Shun let go of Alice's wrist after the latter recalled where she had seen the former. "I don't have time for—"

"Give me my bracelet back!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"That crosswalk was the only place where I could've lost my bracelet and the banquet invitation card. I bumped into you on the crosswalk, and you picked up a lot of my fallen belongings for me. Don't tell me you didn't take my bracelet and card during that time."

"You shouldn't have faced down to look at your phone to begin—"

Someone outside exclaimed, "Let's see if she's in the kitchen!"

Instinctively, Shun grabbed Alice by her wrist again and dragged her to the walk-in freezer door. "Here, you can have your tarnished bracelet back. Stop screaming, or else you'll attract more attention."

The redhead rejoiced and held her bracelet in both hands. "I thought I would never get this back... Wait—if you had the skill to swipe this off the ground when we bumped into each other, then did you steal a bunch of stuff from the guests outside?"

"Maybe..."

"Just wait until the security guards come and find—"

The pair ducked down after hearing footsteps in the kitchen. Someone exclaimed again, "I don't see anyone! I thought you said she came here!"

"We tried sending her to the restroom, but we didn't find her there, so maybe she came here."

Alice looked out after hearing the footsteps disappear. "I don't think they're after you."

"More like...they're after you," was Shun's conclusion. "I overheard some security guards discussing weird plans by the restrooms earlier, but I didn't think they're planning on kidnapping you or something."

"Speaking of restrooms, did you see or hear any arguments near the women's restroom?"

"On the first floor? No way. There was a 'wet floor' sign in front, and I saw the janitor redirected all the women to the second floor. Why do you ask?"

"Because the male security guards asked me to resolve a supposed fight in the women's restroom. If there wasn't actually a fight there, then did they trick me on purpose?"

"I think we both already know the answer—"

"There she is!" Suddenly, one of the men in black sprinted toward the walk-in freezers. Shun dragged Alice with him through the rest of the kitchen until they reached a dead end at the restaurant kitchen's loading dock doors. "I dare you to open that door! I have associates waiting for you out there as well!"

The raven-haired guest whispered to the redhead, "Give me your shawl."

"Why do you need it?"

"Just give me to me." After Alice handed over her shawl as requested, Shun threw his blazer back at her in exchange. "Hold onto that for me."

"I hope you know what you're doing."

Shun wrapped Alice's shawl over his head to cover his face as he fought back against the rowdy security guards. Soon, the kitchen was full of flying objects in no time, from as small as cooking utensils to as large as bar stools. Although he had the upper hand at first, one of the security guards took him by surprise with a pair of brass knuckles. Luckily, the raven-haired guest dodged quickly, but the security guard ended up chipping a generous chunk of a marble island counter away. These guys are definitely not legitimate security guards. If that guy was carrying brass knuckles, then what else could the others be concealing?

Alice wrapped Shun's blazer over her shoulders as debris flew everywhere. "I don't know what's going on, but please don't hurt yourself or destroy the kitchen any further."

After taking down what seemed like the last fake security guard inside the building, the raven-haired guest observed every single one of them before they regained consciousness. "You see all this that I found? Brass knuckles, hidden blades, and a white bottle of some unknown liquid. Chloroform, maybe? I don't know who you messed with, but someone definitely wanted to kidnap or kill you out of revenge."

"I just know that coworkers had to hire external security staff because the event is so big. I don't know how fake security guards could've replaced the real ones." Just as Alice was returning Shun's blazer to him, a coin purse fell out of one of the pockets. "Is that what I think it is? You can't just steal other people's belongings."

"Look, I just saved your life. Give me a break."

"Well...here's another proposal. You still need to return everything that you stole—"

"Like actually giving everything back right in front of them? No way."

"Let me finish, please. Everyone out there knows that someone stole their valuables, and we know that the security guards are fake. You're going to plant everything that you stole into their pockets, and I'm going to call the police to these guys."

Shun stared in disbelief for the longest time before replying, "After we finish that, I'll walk you outside for your own safety. Then I'm out of—"

"I never got your name."

"You still insist on reporting me?"

"No... I just want to thank you for risking your life to protect a complete stranger." The redhead held her hand out to him. "I'm Alice."

"Shun." He shook her hand gently and returned her shawl. "Let's finish whatever we need to finish before the fake security guards wake up."

After finishing their part of the plan in the kitchen, the redhead reentered the dining floor and immediately saw her younger cousin running over. "Alice, thank goodness I found you!"

"Something wrong, Chris? Oh wait, let me call the police—"

"They're already here. We just needed to find you so we could take attendance."

Alice put her shawl back on and looked around. Shun wasn't kidding when he said he would be 'out of here' after walking me outside. Then she glanced at the check-in table and saw her uncle with her second cousin. What are they doing here? Uncle Zenoheld never returned the RSVP. Hydron was never invited to begin with, and I doubt anyone brought him as a plus-one. Chris was still standing nearby and talking to other coworkers. I won't tell her about what happened in the kitchen then.

"You found your bracelet again!"

The redhead gasped after her cousin scared her. Then she stared at her shawl, in which her bracelet was stuck on. "I guess you're right. I haven't worn this dress and shawl in a long time."

"I told you that you'll find it eventually!"

And I'm lucky that I still have my bracelet with me after Shun returned it to me. I was so excited to see it again but also got distracted by the fake security guards that I didn't put it away safely. Alice clasped her bracelet back on her wrist and watched the police arrest all the fake security guards. One problem down, a whole lot more to go...

-x-x-x-x-x-

In a conference room, Runo flipped through her copy of the preliminary police report and frowned. "How exactly did we end up hiring fake security guards for the event?"

Dan rolled his swivel chair over to glance at the report. "Looks like there was some miscommunication between their management and the real security guards. But how the fake guards intercepted is beyond me and still up to the police to investigate."

"But the most different part for us to do right now is to give a reasonable explanation to all the event attendees," Alice reminded. "That comes after the police finally finish investigating, of course. I know you're all upset that the banquet was a failure—especially since this is your first time planning an event without me—but don't be. All the important company updates went smoothly as expected. We would never have thought that fake security guards somehow infiltrated the building. I'm not disappointed at any of you—"

Someone knocked on the conference doors twice and stepped inside. "Good morning! Hope I'm not interrupting."

"What are Zenoheld and Hydron doing here?" the bluenette whispered.

The redhead stood up and faced her visitors. "How may I help you two?"

"I spoke with the rest of the shareholders, and they agreed that we should have Hydron working as soon as possible so he can gain work experience, whether he stays here at Testarossa or ventures out in the future."

"Does that mean he's an intern or full-fledged employee?"

"I'm glad that you asked. Hydron will be doing non-planning work for now. Give him your easiest tasks first so that he knows how to gauge himself."

"So that means he's an intern." Alice stepped closer to her second cousin and added, "I'll give you a six-month probationary period, Hydron. In the meantime, let's have you two visit the HR office so that they can officially register Hydron into our employee directory. I'm in the middle of a meeting with my team."

"Thanks for the accommodation, Alice. Father, let's go."

After the two unwanted visitors left, the redhead locked the doors and continued her meeting. "I'm not sure what Uncle Zenoheld said to the shareholder committee, but Hydron will need a lot more than letters of recommendation to work here."

"Where will you assign him?" Chris asked. "I don't think Zenoheld understands that there are so many different departments in the company. How useful will Hydron's MBA degree even be?"

Baron raised his hand. "Is he serious when he said we're giving our simpler tasks to him to work on?"

"Can't you complain to someone that this is unfair?" the brunet ranted.

"Everyone, calm down. I don't know where to place Hydron yet, but I understand your concerns. Maybe placing him with us will be the best option, because I trust all of you and myself to keep an eye on him. However, we need to finish this meeting first. Then I'll call HR to take their time with Hydron's onboarding and not to skip or expedite anything. Fair enough?"

"I'll accept him if he can keep up," was Runo's immediate response. "But you're right. We can help with Hydron professionally, but we can't help you when it comes to personal family matters."

"That's all I needed to hear, Runo. Anyway, where did we leave off?"

"With the preliminary police report in my hand..."

The team meeting ended at noon, which meant lunch break for most of the employees. Alice left the building and wandered around the sidewalks in hopes of finding something new to eat for lunch. Maybe I should've ordered something from the dining hall instead so that I could read my reports at the same time. I honestly have no idea what direction will be headed, especially with Hydron being forcefully—

"Shouldn't a CEO like you be working instead of on the streets?"

The redhead turned around and saw a familiar, amber-eyed individual. "Shun? Right now, I'm on lunch break, which every employee should be entitled to regardless of job position. But how did you know that I hold a managerial position?"

"I saw the way you interacted with guests at the banquet and later did research on your company. You're only interim CEO, but that still makes you responsible for the whole company. Your grandfather was the previous CEO, though."

"Thanks for reminding me... Whether I become actual CEO or return to my regular job position isn't up to me. My grandfather, Michael Gehabich, started the company, but things have changed over the years. Anyway, how may I help you? I don't think you sneaked up behind me just to say 'hi'."

Shun was out of words to say, but then he saw the old bracelet on Alice's left hand. "You weren't wearing your bracelet on your wrist when you dropped and lost it on the ground the other day. Why not buy a new one?"

"Because it's irreplaceable."

"If it was that important to you, then why didn't you put it away in a safe place before crossing the street? What if someone else picked it up and either kept it for themselves or pawned it instead of returning it to you?"

"That means I'm extremely fortunate that I bumped into you out of all people, instead of anyone else. But you're right about me being careless. This is a family heirloom, and each birthstone represents different people...some of which are no longer on earth."

"Sorry...I didn't—"

"Would you be interested at working for my company?" was Alice's surprise question. "I guarantee you'll be paid appropriately within the job description."

"I'm sorry, but what do you think I am? If this is your idea of thanking me for saving your life at the banquet and returning your bracelet, then—"

"You wouldn't have to steal my bracelet and everyone else's valuables if you didn't need to."

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you still upset over that? You can stop pretending to be nice and just admit that you look down on people like me. Besides, you don't know if I have full-time obligations elsewhere."

"Part-time is fine, too."

"I don't think you understand the situation here."

"And I don't think you understand that things could be a lot worse if someone else instead of me had caught you. Anyway, I wasn't planning to skip the line and offer you a high-ranking position. I watched the way you handled the fake security guards at the banquet and thought that you would be a great receptionist." Alice checked her wristwatch and then slowly began walking down the street. "I'm on lunch break, so I don't have a business card with me. But you have a point—an interim CEO like me be working instead of walking the streets, so I'd better buy myself lunch and return to my office immediately."

As the redhead gradually walked further away, Shun subconsciously began following her and eventually entered a bakery. She sounded serious about the job offer, but why for a receptionist? I thought she would offer me something related to maintenance or security...although probably not a good idea since she pointed out what I did. Alice, on the other hand, spent a decent amount of time looking through all the sweets in display cases with much indecisiveness. "You said part-time works as well?"

"Full-time would be best, but you can tell me what works best for you."

"Is this something that you need to urgently—"

"One moment..." The redhead placed and paid for her order at the cashier before answering Shun. "I would like to fill the vacant receptionist position as soon as possible. Right now, I pulled someone from human resources to cover front desk until I find someone. Don't ask me what exactly happened or why, but retirement was the main reason for all the staff shuffles."

"Do I have to formally interview or submit paperwork?"

"For a receptionist? You don't have to. I can tell HR to expedite everything with no questions asked. It's the higher-level positions that HR is very strict on. Frankly, I would never skip the line for anyone in that case, because they need to prove that they deserve and are qualified for those positions."

"Basically, you're fine with skipping the line if the job position is entry level and encompasses a lot of repetitive tasks..."

"Being a receptionist isn't easy at all, but I think you have the patience and temperance for it." Shortly after, the cashier returned with Alice's bakery orders in two plastic bags. "My order's fulfilled, so I need to go back to work."

"Are you eating all that by yourself?!"

"Absolutely not! I'm sharing this with my team." As they exited the bakery and walked in the direction of Testarossa Electronics, the redhead continued explaining. "I was on leave, so the banquet team was planning the event without me. If it weren't for the fake security guards that came from nowhere, then everything would've been a success. I told them that this wasn't their fault and to patiently wait for the final police report. Therefore, they deserve a consolation treat."

"That's really thoughtful of you...but you really have no idea as to where the fake security guards came from?"

I already know exactly did this to me, but Shun doesn't need to know that...yet. "Technology is an extremely competitive field of work. I don't want to overthink or keep looking over my shoulder, so I just look ahead and save myself stress. Wouldn't you agree?"

"That's overly optimistic of you."

"I'm used to it." When they arrived in front of the building, Alice asked, "Can I see your phone?"

"What do you need?"

"Open the dial pad."

Shun did as asked, in which the interim CEO dialed her phone number on his phone. "Now you have my number. Also, do you have any food allergies?"

"Why do you need to know this?"

The redhead ignored the question and took out a boxed slice of strawberry matcha roll cake. "Here, have this. If you don't want or can't eat it, then at least give it to someone else instead of letting it go to waste. Food is precious."

"You seem to have a lot of experience with giving free things away."

"I do what I can. You're lucky I'm in a good mood. Anyway, we'll be in touch."

With that said, Alice returned to work. Shun looked up and saw how many floors this building had. I regret this already. I inadvertently crossed paths with the wrong person and now ended up with unwanted help.