Linda personally posted the recruitment notice online. Right now, she was a one-woman show, needing to build her team from scratch. After multiple rounds of screening, five candidates were finally selected. Janelle met with them personally.
Seeing both team leaders were so young, the five new hires felt uncertain.
"Miss Rovella, such a large project... with just the seven of us?" And since Miss Rovella was a shareholder unlikely to be hands-on, that meant effectively only six people working on it.
Janelle flipped through their profiles. Linda's choices were solid – each candidate had unique strengths, though their only drawback was being fresh graduates with no experience.
"Yes. Just the seven of us," Janelle confirmed, setting down the files. "This project is a tough nut. Blue Whale initiated it but progress stalled long ago. What are your initial thoughts?"
Though only twenty, Janelle exuded a unique authority that inspired confidence.
"Miss Rovella, I'm Kevin," a young man in a hoodie began. His perspective, despite graduating from a non-prestigious university, was remarkably insightful. After Kevin, the others shared their views. Having secured a spot at Blue Whale, they were determined to prove themselves and stay.
Janelle sipped her coffee, listening. They were all young, free of excessive politicking. Their points were direct and hit the mark.
"Good," Janelle stated. "Starting today, you five are officially part of the project team. We're all young here. Communicate directly if there are issues. I dislike beating around the bush."
The five nodded immediately.
"Miss Rovella, are there strict office hours requirements?" Kevin ventured, feeling he worked better from home.
"No fixed office hours requirement. There is a strict work quality requirement." They all understood; they would take responsibility for their output. Despite Miss Rovella's youth – four years younger than them – her leadership ability was undeniable.
"Linda, show them to their workstations. Let them familiarize themselves with the project today. We'll have a meeting tomorrow morning at nine."
Linda nodded.
After settling Kevin and the others, Linda returned.
"Miss Rovella, we're still missing one person – a data analyst. It's crucial. None of the applicants satisfied me."
"I'll handle it," Janelle replied.
"I'll keep looking too," Linda offered before leaving.
Janelle scrolled through her contacts and dialed a number.
"Little Junior Sister! Where have you been? Forgotten your Senior Brother after all this time?" The man's voice boomed cheerfully the moment the call connected.
"Senior Brother, how could I forget you?" Janelle chuckled. "I need a favor. Are you free?"
"Name it! I'll make time! What's up?"
"I'm leading a project. We need a data analyst. Can you come help?"
"Hmm... my current project needs another two or three days. I'll wrap it up and head over. Sound good?"
"Perfect. I'll be waiting for you in Graham City."
"Mrs. Evans, Janelle has formed her project team. However, the members are all recent graduates. Some were even previously rejected by our company during interviews."
"Understood. Keep watching. Report daily."
Amber had planted her own spy near Janelle. As for this cobbled-together team? In Amber's eyes, it was a joke. A bunch of clueless kids thinking they could change anything?
Before four PM, Janelle left the office to find Simon.
Seeing her, Simon immediately stood to pour her water. "Janelle, I wish I could help more with the project work. It pains me I can't." He looked genuinely troubled.
Janelle patted his shoulder. "Simon, everyone has different strengths. You've already helped immensely. How are things with the Institute?"
"The first assessment is next month. I've drafted the plan." Simon handed her the proposal.
Janelle reviewed it and nodded. Simon had truly matured into someone capable of handling major responsibilities. "Go to the Imperial Capital branch to prepare for the first assessment. You'll be in full charge."
After handling business, Janelle went to meet Sara. They'd planned a hotpot dinner. Sara, having no afternoon classes, was already queuing at the restaurant.
Janelle hadn't expected Erik to be there. This man... is he everywhere?
"Janelle! Isn't this a coincidence? I ran into Erik outside the hotpot place," Sara chirped. "He wanted hotpot but was alone. He looked kinda pitiful, so I invited him to join us." She grinned. "Miss Rovella won't mind, right?" Erik's intense gaze locked onto Janelle. "I don't have many friends in Graham City. Had to swallow my pride and crash your dinner."
No friends in Graham City? Janelle almost scoffed. What was the guy who picked him up from the police station then? A ghost?
Sara linked arms with Janelle. "Come on! Our table's ready."
Janelle and Sara walked ahead. Erik's gaze lingered on Janelle's back. Her posture is impeccable.
Inside the private booth, Erik pulled out chairs for both girls, letting them sit together. He took the seat opposite Janelle.
"What kind of broth?" he asked them.
"Erik, can you handle spice? Janelle and I love the málà broth, the fiery hot kind!" Sara declared.
"Are you sure?" Erik's eyes shifted to Janelle. "Her stomach isn't good. She shouldn't eat that spicy."
"Oh!" Sara's face fell, stricken with guilt. "Right! How could I forget?" Her best friend, and she'd forgotten the stomach problems Janelle developed during those harsh five years on the border. Her eyes grew misty.
"It's fine. It's healed," Janelle reassured her quickly, seeing Sara's distress. "Sara, really, it's okay."
"A split pot then? Spicy and mushroom broth?" Erik suggested. A sensitive stomach needed gentle care.
Sara nodded gratefully.
The restaurant required patrons to mix their own dipping sauces.
"Need help with yours?" Sara asked Erik, who hadn't moved.
"Then I'll trouble Miss Rovella," Erik replied, not hesitating for a second.
"..." Janelle was speechless. Had she volunteered?
The two girls headed to the sauce station.
"Janelle," Sara murmured as they mixed sauces, "Erik's quite attentive. He pays close attention to you." The man looked so wild, yet he was surprisingly considerate with Janelle.
"Hmm." They'd only shared two meals. She hadn't expected him to notice so much.
Janelle deliberately piled a generous amount of Xiaomila chili peppers into Erik's sauce bowl. Seeing her mischievous act, Sara laughed.
"Don't you feel anything for him?" Sara asked quietly. "Erik... his looks alone are incredibly attractive. And he's so good to you?"