I no longer work at Eldoria Vanguard Industries. I drove my old, dilapidated car out and returned to working full-time as a taxi driver, after all, for the time being, I still need to earn a living.

One day, the sunlight streamed through the car window, warming my face as I prepared to accept a fare. Suddenly, my phone rang, and a familiar name appeared on the screen—Sophie. My heart tightened involuntarily, and I hesitated for a moment before pressing the answer button.

"Where are you?" Sophie's voice was as sharp and authoritative as always, carrying an undeniable air of command.

"I was just about to tell you—I quit. You can find another assistant," I said, trying to sound calm, though the anxiety in my heart was impossible to hide.

"Come back, I need to tell you something," she replied, her tone carrying a mysterious undertone, as though she had some important news to share.

"What's it about? Can't you say it over the phone?" I muttered to myself. Sophie had always been direct, so why was she being so secretive today?

"No, you have to come. Unless you're afraid to see me?" Her voice took on a hint of provocation, as if testing my boundaries.

"It's not that. I was just thinking, if I go to the company, I'll have to pay for gas." I tried to lighten the mood with a joke, though my mind was already calculating the cost of the fuel for the trip.

"Ugh, Ryan, your small-mindedness! I'll pay for the gas, just come. I have something good to tell you." She interrupted me without a second thought, her tone laced with impatience.

"What good thing?" Her words piqued my curiosity, though I was hesitant to trust her completely.

"Just come, and I'll tell you when you get here," she said, her voice softening as if coaxing a child.

"Sophie, I feel like you're trying to tempt me with a lollipop." I couldn't help but laugh, but deep down, I remained baffled. What could be so important that it had to be discussed in person?

"Anyway, you're coming whether you like it or not. If you don't, I'll tell Elena and your mother about us." Her voice suddenly became serious, as if sealing an inevitable fate.

"Fine, I'll come," I sighed helplessly, ending the call and starting the car, heading towards the company.

As I drove, my mind was filled with all sorts of speculations. What could Sophie possibly want to tell me? Why did she insist on me coming to the company? Her voice had sounded urgent on the phone, yet mysterious, making it impossible for me to refuse.

When I pulled into the company parking lot, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I opened the car door and looked up at the company building, wondering to myself, "What could it be?" I walked into the company, through the corridor, and arrived at the door to Sophie's office. The door was slightly ajar, and I gently knocked before pushing it open.

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Sophie was sitting behind her computer. As soon as she saw me, she stood up, a faint smile on her face. She walked over, took my hand, and teased, "I really thought you weren't going to come."

I felt a little uneasy, scratching my head, thinking about her usual aloof demeanor, and couldn't help but laugh, "You said it so harshly, how could I not come?"

She raised an eyebrow, pulling me to sit on the sofa. As I sat next to her, a ripple of emotion stirred in my heart. A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes. "So, it's really because of what I said, and not because you can't bear to part with me?"

I felt a bit awkward, but I tried to remain casual, "Sophie, I think I'm more used to your usual cool demeanor."

She immediately stiffened her face, her tone icy as she spoke, "Ryan, you've been given a chance, yet you still refuse it."

I couldn't help but chuckle, "Yes, that's exactly how it is."

She smiled as well, clearly pretending, though it resembled her usual self. She gazed at me with an air of mystery, asking, "Can you guess why I asked you to come?"

I looked at her, bewildered, shaking my head. "How could I possibly guess?"

She deliberately withheld the answer, "Just take a guess!"

I sighed in resignation, testing the waters, "Did you pay me my salary?"

She pursed her lips, clearly displeased. "Not yet, it's not time!"

I continued guessing, "Did you reimburse my gas expenses?"

She rolled her eyes, "Look at your narrow scope."

I raised my hands in surrender, "I really can't guess."

A glimmer of anticipation flickered in her eyes, and her tone softened, "It's something wonderful for you!"

My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn't resist asking, "What's this good thing? Tell me."

With a smile, she responded, "I want you to manage Eldoria Vanguard Industries, and I'll give you 30% of the shares."

I froze, stunned by her words, and after a long pause, I waved my hands in refusal. "This isn't possible, this is your company with the shareholders, I can't accept this."

She gently patted my shoulder and said softly, "You fool, what I'm offering you is a share that I've carved out for myself."

I hesitated, still unsure. "But that's your money."

She looked at me seriously, her eyes filled with determination. "Ryan, do you know how I started Vanguard Industries? Would you like to hear?"

I shook my head, my curiosity now thoroughly awakened. "I really don't know. Please, tell me."

She took a deep breath, her gaze seeming to reflect flickers of past memories. "A few years ago, just after I graduated from university, full of passion and dreams, I came to Virelia. Back then, I thought this city was paved with gold. But reality gave me a hard slap. The city's glamour and my dreams seemed separated by an insurmountable chasm."

I listened quietly, a pang of sympathy stirring within me, and I instinctively squeezed her hand. She seemed to sense my empathy and squeezed my hand in return, continuing, "Back then, I knew nothing, so I started by going door to door. I worked long hours, in rain or shine, and it took me a year to build some business connections. Those days were really tough."

Her voice caught slightly, and I could feel the emotions beneath her words. She looked at me with a gaze full of resolve. "That year, I didn't work for money, I worked for connections. Even though it was exhausting, I forged many relationships that laid the foundation for the future."

Her eyes deepened with the weight of the past, as though reliving those difficult times. She continued, "The second year, I decided to start my own business. At first, I didn't even have a desk, so I met clients in cafes. Before each meeting, I would stand in front of the mirror, checking my appearance over and over, making sure I looked professional enough. Yet, even with all that, sometimes clients would look at me with disdain, or outright reject my proposals."