Chapter 97
Since she was already imposing, Aubree clenched her teeth, figuring she might as well be a hands-off boss with the competition coming up. After all, the company was giving Bowen shares; he couldn’t just collect dividends without contributing. She laid out her requirements, then added, "Mr. Malone, could you also see if there are any talented candidates from your company who didn’t make the cut? I’d appreciate any referrals."
The Turner Group was currently hiring.
Kelvin wrote, "I’ll check with HR later." As Bowen’s right-hand man, he understood better than the other assistants just how important this girl was to the boss.
Kelvin didn’t underestimate Aubree in the slightest due to her youth. ‘How could someone who comes up with such brilliant ideas and achieves so much at her age ever be just some small fry?’ he thought admiringly.
With Kelvin handling recruitment, Aubree was relieved and left it to him. Even those rejected by the Turner Group were still exceptional talents in her eyes.
The first step was to launch Playzy. Once it was up and running, she’d have her esports team members stream games and engage with fans on the platform. With the champion effect of her players, she wouldn’t need much promotion; fans would naturally be drawn in.
‘If we can win another championship at the League of Legends Annual Finals, it’ll be a huge boost for both the esports club and Bree Technology’s growth,’ she thought.
The esports club’s base should be nearly ready by now. Golden Industrial Park was clear who their clients would be. Every detail of the initial interior was designed with esports clubs in mind, so the place was essentially turnkey. They just needed to set up their own computers and equipment in the training area.
Aubree had already hired professionals to set up the computers and fitness area after leasing the space. Now she planned to inspect the place. She thought, ‘If everything checks out, I’ll let Hector and the others know to move in.’
At the hospital.
Emery groggily opened his eyes. His vision swam with double images, taking a while to clear. The sharp, sterile scent of antiseptic stung his nose, making it painfully obvious he was in a hospital.
‘Am I running a fever? Did Aubree bring me to the hospital?’ Emery wondered, hope flickering in his chest. The mere possibility made him tremble with joy. He thought, ‘Does Aubree still care about me?’
Carmen walked in right after, instantly dashing his fragile hope. She cooed with saccharine concern, “Emery, feeling any better? Honestly, how could you be so careless? Running a fever and passing out in public! Thank goodness one of Daxton’s colleagues lives in that neighborhood, recognized you, and called him. That’s how you ended up here in the hospital.”
Daxton followed right behind her.
‘So it wasn’t Aubree after all…’ Emery thought, his heart sinking.
His eyes glazed over for a moment, a cold, stabbing pain filling his chest, and he could barely breathe. He thought, ‘Does she really not care about me at all anymore?’
Carmen’s words of comfort continued, but Emery was already tuning her out.
From the moment Carmen walked in, Emery seemed dazed and distant; his first words were practically shooing them away, “I need to rest. Please leave.”
Carmen immediately put on a wronged look and, in a soft voice, said, “Emery, did I say something wrong again? Are you upset with me?”
“No, I’m just tired.” Emery’s dismissive attitude made Carmen seethe internally. She was practically itching to scream at him, “What’s so great about Aubree anyway? She doesn’t even care if you live or die, yet you’re still hung up on her!”
Daxton frowned at Carmen’s chagrined expression. “Don’t you dare mistake kindness for weakness, Emery! Carmen made an effort to make you soup after learning you were hospitalized with a fever!”
Emery’s gaze shifted to the food container in Carmen’s hands. A mocking smile curled his lips.
‘Please. Carmen cooking? She couldn’t even boil water if her life depended on it,’ Emery thought with a silent sneer.
Emery had no intention of continuing the conversation. He simply turned his head away, shutting them out completely.
Daxton was so furious he nearly yanked Emery up to punch him, but Carmen quickly grabbed his arm, maintaining her sweet facade. “Daxton, Emery must be exhausted. Let’s leave him to rest,” she cooed.
“Suit yourself!”
Daxton knew exactly why Emery had collapsed in that residential area. He sneered inwardly, ‘You treat Aubree like she’s everything, but she couldn’t care less about you.’