Dario scanned the resume once more before lifting his gaze to Veronica. "The credentials look impressive. But what about his actual capabilities?"

"They're remarkable," Veronica replied, leaning back in her chair. "Despite having less than two years of formal study, his technical skills surpass those of doctoral candidates from elite institutions."

"Is that so?" Dario's eyebrows raised slightly. "Then he's genuinely gifted." He studied her expression carefully before asking, "You're considering bringing him onboard permanently?"

Veronica hesitated. "I'm contemplating it, but..."

"You're concerned he might not stay?" Dario finished her thought.

"Exactly."

Though Lester had demonstrated genuine enthusiasm for Echo and Vespera during the interview, she couldn't dismiss the other unpredictable elements surrounding him.

Dario leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "We could start with a probationary period. If he doesn't integrate well, we can terminate the arrangement."

"That's reasonable," Veronica agreed with a nod.

Meanwhile, across town, Lester had become the focal point of attention the moment he entered the bustling arcade. His commanding presence—tall, broad-shouldered, with classically handsome features—exuded an aura of sophistication that was impossible to ignore.

Several young women glanced his way, clearly interested, but something in his demeanor—those slightly compressed lips, the detached look in his eyes—created an invisible barrier. No one gathered enough courage to approach him.

Time passed as he stood there, seemingly lost in thought, until his phone vibrated in his pocket. When he answered, an animated voice immediately filled his ear.

"How'd the interview go? Did Murray fall for that irresistible charm of yours?"

The caller laughed, continuing without waiting for a response. "Don't tell me she actually bought that love-at-first-sight routine? Hahaha!"

"You should really turn up the heat—make her completely infatuated with you—get her so hooked she can't imagine life without you—"

Lester's expression remained impassive. Before he could respond, movement near the entrance caught his eye. Niall had just walked in, her gaze sweeping the arcade until it landed on him.

"I'll call you back," he said curtly into the phone as Niall approached.

"Finally tracked you down," she said, stopping before him with a mixture of relief and exasperation. "You disappeared without any explanation—your sister and family were terrified. They genuinely thought something terrible had happened to you. You're really—"

She started to say "reckless," but seeing his silent, somewhat defiant expression, she reconsidered her words.

Instead, she shifted her approach. "I understand why you returned. If you're here for DataPulse's technology, you have my complete support."

Her voice softened as she continued, "But if you came back because of me, intending to make Veronica fall for you only to cruelly reject her as some form of revenge on my behalf—I cannot endorse that."

Her eyes held his firmly. "The conflict between Veronica and me is personal. I don't want you fighting my battles."

Lester studied her face intently without speaking. He also made no inquiry about how she had located him.

Niall noticed his prolonged stare and self-consciously touched her cheek. "Do I have something on my face?" she asked with a nervous laugh.

Lester shook his head and finally broke his gaze. "No," he said simply.

"About what I was saying—" Niall began again.

"I'm leaving," Lester announced abruptly, cutting her off and turning away.

"Lester, don't do anything impulsive!" Niall called after him, hurrying to keep pace.

Ignoring her plea, Lester entered the elevator and descended to the ground floor.

As he approached his car, prepared to drive away, he noticed someone watching him from another vehicle—Cullen.

Lester paused momentarily. Cullen smiled in recognition. "Been a while," he said casually.

Lester gave him only the briefest glance before turning back to Niall who had followed him outside. "Take care. Goodbye," he said with finality.

Before Niall could formulate a response, he had already slipped into his car and driven away, leaving her staring after him with a troubled frown.

The following morning, Veronica arrived at her office to find an elegant bouquet of flowers placed prominently on her desk.

Before she could fully process the unexpected gift, a colleague called out from nearby, "They're from Lester—that new researcher in R&D!"

Hearing this, Veronica showed neither surprise nor concern. She simply nodded. "I see," she replied evenly, moving the arrangement aside without ceremony and immediately immersing herself in the day's work, her expression revealing nothing of her thoughts about this unexpected gesture.