Chapter 342 The Boss Inspects
Before this, Sterling had never made a personal appearance, and even Colin had only visited the company twice.
To most employees, Sterling was just a name in newspapers, magazines, and financial news. His arrival was like a sudden storm, leaving everyone both excited and a bit overwhelmed.
The company quickly ramped up preparations, from cleaning and organizing documents to staff dress codes and etiquette training. Every detail was meticulously attended to. Everyone wanted to present their best selves to Sterling, as earning the approval of such a business mogul was a tremendous honor and validation.
Around ten in the morning, the sun was shining brightly, and the area in front of a towering office building suddenly became unusually lively.
Two rows of uniformed personnel stood in perfect formation, their expressions solemn and their eyes exuding an undeniable authority and dedication, as if they were conducting a grand ceremony to welcome someone. It was clear to any onlooker that a significant figure was about to arrive.
Anna, a cheerful and curious girl, couldn't contain her burning curiosity. Stirring her latte with a spoon, she turned to Lily with a face full of intrigue, her eyes sparkling with inquiry.
"Lily, look over there. What's going on? This setup looks like something out of a movie, like when the president arrives!"
Lily replied, "It must be Sterling. He's the biggest name in that office building. No one else would warrant such a grand reception. Look at those people outside; they're all top executives from major financial companies, dressed to the nines and standing respectfully. They're definitely here to welcome someone important. The rest are probably just like us, drawn by the spectacle."
Hearing this, Anna quickly retreated to the kitchen, but her voice still carried a hint of probing. "Bella, it looks like Sterling is here, right across the street. He must be inspecting the company."
Bella, though pretending to be indifferent, responded with a light "hmm."
However, her body betrayed her true feelings. She unconsciously put down what she was doing and glanced out the kitchen window, her eyes instinctively drawn to the office building across the street. Her heart inexplicably raced, as if she too was anticipating something.
At that moment, a black Mercedes sedan slowly pulled up in front of the office building.
The door opened, and a man in a suit and sunglasses stepped out first. Bella immediately realized that this man was not Sterling.
He walked with a steady pace, his expression cautious, as he carefully moved to the rear of the vehicle and gently opened the back door. Bella instinctively held her breath, as if the whole world had come to a standstill.
When Sterling finally emerged from the car, Bella's hands unconsciously clenched the hem of her shirt. Her gaze was magnetically fixed on him.
Despite the wide street between them, she couldn't clearly see his face, but his figure and aura were unmistakable. She was certain it was him.
Sterling wore his signature light gray suit, perfectly tailored with smooth lines. His presence was powerful and unique, seemingly capable of overshadowing everything around him, making it impossible to ignore him.
Bella's heart raced as she followed Sterling's every step with her eyes, not wanting to miss a single detail. Deep inside, a voice kept shouting, 'Turn around, turn around, even if just for a moment, so I can feel your presence more closely and confirm that it's really you.'
However, Sterling seemed unaware of the intense gaze from afar. He walked steadily towards the office building's entrance, followed by a group of equally well-dressed assistants and bodyguards.
As Bella watched his figure gradually disappear into the building, a wave of inexplicable sadness washed over her. She forced a pale smile, tinged with helplessness, resignation, and a hint of bitterness.
"Yeah, I shouldn't hope to see him again," she silently told herself, her voice as light as a wisp of smoke carried away by the wind. She understood that their worlds were too far apart, separated not just by the wide street but by an insurmountable gap in status.
Recalling the embrace they shared on the dance floor at the bar, Bella's heart rippled with emotion. That hug had once made her believe there might be something special between them, a connection beyond the ordinary. But now, she realized it was just a fleeting illusion.
"I should just forget it," she whispered to herself, as if trying to convince herself to let go of that unrealistic fantasy.
On the company's floor, Sterling, surrounded by a group of executives, began his tour of the various departments. Dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, his steps were steady, exuding an undeniable authority and decisiveness. His eyes, behind the glasses, were deep and stern, emitting a cold and severe aura that made everyone feel an invisible pressure.
The executives followed closely, their expressions solemn, their eyes fixed on Sterling's every move, fearing any slip-up or mistake. Under Sterling's gaze, every employee appeared particularly focused and diligent, knowing that every glance and action from this business titan could be a turning point in their careers.
Sterling moved through the departments, listening intently to the executives' reports, occasionally nodding or asking questions, demonstrating his deep understanding and keen insight into the company's operations. His questions were always on point, forcing the reporting executives to re-evaluate their work to ensure every detail was perfect.
Meanwhile, Rufus was fully engrossed in his phone, his fingers flying as he placed an order for two coffees for Bella.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a familiar figure approaching.
Rufus Chapman, the clean-cut man from before, had ordered a glass of milk for Bella last time but ended up blocking her number out of nervousness.
Fortunately, he had re-added Bella's number yesterday, and she hadn't held it against him. Today, he had the perfect opportunity to order two coffees.