30 Opportunity
Early in the morning, as a bustling company started its daily operations, a young university student dressed in simple casual attire arrived at a corporation named Stuard Corporation—the largest company in St. Peter. Not only was it the biggest in St. Peter, but it was also one of the largest corporations in the country. He walked in with a relaxed stride, but a security guard stopped him at the entrance.
"Where is your employee ID card?" the guard asked.
"Oh, I’m an invited student," Calvin replied, showing the invitation letter he had received from his university.
"Alright, wear this guest ID," the security guard said, handing Calvin a lanyard with an ID card.
"Thank you."
"Go to the fifth floor. "The invited students are gathering there," the guard explained politely.
"Thank you," Calvin replied once more.
After receiving access from the security guard, Calvin stepped through the main entrance into the grand lobby of Stuard Corporation. As soon as he entered, his eyes widened in awe.
The building was extraordinarily majestic. The floor was made of polished black marble, reflecting the dazzling light from the crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. Large glass walls allowed natural sunlight to flood the lobby, illuminating the space decorated with elegantly arranged green plants. In the center of the room, a sleek, futuristic reception desk stretched along the area, staffed by several impeccably dressed receptionists in navy-blue uniforms.
The atmosphere inside the building exuded professionalism and urgency. Employees moved briskly, clad in expensive suits or stylish business attire. Some spoke through Bluetooth headsets, while others carried documents or tablets, engrossed in their tasks.
To the right, a lounge area furnished with dark brown leather sofas provided a comfortable waiting space for guests. Glass tables stood in between, while an exclusive coffee bar in the corner was manned by a skilled barista. A large digital screen on the wall displayed the latest business news and the corporation’s financial reports.
Calvin took a deep breath, trying to suppress the nerves creeping in. Clutching the guest's ID in his hand, he followed the security guard’s instructions and headed toward the elevator, ready to face whatever awaited him on the fifth floor.
Calvin halted his steps as a tall man wearing a mask suddenly approached him. His posture felt familiar, and it didn’t take long for Calvin to recognize him once the man spoke.
"Calvin, come with me!" The voice was calm yet firm.
Calvin hesitated for a moment before finally realizing who the man was. "Bastian?" he asked, slightly surprised.
Bastian nodded, his sharp eyes staring at Calvin with an unreadable expression.
"The security guard told me to go to the fifth floor," Calvin said, raising his guest ID.
"No need," Bastian replied quickly. "Just follow me." I’m in charge of your project and Andreas’!"
Calvin’s eyes widened. "Really? "Wait… is all of this because of you? "Was I selected through connections?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
Bastian let out a quiet scoff before patting Calvin’s shoulder. "What are you talking about? You were chosen on your own merits, which is why I was able to volunteer to oversee your project. Besides, I already know both of you, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?"
Bastian’s explanation made sense to Calvin. He nodded, feeling a little more at ease, knowing that at least there was someone familiar with this massive corporation. Without hesitation, he followed Bastian toward a private elevator, different from the usual ones.
However, there was one thing Calvin had absolutely no idea about—Bastian was not just a good mentor. He was Stuard Lincoln, the man who was secretly trying to get closer to his own flesh and blood.
Calvin followed Bastian with slight hesitation as they exited the elevator onto a floor that looked completely different from the others. Unlike the lower levels, which were filled with employees bustling around and the constant ringing of phones, this area was much quieter. A few people were working diligently, their eyes glued to computer screens with serious expressions, paying no attention to their arrival.
Calvin glanced around before asking, "Will Andreas be coming here?"
Walking ahead of him, Bastian answered without looking back, "He'll be joining us soon."
That response made Calvin feel a little uneasy. Something about this place didn’t match his expectations. But since Bastian was the only person he knew in this massive company, he chose to trust him and continued following.
They finally arrived at a spacious room, though it wasn’t as luxurious as Calvin had imagined. Inside, there were several computers, neatly arranged bookshelves, and simple office equipment. Bastian walked over to the main desk, sat down casually, and then fixed Calvin with a serious gaze.
"From now on, this is your office," he said suddenly.