Chapter 3: Enigmatic Mr. Hauss

LILY

After a few hours, a gasp echoed through the room. I turned, and my eyes met a familiar face.

Bethany Porter.

Beth and I have been inseparable since I met her. We'd become friends right away when her mom helped her. everytime Father and Mother beat me. But seeing her auburn hair and brown eyes, which were filled with worry and relief, made my heart lurch.

"Lily!" Beth rushed to my side, her hands fluttering over me as if to confirm my honesty. "Oh God, Lily, we've been looking everywhere for you! Good thing someone found you!"

I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up. "We? Did Mother and Father..."

She quickly shook. "No, but mom knew about what the White's did, Lily! We got worried when you didn't show up at your usual hiding spot. I went to your house, but..."

Her voice trailed off when she saw my bruised arms, peeking out from under the covers.

I was about to assure her of my condition when the door opened again. Ethan stepped in and said to Beth, "I'm glad you're here. We don't know who to contact."

Beth stood, wiping her eyes. "Thank you for taking care of her, Mr. Ethan."

"You don't have to. It was our fault anyway. We didn't know who to contact, but luckily Lily woke up, and we got you informed. You don't have to worry about the expenses since they're cleared. As for Lily's stay here, you can Venmo me for the remaining payment." Ethan's gaze softened, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. He then turned to Maverick, who already seemed antsy about leaving.

With that, he returned to us and said, "I hope you're feeling better, Miss Lily."

I glanced up, meeting his gaze. "I am, thank you, Ethan." Unsure of navigating the conversation with Maverick, I added as I looked at him. "For everything."

Maverick merely nodded, a ghost smile tugging at his lips. "You've been dealt a hard hand, Miss Lily White."

I swallowed, taken aback by his bluntness. "I... Yes, I guess I have."

He didn't answer me and just signaled Ethan with his eyebrows. Comprehending that, Ethan then waved goodbye before leaving us. When they left Beth and me in the room, Maverick's words still hung in the air.

For the first time, I felt my cheeks blush from his remark. A part of me wished to meet him again in the future.

*****

MAVERICK

With the city's frantic pulse humming in the background, I found myself in the towering skyscraper of Hauss Enterprise. Outside my office window, the city sprawled like a living, breathing organism, oblivious to the uproar happening inside the boardroom.

"As we face this quarter's challenges, our focus must remain unwavering," I began, my eyes surveying the room. "We're living in a time of significant change and opportunity. The market landscape is shifting rapidly, and our competitors are becoming increasingly aggressive. We cannot afford to fall behind. Innovation must be at the core of our strategy going forward. We need to keep our market on its toes and push the boundaries of what's possible. Our customers rely on us to provide cutting-edge solutions, and we owe it to them to deliver."

My gaze then moved to James Richardson, our Creative Director, when I heard his voice. Steepling his fingers as his arms were perched on the table, he said, "Strengthening our relationships with our partners and exploring new avenues for growth would be our top goal, Maverick. In this changing business environment, collaboration will be crucial."

James nodded in agreement. "We can't overlook the importance of talent acquisition and retention. Our employees are the backbone of this organization. Let's foster an environment that rewards hard work, encourages creativity and diversity. Only by doing so can we attract and keep top talent."

Meanwhile, Harold Simmons, our CFO, shifted in his seat. “But Maverick, our competitors are gaining momentum. Shouldn't we reconsider our strategies?”

I acknowledged him with a nod, meeting his question with a steady gaze. "We set the bar, not scrambled to reach it, Simmons. Our strategies have always reflected that, and they will continue to do so.”

Silence followed my words, my declaration hanging in the air, allowing no room for contention.

With that, I turned to Rachel Marquez, our Head of HR. "By the way, Rachel, I believe it's time we bring fresh talent into our scriptwriting department. We need innovative minds to keep us at the forefront of the industry. Can you oversee the recruitment process?"

Rachel replied, "Absolutely, Mr. Hauss. I'll start putting together a job description, and we'll get the advertisements out as soon as possible. We'll find you the best new talent out there."

"Great. Update me immediately when you find candidates. Filter out the best ones who can do the job. I don't want someone who came from a fancy, ivy league, who knows nothing about the market," I reminded her as I closed the document on my table and tossed it away.

After the meeting, I found myself alone once more, left to my thoughts. The setting sun bathed my office in a golden hue, and its peaceful serenity was a sharp contrast to my inner tumult.

Just as the last rays of the sun were disappearing behind the city skyline, my secretary, Jennifer, walked into the office.

"Sir Maverick," she began, her professional tone slightly strained, "We have a situation."

 "What is it, Jennifer?" I asked, pushing my glasses to rest on the bridge of my nose.

"It's Miss Lawson," she said, referring to my secretary, "She has resigned. Effective immediately."

I paused, the unexpected news cutting through my concentration. Miss Lawson was a familiar and reliable presence with us for years. Her sudden departure left a void in the office that would be hard to fill. I knew that finding a replacement for her would not be an easy task.

"Why?" I asked, trying to keep the surprise out of my voice.

"I'm not entirely sure," Jennifer admitted. "She didn't provide a reason in her resignation letter. Just that she was grateful for the opportunities here at Hauss Corp. and that she had to leave due to personal reasons."

"Well, find a replacement quickly," I finally said, leaning back in my chair.

Jennifer hesitated, "But sir—"

"But what?" I cut her off.

She didn't argue with me and was already making a note on her tablet. "I'll post a job advertisement first thing in the morning."

"Good. And please find me a decent one!"