow furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
She sighed, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"You're out there revolutionizing the music industry, Vikky's running the empire, and I'm... I don't even know what to do with my IT company. I should be helping somehow, but I'm lost."
The elevator continued its ascent as Brandon considered her words.
He reached out, giving her a reassuring pat on the head. Bailey's eyes widened at the unexpected gesture.
"Listen, you're anything but useless," Brandon said firmly.
"Your skills are incredible, and we wouldn't be where we are without you. Remember how you helped take down the Donoghues and my corrupt execs?"
A ghost of a smile flickered across Bailey's face.
"Yeah, but that was different. This whole economic crisis thing... it's way out of my league."
Brandon's eyes lit up with an idea.
"Actually, I might have something you could help with. It's right up your alley, and it could make a huge difference. Would you be willing to assist me?"
Bailey perked up, curiosity replacing her dejection.
"Really??"
*Ding!*
The elevator chimed as it reached the executive floor. As the doors slid open, Jessie Kim stood waiting, her face beaming with excitement.
Her eyes lit up at the sight of Brandon, Bailey, and Gordon.
"Boss! You won't believe the numbers we're seeing," Jessie exclaimed, barely containing her enthusiasm.
"Your Gala performances have gone absolutely viral!"
As they stepped out of the elevator, Brandon's eyes scanned the executive floor, taking in the bustling activity and sleek decor.
Jessie, undeterred by his wandering gaze, continued her report.
"We're talking millions of views across all platforms. The comments are overwhelmingly positive, and the likes... well, they're off the charts!"
Brandon nodded absently, his attention still focused on the layout of the office space.
Jessie's excitement faltered slightly as she noticed his distraction.
"Boss? Are you even listening?" she asked, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
Brandon turned back to her, an awkward smile on his face.
"Sorry, Jessie. I just realized... I don't actually know where my office is."
Jessie rolled her eyes, letting out a small sigh.
"Right. Of course. Follow me."
She led the trio through the executive floor, weaving between busy employees and modern furnishings.
As they approached a set of imposing double doors, Jessie reached for the handle.
Before she could open it, Brandon spoke up.
"Jessie, could you give us a minute? I need some time alone with Bailey and Gordon. I'll call for you in a few minutes."
Jessie's hand froze on the door handle, her expression a mix of surprise and frustration.
She stepped back, nodding curtly but replied with a tinge of sarcasm.
"Of course, Mr. Blackstone. I'll be at my desk when you're ready."
As Jessie walked away, her thoughts raced.
'How can he be so nonchalant about all this? Ughh… It's like he doesn't even care about the company.'
Gordon closed the door behind them as they entered Brandon's spacious office. Brandon and Bailey took their seats in plush leather chairs facing an imposing mahogany desk. Brandon gestured for Gordon to join them.
"Please, Gordon, have a seat," Brandon said, his tone serious.
Gordon nodded and settled into a chair next to Bailey.
Brandon leaned forward, his fingers interlaced on the desk.
"Gordon, I need your help with something crucial," he began.
"I'm putting together a team of traders. Exceptional ones."
Gordon's eyebrows raised slightly, but he remained silent, waiting for Brandon to continue.
"I intend to use the ten billion in the stock market," Brandon explained. "It's a delicate operation, I need the right people and a discreet location."
Gordon nodded slowly, processing the information.
"Are there any specific requirements for these traders, sir?" he asked.
Brandon's eyes narrowed as he considered the question.
"Yes, actually. Everything needs to be near undetectable," he emphasized.
"The people you find must not be too well-known. They need to be okay with being hidden from the outside world for the next three months, or whenever their tasks end."
Gordon's expression remained neutral, but his mind was already working through potential candidates.
"And the quantity?" Gordon inquired.
A small smile played at the corners of Brandon's mouth.
" A few hundred at least, we need to mask our tracks with a plethora of dummy accounts." he replied.
"I know the requirements are stringent but I want the best! Oh, make it worth their while, money is no issue."
Gordon nodded, understanding the gravity of the task.
"I'll begin the set-up immediately, Young Master," he assured Brandon. "Discretion will be my top priority."