It was night.
Ada Wong, having changed into pajamas, sat inside the Villa gifted by Matthew Lawrence, a flicker of complexity flashing in her eyes.
Her gaze landed on the brand-new Villa key on the bar counter.
The words Matthew Lawrence said when he handed over the key echoed clearly in her ears again, involuntarily.
"Since you are my assistant, you cannot lack a comfortable living environment. Take this key; the location of the Villa is on it. You can find it yourself, and I will have someone transfer the Villa to your name."
"As for a car... do you prefer a sports car or an SUV? A Bugatti or a Bentley? Or perhaps I should give you two million to buy one yourself?"
"Oh—right, once you have a car, remember to be on time for work."
Ada Wong leaned back on the sofa, looking up at the luxurious crystal chandelier hanging overhead. A deep sense of helplessness and daze appeared on her uniquely charming face.
Seriously, is the treatment at your company this good?
Then what was all the fighting and dying I did out there all those years for?
Because I'm a good fighter?
At this moment, she truly understood the value of the saying, "Only after going outside do you realize it wasn't raining at all."
At the same time, a strong sense of unreality enveloped her.
After washing up, she lay on the excessively soft bed.
Years of drifting and fleeing had made her accustomed to having no permanent home, but the tangible sense of belonging beneath her, combined with the pure appreciation Matthew Lawrence revealed in his words, caused a strange thought to quietly sprout.
It seems... working for a boss like this isn't bad?
He doesn't ask about her background, the salary is generous, he gives houses and cars, there are no disgusting unspoken rules... and from what he implied, if she encounters trouble, the company will even become her backing.
She recalled the rumors she heard in the company about Matthew Lawrence being "unreasonably" good.
—Treating subordinates leniently, respecting talent, department salaries 40% higher than headquarters, even the cleaning lady praises the boss endlessly... This made Ada Wong's daze even deeper.
Does such a person really exist in reality?
If it were before, Ada Wong might not have understood why so many people in books were willing to follow Liu Bang to conquer the world, but seeing it now, she finally understood.
If there really were such a boss in reality, she would also be willing to follow him to conquer the world and carve out a future.
After all, everyone else said her identity was a spy, Agent, or assassin; only he said she was a talent.
And a rare talent at that.
Just as her thoughts were surging like a tide, the phone on the nightstand suddenly vibrated.
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
Screen display: [Unknown Source].
"..."
After a brief silence, Ada Wong still reached out and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"It's me." Wesker's cold voice came from the other end of the receiver, devoid of any emotion, as if he were merely checking the status of a tool.
"How is the mission progressing? Any progress?"
Hearing this, Ada Wong was silent for a moment.
Her gaze swept over the luxurious interior decoration and glanced through the window at the sleek sports car in the courtyard.
Progress...
Does having money count?
Although she thought this in her heart, Ada Wong ultimately just spat out a few words faintly into the microphone: "There is no progress for the time being."
"No progress... You disappoint me." Wesker's tone sank suddenly, his dissatisfaction almost piercing through the screen.
"The target is just a newly appointed head of the Security Department who has no foundation within the company and has not even undergone any training.
Yet you have been his assistant for a full seven days and haven't made a shred of progress. This makes me highly doubt your professionalism."
"Your incompetence has angered the organization."
"If the mission remains stagnant by the next time I ask..." Wesker's words carried a hint of threat, "I think the Federal Bureau of Investigation would be very happy to receive a detailed file on you."
Before he finished speaking, the call was cut off cleanly and decisively.
No asking for reasons, no time given for explanations, not even a hint of hesitation.
In his view, without results, all explanations are nonsense.
Listening to the dial tone, Ada Wong curled her lips and tossed the phone back onto the nightstand.
Her sleep quality had always been very good.
Years of drifting had made her accustomed to falling asleep quickly in strange environments... but for some reason, she was uncharacteristically suffering from insomnia today.
Every time she closed her eyes, the treatment of the two companies—one like heaven and the other like hell—flashed through Ada Wong's mind.
It really is: no comparison, no harm!
On one side, the leader has no human touch; on the other, not only is the human touch maxed out, but there's no empty promise-making, and every move involves real money... even a fool would know which side to choose.
But even so, Ada Wong still pondered all night.
The next day, Ada Wong sat in front of the mirror, looking at herself with obvious dark circles, and helplessly applied a bit more concealer to cover them.
Arriving at the company, Ada Wong habitually brewed a cup of hot coffee for Matthew Lawrence using Evian mineral water.
Matthew Lawrence took the porcelain cup, took a sip, but smiled and said, "Actually, when I said to use Evian to make coffee, I was just teasing you."
He put down the cup: "Besides, I don't really like drinking coffee... it's bitter, like Chinese medicine."
Although Eleanor Ross always said how precious the coffee beans here were, he really couldn't tell the difference between good and bad.
Even though he was now wealthy, his highest appreciation for drinks was probably limited to distinguishing whether an iced lemonade was 70% sugar or 100% sugar.
That day, Matthew Lawrence handed over a portion of the work that originally belonged to Eleanor Ross to Ada Wong.
This was her first time touching core task scheduling and department accounts since she joined.
After a rough calculation, Ada Wong discovered that, based solely on the account income and expenses, the department's expenses seemed far higher than its income...
She picked up the tablet, walked to Matthew Lawrence's desk, and raised her doubts: "Mr. Lawrence, according to my preliminary calculations, if we maintain the current high salary and high benefits, the department's finances may soon bottom out."
Hearing this, Matthew Lawrence just smiled easily and comforted her: "Don't worry. I applied for an additional financial budget at the last meeting.
Besides the on-book funds, the headquarters also has a special subsidy of 200 million dollars."
"In short, our department won't be starving for now."
As he finished speaking, he seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to Ada Wong: "Ada Wong, accompany me to a place after work today."
"There's a project that needs your help to supervise."
"Mm." Ada Wong, buried in her work, responded simply and then returned to her tasks.
The sky was gradually darkening.
Not until the work at hand came to a pause did the two of them take a car together, driving towards the edge of the city.
The car finally stopped in front of a slightly old building.
The interior of the building was brightly lit, and the roar of construction could be heard.
The sound of excavators, pile drivers, and the shouting of workers were mixed together, so noisy that one couldn't help but want to cover their ears.
Ada Wong frowned slightly, raised her hand to plug her ears, and looked at Matthew Lawrence suspiciously: "The project you mentioned is this?"
Matthew Lawrence nodded: "That's right."
"Emmm... fine, assistants always have to accept all kinds of unreasonable demands from their bosses~~" Ada Wong teased: "Even though the company clearly has a department specifically responsible for this type of project. But, what are you planning to build here?"
She turned her head, guessing what secret department Matthew Lawrence was going to establish here: "Is it a research institute? A weapons R&D department? Or..."
But before she finished speaking, she was interrupted by Matthew Lawrence's calm answer.
"It's an orphanage."
"..."
Ada Wong: Damn it! I really deserve to die!