CHAPTER FIVE.

"What do you mean?" Sydney said.

I turned to him and said "Brother, haven't you noticed the similarities in group d's project?"

"Group d?" Sydney said.

"Isn't that Mr Mark's group?" Mr Raymond asked.

"It is." I said. "If you've noticed, Mr mark's project are all multifunctional."

"Mr Jayden, I agree that most of our projects are multifunctional, don't be offended but is there anything wrong with multifunctional tech?" Mr Mark said in immediate defense of himself.

"There's nothing wrong with multifunctional tech but this multifunctional project is a waste of company's time and resources." I said.

"What do you mean by that?" Mr Andrew said with a voice that shows he's going to burst if he doesn't get a response on time.

"Mr Mark always deduce multifunctional project and the company invests in it.

After a period of three months, the project starts developing different glitches that possibilities weren't mentioned in the paperwork.

They continue and other groups ends up leaving their project to finish your project in time.

Isn't that a waste of company's time and resources."

I looked around and saw doubts fill their faces.

"So it's true." Sydney said to himself.

"Mr Sydney why would you say that?" Mr Joe said.

"Oh, After we approved of Mr mark's previous projects, I noticed that other groups don't meet up to their given deadline.

I felt maybe it's a coincidence but now he said it, it all makes sense." Sydney said.

"Is this true?" Mr Raymond said turning from Sydney to Mr Mark.

Mr Mark looked speechless.

"it's true that other groups helped with the previous projects but…"

"There's no but. Mr Sydney, do the needful." Mr Raymond said turning back to Sydney.

My brother looked at him and nodded and then turned to Mr Mark and said "Do you know your mistakes?"

"I caused the delay of other groups project for mine." Mr Mark said.

"It's not just that." I said. "You delayed their project, made them work for you without a superior's approval and took part of their credit."

"You know the company's rules, you are suspended until director Sophia is back." Sydney said.

"Yes Sir."

"This will be the end of today's meeting." Sydney said as he started walking towards the exit.

I stood up and followed him.

GLORIA'S POV.

"What are we doing here?" I asked Nicole as we the car came to an halt in front of a building.

"To meet Mr Zane of course." She said as she opened the car door and left the car.

I opened the car door, collected the file, walked out, closed it and started walking to Nicole.

"Let's go." Nicole said as she took my hand and started walking into the building.

"It's a Chinese restaurant."

"Of course!"

"No wonder your anger melted immediately you looked at the file, you've seen a nice opportunity to spend."

"Gloria, you can't continue to do this to me, I'll feel depressed." Nicole said trying to act cute.

"Stop whatever you're doing with your face, you look like an injured bird."

Nicole face turned red.

"How can you say that? My parents always tell me how cute I am."

"That's because you're their only child."

"Aren't you an only child…" Nicole said trying to change the last part.

"I don't feel like one." I said when I saw her insecurity. "I feel like maybe I'll have an elder sibling."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because I'm totally unfamiliar with kids."

"Then why do you feel you have an elder one?"

"Don't know."

"Any reservations?" The receptionist asked us as we approached a door.

"Miss Nicole Ace, table 9." Nicole said before I could respond.

The waitress looked at a tablet then looked up to us.

"This way please." She said as she showed us the way.

We walked to the table and after she had put the menu on the table, she left us and we sat down.

"Nicole!"

"Hmm!"

"Is Mr Zane here?" I asked her looking around.

She looked around and then looked back at me.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"I've never seen Mr Zane before."

"I shouldn't have expected more."

"Relax, you're always so stressed out, you should give yourself a break, let us enjoy a meal then we can think of what to do."

"Sure, whatever you say boss." I teasingly said.

TORY'S POV.

"Am I stealing?"

"No. Why did you ask?" Star replied.

"I feel like I'm taking what doesn't belong to me."

"You are taking what doesn't belong to you."

"Huh? Stealing is totally against our rules."

"Don't freak out, I mean that the bronze pieces are objects I designed to be worthless to the people here.

Technically, the bronze pieces belongs to the ISTA."

"You almost gave me a heart attack, next time you've got to…"

I pulled off the headphone because I felt someone was talking to me.

"Thank you." I heard a male voice say as soon as I took off the headphone.

I turned towards the direction and saw a boy. He's probably between the ages 19 and 21.

He had black hair and green eyes and he was wearing a cream colored suit and black long sleeved shirt.

"For what?" I uttered after remembering what he said.

"For defending my artwork." He said as he smiled sweetly.

"Your artwork, you're the painter of that portrait?"

"I am."

"Wow, it's really nice to meet you." I said as I stretched out my hand for a handshake.

He stretched out his hand and shook mine.

I put my hand back and said "Were you there when I defended your work?"

"Why're you asking?"

"It's just a simple yes or no, were you?"

"Yes."

I smiled and said "What do you think of the meaning I said earlier, is it correct?"

"Partially."

"Wow, I didn't know I was so good." I said before I chuckled.

"I said partially and you're this happy."

"Of course, always keep a positive mindset."

"Positive mindset?"

"Hmm, you said I got the meaning partially, I'm happy that I could be able to get part of it.

It's better than being sad for not getting the other part."

"You're right, you just inspired me."

"I did?"

"Thank you so much." He said as he started leaving.

"You're going already? You didn't even tell me the part I didn't get right, hey!"

How can someone be that rude?

After arousing my curiosity, he just left.

I took a deep breath and my phone started ringing.

I opened the bag and looked at the caller, it was Polly.

I wore the headphone.

"You're really brave, didn't I say you should wait for me?" Polly said angrily immediately as I answered the call.

"I'm sorry, I felt you would waste time so I just left but I sent you a text."

"Tory, this isn't Brazil where we know everywhere.

I've been here for a month and I'm not still familiar with the streets.

Don't be so willful. Where are you now, I'm coming to get you."

"I'm in an art exhibition on the next street."

"Stay there, I'll come get you."

"Okay." I said as I ended the call.

"Why do you look sad?" Star asked.

"I feel that if I continue leaving with my family here, I won't be able to go on any other missions."

GLORIA'S POV.

"You're tearing up."

"It's too spicy." Nicole said blowing her mouth.

"Why don't you continue eating?"

"Why aren't you eating?"

"You look so miserable eating the extra spicy dish you ordered, why should I indulge in misery?"

"You're so mean." Nicole said.

"Can't I seat in the table I personally reserved?" A tattered looking man at his early 60's said.

"Sorry sir but this table has already been reserved for someone else." A waiter said.

"We would appreciate it if you kindly leave." The waiter continued.

"Uncle, uncle look at our table here, why aren't you wearing your glasses again?" Nicole said as she waved to the man.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Helping him?"

"Why?"

"If something like that happens to me, I'll love if someone helps me out of such an embarrassing situation.

So I'm helping him because I wouldn't like if I wasn't helped out."

"Makes a lot of sense."

She smiled and went to the man and helped him to the table.

JAYDEN'S POV.

"How did you get all those info?" Sydney asked.

"Someone in his group told me." I said sitting on the office couch.

"Have you been suspecting him?"

"No!"

"Then who's daring enough to report their supervisor?"

"My junior, I'll introduce her to you later on."

"Junior, since when do you care about relationships like that?"

"Don't misunderstand me, the day you asked me to personally show Mr Raymond his project, she was the one group d sent to present the project."

"Your junior is a girl, how is it even possible you remembered her? What exactly happened between you two?"

"I feel this is the end of our conversation." I said as I started heading towards the door.

"Why don't you tell me?" He said.

Immediately I left the office, I received a call.

"How's the investigation going?" I said.