Chapter 182
Mark didn't continue the topic. Just then, the elevator made a soft sound—we'd reached the 28th floor.
The elevator doors slid open to both sides.
I turned slightly, instinctively about to make an "after you" gesture.
But Mark was faster. He casually slipped one hand into his suit pants pocket, turned slightly toward the elevator door, and made an extremely natural and elegant gesture of invitation, looking at me with gentle eyes, "Ladies first."
His action was natural and gentlemanly, without a hint of deliberateness or affectation.
I was slightly stunned, but didn't bother with formalities. I nodded in acknowledgment, "Thank you, Mr. Harris."
With that, I took the first step out of the elevator.
Behind me came Mark's very soft, low chuckle, which seemed to carry a hint of pleasure.
My steps didn't pause, but something strange flashed through my mind.
This Mr. Harris seemed somewhat different from the rumored image of a cold, iron-fisted, unapproachable figure.
I led Mark into Star Tech's bright office area.
Almost the instant we stepped in, William and Emily, who had already received word and were waiting by the entrance, immediately came forward.
When William and Emily saw clearly who was behind me, their facial expressions simultaneously lost control, showing the exact same shocked look I'd had earlier.
William recovered fastest, but his quick steps forward still betrayed his nervousness and excitement, "Mr. Harris? How come you came in person? I'm sorry, I should have gone down to meet you! This is really..."
William's tone was full of surprise and a trace of panic.
Clearly, he too had completely not expected Mark to come in person.
Mark waved his hand dismissively, his expression still calm, carrying a kind of reassuring power, "Mr. Jones, no need to be nervous. I came suddenly without prior notice—that's my fault, you don't need to blame yourself."
His gaze turned to me, with a faint smile, saying to William, "Besides, your person already met me."
The phrase "your person" was said in a somewhat relaxed tone, causing William and Emily's gazes to fall on me in unison.
A flash of bewilderment crossed William's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by understanding and a barely noticeable relief.
He immediately responded, "Is that so? That's good. Mr. Harris, this way please, let's talk in detail in my office."
Mark nodded slightly.
At this moment, other employees busy in the office area also noticed the commotion here.
Someone said quietly, "It's Mark!"
Instantly, almost everyone stopped their work, stood up, and looked this way with awe and curiosity. The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat solemn and tense.
Mark obviously noticed this change. He stopped, looked around, and spoke in a voice that wasn't loud but clearly carried throughout the quiet office area, "Everyone, there's no need for this. I didn't want to make it too dramatic, which is why I came quietly without calling ahead."
He looked at William, his tone gentle but carrying undeniable authority, "Mr. Jones, have your people return to their seats and focus on their own work. We'll just chat in the office."
"Alright." William quickly agreed, turned and waved to the employees, signaling everyone to continue working.
Only then did people snap out of it and sit down one after another, though their eyes couldn't help but glance this way.
William led Mark toward his office. The assistant had already smartly prepared excellent tea and respectfully brought it in.
The office door closed, shutting out all the curious and probing gazes from outside.
Emily, who had been holding her breath, immediately pulled me aside to the empty break room and closed the door.
"Grace! What's going on?" Emily lowered her voice, but the excitement and curiosity in her tone were about to overflow, "How come you were the one who met Mark? Did you run into him in the elevator? He didn't say anything, did he? Oh my god, this is Mark! In the flesh! He came in person! William was being all mysterious before, only saying it was an important person from Harris Tech. Who could have imagined it would be Mark himself!"
Looking at her expression like she'd missed out on several hundred million dollars, I felt somewhat helpless yet also found it amusing.
The frustration I'd accumulated at the hospital entrance earlier seemed to have been diluted quite a bit by this sudden arrival of a big shot.
"I was just buying something at the convenience store downstairs and happened to run into him in the elevator," I explained briefly, "I didn't expect it to be him either. William really didn't say he was coming in person."
After listening, Emily touched her chin and gossiped, "Who would have thought the legendary world's richest man would be so approachable? But thinking about it, it makes sense—if he wasn't approachable and didn't know how to respect people, how could he build his company into the world's strongest?"
"I heard that those few arrogant, temperamental old experts and stubborn old-timers at the Aviation Administration have to be polite and speak respectfully when they meet Mark."
Listening to her words, I just smiled faintly, "Maybe he really does have his own unique charm and way of handling things."
I didn't want to discuss this big shot too much and pulled the topic back, "Alright, stop gossiping. Doing our own work well is what matters."
But Emily didn't care, smiling as she leaned closer, "A little gossip is good for mental health! Besides, Grace, don't you think Mark is even more handsome in person than in photos?"
She lowered her voice with a bit of a fangirl tone, "That aura, that look—amazing! More refined than William, and way better than that ice block scumbag George! And the scent on him—when we were close just now, did you smell it? Like cedarwood mixed with a scholarly air, light and subtle, really pleasant, very attractive!"
Scent?
At her mention, I couldn't help but replay the brief contact in the elevator in my mind.
When I almost fell and he reached out to steady me, that crisp, pleasant scent had indeed faintly drifted into my nose.
And when he stood beside me, that calm and steady presence...
I unconsciously made a sound of acknowledgment in response, then realized what I was doing and lightly glared at Emily. Without saying more, I turned and went back to my workstation.
I didn't notice that behind me, Emily was watching my somewhat hurried retreat with an even more meaningful smile.
I had just opened my computer, preparing to concentrate on processing the data at hand, when the intercom phone on my desk rang.
It was William.
I picked up the phone, "William?"
"Grace, if you're free now, come to my office," William's voice sounded somewhat formal but also carried a hint of barely concealed excitement, "Bring your laptop with the complete demo program for the Nebula system installed. Mr. Harris wants to see the system operation and code logic in action."
My heart stirred, and I immediately responded, "Okay, I'll come right away."
After hanging up, I quickly checked the demo program and related materials in my laptop, confirmed everything was in order, grabbed the computer, and headed toward William's office.
Passing by Emily's workstation, she immediately came over like a cat that had smelled fish, asking quietly, "Did he call you in? Is Mr. Harris going to watch your demo?"
I nodded.
"I'm coming too! I'll sit in and learn!" Emily's eyes lit up, and she was about to follow.
I smiled helplessly and didn't stop her.
Having one more person sit in might actually be beneficial.
However, just as we reached William's office door, it opened from inside.
William saw us, his gaze directly passing over me to land on Emily, his tone gentle but non-negotiable, "Emily, go back to your station first. Mr. Harris mainly wants to see Grace's core technology demonstration this time. Having too many people would be distracting."
The excitement on Emily's face instantly collapsed. She pouted in dissatisfaction but didn't dare disobey William's wishes, especially in front of Mark.
She looked at me resentfully and silently mouthed, "I'll settle this with you later!"
Then she reluctantly turned and left.
Watching her deflated retreat, I found it somewhat amusing. Then I collected myself and followed William into the office.