Chapter 950 - White corp. annual meeting (2)

While Jeff was on the stage, Sarah and Aiden got a notification from Eve that the virus from JoAnna's fake phone is active.

As soon as Gavin connected his PC to the network, virus which Sarah developed and placed on JoAnna's second phone, started sending data to Eve from Gavin's computer where it was located.

Sarah instructed Eve to log the location of the device where virus is active and to copy computer files that device can access to the cloud. They will look into that later. Now they are busy with the event.

"We have the location where data from your fake phone ended up.", Sarah told JoAnna while glancing over logs that Eve created.

"The one that Jules copied?", JoAnna wanted to make sure.

Sarah confirmed. "When we get back home, we will investigate and hopefully that leads us to the person who got Jules to steal your data."

JoAnna nodded happily. She wants to know who is behind Jules. Womanizer or not, Jules never looked like someone who is strong in the brains department. There is definitely someone who is pulling the strings behind him.

...

After Jeff's speech, a rock band played two songs and then one presentation started.

Sarah and Aiden went to join their team members in the audience. They took their seats next to each other, on the invisible border between their two teams.

"Your presentation is slated for 3:45?", Marcus asked Sarah.

Sarah confirmed. "Our work is praised very much in the upper management of the company. We should celebrate. Let's pick a day next week and go for a lunch."

Lee, Harry, Marcus, and Pierre happily agreed. Everyone likes free lunch.

"Where is Alexander?", Sarah noticed his absence.

"He said that something came up. He should be here soon.", Marcus explained.

"OK. When he comes, let's pick a day. I want to make sure that the day works for everyone and we can celebrate success of our hard work." Sarah was happy that she has a reason to take her team out for a lunch. It will be her first time as a team lead to treat her team members!

"Don't forget about us.", Aiden shamelessly invited himself and his team. "We also helped."

Sarah paused before responding. "Yes. Your team helped with code reviews and suggestions… but we also helped your team more than once and we never got an invitation for a lunch."

Duncan and Arianna were stunned that Sarah responded in such a way. They are newly joined team members, unaware of the relationship between Sarah and Aiden. Two of them only know that their and Sarah's team collaborate on projects frequently and they are assuming that it's because they have similar skillsets.

Sarah's response made Aiden raise his eyebrows. He could not believe that she is retaliating! But she is right. He laughed. "OK. Going forward we will not be ungrateful. You and your team will be invited to our celebrations as well. How does that sound?"

"That sounds like you got yourself a deal.", Sarah smiled victoriously. "When we decide on a day, we will let you know, and your team is welcome to join."

While Sarah and Aiden discussed conditions for joined team lunches, Alexander arrived.

"Come, come…", Marcus hurried Alexander to take his seat. "We are having a lunch next week to celebrate success of our work. What days work for you? …"

Alexander's eyes moved over ten people who were looking at him. He didn't know that his late entry would be noticed by everyone.

"Any day works for me.", he mumbled.

They agreed on a Monday.

It was a friendly atmosphere and between chats, listening to the presentations and the entertaining shows in-between, the time passed quickly.

"Ready?", Aiden asked Sarah at 3:30 PM.

He saw her press her lips into a line while trying to suppress her nerves which were acting out.

Aiden gave her an encouraging smile. "Come. I will go with you."

Duncan and Arianna watched Aiden and Sarah walk away while holding hands. They robotically looked at Fox and Daniel, asking for an explanation.

Daniel was happy to inform them: "Those two are engaged."

"Really?", Arianna could not hide her surprise.

"Don't even think about it.", Fox warned her.

"Think about what?", Arianna asked.

"That high-pitched 'really' could come only if you are interested in our team lead.", Fox didn't try to mince words. "And I'm telling you to stop it before you even start."

Daniel supported Fox. "Those two are tight, Aiden has eyes only for her, and you have no chance no matter what you try. But if you try anything, you will lose your job."

"No way. No one loses a job over a romantic advance.", Arianna could not believe it.

Fox rolled his eyes. "Think about it. You try and he rejects you. Outcome is an awkward situation. Do you leave it at that, or you try again hoping to succeed the next time? Of course, you will try harder, and you will disrupt the work and dynamics of the team. That is a reason to lose your job."

"It's not like you would be the first one.", David added, and he saw that Arianna opened her mouth, so he stopped her right away. "Don't ask. We don't know the details other than: a female who worked in our team didn't know where to stop and she ended up losing her job."

David's words made Alexander shift in his seat uncomfortably. He didn't want to eavesdrop, but they were not secretive where talking, it was easy to hear everything.

Fox confirmed David's statement and added: "The best you can do is to focus on your task and stop any dreams you might have about our team lead."

"And you are not a match for our boss.", Marcus proudly added and looked toward the stage where Sarah was taking her place to start the presentation.

Marcus likes working in Sarah's team. Since he moved to work under her, the work is more challenging and fulfilling, and she makes sure that all his concerns are addressed. How he sees it, his boss is great, and he should stand up for her.

Arianna glanced at the rest of Sarah's team and saw that Lee, Harry and Pierre are also giving her smug looks before they turned to the stage. Sarah will start talking any moment about their work!

Arianna was super-embarrassed. How did it reach to the point that even Sarah's team thinks that she is after Aiden? She was only surprised to hear that Sarah and Aiden are engaged. OK… Aiden is hot, but she had no intentions of making a move on her team lead, alright? But if she denies it, it will just appear worse. So, she decided to keep quiet and focus on the presentation.

Unfortunately for her, she was looking at Sarah. It's obvious that she can't match that young woman on the stage. She already has her team, and accomplishments big enough to put her on that stage. And Sarah definitely receives a special treatment, why else would she be allowed to work remotely whenever she wants? And she is engaged to Aiden! Ugh! Arianna scolded herself internally. She needs to stop comparing herself to Sarah.

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