C147 GoodByes

After Alicia and I left the meeting room, the cheerful atmosphere inside immediately disappeared. The conference room became completely silent. Kelvin slowly looked around at every shareholder and board member before his sharp gaze finally landed on Sarah, who was now sitting in the Director's seat.

His expression was no longer gentle. It was the expression of the man who had built Wood IT Company from nothing. He folded his hands together. "Colleagues..." "I've heard that some of you opposed my daughter becoming Director." Nobody dared to answer. The room became so quiet that even the sound of someone breathing felt loud. Kelvin continued calmly, "Tell me..." "Why would anyone want to challenge my decision?"

His voice remained steady, yet every word carried pressure. "Have you all forgotten how this company was built?" He paused before asking another question. "Or..." "Are you simply tired of being part of Wood IT Company?" Several shareholders lowered their heads immediately. No one spoke. The Kelvin sitting before them was completely different from the smiling man who had laughed moments earlier. One careless sentence... Could cost someone their shares.

Seeing everyone's silence, Kelvin nodded slowly. "Good." "I expected as much." He turned toward Sarah. "My daughter may be young..." "But I trust her more than anyone sitting in this room." His eyes swept across everyone once again. "I will not tolerate anyone disrespecting her." "So let me make this clear." He stood up. "From today onwards..." "I officially appoint Sarah Wood as the new Director of Wood IT Company."

Sarah looked at him in surprise. "Dad..." Kelvin smiled gently. "I'll remain by your side for a few weeks." "I'll teach you everything you need to know." "But after that..." "This company will be yours to lead." Sarah slowly nodded. "I won't disappoint you." Several people immediately responded, "We understand, Director." Even Samantha nodded in agreement.

Only then did Kelvin smile. "Very well." He looked at Sarah again. "Director Sarah." "In front of everyone here..." "I'll give you your very first assignment." Everyone immediately became attentive. Kelvin continued, "The project Mr. Smith and Miss Mooney have just completed is one of the finest systems this company has ever produced." "Many companies have already shown interest in purchasing it.""I'll personally release a short demonstration video introducing the system."

He looked proudly at his daughter. "After that..." "You'll decide which company deserves to buy it." Several board members instinctively widened their eyes. Kelvin immediately noticed. His expression darkened again. "This..." He pointed toward them. "This is exactly what I dislike." "Every expression on your faces tells me you're still doubting my daughter." Embarrassed, everyone quickly lowered their heads. No one dared to speak. A few minutes later... The meeting finally came to an end.

Alicia and I had returned to my office. The moment we walked in, I quietly opened my drawer and began packing my belongings into a cardboard box. Several notebooks. Family photographs. Awards. Coffee mugs. Alicia silently helped me. Every now and then... She would smile to herself. I noticed. "What's making you smile?" She quickly shook her head. "Nothing."

I laughed. "Really?" She avoided my eyes. "It's just..." She looked around the office. "It still feels unreal." I smiled. "What does?" She looked directly at me. "We're really leaving." "We're really getting engaged today." Her cheeks slowly turned pink. I couldn't help teasing her. "What?" "You need another kiss before you believe it's real?" Her face instantly turned bright red. She lightly punched my arm. "Don't start." "We still have to buy your ring."

I laughed. "Yes, Director." She rolled her eyes. "You'll never stop teasing me." "Never." After packing everything... We carried the box outside my office. Just as we reached the office... Two familiar figures approached us. Alex. And Bright. Alex spoke first. "Nerd..." "So you're really leaving." For the first time since we'd met... His cheerful personality disappeared. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Who's going to solve all the impossible programming problems now?" "What if someone hacks our systems again?"

I chuckled. "You've learned enough." "You'll handle it." Alex forced a smile. "I'll try." Beside him... Bright remained unusually quiet. His head stayed lowered. After several seconds... He finally spoke. "Nerd..." "I'm sorry." Before I could answer... Alicia crossed her arms. "Oh?" "What exactly are you apologising for?"

Bright looked embarrassed. "You remember the picture I secretly took of you and Laura?" I nodded. "I remember." He sighed deeply. "After it spread online..." "Team Leader found out it was me." "He threatened to have me arrested for defamation and invading Laura's privacy." "My parents became terrified." "They apologised on my behalf." He swallowed nervously. "Then Vice Director Ben proposed something." "He offered a partnership between Wood IT and Nava Blaze Jewellery..." "...if I agreed to marry Laura." "I didn't want to betray you." "But..." "I had no choice."

Silence filled the office. Alicia looked at him for several seconds. Then she nodded. "Fine." "My husband forgives you." Bright looked at me. I simply smiled. "I've already moved on." Relief immediately appeared on his face. "Thank you." Alicia smiled proudly. Sometimes... She really was more stubborn than I was. But her heart... Was incredibly kind.

After leaving my office... We walked toward Alicia's department. This time... It was her turn to pack. The moment we entered... Every employee immediately stood up. "Good morning, Miss Mooney." I looked at Alicia in surprise. Everyone's attitude toward her was completely changed. One after another... They walked over. "Mr. Smith." "Miss Mooney." "Congratulations on your engagement." "We wish both of you happiness." "We'll miss working with you." Alicia smiled warmly. "Thank you, everyone."

One young employee nervously raised her hand. "Miss Mooney..." "If we ever want to work at Lucia Goods..." "May we submit our résumés to you?" The office immediately burst into laughter. Alicia laughed too. "So you want Wood IT to accuse me of stealing its employees?" The young woman quickly waved her hands. "No..." "I didn't mean it like that."bAlicia smiled. "I know." "But thank you." "And yes..." "You're a hardworking employee."

The young woman's face immediately turned red. "...You think I'm hardworking?" "Thank you, Miss Mooney." Everyone laughed again. The atmosphere became much lighter.

Soon... We finished packing the last of Alicia's belongings. She looked around her office one final time. "This place..." "I'll miss it." I gently held her hand. "Every ending..." "Creates a new beginning." She smiled. "I suppose you're right."

Before leaving the company... There was still one person we couldn't leave without saying goodbye to. Chris. We walked into his department. Everyone immediately became quiet. Chris was inside his office reviewing documents. Noticing the sudden silence... He looked up. The moment he saw us carrying boxes... His smile slowly disappeared. He stood up immediately.

Alicia walked over first. Without saying anything... She hugged him tightly. "Brother..." "We're leaving today." "Don't get lonely." Chris smiled sadly. "You two..." "You really planned this together." He then hugged me. Neither of us spoke for several seconds. Finally... I gently patted his shoulder. "Brother..." "This isn't goodbye." "It's just a different road." He forced a smile. "I know..." "But why does it have to be both of you leaving at the same time?"

I understood exactly how he felt. For years... We have been side by side. Now everything was changing. I smiled. "Big changes are coming." "You just need to support your girlfriend." "Don't let anyone bully her." Several colleagues immediately looked toward Chris. Chris noticed them staring. "What?" He laughed awkwardly. "I told all of you already." "I have a girlfriend." "And she's beautiful."

The entire department burst into laughter. The sadness eased a little. I smiled. "We'll miss you, brother." Chris helped us carry our boxes all the way to Alicia's car. After placing them inside... He suddenly looked confused. "Brother..." "What did you mean when you said big changes are coming?" Before I could answer... Alicia smiled mischievously. "Your girlfriend isn't the Interim Director anymore."

Chris blinked. "What?" "Mr. Wood officially appointed her as the permanent Director of Wood IT." Chris stood frozen. "My girlfriend..." "...is officially my boss?" I laughed. "Looks like you'll have to work even harder now." Chris rubbed his forehead dramatically. "My life just became complicated." The three of us laughed together.

Then Chris became serious again. He looked at me. "Brother..." "Promise me something." I nodded. "What is it?" "From now on..." "Every weekend..." "We spend time together." "If we can't work together anymore..." "At least let us remain brothers outside work." I smiled without hesitation. "That's a promise."

He finally looked toward Alicia. "Younger Sister..." He paused before smiling. "No..." "My future sister-in-law." "Please look after my brother." "You know how fragile he is." Alicia's eyes immediately became watery. She hugged Chris one last time. "Don't worry, Brother." "We're family now." "We'll visit often." "And..." She smiled through her tears.

"I'll take good care of him." For a brief moment... None of us wanted to let go.