"Nice to see you again, Boss!" Clair beamed as she stood before Felix, her smile brightening the study.
"Pleasure's all mine, Clair," Felix replied warmly from behind his desk, mirroring her enthusiasm.
Clair had come a long way since her days managing the Morningstar Restaurant in Greevale City.
After Felix and the team relocated to the Royal Capital, she took charge of the Bridgemoor City branch.
Months into her new role, she exuded a refined confidence that spoke volumes about her capabilities.
Reports had reached Felix about her impressive management skills, she had not only maintained operations smoothly but also doubled the monthly profits!
This achievement filled him with pride.
As he observed Clair standing confidently before him, Felix couldn't help but feel satisfaction swell within him.
"System scan her talents," he instructed quietly.
In an instant, a stat window materialized before his eyes:
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Name:Clair Yearwood
Age:23
Talent:Mana Cultivation [Knight
Cultivation {1 Star}] [Management: 5 Stars].
Bloodline : None
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Felix nodded approvingly; while her cultivation talent was modest, her management prowess was exceptional.
Though she might not rival Nixie in skill, Clair was certainly above average, a perfect fit for the responsibilities he intended to assign.
"Clair, please take a seat. We need to talk," he said with a hint of gravity in his voice.
"Thank you, Boss." She smiled as she settled into the chair opposite him.
Yet beneath that smile lay a flicker of nervousness; she wondered why Felix had summoned her from Bridgemoor City.
Her life had transformed dramatically since becoming manager at Morningstar Restaurant.
The salary alone was something she'd never imagined possible, previously working as a real estate agent with meager commissions felt like another lifetime.
Now, even nobles treated her with respect, a stark contrast to how things used to be.
Gazing at Felix across the desk filled Clair with gratitude; fate indeed worked in mysterious ways.
The man who once bought property from her had now changed her entire trajectory.
Despite this newfound respect and status, she remained grounded, arrogance would only lead to downfall.
Felix gently knocked on the table, pulling Clair from her thoughts. "Let me ask you something."
"Of course! Go ahead," she replied quickly.
"Do you have any family?" His tone was light yet sincere.
Felix smiled knowingly. "Simply put, it means you'll be leading our new business venture. Don't worry; everything will become clear in time."
Though still unsure about her new role, Claire couldn't help but feel a thrill at the title itself. "CEO? That sounds pretty cool!" she murmured under her breath with a grin.
Felix opened another drawer and pulled out several books before sliding them toward Claire. "These contain all the knowledge you'll need about your position, everything from Business Management to Economics and Finance. You'll need to study these thoroughly. Every three days, I'll teach Nixie about business concepts; you're welcome to join us."
Curiosity piqued, Claire accepted the books eagerly and nodded in understanding.
"For your first task as CEO of Origin Technology," Felix continued seriously, "I want you to hire skilled blacksmiths, especially those proficient in mechanics."
Claire quickly set aside the books and focused intently on him. "How many should I hire?"
"As many as you think necessary, just ensure they're willing to work for us," he replied casually before adding with a smile, "Draft a recruitment plan for Nixie; she'll guide you through it."
"Understood," Claire affirmed earnestly.
"You have exactly seven days to complete this task," Felix said with a confident smile.
"Seven days?" Claire muttered under her breath, pausing for a moment in thought. Then she nodded resolutely. "Don't worry, Family Head. I will finish this task on time."
"Good," Felix replied, satisfaction evident in his nod.
Just then, the door swung open as Wilbert entered the study room.
"Family Head," Wilbert bowed respectfully toward Felix.
"Wilbert, please take Claire to the inner area and assign her a mansion where she'll be staying. After that, escort her to Headquarters; Nixie will handle everything else," Felix instructed.
"Understood, Family Head," Wilbert responded with another bow.
"Excellent," Felix said before turning to Claire. "Follow Wilbert; he'll show you where you'll be living and working."
"Yes, Family Head." Claire nodded, stood up, gathered her books, and followed Wilbert out of the study room.
As the door closed behind them, Felix pulled out a blank piece of paper and began drafting his plans while lost in deep thought.
"What technology should I introduce first into this world?" he pondered.
The possibilities were endless in the system shop, so many groundbreaking technologies at his fingertips!
But he knew better than to rush into things. Even something as simple as a Magic Blender could spell trouble for him.
He was all too aware of how greedy nobles and powerful figures could be; they would do anything to monopolize valuable innovations for themselves.
He wouldn't even be surprised if the Royal Family gets involved.
As the technologies in the system shop are simply amazing if introduced into this world. Although these technologies might not be much back on Earth but in this world they simply magic items.
If he dared unveil these technologies prematurely, it wouldn't just be risky, it could cost him his life.
Felix narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Looks like it's time for a serious conversation with Quill."
To ensure both his safety and that of those around him, especially since they were currently vulnerable, he needed to align himself with a powerful ally.
The Maywraith Noble Family seemed like the perfect fit; their interests might align well enough that they wouldn't feel threatened by his technological advancements since they are bound to a common interest.
While part of him wished to keep these innovations entirely for himself, reality dictated otherwise: forging partnerships was essential for survival.
With this plan solidified in his mind, Felix retrieved a blueprint from his desk and tucked it away safely in his storage ring before leaving the study room.
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