C38 The Overseas Assignment

A few dramatic employees even whispered that the company was facing a lawsuit.

By the time the workday was nearing its end, the entire office was buzzing with speculation. Then the door opened. Team Manager Josh entered the department.

The moment everyone saw him, they immediately became quiet. Josh normally carried himself with a relaxed attitude, but today there was a visible excitement hidden beneath his calm expression.

He walked to the front of the office. "Everyone, may I have your attention?" Immediately all conversations stopped. Josh nodded. "I have just received confirmation from the executive board regarding yesterday's meeting."

The room became silent. "A group of four employees will be sent overseas to assist one of our international partners." Several people exchanged surprised looks.

Josh continued. "The security system our team developed has shown a number of weaknesses. While the issues are not critical yet, our partners are concerned that if they remain unresolved, sensitive data could be exposed."

His expression became serious. "This is a high-priority project and will directly affect the company's reputation." The room became even quieter.

Then Josh unfolded a paper. "The selected team members are Sophia Guzman, Bright Gomez, Alex Taylor..." He paused. "...and Michael Smith." For a second, I thought I had heard wrong. Me?

The entire office looked shocked. Even Bright and Alex stared at me. Then someone immediately raised a hand. "Team Manager, Michael is still an intern." Another employee quickly agreed.

"Shouldn't experienced staff handle something this important?" "Yes." "This project sounds risky." "Why send a junior employee?" The complaints quickly spread. I remained silent. Honestly, I had been asking myself the same question. Why me?

Josh waited for everyone to finish talking. Then he folded his arms. "The same junior employee solved the spyware crisis two weeks ago." Silence. "The same junior employee identified a threat that experienced staff failed to detect."

More silence. Josh's gaze swept across the room. "If any of you think you're more qualified, then tell me why none of you found it first." Nobody spoke. Not a single person. The room instantly became quiet. Satisfied, Josh nodded. "The decision has already been approved."

Then he smiled. "So stop complaining and start congratulating your colleague." Laughter immediately spread through the office. A few people reluctantly applauded. Others shook their heads. "Nerd got lucky again." "I knew it." "The company really loves him." I could only laugh awkwardly.

At the same time, similar meetings were happening throughout the company. In the Information Systems Department, Alicia had also been selected. Unlike my department, nobody questioned the decision.

Although she was also an intern, everyone knew how capable she was. Her performance had been exceptional. And whether people admitted it or not, nobody wanted to openly challenge the daughter of the Minister of Police.

Meanwhile, over in Business Administration, Christopher Chambers had also been selected. When his name was announced, even he looked shocked. But after recovering, he became excited.

Then another thought entered his mind. If Mike was selected... And Alicia was selected... Then perhaps all three of them would be going together. That thought alone made him grin.

When work finally ended, I began packing my desk. A few moments later, a familiar voice reached my ears. "Brother." I looked up. Alicia was standing there. Her beautiful face was glowing with excitement. Her smile was brighter than usual.

Several employees secretly watched her. Some openly stared. But Alicia ignored them completely. I stood up. We walked outside together. The moment we were alone, I laughed. "If being selected makes you this happy, what will happen when they offer you a permanent position?" Alicia blinked.

Then her eyes widened. "How do you know?" I laughed harder. "Because you're smiling like someone who just won the lottery." Before she could respond, we spotted Chris waiting near the entrance.

The moment he saw us, he waved. "What do you know?" I pointed at Alicia. "She was selected." Chris froze. "You too?" Then both of them turned toward me. "What about you?" I couldn't hide my smile. "I was selected as well."

For a moment, silence fell. Then all three of us burst into laughter. "So we're all going." "Looks like it." "This is unbelievable." The excitement on our faces was impossible to hide. Then Chris suddenly remembered something. "Wait." "The picnic." I laughed. "What about it?"

Chris folded his arms. "The picnic stays." Alicia nodded immediately. "Of course it stays." She pointed at me. "The overseas trip is after tomorrow." Then she pointed at herself. "The picnic is tomorrow." Finally she crossed her arms proudly. "And since I'm the planner, none of you are allowed to complain."

Chris laughed. "We're already worried." I nodded. "Very worried." Alicia narrowed her eyes. "You two are impossible." The three of us continued laughing all the way home.

That evening, I informed my parents about the overseas assignment. To my surprise, they were happy. Very happy. Until they realized the trip was overseas. Mary's smile immediately disappeared. "Overseas?" I nodded.

Her expression became worried. "Son, overseas isn't a small thing." "What about expenses?" "What about accommodation?" "What if something happens?"

Before I could answer, Dad spoke. "If the company is sending him, won't they cover everything?" I nodded. "That's what they said." Only then did both of them relax. Dad smiled. "All Three of you are selected, the unhappy person should be Ben." Immediately we all burst into laughter.

At the Chambers household, Chris received a different reaction. David supported the idea immediately. Valeria did not. "There are accidents everywhere these days." "What if something happens?" "What if the food makes you sick?" "What if" "Mom." Chris laughed. "I'm not moving to another planet."

Eventually David convinced her. "Our son is growing up." Reluctantly, she agreed. Meanwhile, at the Mooney Mansion... Chaos had erupted.

The moment Alicia announced she was going overseas, her father exploded. "No." "Absolutely not." "Impossible." Alicia blinked. "Why?" Mark looked horrified. "Why?" "You're asking why?" "What if something happens?" "What if someone targets you?" "What if those two troublemakers drag you into danger?"

Alicia stared. "Those two troublemakers have names." Mark ignored her completely. "No." "Final answer." Seeing her father refuse, Alicia immediately switched targets. She ran to her grandmother. Unfortunately, nobody seemed willing to help.

Finally she stood before her grandfather, Peter. "Grandpa." Peter smiled. "Yes?" "It's not like I'm going alone." She pointed proudly. "Mike and Chris are going too." Peter laughed. His expression softened. "My granddaughter wants to see the world."

He looked toward Mark. "Let her go." The room became silent. Alicia froze. Then jumped into the air. "Grandpa!" Before anyone could change their minds, she hugged him tightly.

Mark and Georgia exchanged helpless looks. Once Peter made a decision, nobody could change it. For the rest of the evening, Alicia's smile never disappeared. Tomorrow would be the picnic. And after that... Their first trip overseas together.