I'm Afraid I Won't Be Able to Leave

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Do You Need to Call a Doctor?

Leah Sinclair stood up nervously, almost calling him ”Third Brother” by habit. ”...President Keating, I’m currently responsible for organizing the project documentation. I joined Aevon because the Aevon Group is a leader in the industry. I hope to learn a great deal here and become a qualified architect as soon as possible.”

”And what do you think of Aevon now that you’re here?” Asher Keating asked with a smile.

”Everyone at Aevon is incredibly talented. I still have a lot to learn.”

’Leah Sinclair meant every word of that. School and work really were completely different. She had earned excellent grades in school, but it wasn’t until she joined Aevon that she truly understood the saying, ”There is always someone better.” ’

’Zion Sawyer and Todd Coleman might love to gossip and seem unreliable, but when it came to their work, they were both brilliant in their own right.’

It was a perfectly standard answer, so naturally, Asher Keating didn’t press her. He motioned for her to sit down and continued, ”I’ve been brought up to speed on the New City project. Manager Langdon, I’ll need you to keep a close eye on the remaining work. We’re in the final stages, and I don’t want any issues cropping up now.”

His tone was mild, but Chester Hughes and Mr. Langdon’s hearts sank.

Midway through the New City project, an accident had occurred. A worker had made a mistake, fallen from a high floor, and been seriously injured. The incident was hushed up at the time.

Although it was the worker’s own mistake, the Aevon Group still paid a large sum in compensation. It was, after all, a serious workplace accident, and it caused significant delays. Otherwise, the project might have been completed and signed off on before Leah Sinclair had even joined.

”Of course, of course. You can rest assured, President Keating.”

Chester Hughes chimed in hurriedly. He had a feeling this new, seemingly amiable president was not someone to be easily fooled. He’d heard from people at the main group that Asher Keating hadn’t been very involved in the Keating’s business ventures in the past.

The old Mr. Keating had only two sons: the elder, Timothy Keating, and the younger, Theodore Keating. In the past, four-fifths of the Keating’s holdings were with the elder branch of the family, Timothy’s side. Theodore, by contrast, had a milder temperament and was more easily satisfied.

But supposedly, an incident two years ago turned the brothers into bitter enemies. Things got so bad that even the old Mr. Keating, who hadn’t been involved in the business for a long time, had to intervene. Outsiders never learned what exactly happened; the old Mr. Keating kept the matter under tight wraps.

After that, however, Asher Keating slowly began to make a name for himself. In just two years, he managed to grow Theodore Keating’s slice of the family enterprise from one-fifth to a full third, and it was still growing.

Now he’d even gotten his hands on a company as important as the Aevon Group. Many were saying that in less than a year, Theodore Keating would be on equal footing with Timothy Keating.

Asher Keating finished speaking and glanced at the time. It was lunchtime, so he dismissed the meeting. When only he and Sean Yates remained in the conference room, he lit a cigarette and took slow drags.

’He had meetings with several other project departments in the afternoon. He wasn’t in a rush to size everyone up in a day. He never cared about speed; speed led to mistakes. What he wanted was a single, decisive blow.’

”What should we do for lunch, President Keating?” Sean Yates asked, closing his laptop.

”Have you ever eaten in the Aevon cafeteria?” Asher Keating asked slowly, his voice drifting through the smoke.

”No, this is my first time here as well.” Sean Yates was puzzled by the sudden question.

”Come on, then. Let’s go see what the food at the Aevon cafeteria is like.”

The Aevon Group’s cafeteria was on the twelfth floor. Because the company had so many employees, the entire twelfth floor was designated as the dining area. It was peak lunchtime, and the cafeteria was crowded.

Leah Sinclair, Zion Sawyer, and Todd Coleman had just come down as well. Todd Coleman had waited for the two women, so he was a little late, and he spent the whole time pestering them about what was said in the meeting.

Zion Sawyer gave him a brief summary. Todd Coleman had followed this project pretty much from start to finish, so he was already very familiar with it.

”That doesn’t sound like much,” Todd Coleman remarked, puzzled. ”So the new president really just wants to learn about the various departments and the projects we’re on?” He had been expecting some fireworks, at least.

”He just got here, so of course he has to feel things out first. But really, President Keating is sooooo handsome!!!”

Zion Sawyer began to swoon. ”When he was just sitting there, not saying anything, he looked so cool and handsome. Wow, with a president this good-looking, I actually feel motivated to come to work.”

”Pfft. And who was it that used to say wearing makeup to work is a waste of makeup?” Todd Coleman rolled his eyes at her.

”That’s because it’s a waste *on you guys*!”

Zion Sawyer and Todd Coleman continued to bicker. Meanwhile, people from other departments came by, fishing for information, but Zion Sawyer deftly brushed them off. On this front, she was very cautious, sharing only what was permissible and not revealing a single word of what wasn’t—though it wasn’t as if there was much to reveal.

”By the way, Leah, what’s wrong?” Zion Sawyer asked, nudging Leah Sinclair, who was just poking at her food. ”You’re eating so little today. You weren’t scared by President Keating earlier, were you? Don’t worry about it. You’re new, just take your time.”

”It’s nothing, I’m just... not very hungry.” Leah Sinclair sighed.

The cafeteria fell silent for a few seconds when Asher Keating entered with Sean Yates. The trio looked over curiously. Asher Keating walked straight toward the serving line without a sideways glance, Sean Yates following him. Sean Yates picked up a tray for him as Asher Keating glanced at the dishes behind the glass.

The selection wasn’t bad; there were meat and vegetable dishes, as well as soup, offering plenty of choices. He told Sean Yates to just grab a couple of things and then glanced around for an empty table.

”Wow! President Keating is actually eating here? He’s so down-to-earth!” Zion Sawyer exclaimed. Seeing him looking for a place to sit, she waved enthusiastically. ”President Keating! President Keating, there’s a spot over here!”

Asher Keating looked over and saw the empty table next to theirs. He said a word to Sean Yates, then walked over and casually sat down in the empty spot next to Leah Sinclair. Her grip on her chopsticks tightened.

”President Keating, what brings you here for lunch?” Zion Sawyer chattered excitedly. ”Don’t presidents usually have special arrangements?”

”It’s my first day. Just getting familiar with things.”

Asher Keating offered a faint smile, dazzling Zion Sawyer for a moment. He then noticed that Leah Sinclair’s food was largely untouched and asked, ”Is the food not good? You’ve barely eaten anything.”

Leah Sinclair quickly replied, ”No, it’s delicious. It’s just... my stomach is a little upset today.”

”Then should I take you to see a doctor?” Asher Keating asked, a teasing look on his face.

”...No, that’s not necessary. I have medicine.” Leah Sinclair was so taken aback she was nearly speechless. Unable to stop herself, she kicked him under the table.