Chapter 1152 Running Into Asher
Sonia also knew just how important it was that she furthered her studies abroad, so she naturally didn’t refute him. “But…” She bit her lip, stuck in a tough position. “Who can I leave Paradigm with after leaving?”
This was her biggest issue right then. Toby chuckled at that. “You can hire a professional manager, or I can send someone to look after it for you. How about I let Tom do it?”
Sonia chuckled in turn. “Aren’t you transferring him to a tech company in Fredburg to be their CEO next year? Besides, that tech subsidiary of yours is also a listed company. Don’t you think it’s overkill to have Tom, who was originally supposed to manage a listed company, come and manage my small firm? Even if Tom doesn’t mind, I feel bad for him. He deserves more than this with the skill he has.”
“So you’re saying you’re more inclined to hire a professional manager?” Toby quirked a brow.
She hummed a response. “That’s our only option so far. I don’t really feel safe leaving Paradigm Co. to just any professional manager, but I’ve never engaged with people in this profession. Why don’t you find one for me instead?”
“This is nothing. Alright, I’ll sort it out for you. Have you made up your mind yet?” he asked.
At that, Sonia took a deep breath. “I’ll take the exam. You’re right. Be it for Paradigm Co. or for myself, I have to further my studies. Since I don’t have to worry about having no one to look after the company after I’m gone, I’m all set to focus on preparing for the test. But like I said, I have zero foundation, so I’ll have to study from page one. Professor Fuller, I’ll be in your care for the next half a year.”
A hint of a smile appeared in her eyes.
“Professor Fuller?” Toby quirked his brow again.
“Yeah, didn’t you say you’re going to teach me? It’s only right that I call you Professor Fuller, no?” Sonia chuckled with a hand over her lips.
Toby rubbed his thumb as a hint of glimmer flashed across his eyes. “I like the salutation, but I’d like it even more if you call me that somewhere else.”
“Somewhere else? Why?” His words baffled her.
Meanwhile, Toby smirked. “It’ll add a bit of flare.”
Sonia got him at once, and her face flushed, livid yet amused. “What are you smoking, Toby? Honestly, can you not make blue jokes all the time?!”
He chuckled in response.
“Alright, cut it out. Any more, and I’m going to flip on you. I’m being serious here, yet you always goof around.”
“It’s on me.”
“Of course, it’s on you. Anyhow, I’ll really have to trouble you for the next half a year. I might have a tough time learning when I have zero basic knowledge. Promise me you won’t get mad at me,” Sonia said with worry.
At that, Toby’ gaze softened. “I won’t. A teacher who would get mad at their student is no qualified teacher. A qualified one would find the best method to guide their student. Relax, I won’t get mad at you. I’ll only use the best method to help you grasp the knowledge and get you into college.”
Not only was Sonia no longer worried after receiving his guarantee, she was even confident that she could really ace the exam.
After all, as timorous as she was toward herself, she had to have some confidence in her beloved, no?
“Alright, enough about that. Are you done with work?” asked Toby as he withdrew his hand from the window and sat straight.
She rubbed her eyes while saying, “Almost.”
“Come down, then. I’m right downstairs.”
“You’re already here?” Sonia was slightly surprised.
“Yeah,” he answered. “I just arrived.”
“Alright, I’ll come down right away. Give me a second.” She hurriedly got up from her chair while speaking.
She was in such a hurry to pack up that Toby could even hear the chair rolling away when she got up. At that, he cooed, “Relax, take your time. I’ll give Tom a call later and have him prepare the application and study materials. I’ll teach you for two hours every night once he has them ready.”
“Sounds good.” She nodded joyously.
Then, Toby continued, “Two hours might be short, but everything I’m teaching you will be sufficient to pass the exam. Half a year is too short, after all. It’s impractical for me to teach you everything in such a short time. Besides, you won’t be able to take everything in either. I will teach you what you need to pass the exam for now. As for the rest, you’ll have to work hard after you’re enrolled.”
Sonia felt absolutely touched, and her face looked uber-gentle. “I know. This is the best arrangement for a newbie like me. It’s a well-thought-out plan. Thank you, Toby.”
“There’s no need for thanks between you and me. Come on down. I’ll wait for you.”
“Alright.” Sonia nodded.
After hanging up, she held the phone to her chest and smiled, then grabbed her bag and headed out of her office.
Sonia rode the elevator down with a secretary, who had a hunch as to why Sonia was glowing. “Miss Reed, are you smiling so brightly because President Fuller is here to pick you up?”
“How do you know?” Sonia looked at her with surprise.
“Well, your smile’s a dead giveaway.” The secretary giggled.
“Yeah, he’s downstairs.” Sonia put her hair back somewhat bashfully.
“No wonder. You and President Fuller are such a sweet couple.”
“For now, but who knows how long it will stay that way.” Sonia shook her head with a chuckle.
The secretary shrugged in response. “Who can tell what the future holds for anybody. At least you’re happy now. As for the future, well, we’ll leave it until that day comes, no, Miss Reed?”
“You’re right. The most important thing is to live in the present. I should appreciate the happiness I have now and leave what will come in the future until then.”
The next second, a ding came, indicating they had arrived at the lobby.
At that, Sonia lifted the bag strap on her shoulder. “Alright, here we are. I’m going to make a move. Drive safe. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow, Miss Reed.” The secretary waved Sonia goodbye from inside the elevator, having no intention of leaving with Sonia.
After all, it wasn’t right for an employee to head out with their boss, no?
Of course, she’d wait until her boss left before walking out by herself.
Sonia got the secretary’s idea as well, so she didn’t force the latter since she knew the secretary would only leave after she left. She exited the elevator hurriedly, sparing some time for the secretary.
Sure enough, the secretary left the elevator after Sonia had walked a distance away. After bidding Sonia goodbye, she headed toward the exit in the opposite direction.
After smiling in the direction the secretary left, she headed toward the main door.
But lo and behold, she had just taken a few steps when a group of middle-aged men in suits entered through the main door. The person walking in front was none other than the CEO of Paradigm Co., Asher.
Sonia frowned slightly upon seeing the man and thought how unlucky she was to run into him in the lobby.
For some reason, Asher had constantly been out of the company lately.
However, as curious as she was, she didn’t ask for Asher’s whereabouts. One, she wasn’t interested, and two, she might not get an answer even if she asked. Thus, she might as well not say a thing and let him be.
No matter what he was planning, she’d just keep an eye out for it.
Then again, who’d have thought Asher would appear at this time when he had disappeared for a while?
Asher noticed Sonia too, and a thought seemed to have come to him. Perhaps because he hated Sonia in the first place, his originally grim face became grimmer by the second.
He stopped in his tracks and stared maliciously at Sonia.
The others behind Asher naturally followed after him, stopping and looking toward the woman as well.
