Chapter 693: No, I don’t know you.

"I’m not filing charges," Atlas announced, gazing at the people surrounding the conference table, filled with the company’s important figures. "It’s not gonna happen."

"Mr. CEO! What do you mean you’re not filing charges?"

"We know that Allen has been with you all these years, but he is a thief!"

"This is not just a personal issue that you can settle on your own and an issue we shouldn’t interfere with!"

"That’s right. He was stealing from the company—our company! It involves not just your security, but every one of us!"

"CEO Atlas, please don’t let the years he spent with you cloud your judgment. He may have earned your trust, but now we all know that he did this with the intent of betraying you!"

"If you don’t set an example now, then many more like him will do this!"

One after another, the board of directors of Global Prime Logistics expressed their disapproval of Atlas’s decision. He stayed quiet, listening as they vented their frustrations. After all, he could understand where they were coming from.

However...

"My decision is final," he announced after several moments of silence.

"CEO!" One of the older men — Atlas’s own uncle and Sven’s father — couldn’t help but exclaim, slamming his hands on the table as he stood up. "Are you saying you’d just let someone like that get away with what he’s done?! Are you saying just because of the years he worked here, you’re just going to let that little thief get away?!"

"No." Atlas’s answer abruptly left everyone in a state of confusion. "I will never forgive whoever is stealing from this company and taking advantage of it. In fact, I’d have them all detained and rot in prison for it."

"But you just said you won’t press charges against that little assistant!" the same man shouted. "CEO, which is it that you’re planning? How are we going to understand!?"

Atlas drew a deep breath and slowly pushed himself up. "I’m not pressing charges on Allen because I know for a fact that he is innocent. However, whoever set this whole thing up is going to face heavy consequences—whoever they are."

For a moment, the entire conference room fell into a still silence as the members looked at each other. Their displeasure was apparent in their eyes; they still weren’t convinced. Even though they respected Atlas and supported his leadership in guiding them toward a better future for the company, they couldn’t simply let this go.

After all, they all knew how fond Atlas was of his right-hand man. It wouldn’t be easy for him to accept that his own people were betraying him, stabbing him in the back the moment he turned away.

And Atlas was aware of what they were thinking.

"I understand that you have the company’s best interests at heart, and my words may never be enough to quell your worries. That is why I called this meeting—to explain how and why I came to this decision and to introduce you to our newest security system, designed by the most sophisticated and reliable security firm in the world."

As soon as those words left Atlas’s mouth, the lights dimmed, and the projector turned on. Atlas signaled for the other man to sit down before he got down to business, defending Allen and buying them some time while introducing their new security system, which had been pre-planned by Allen — who was supposed to present it today.

***

The board meeting ended successfully, with the board appeased by Atlas’s presentation. It had been a while since Atlas had presented a project to the board, as Allen had always done it. Even so, they didn’t press the issue further after hearing what Atlas had to say.

As Atlas walked back into his office after the meeting, he paused at the entrance and glanced at the other door—it was Allen’s office.

’I usually tell him to close his door,’

Atlas took a deep breath, staring at the door a little longer before reaching out to open it.

"He better make sure to close it when he comes back," he whispered to himself, resuming his steps to his office.

As soon as Atlas opened the door and stepped inside, he halted. Slowly, he looked up at the woman seated nervously on the sofa. He furrowed his brows, tilting his head slightly as he assessed her from head to toe.

The woman was dressed in an odd smart casual outfit; her blouse was slightly loose and awkward, and her pants looked carelessly ironed. Glancing at her heels, he noticed a few scratches on the side, indicating they had seen better days.

Atlas studied her quietly until his unexpected guest noticed him.

"Oh!" The woman immediately got up from her seat, clutching a handful of folders. "Mr. Atlas, thank you for meeting me today."

"Uh." Atlas arched a brow as he marched in, scrutinizing the nervous look on her face. "I don’t remember any visitor today. How did you get in?"

The woman raised her brows, confused. "But you’re supposed to meet me today...?" she replied, checking her wristwatch to ensure she had the correct time and date. When she confirmed it, she looked up at him again and smiled.

"We have a meeting today, so I got here on time," she explained. However, seeing the same clueless look on his face, she added, "I was told to come here and see Mr. Allen, but when I didn’t see anyone in here, I came in."

She pressed her lips together, fidgeting with her fingertips under his scrutinizing gaze. "It’s me, Atlas," she breathed out. "I know a lot has changed, but it’s me... Kiara. Kiara Moore, your classmate from the Star Section. Do you remember me?"

Atlas didn’t answer; he just stared at the woman’s small and sophisticated face despite the careless makeup she wore. Her hair was tousled and short, just past her ears. The more he looked at her, the more he was reminded of a classmate who had long, black, straight hair and wouldn’t mind getting her designer bags or other belongings ruined—but not her hair.

"No, I don’t know you."