Chapter 180: He is a Talent
In the afternoon, when I looked up again, I noticed Ivan was nowhere to be seen outside.
My heart sank, and I called York.
After receiving the call, York quickly came to the office, sneaking in cautiously.
"Helena, you wanted to see me?"
I looked up at him, confused. "Why are you acting like you're doing something wrong?"
"Didn't you tell me to keep an eye on that Ivan? I'm worried he might suddenly show up and see us hanging out together, and then he'd be on guard against me."
As York spoke, he stretched his neck to glance out the window.
Seeing how careful he was being, I laughed. "Me calling you to discuss work is perfectly normal, isn't it? We just need to make sure no one finds out we're in contact privately."
"You're right."
York nodded in agreement, then looked back at me. "So you called me about work?"
I shook my head and pointed outside. "Where's Ivan? Where did he go?"
York replied, "He said he wanted to get familiar with the products, so he had someone take him to the workshop."
I frowned. "So he's serious, hardworking, diligent, and well-behaved. I bet the colleagues all like him?"
"You can say that again. Right after he left, several colleagues were praising him, saying he has this natural aristocratic air about him, looks great, has a good personality. Some of the older female colleagues were even asking if he has a girlfriend, saying they want to set him up."
Ivan being this likable was something I hadn't expected.
"So what do you think? Is this really his personality, or is he putting on an act?"
Hearing my question, York looked surprised. "Ms. Lockwood, isn't he your cousin? Shouldn't you know what his personality and character are like?"
I shook my head. "You're actually right—I really don't know him that well."
"How is that possible?" York asked, confused.
"He's been living abroad. He only comes back during holidays, so we're not that close. But I've heard he's a good student with excellent grades."
At this point, I paused to think. Good grades meant he knew his goals and understood where to direct his efforts.
It also meant he was smart and clever.
This Ivan really shouldn't be underestimated.
With this in mind, I continued, "But we don't need to be too nervous. After all, this is my territory. Just keep a close eye on him and observe him more. If we can catch him doing something wrong, that would give us a good reason to kick him out of the company."
"Got it, Ms. Lockwood."
York stood up, ready to leave.
As he was about to go, he remembered something. "I can tell Lyndon to put me and Ivan on the same team for business matters. That way I can keep a better watch on him."
"That works."
I nodded. "Go ahead."
"Okay." With that, York opened the door and left.
In the evening, to welcome Ivan, Lyndon suggested going out for a group dinner.
When he said this, there was a round of cheers from outside.
Soon, Lyndon knocked on my office door. "Ms. Lockwood, we're going out for dinner. Are you coming?"
I shook my head. "I'll skip it. You guys have fun."
Lyndon looked a bit disappointed and was about to close the door when Ivan suddenly walked in.
"Ms. Lockwood, I heard you're not going to the dinner. Why don't you come with us?"
Seeing how eager he was, I thought for a moment. "Alright then, I'll go."
"Great!"
Ivan let out a cheer. "Get ready, and we'll head out in a bit."
"Okay."
He left happily.
When the office door closed again, the smile on my face turned cold.
Ivan, is this your strategy? Using sincerity to fool everyone to achieve your own goals? I hope I'm just overthinking this.
When I finished getting ready and went out, I found that many colleagues had already gone downstairs.
I followed them to the parking lot, where Ivan waved at me from a distance. "Ms. Lockwood, over here."
I walked to the car and saw he was driving Lyndon's car.
"What's going on? Are we carpooling?"
"Yeah, everyone might drink a bit tonight, so if everyone drives their own car it won't be convenient. I'm driving so everyone can have a good time."
He waved at me. "Ms. Lockwood, get in quick. Everyone else has already left."
"Alright then."
Once I was settled, the car quickly drove off.
Lyndon had chosen a seaside buffet where everyone could eat whatever they wanted. After getting their food, many colleagues gathered around Ivan, listening to him chat with great interest.
Seeing how popular Ivan was, I felt mixed emotions. I hoped he really just wanted to learn at the company, and wasn't here with some hidden agenda.
"Ms. Lockwood, look, they've all started playing drinking games. Why are you hiding here by yourself?"
Lyndon walked up to me with a plate in hand, smiling. He raised his beer glass and clinked it with mine. "Ms. Lockwood, why aren't you joining them?"
The sea breeze blew past, comfortable and pleasant.
I looked up, took a sip of my beer, and smiled. "I'll pass. Let them have fun."
"But Ivan really is quite popular."
Lyndon said while eating, mumbling through his food, "Everyone's gathered around him. For someone so young to be so good with people, that's pretty impressive."
At this point, Lyndon deliberately looked at me. "His last name is Lockwood, and he's so outstanding. Could he be related to you, Ms. Lockwood?"
So he was here to fish for information. No wonder Lyndon wasn't joining the fun.
I glanced at him and directly denied it. "No."
"Really? That's too bad."
After Lyndon finished speaking, he added, "But I'm going to train him well and try to keep such a talented person here."
I was a bit distracted. Lyndon's thoughts were probably what many people were thinking after interacting with Ivan.
Either way, Ivan had made the right move. In just one day, he'd won over everyone in the company and established his position.
So what would he do next?
I was both curious and a bit worried. If I had a choice, I'd rather he be an ordinary person than an excellent enemy standing against me.
Over the next few days, Ivan was very active at work, handled people well, and was generous and appropriate in his dealings. Not just others—even York couldn't stop praising him.
What surprised me even more was that he actually closed a big deal.
"Ms. Lockwood, look at this—a contract worth ten million dollars!"
York held up the contract, waving it proudly. "The real deal! Please take a look, Ms. Lockwood!"