Chapter 307: How’s The Boss’s Mood?

Apex Tower.

“What a tiring day.”

Dylan muttered the words as he pushed himself up from his chair, rolling his stiff shoulders and stretching his arms until his joints cracked softly.

He walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window and stared outside.

The sky was a clear blue, almost offensively beautiful, but it did nothing to calm his mind after yesterday’s chaos.

Cleaning up the aftermath had taken all night and half of the morning. He and Axel’s trusted aides had practically camped in the office, fueled by bitter coffee and sheer willpower. Going home had been a luxury none of them could afford.

Just as Dylan finally allowed himself a moment of peace, a knock sounded at the door.

He frowned slightly before turning. “Come in.” He said.

The door opened to reveal Archy Foster, Apex Holding’s CFO, looking far too serious for Dylan’s liking.

Behind him stood Collins, hands in his pockets, eyes half-lidded as if he were already bored with whatever they’re about to discuss.

“Hi Dylan, sorry to bother you,” Archy said as he walked straight to the seating area without waiting for permission. He dropped onto the sofa.

Collins followed and claimed the seat beside him with a dramatic sigh.

“What are you guys doing here?”

Archy stared at Dylan, “How’s the boss’s mood?” he asked seriously.

“Huh? You’re worried about his mood now?” Dylan chuckled as he walked to the seating area.

“Of course,” Archy replied with a tired sigh. “I need to discuss the financial report with him, but after yesterday’s mess, I’m worried he’ll skin me alive before I even finish my first sentence.”

Dylan shifted his gaze to Collins, who had leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes, looking suspiciously relaxed.

“Collins,” Dylan said dryly, “stop pretending to sleep and explain.”

Archy frowned when he finally noticed Collins. “Huh!? You’re here too?”

Collins opened one eye, glanced at Dylan, then at Archy. “Relax, man. He might still be in a bad mood, but you’re safe.”

“What does that mean?” Archy asked, brows knitted together.

“It means,” Collins said lazily, “he won’t fire you. So go. Talk about your numbers. Live your life.”

Archy stood abruptly, shaking his head. “You IT people speak in riddles.” He adjusted his glasses, nodded at Dylan, and excused himself before leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed, Collins stretched like a cat, clearly intending to go back to sleep.

“You’re not sleeping. Explain,” Dylan said, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at Collins. He can see that Collins, who has worked tirelessly since yesterday, must be exhausted now.

Collins cracked one eye open again. “Do you remember Harper Cooper?”

Dylan’s expression shifted immediately. “The supermodel?”

“The one and only,” Collins replied. “The woman who was supposed to hang out, I mean, spend the night with the boss on New Year’s Eve five years ago.”

Dylan let out a low whistle. “That Harper Cooper? The one who disappeared after that night?”

“She moved abroad,” Collins corrected lazily.

“And?” Dylan pressed, sensing there was more.

Collins finally sat up, his usual lazy grin replaced by something sharper. “She managed to text the Boss last night. From an unknown number.”

Dylan straightened. “She contacted Axel directly?”

“Yep. Slid right into his phone,” Collins said.

“Wait, how so? Did she hack the Boss’s phone?” Dylan asked, confused to hear that someone could reach Axel by phone. Because all this time, he’s the one who contacts Harper. There’s no way that woman has Axel’s number.

“This is the one thing that troubles me. I also didn’t know how she was able to send a text to the Boss.” Collins rubbed his face, trying to think. But he can’t. His mind is chaotic now. He hasn’t slept in the last forty hours.

“So she’s behind yesterday’s mess?” Dylan asked carefully. “I mean, is she with Natalie Martinez?”

“Not confirmed. Not yet. She’s suspicious, though. The timing is too perfect…”

“And you haven’t moved on her?”

Collins shrugged. “Boss hasn’t assigned me anything. Until Axel gives the word, I don’t touch her. Even if my fingers are itching.”

“That makes sense! I guess the boss is waiting for something.”

“Exactly,” Collins said. “When he moves, it’s clean. Final. Right now, he’s watching.”

Dylan chuckled softly. “Poor Archy. He’s worried about a financial report while supermodels from the past are resurfacing, bothering the Boss.”

“Compared to Harper Cooper reappearing, Archy’s spreadsheets are bedtime reading,” Collins replied with a smirk.

“Sometimes I forget how complicated the boss’s life is.”

“I don’t,” Collins said calmly. “That’s why I stay alert…”

“And that makes you the solution?” Dylan teased.

“Always,” Collins replied, closing his eyes again. “Until the boss gives the signal.”

Dylan laughed.

“Alright, man, go to your office and get some sleep on your huge and very comfy couch. I need to work too,” he said, standing from his seat. He returned to his desk to finish his pending job.

“Nah. Yours are comfy, too. Moreover, our Boss might call me any minute. Well, he might call you, too, man. Just be prepared…” Collins lazily answered, closing his eyes again.

But before Collins could truly fall asleep, his cell phone rang in his pocket.

He groaned, rolled onto his side, and lazily pulled it out, ready to curse whoever dared interrupt his hard-earned rest. The moment Axel’s name flashed on the screen, Collins sat up straight as if electricity had run through him.

“Boss… do you need me?” he answered instantly, his tone respectful but cautious.

Dylan, who had been typing on his laptop, paused mid-sentence and slowly looked up.

“Come to my office now,” Axel said calmly. “Bring Dylan too.”

The call ended without another word.

Silence filled the room.

Collins stared at the dark screen for a second before sliding his phone back into his pocket. He stood up and smoothed his shirt as if he were about to face a board of judges.

“Has the boss called you?” Dylan asked, already rising from his seat. “So fast? Did Archy ruin his mood?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Collins replied with a crooked grin. “But when the boss calls in these hours, it is never for afternoon tea.”

Dylan frowned. “Me too?”

“Yes,” Collins said firmly. “Which means it is serious. Or very serious.”

“That does not make me feel better.”

“Relax,” Collins said, patting Dylan’s shoulder. “If he wanted to fire us, he would not ask us to walk.”

“That is not comforting.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep