The ride was anything but silent. Cole kept reminding Ethan of the things he should do and the things he shouldn’t do.
He repeated the things Mr. Stark disliked so often that Ethan’s ears felt numb.
After twenty minutes of unwanted and unnecessary lecturing, they finally drove into the company’s parking lot.
Ethan stepped out and admired the building’s grandeur, comparing it to what he was accustomed to.
’A little subpar, but still okay...’
"Follow me," Cole said as he walked ahead.
Ethan followed behind him without a word, simply taking in the scenery around them.
When they stepped inside, Cole immediately went ahead to meet the receptionist and contact the CEO.
Ethan sat in the reception hall, unfazed by the luxury around him. Still, the sight made him think about when he was younger as Victor and when his father used to take him to the office.
’I miss that old man. Rest in peace, pops. I wonder if he’s alive right now, though. And does the original me still exist?’
The thought was sudden, and he couldn’t help but feel invested in finding the answer. However, the thought suddenly disappeared from his mind, and he forgot what he had been thinking about.
He blinked, his brows furrowed. ’What was I thinking? Ah, yes. I should make contact with Ethan’s parents. It’s been days since he called, after all.’
Ethan’s parents were good people, so he didn’t want them to worry themselves too much.
Soon, Cole walked back to him and said seriously, "Come with me. We’re heading to his office."
Ethan nodded and stood up. They took the elevator, with Cole remaining tense throughout the ride. After almost a minute, the doors slid open and they stepped out.
Cole led the way, and they arrived at a set of large double doors at the end of the hallway.
Knock. Knock.
He knocked on the door gently, and it was immediately opened by a young woman with beautiful features.
"Mr. Cole? Come in," She said, smiling faintly.
Cole entered with Ethan trailing behind him. Instantly, the two men looked toward the man seated calmly behind the large office desk with several stacks of paper spread before him.
’He looks younger than I expected,’ Ethan thought.
He had expected a full-grown middle-aged man. However, Mr. Stark was younger. He seemed to be in his late thirties—a little older than Cole but far younger than Victor.
’Victor no longer exists, though. I’m now... Ethan. Very weird.’
Mr. Stark looked at them, then gestured to the two chairs facing him.
"Take your seats."
Cole flinched at the authority carried in his deep voice, while Ethan merely pulled back the chair slightly and sat down. Cole also took his seat.
Mr. Stark took off his glasses and wiped them with a white napkin before wearing them again.
"So, you’re Mr. Hale," He said, looking at Ethan.
The young man nodded, his expression calm and composed.
"And he’s the one who wrote the proposal for you?" He asked, turning to Cole.
The man nodded stiffly.
"Alright," Mr. Stark nodded. "I have a few questions for you, Mr. Hale."
Ethan nodded faintly, posture relaxed. "Go on."
"If the proposal you wrote is implemented, how long do you think it can last?"
Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he thought about it. He paused for a few seconds, then answered, "If there are no external factors affecting that area, it should last about ten to fifteen years. However, that is unrealistic as your competitors will immediately notice and make moves to replicate it. So, it can only last for about five or six years before it loses the edge it can give you against competitors."
Mr. Stark was silent as he listened to Ethan speak. Once the young man was done, he nodded.
"You’re right about that. And I see that the proposal is feasible, and I’ll be implementing it."
Cole’s eyes lit up, but he remained silent in his seat.
Mr. Stark continued. "Mr. Hale, are you currently employed anywhere?"
Ethan shook his head with a slight smile.
"I see." The man nodded. "Well, I’m offering you the position of a manager for this project while Mr. Cole here can be your assistant."
Cole was stunned, but not really displeased. He knew it was Ethan’s work and taking credit for it would even make him feel guilty.
So, when he was offered an assistant position, he wasn’t displeased. It was still far better than his current position in the company.
Ethan gently shook his head, surprising the older man.
"Let my brother-in-law have the position, as you promised. I am not ready to fully dedicate myself to work at this moment."
Mr. Stark’s eyes narrowed. "Are you sure? This would surely earn you enough money and you don’t have to be always present. If it’s about Mr. Cole, his payment would only be slightly lower than yours."
Still, Ethan shook his head. "I’m a househusband. Why would I bother traveling to project sites once in a while? I’m only available for consultation. Just like he did, you can consult me whenever you need the help of a greater mind."
Behind him, the woman’s eyes narrowed in displeasure. Wasn’t this guy too full of himself? Just because of a proposal, he thinks he’s smarter than Mr. Stark?
Her boss, however, didn’t think that way. Even before Ethan arrived, Mr. Stark had made a discovery that stunned him.
The proposal Ethan had created could not be replicated in any other rural area. It was perfectly tailored to the place Mr. Stark had chosen, as though Ethan had been there before.
’This kind of man... is not ordinary.’
Mr. Stark knew this immediately, so he wasn’t offended at all.
"In that case, Mr. Cole will be given the position of the manager for the project. And in the future, I will consult you anytime it is needed. Thank you for your time."
He stood up and extended his hand towards Ethan.
The young man accepted the handshake, then stood up with a composed smile.
"It’s my pleasure, Mr. Stark."
Cole sat there, staring at Ethan in disbelief. This jobless guy whose marriage was almost ruined because he lost his job had actually... rejected the offer?
He couldn’t believe it.