Chapter 257: Just One Month

Hayley’s POV:

I looked at the scene before me, feeling a rush of emotions. When I first took on the responsibility of leading the Shadow Pack, I handed the role off to Alexis. He’d worked so hard. Now, even though I was back, I had no intention of reclaiming that responsibility.

“Everyone, return to your stations and get to work,” I commanded.

The employees quickly scattered, each heading back to their tasks. Alexis, spotting me, eagerly began explaining all the changes the company had undergone over the past few years. We rode the elevator to the top floor, and Alexis didn’t stop talking the entire time.

It wasn’t until I settled into the chairman’s office chair that Alexis, eyes red and nose runny, finally said, “Boss, you’re back! Does this mean I get a long vacation? You don’t know how many times I’ve had to postpone my wedding just to handle company matters!”

Seeing his pitiful expression, I couldn’t help but say, “Alright, I’ll give you a month off. How does that sound?”

“Just one month?!” Alexis’s face fell immediately.

“Make the most of it,” Nueve chimed in, “you’re lucky to get even that much. I’ll have to cover for you while you’re gone.”

Though Alexis wasn’t thrilled, he accepted reluctantly. “Fine, Boss. I’ll listen to you.”

One month was better than nothing, after all. But then Alexis asked again, “Boss, when will you come back to manage the company? I really can’t handle it on my own anymore.”

I hadn’t thought about that yet. My return today was because I lost a car race and didn’t win the ten-million-dollar prize, so I had to come back to the company to cover the financial gap.

“Later, have the finance team transfer ten million dollars into this account,” I instructed.

Without even glancing at me, Alexis immediately agreed, “I’ll have them transfer it soon, Boss. But seriously, you have to come back. The company can’t survive without you.”

I shook my head gently and said, “Just hang in there a bit longer. I believe in you. You can do it.”

Alexis grumbled, “You said the same thing back then. It’s been over two years, and you’re still giving me…”

“One year,” Alexis raised his finger. “One year at most, and you have to come back.”

Seeing how serious he was, I relented. “Alright, we’ll talk about it in a year.”

His face relaxed a little at my agreement.

“I’m glad you said that. But you still need to look over the company’s financial reports for this quarter.” Alexis quickly ordered his secretary to bring them in.

I looked at the mountain of reports in front of me and felt an overwhelming urge to leave. How would I ever finish reading all this?

“I trust you’ve already gone through them, so I’m not going to bother looking at them myself,” I said, standing up. “I just came to check on things. Under your leadership, the company has been steadily growing, and the business is doing better. That’s all I needed to know.”

I exchanged a look with Nueve, who gave a small, understanding smile. “Then we’ll be leaving now.”

Alexis tried to stop me, but I smiled at him before handing myself over to Hera, darting past him quickly. He was just a beta—he couldn’t stop me.

Outside the company, I stood at the entrance and took in the familiar surroundings, inhaling deeply. When I first founded this company, it was just a small startup with a handful of employees. In just a few short years, the company had grown to this point, and Alexis’s hard work had played a huge part in it. I entrusted the company to Alexis because I believed in him. I knew his abilities could take the company even further.

As I reflected on those early days, my phone suddenly rang. Thomas’s voice came through the receiver. “Alpha, I’ve found it.”