There was only silence in the car.
Elena continued, “The second condition is that we have to break even within two years. Otherwise, we have to work for them for free for the next two years.
“The third condition is that we must achieve 30 percent of profit within three years. Otherwise, we will have to work for them for free for the subsequent year.”
Those terms and conditions were favorable to them. After all, they would not need to fork out any money in case of any business losses. However, they were still heavy-hearted about the situation. The most difficult challenge would be to generate 30 percent of profit within the first three years, with 300 million dollars capital. In other words, they would have to work for free if they would not make 100 million in three years. However, they were also thrilled with the offer. It was a complicated mood, indeed. They were also flustered with the fact that they would have to handle a 300-million dollars budget. That was a tremendous amount of money for a student. Did Second Young Master Sharp approve that amount for them? Was he nuts?
The car stopped at the square in front of the main building. Lois got out of the car first, followed Aryan and Elena.
Luacs said, “We will wait here. Call me when you’ve made your way down.”
“Okay,” Elena said with an OK hand gesture before she looked at Lois. “Do we have to follow any rules to enter?”
“I don’t think so?” Lois had no idea. It was also her first time to have visited such a huge solemn-looking enterprise. The three of them tidied their clothes to ensure that they looked smart. Elena carried the computer bag, and they all walked into the lobby together.
As soon as they entered the door, a receptionist greeted them with a smile on her face. “Are you looking for someone? Do you have an appointment?”
The receptionist was even polite to three shabby-looking students. It showed just how well-trained they were. However, even though the receptionist had a smile on her face, it lacked warmth. It was only a polite display of social etiquette. The only people who could get into their office building were prominent people or the employees. The receptionist had no idea who those kids were and why they were there.
“We are here to see Second Young Master Sharp.” As soon as Lois said that, the receptionist’s face sank slightly. “Excuse me, do you have an appointment with him?”
“Yes, your colleague called us for a meeting at ten.”
“Very well, please wait a minute.” The receptionist walked to the reception counter, not far too away. “Did Second Young Master Sharp invite a couple of kids over for a meeting?”
“Yes, didn’t you hear about it? They are students from Ning University.”
The other receptionist smiled and immediately went to the three people at the door. She noticed that something was not right. Was the person-in-charge not there with them? She got impatient as her eyes swept across the three visitors.
“Sorry, Second Young Master Sharp wanted to see Elena. If Elena is not here…”
“I am Elena.”
The employees who passed by them stopped in their path, and most of them turned to look at the girl who had just spoken. Gorgeous! That was the very first word that appeared in everyone’s minds. How could she be Elena? Was Elena not supposed to be ugly?
“You are… Elena?” The receptionist also could not believe it.
Elena took her ID card and showed it to the receptionist. She was only 16 years old when she took that photograph. At that time, she still wore heavy makeup, but they were not allowed to wear heavy makeup for the photoshoot. So she had to remove the colors before the photoshoot session. Even though she did not do it properly, her facial features were still prominent in the photo. She was Elena, indeed!
The receptionist looked up and saw countless doubtful eyes stared back at her. Elena was famous in their company, but none of them thought that the ugly duckling could transform into such a beautiful swan!
“Oh…” The receptionist sighed in relief before she sulked. “Very well, I’ll take you up.”
The three of them followed her as she led them into the high-rise elevator. As they left, the first receptionist who greeted them when they came into the building could only look on in confusion.
“What’s going on? Elena… why does everyone know her?”
“Haven’t you heard?” One of her colleagues went to her and whispered softly as she did not want to be caught when she gossiped about Second Young Master Sharp during working hours. “It has something to do with the campus comic competition that Sharp Corporation sponsored. You can search for it online.”
“I have heard about that…”
“No, there’s another sensational news that was only exposed this morning. You don’t look like you know about it yet.”
The colleague smiled mischievously. “Now, I have to tell our colleagues upstairs that the legendary Elena is here.”
…
As they passed through the lobby of the 88th floor, Elena could feel the eyes that scrutinized her. Of course, it was not purely because of her beautiful appearance. Some of the people were amazed, while the others looked surprised. Some were even curious about what would happen next.
Elena wondered why everyone seemed to know her name? Even the receptionist who led them to the meeting would turn and look at her occasionally. Elena noticed the weird expression on the receptionist’s face whenever she sneaked a look at her. She could feel the hostility from her, and she wondered what she had done to deserve that.
Her phone beeped as several messages came in; all of them were from Layla. However, it was inconvenient for Elena to check her messages as she walked through the lobby, so she simply put her phone on mute. As they arrived at the door to an office, the receptionist knocked gently on it.
A man’s low timber voice echoed from behind the door. “Come in.”
Even though the voice was from inside the room, the man sounded indescribably magnetic, sweet, and even sexy! The receptionist took a deep breath, adjusted her clothes, and put on the perfect smile before opening the office door. It was the most professional smile that she could have mustered. Then the receptionist said, “Second Young Master Sharp, Miss Garcia, and her team members are here.”
“Let them in.” Henry did not even lift his head.
The receptionist did not leave immediately but stood at the door for a few more seconds. However, Second Young Master Sharp still did not look up at her! Not even a single glance! How often could a first-floor employee get the opportunity to go to the 88th floor and get that close to Second Young Master Sharp?
She tried to look her best, but Second Young Master Sharp did not even glance at her. If the young master liked what he saw, perhaps she would get the opportunity to fly up the branch as a phoenix!
Three seconds later, Lois could no longer hold it in, so she asked, “Well, do we go in?”
The receptionist glared at her. She was about to say something, but she was so surprised when Second Young Master Sharp finally lifted his head and looked at her direction!
She hurriedly straightened her body so that her head and chest were upward and tucked her belly in.
“Second Young…”
“Elena, come in.”
Henry threw her an unpleasant look; he hated it when his female employees tried to flirt with him. “Close the door!”