Ethan Cole - The Unlimited System

Meanwhile, at Nova Tech's gleaming headquarters, David led a small but distinguished group of professionals through the newly decorated workspace.

These were not ordinary candidates; they were veterans of their fields, handpicked for their expertise and leadership, individuals whose resumes alone could intimidate lesser men.

Yet, here they were, walking quietly beside David, their expressions guarded but curious.

At the forefront was Jonathan Hale, a stalwart of operations with over twenty years of experience etched into every decisive step he took.

His sharp gaze swept over the office, lingering on the sleek workstations and the subtle elegance of the design.

"I must admit," he began cautiously, his deep voice measured, "when you first reached out to me, David, I was... skeptical. But seeing this place and hearing your vision... well, it's interesting."

"Interesting?" David, who was always ready for a verbal duel when it came to selling Nova Tech's potential, laughed softly. "Jonathan, I'll take that as a compliment, for now. But I promise things are only going to get more interesting."

Jonathan raised a skeptical eyebrow but didn't respond, though the corners of his mouth twitched. He was not a man easily impressed by flashy office tours or grand promises; his career had been built on the bedrock of careful decisions and gradual growth.

Stability, not spectacle, had always been his compass.

As they passed through the immaculate halls, David gestured to the expansive layout.

"The ground and first seven floors are operational," he explained, his voice ringing with quiet pride. "Modern workspaces, collaborative zones, everything a forward-thinking company needs."

He paused before adding, "The top floor and the rooftop are still in progress. Once complete, Nova Tech will redefine what it means to work in this city."

"Incredible," murmured Sophia Grant, an HR strategist whose reputation for talent acquisition preceded her.

She glanced around with an air of professional admiration. "I've worked with top firms, David, but I've never seen an office this thoughtfully designed."

"Of course." David grinned like a magician about to reveal his final trick. "And this is just the opening act."

The group entered the main conference room, its spaciousness designed to inspire collaboration rather than mere discussion.

"Please. Everyone, take your seat."

David invited them to take a seat, and after a few taps on his tablet, a figure appeared on the screen at the front of the room.

$1,000,000,000.

The number hovered like a spell, silencing the room. For once, even these seasoned professionals, men, and women accustomed to managing fortunes, seemed momentarily caught off guard.

"That," David said with deliberate casualness, "is our starting point. Nova Tech's available funds. Paid-up capital. Mr. Cole put it in himself. And he was ready to invest more."

Jonathan, ever the pragmatist, leaned forward. The number had chipped at his walls of skepticism. "That's... more than I anticipated for a startup."

Sophia, eyes wide, looked at David. "You're not offering empty promises, then. This changes everything."

David spread his hands, his smile amused. "What? You think I'd gamble my reputation on anything less? I do like to win, you know."

Now that he had their full attention, David seized the moment. "There's more. Nova Tech doesn't just aim to be competitive. We aim to be unmatched. We've secured partnerships with top insurance firms, financial firms, banks, law firms, and travel agencies."

The room leaned in closer. David clicked on a new slide, and the screen came alive with the details of Nova Tech's benefits package.

"Healthcare," David began, ticking the points off like a conductor leading an orchestra. "Retirement plans. Company shares. Luxury travel allowances. Flexible working hours. You'll have everything you need not just to work but to thrive."

"That sounds like the kind of promise every startup loves to make," Sophia said, her voice cool and skeptical.

David smiled, unfazed.

"You'll be protected by the contract," he replied smoothly. "And more importantly, our chairman, Ethan Cole, had no hesitation paying real money upfront before you signed the contract. Not just for your time, but for your trust… and for taking that leap."

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He let the words settle, then added with a calmer tone, almost like a quiet challenge.

"And honestly, even if you walked away with the money… we wouldn't stop you."

He looked at everyone's reaction. They were stunned to hear his guarantee. That was what he had expected.

David then added, "Ethan Cole isn't building a company where people clock in and count down the hours, he's building a place where people want to stay, where careers aren't just stepping stones but destinations."

Sophia exchanged a glance with Jonathan, her usual reserve giving way to something akin to excitement.

"This is... remarkable," she admitted quietly. Then, after a pause, her voice turned more cautious. "But I do have one concern."

David tilted his head. "Go on."

"Does this Ethan Cole have experience running a business? Is he the sort who'll pack up and disappear if things get tough?"

For a moment, the question seemed to settle over David like a weight. Truthfully, even he didn't know the full depths of Ethan's past. Yet he didn't waver.

David took a deep breath. That was a question he had expected. He leaned forward and said, "That's a fair question. I won't dress it up. Mr. Cole's background isn't in building corporations. He started as a freelancer. Smaller projects, sharp work, and always on the cutting edge."

David paused before adding, "But here's the thing. He didn't have to start from the ground up. With the kind of resources he has, he could have bought his way into any industry, into any boardroom. But he chose this. He chose to build something. He chose to really build it."

David let his words settle before continuing. "This company wasn't my idea alone. I approached Mr. Cole with the vision, and he backed it fully. With his resources, my experience, and, hopefully, your expertise, we have everything we need to make Nova Tech not just successful but unstoppable."

He added with a small smile, "And, I think you'll find his determination is something rare... rare enough to bet on."

The room was silent again, but it was no longer the silence of skepticism. It was the silence of decisions being made, of minds turning toward possibilities they hadn't allowed themselves to consider before walking into this building.

Jonathan exhaled slowly and looked up. "I'm in."

"Me too," Sophia said firmly, followed by nods of agreement from the others.

David leaned back in his chair, a genuine, beaming smile spreading across his face.

"Welcome to Nova Tech," he said simply. "And don't worry about the hassle of leaving your current roles, we'll handle all the exit agreements and compensation. You'll be with us right away."

The group looked at each other, their earlier doubts gone. It was without doubt that when they first received the invitation from David, they were skeptical.

But now, they believed Nova Tech would become the next journey of their lives.

The meeting room had barely emptied when David received the message.

Lena Volkov: [I'm in the lobby. Mind if we talk for a minute?]

He replied with a short, "On my way," and slipped out before the others noticed.

Nova Tech's main lobby was quiet but far from empty. The soft hum of vacuum units, the rustling of papers at the front desk, and the occasional beep from security terminals gave the place a sense of calm motion, like a machine slowly warming up before full activation.

Lena Volkov sat alone on one of the minimalist lounge sofas near the front glass panel. Her long coat draped across one arm, legs crossed elegantly, and fingers rhythmically tapping a leather notebook resting on her lap.

She smiled as David approached. A wide, polished smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Thank you for your time," she said.

"You asked for a minute. I brought five," David replied with a smirk, taking the seat across from her.

Lena chuckled softly. "Five is more than enough when the message is clear."

David raised a brow. "You've got a message already?"

"Always," she replied smoothly. "Let's start with this. Thank you for letting me be part of Nova Tech. I don't take that lightly."

"You were the first to sign. That says something."

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to match the relaxed ambiance. "And because of that, I want to contribute more than what's on the job description. I'm talking insight, strategy, and direction."

David leaned back, curious. "Go on."

"I've spent some time before the interview, combing through Arland's tech scene," Lena continued, flipping open her notebook.

Inside were scribbles, diagrams, and bullet points, all handwritten. "Here's the truth. Most companies here are building for investors, not users. That's a gap. An opportunity."

David nodded slowly. "You think we should go after that?"

"Of course. We should dominate it." She held his gaze, then smiled again, softer this time. "Other than the one already in motion, we should focus on apps that actually solve daily pain points."

"Such as?"

"Logistics, home service management, real-time communication for small businesses, automated health trackers, family-based finance systems. We don't have to reinvent the wheel. We just need to build the wheel properly."

David nodded, agreeing with her insights. Besides, Ethan already sent him what he wanted the team to work on as early as possible and those things were the same as what Lena suggested.

He was somehow impressed with Lena. He took some time as he was studying the notebook that Lena had passed him.

Meanwhile, Lena was looking at the surroundings. Taking in the work that had been done almost perfectly by her target, Ethan Cole.

Cleaners passed behind them, wiping the reception desk. A security guard gave a small nod in Lena's direction. Lena returned it subtly before turning his attention fully back to David.

David had finished reading her notebook.

"Most people wait to get comfortable before offering bold ideas," he said. "But you haven't even had your desk assigned."

"I didn't join to get comfortable," she replied. "I joined because I saw something that could change Arland's tech industry in the next five years. And I want in early."

David grinned. "I like that."

"You should," she said. "Because the window to establish dominance is small. If we don't define Nova Tech within the next six months, someone else will."

There was a silence between them. Not awkward, but charged.

Then David said, "You free next Wednesday? Let's put together a small planning session. With Ethan and a few others."

"Make it Monday," Lena said, rising and slipping her coat over one shoulder. "Wednesday's too late."

She gave him a small wink before walking toward the elevators, heels clicking with precision across the marble floor.

David watched her go, then exhaled through his nose with a half-smile.

"She's going to be dangerous," he murmured. "Exactly what we need."