Chapter 74 - Olivia Chen
Olivia agreed to meet without hesitation.
She entered the conference room carrying a notebook already filled with handwritten questions.
"I understand I'm part of your investigation."
Margaret smiled politely.
"You're part of our research."
Olivia relaxed slightly.
"I've wondered when someone would ask."
Arthur exchanged a glance with Margaret.
"Ask what?"
Olivia opened her notebook.
"Why I was promoted so quickly."
The room grew still.
"I've asked that myself."
Margaret carefully observed her expression.
There was no arrogance.
Only genuine uncertainty.
"Who mentored you?" Margaret asked.
Olivia listed several respected executives.
Most names were familiar.
Then she hesitated.
"There was one more."
"Who?"
"I never learned his full name."
Arthur looked surprised.
"You worked with someone whose name you didn't know?"
Olivia nodded.
"It wasn't unusual."
"He never attended official meetings."
"He always introduced himself simply as 'Mr. Ellis.'"
Samuel's face changed immediately.
"I've heard that name."
Margaret turned sharply.
"When?"
Samuel looked toward the old conference photograph.
"After Harold left."
"He visited headquarters several times."
"No title."
"No department."
"But senior executives always made time for him."
Olivia continued.
"He never told people what decisions to make."
"He only asked questions."
"What kind of questions?" Margaret asked.
Olivia thought carefully.
"He would ask..."
"'If you disappeared tomorrow, would the culture continue without you?'"
The room became silent.
Margaret wrote the sentence into her notebook.
It sounded less like advice...
May you like
And more like a test.
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