Chapter 5‎ The First Team Meeting

‎The afternoon sun streamed through the office windows, casting a warm glow across Angela's desk.

‎Holding the Top Specialist Project document in both hands, she quietly read through it once again.

‎The project itself wasn't difficult to understand.

‎What troubled her was deciding where to begin.

‎"Should I analyze the client's current system first... or start planning the solution?"

‎She stared at the document for another moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

‎"I'll figure it out later."

‎She gently placed the document on her neatly arranged desk and returned her attention to the work on her computer.

‎Buzz...

‎Her phone vibrated.

‎Angela picked it up.

‎A new message had appeared in the team's newly created WhatsApp group.

‎Arjun Mehta

‎Sorry for the sudden message, everyone.

‎I was thinking... would it be possible for us to meet during today's break and discuss the project together?

‎The company has an Employee Discussion Room on the first floor that's usually available for staff meetings. I think it'll be a good place for us to talk without disturbing anyone.

‎What do you all think?

‎Angela read the message quietly.

‎Before replying...

‎A small thought crossed her mind.

‎"Min-ho will be there too."

‎For some reason, that thought alone made the meeting feel a little more pleasant.

‎A faint smile appeared on her lips.

‎She typed.

‎Angela: Okay.

‎One after another, the others replied positively.

‎Finally, Arjun sent another message.

‎I'm glad everyone agreed.

‎See you all during the break.

‎Break time arrived sooner than expected.

‎The thought of the meeting naturally came to everyone's mind.

‎One after another, they headed toward the company's Employee Discussion Room.

‎Arjun had already arrived.

‎Seeing each teammate enter, he welcomed them with a friendly smile.

‎"Thanks for coming."

‎The room was quiet and spacious, furnished with a round meeting table in the center, several comfortable chairs and a large whiteboard mounted on one wall. It was designed specifically for employees who needed a private place to brainstorm ideas and hold discussions.

‎Everyone chose whichever seat felt comfortable.

‎Angela sat on one side of the table.

‎Directly opposite her sat Joon Woo.

‎Min-ho took the chair beside Joon Woo.

‎Lin quietly sat between Angela and Arjun.

‎Once everyone had settled down, Arjun smiled.

‎"Before we get into the project..."

‎"I think we should decide something first."

‎"Who should be our team leader?"

‎Silence.

‎Everyone simply looked at him.

‎To Angela, becoming the team leader meant extra responsibility and unnecessary stress.

‎Min-ho had never been interested in leading people.

‎Lin quietly lowered her head.

‎Breaking the silence, Arjun spoke.

‎"For me..."

‎"I'd choose Joon Woo."

‎"He's experienced."

‎"Professional."

‎"He's led different teams before."

‎"I think he'd be the best person for the role."

‎Everyone looked toward Joon Woo.

‎He smiled politely before shaking his head.

‎"I appreciate your confidence..."

‎"...but I think you're more suited for the position."

‎"You were the first to bring us together."

‎"You took the initiative before anyone else."

‎"I also think you're more mature than the rest of us."

‎"So..."

‎"My vote goes to you."

‎He looked around the table.

‎"What do the rest of you think?"

‎Angela nodded.

‎"I agree."

‎"So do I," Min-ho replied simply.

‎Lin gave a small nod.

‎"I... agree too."

‎Arjun laughed softly.

‎"Looks like I don't have much of a choice."

‎Everyone smiled.

‎"Alright."

‎"I'll do my best."

‎With that, the team's first decision had been made.

‎Arjun opened the project document.

‎"Now..."

‎"Let's hear everyone's thoughts."

‎"We might notice something others have missed."

‎One by one, everyone shared their ideas.

‎Min-ho suggested studying the client's current workflow before designing any solution.

‎Angela emphasized creating a system that would be simple enough for new employees to understand quickly.

‎Joon Woo proposed dividing the project into specialized sections so each member could focus on what they did best while keeping the team's progress organized.

‎Each suggestion built naturally upon the previous one.

‎Finally...

‎It was Lin's turn.

‎She adjusted her glasses nervously.

‎Holding the document with both hands, she quietly shared her idea.

‎As Lin spoke...

‎Angela secretly stole a glance at Min-ho.

‎A faint smile appeared on her lips.

‎Min-ho continued listening to Lin's explanation, his face showing no reaction, when Angela looked at  him.

‎Just then...

‎Angela suddenly felt a gaze resting on her.

‎She instinctively lifted her eyes.

‎For the briefest moment...

‎She thought she saw Joon Woo looking in her direction.

‎Their eyes met for only an instant.

‎He calmly shifted his attention back to the discussion.

‎"Was I mistaken?"

‎She quietly returned her focus to the meeting.

‎Across the table...

‎Min-ho glanced at Angela.

‎"After staring at me..."

‎"...you turned to stare at someone else?"

‎The thought came unexpectedly.

‎He couldn't explain why it bothered him.

‎The discussion continued naturally.

‎By the time they finished, each member had contributed valuable ideas.

‎Looking at the pages of notes before him, Arjun smiled.

‎"I think we're going to make a great team."

‎Everyone nodded in agreement.

‎The meeting ended on a positive note before they returned to their respective offices.

‎Closing hour finally arrived.

‎Employees gradually made their way out of the building.

‎Angela adjusted the strap of her bag as she approached the company's main gate.

‎Just as she was about to step through it...

‎Someone approached from the opposite direction.

‎She looked up.

‎Kang Joon Woo.

‎Their eyes met.

‎Angela gave a polite nod.

‎"Good evening."

‎"Good evening," Joon Woo replied with a calm smile.

‎Angela was about to continue on her way when his voice stopped her.

‎"We haven't really introduced ourselves."

‎He extended his hand.

‎"I'm Kang Joon Woo."

‎His tone was calm and composed, carrying neither hesitation nor unnecessary familiarity.

‎Angela looked at him for a brief moment.

‎Up close, he was indeed beautifully handsome.

‎He carried himself with a quiet confidence that naturally commanded respect.

‎Still...

‎She only saw him as a capable teammate.

‎Nothing more.

‎She reached out and shook his hand.

‎"Angela."

‎"I'm looking forward to working with you."

‎"The same here."

‎Their handshake lasted only a moment.

‎Angela smiled politely before continuing on her way.

‎Joon Woo watched her leave briefly before turning and heading in the opposite direction.

‎Several floors above...

‎Min-ho stood quietly on one of the company's balconies.

‎From where he stood, he could clearly see the company gate below.

‎His eyes rested on Angela and Joon Woo.

‎After their brief greeting and handshake, they went their separate ways.

‎His expression remained unreadable.

‎At that moment, Lin Xiaoyu walked past the corridor behind him, a folder held neatly against her chest as she returned to her office.

‎She passed the balcony without drawing attention to herself.

‎The corridor soon fell silent once again.

‎End of Chapter 5

‎

‎

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***