n

n

nDaryn's facial muscles tightened.

"I had taken over the company from Azura two years back but that was because my father had instructed. After that I have given the reins to a senior employee who is now its VP and I have complete trust in him.

"

n

"Jupiter Inc. is barely making profits.

" Dawn became pensive.

n

"What makes you think that?

"

n

"I took a look at its model. While I was trying to, ahem,

" she coughed,

"to steal it from you,

" she was scarlet red.

"I noticed that there have been a lot of bad business decisions. One of them was that the newest game had been rushed and literally pushed out in the market before being tested. It is quite similar to the last one. I had Cole look into it and he got bored. It is going to be an epic fail if you don't withdraw that game.

"

nThey reached the office building and Daryn pulled into the parking area. When they entered the lobby, the employees were shocked to see how their CEO was walking so close to a girl. They stopped behind them. Their eyes followed them until the private elevator which both of them entered together.

nWithout a worry about what others were thinking about them, they kept walking. Daryn held her immediately and pressed her to him in the lift.

"I can't help it,

" he said before Dawn could protest.

"The elevator has to be blamed for it because I feel like doing hanky-panky with you here.

"

n

"Stop it!

" Dawn said.

n

"No!

" He lifted her, kissed her so hard that she was breathing for air by the end of it. He pulled away from her and said,

"I would love to ** you in here.

"

nDawn was breathless. She poked his forehead.

"Get your brains out of gutter.

"

nThe elevator's door opened with a ding sound and he placed her back on her feet.

n

"Good morning Reyna,

" Daryn greeted her with a warm smile and walked into the office.

nReyna's face registered a shock. She was so used to seeing his cold expression that was devoid of any emotion that this was a total doozy.

"Good—

" by the time she could say another word, he had disappeared behind the door. Dawn followed him. She smiled as she passed her. All in the office observed the unnatural behavior.

nInside the office, they continued with their conversation. Dawn sat on the couch, but he pulled her to his office chair. He sat on it and made her sit on his lap. After switching on the computer, he opened the relevant folder and said,

"Continue.

"

n

"You should call a meeting with the VP of The Jupiter Inc. I have several questions for him,

" she said.

"I think it would be better to talk to him directly.

"

nHis eyes narrowed. He picked up the phone and gave instructions to Reyna.

n

"He will be here in ten minutes, Sir,

" Reyna confirmed soon after.

nDawn got out from his lap and walked to the couch.

n

"But I would like to know what questions you are going to ask.

"

nDawn smiled mischievously.

"No, I won't tell you. You should be embarrassed of yourself for not finding these details beforehand.

"

n

"You are evil Dawn,

" he said with wide, unbelieving eyes.

n

"I know,

" she laughed.

n---

nOn the outside, Maya called Reyna on her mobile.

"Any news about Dawn?

"

n

"Yes, Ms. Maya. She has come to the office today.

"

n---

n

"Daryn, there is one thing I could never understand,

" asked Dawn after writing down a few questions.

n

"Sure, tell me baby,

" he said while still looking at the computer.

n

"What was the point of launching that project about your popularity?

"

nDaryn stopped working. His face became red till the tips of his ears.

"It was to have you close to me.

"

nDawn rolled with laughter. She didn't know whether to compliment him or be angry with him. Daryn's embarrassment only increased. He twisted his mouth and looked away. She got up from her place, sauntered towards him and kissed him lightly on his lips. In a husky voice she said,

"You will be rewarded for this tonight.

"

nHis eyes flew open as he watched her walking back to the couch and once again his mind went to the gutters.

nA soft knock on the door disturbed him. The VP came exactly in ten minutes. He looked flustered.

"Good morning Sir,

" he said. He noticed Dawn sitting behind on the couch.

"What can I do for you?

" he asked in a nervous tone.

n

"Hello Wagner.

" Daryn resumed his cold persona, got up from his chair and pointed him to sit on the sofa. He sat opposite to Dawn while Daryn sat with her.

"Ms. Dawn here has some questions about the business model of The Jupiter Inc.

"

n

"And who is she?

"

nBefore Daryn could answer, she said,

"I am an independent investigator. Does that bother you?

"

nWagner became so alert that he became stiff as a ramrod.

"Not at all.

"

nShe started.

"Do you have any developed games ready in stock that you haven't floated yet?

"

n

"Yes, we do have.

"

n

"Has it been tested for bugs?

"

n

"It has.

"

n

"Are there any bugs in it?

"

n

"No. None at all.

"

n

"When was it developed?

" she asked with a frown on her face.

n

"It was developed a month back.

"

n

"Before the latest one?

"

n

"Yes,

" Wagner replied in a shaky voice.

n

"The last game that you launched was nothing but kind of an upgrade of the previous one. You could have actually used its features to update the previous one. Instead you went on to introduce it as a new game. Why?

"

nWagner bounced his knees lightly as a thin line of sweat appeared on his back. There was a twitchy feeling in his stomach and suddenly his mouth became dry.

"I did that because the game was popular.

"

n

"In that case you should have upgraded it, added more features to it instead of fooling the users. I read the reviews about it. Your rating has reduced to less than two stars.

" Dawn said circling something on her paper.

"Which brings me to my next question.

" She looked up at him.

"Did you see how your earnings have fallen by almost fifty percent?

"

n

"Y— yes,

" Wagner stammered.

n

"Didn't you do your research before launching the new game? Just because Mr. Daryn Silver left everything on you, you misused the power?

"

n

"What? No!

" he protested. This girl was a dynamite.

n

"Did anyone instruct you to delay the launch of a complete game?

"

n

"No!

" He looked at Daryn to speak up and protect him but he was met with cold glare.

nIn a very harsh voice Daryn said,

"Introduce the game that is there in the stock today itself and by evening withdraw the old faulty one.

"

n

"I will,

" Wagner replied as sweat lined on his forehead.

n

"You may leave.

"

nWagner got up immediately and hurried out of the office.

nDaryn bent his head and held it in his hands.

"Why did he do that?

"

nDawn moved towards him and removed his hands. She massaged his head and he placed it on her shoulders.

"I can guess why he did that.

"

nNeal walked in the office. Daryn and Dawn immediately straightened themselves.

"I am sorry,

" he said.

nIntimidated, Dawn clutched the side of her skirt.

nNeal spoke business immediately.

"You have to attend the party thrown by Brad.

"

nDaryn gritted his teeth.

"I won't.

"

n

"They will suspect you all the more. Also, Maya has invited Jason and Azura. They are planning on full show down.

"

nDaryn walked to the glass wall and stared at a flock of birds in the sky.

n

"I will attend it,

" Dawn's soft voice broke the heaviness off the air.

n