“Yes,” the person who had called Reba earlier replied. “Every year, the first ce at the annual party gets 5,000 dors, second ce 3,000, third 1,500, and everyone else gets 50 for participation. The 10th anniversary celebration should be more generous than regr annual parties.”


    Someone added, “Our department always gets 50–dor participation money every year.”


    “Exactly, and Jane always ims it,” another said.


    Reba instinctively looked at Jane before asking, “What did our department perform at previous annual parties?”


    Everyone gave a polite cough and stayed quiet, making Reba confused.


    Jane, who’d been scrolling through the group chat, froze. Just as Reba thought she wouldn’t get an answer, Jane said, “A dramatic reading of the employee handbook.”


    Someone said, “Exactly.”


    Reba praised Jane earnestly. “That’s impressive. Most people won’t touch that one. Jane, you’re fearless<b>.” </b>Someone shot her a thumbs–up, thinking, ‘I never knew Reba was the undisputed queen of ttery!


    Reba looked puzzled. She genuinely believed reading the handbook on stage took guts. Back in school, every ss had to put on a skit for the talent show, and her ss always bombed with the handbook–reading bit. Ever since, she’d kept her distance from it.


    “It was the department’s only option since each department had to perform,” Jane finally spoke, her tone gentle. “If you’ve got another talent, you can sign up.”


    “Holy crap! First prize is 30 thousand,” the colleague to Reba’s left eximed. “They’re going all out for the 10th anniversary?”


    Reba nced over and noticed Jason’s secretary had sent new messages in the group chat.


    First prize was 30 thousand, second 15 thousand, and third 5,000. The participation award was 50 dors per person for groups of five or fewer, or 300 dors per department forrger groups.


    Truthfully, Reba felt tempted. After bing a wage earner, she’d realized the true value of money.


    “Reba, can you pull this off?” Lisa Lambert, the girl to Reba’s left, looked starry–eyed, “30 thousand… Damn, I should’ve learned a skill afterst year’s party.”


    The others began to chatter about the new messages, too. “Ugh, Department A’s gonna profit again.”


    “Whatever. Whoever wins on Wednesday night, we can just throw a hoodie over their head and rough them up in the parking lot.”


    “Count me in!”


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    Amid the chatter, Andrea arrived. She’d overheard their discussion from afar, knowing everyone was waiting for Reba’s response.


    So she said, “Reba, didn’t you win several national awards in ssical dance? Why not sign up?”


    All eyes


    turned to Reba. After working together with her for those past few days, they found her humble, polite, and easy to work with. The news reignited their hopes.


    All they wanted was to redeem their department’s past failures.


    “The big shot is right beside us all along.”


    “Reba, you’re our department’s hope.”


    “You should try,” Jane chimed in.


    Under their collective gaze, Reba felt workce camaraderie for the first time. “I’ll decide my performance piece tonight and let you know tomorrow.”


    Everyone agreed. After the chat wrapped up, Lisa turned to Andrea with gossipy curiosity. “Andrea, can I ask you something confidential?”


    “Of course,” Andrea smiled, moving closer.


    Lisa whispered, “Is Mr. Hanson participating?”


    At that, Reba’s figure froze almost imperceptibly.


    Andrea caught that out of the corner of her eye. As Jeffrey had instructed her, she said, “Probably not. Mr. Smith called him this morning, and he refused.”


    Lisa wasn’t surprised. As the CEO of the Hanson Group, Jeffrey only attended the parentpany’s annual parties, never participating in or interfering with other listed subsidiaries.


    Primey Technologies couldn’t evenpare to some of those subsidiaries, so it was normal that he refused to attend the anniversary celebration.


    “However…<i>” </i>Andrea instinctively nced at Reba as she spoke.


    Lisa pressed, “What?”


    “If Reba invited him, Mr. Hanson would probably go,” Andrea said, her tone tinged with implication. “Lately, he kept asking me about her project progress and seems quite concerned.”


    Everyone’s eyes sparkled with gossip. Even Jane nced over.


    “There’s a misunderstanding, Andrea,” Reba replied calmly. “Mr. Hanson inquired because Mr. Taylor assigned detailed tasks before my onboarding, assessing if I could keep pace. After Mr. Taylor mentioned the business trip in the group chat, he privately informed me Mr. Hanson would oversee evaluations.”


    Her exnation shifted the team’s gaze toward Andrea. What should’ve been routine work matters suddenly


    carried ufortable implications from Andrea’s phrasing.


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    “I see.” Andrea didn’t expect Reba to catch on so quickly. She smiled and added, “I thought your school days wish hade true.”


    Reba was speechless as she thought, ‘What’s this weirdo trying to pull?‘


    “What wish?” someone asked.


    “Nothing special. Just to work at the Hanson Group and earn Mr. Hanson’s recognition,” Andrea casually replied, sounding utterly sincere.


    Others nced at Reba, sensing juicy gossip.


    Reba gave Andrea a passing nce without uttering a single word of exnation.


    But her subtle look spoke volumes–the kind that even socially oblivious people would recognize as “can’t be bothered with this psycho.”


    “Finalize your performance n and inform me by Monday for approval.” Sensing the mood shifting, Andrea changed topics smoothly, switching the conversation back to business.


    Lisa, who was always agreeable, responded, “Will do.”


    After Andrea left, curiosity buzzed in the air. Everyone sensed unresolved drama between her and Reba, though cracking the particr nut seemed nearly impossible.


    “Reba,” Lisa leaned in and whispered.


    Reba’s voice lifted slightly. “What?”


    With a gossipy look, Lisa said, “You knew Mr. Hanson back in school?”


    “I didn’t,” Reba told the truth.


    Jeffrey’s identity had only been vaguely disclosed by himself previously. The media had rarely reported on him otherwise, let alone Reba knowing him.


    Though the Jensen Group had a little clout in Jsburg back then, it still wasn’t invited to the same table as the Hanson Group,


    “Then what about what Andrea just mentioned?” Lisa pressed.


    While Reba was contemting how to respond, Jane called out, “Reba.”


    Reba answered immediately, “Yes?”


    “There’s a minor issue here.” Jane casually pointed at the design to rescue her. “The color contrast’s too harsh. Adjust itter.”


    Reba studied it carefully. The illustration was created with meticulous attention, and the color scheme


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    …


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    aligned perfectly with the game’s character design. There shouldn’t be any issues as Jane mentioned.


    Reba was about to exin it when her gaze met Jane’s reassuring eyes. At that moment, Reba understood Jane’s protective mentorship.