Soon six months passed to the day Allea was given this second chance, and true to her words not even a single second was wasted by her. During these six months, Allea had been to a total of four departments where she almost surpassed everyone and after her unmatched hard work & brilliance, everyone in the company acknowledged her in a new light as Allea Ciarve, not just the deceased owner's step-daughter.

For the first day, the girl was dressed in ordinary black attire, with her light-brown hair -similar to her eyes- was tied in a ponytail. Her pale skin showed how much of a paucity of the sun was there in her life, but the contrast of her skin and clothes stood out strikingly. Her petite figure, which was not even grown fully was walking straight, her stance vigilant and a face whose baby-fat still was visible exuded maturity and contagious calmness. No one thought that behind such a young girl would be a hard-working & talented person, who along with Jackson in a short time of six months controlled the dangling situation the company was about to fall after Odgen Allgaier's sudden death. They all saw how she spent each second focusing on her work, not bothering with people around her, who even considered her arrogant but later understood that she was right in many ways that they being adults were lacking.

The ones who have worked with Allea's mother and knew her even saw the mother's shadow in the daughter. They knew Zinnia was a hard-working woman when they thought that after marrying the owner she'll stay back & enjoy, she still regularly came to work. Her daughter, which they heard was spoiled and loved to spend money was nothing like her, but when they saw Allea just after a week of losing her mother, joined the company, leaving her study and life behind, they realized how wrong they were. In the end, they couldn't help but admire her for the work, and effort Allea was putting.

"Am I still not capable to be your secretary?"

Allea, who was called in Jackson's office leaned against the chair and stared at the person in front of her. It was four months ago when she requested to be his secretary so today she raised the topic again.

"Aren't you sounding a little too proud of yourself?"

Instead of giving her any positive response, Jackson without moving his gaze away from his computer scolded her. Not minding his words Allea sighed, didn't ask again.

"Here," Jackson threw a file toward Allea, which she caught and read its title, "In today's meeting we'll finalize this contract, go through this."

Allea didn't ask for the reason and merely nodded, when Jackson's eyes flickered toward the girl engrossed in the papers in front of her, he once again was puzzled over what was the need of this young girl working this arduously? He still remembered for the first time when he met her when his friend married her mother, he knew at once that she was an overbearing brat who only cared for money. When his friend died, leaving him with the obligations, because of his health he was hesitant and could only selfishly pull this naive girl into the cruel industry because Kai was too young.

He never expected this girl to demand her making CEO, to say he was astonished at her boldness would be the least and he doubted her intention but soon realized she was nothing like what he presumed. He has met every kind of person while going through this business world and soon realized that her purposes were positively pure, she was Kai's and his best choice.

She truly took the responsibility for everything, not only managing her school with excessive company work, but she was also looking after Kai. In the beginning, Jackson had rarely time to visit the mansion but with Allea's help his burden lessened so when one weekend he was in the mansion, he witnessed Kai and Allea's strange yet intriguing interaction. It was then he apprehended, he truly had nothing to worry about if it was in Allea's hands he was going to be leaving everything. He may not show but Jackson was amazed by the change and the work this girl has done, she's no less than a prodigy though he won't ever admit this on her face.

"I have gone through this contract before, and there's nothing to question about. Conditions are good, both companies are getting fair benefits. I think we should finalize this, this project with Ming Technologies sure will prove beneficial."

Hearing the confidence in Allea's words, Jackson merely nodded, and soon they were called to join the meeting.

Whenever there was any contract that included billions of investments, the meeting was held with shareholders and boards of directors to discuss the contract before finalizing it with other companies. Jackson glanced at the girl walking beside him, it was her first time attending a meeting with influential people but there was not a single sign of nervousness in her demeanor, he nodded with satisfaction as they stepped inside the meeting room.

Inside the spacious room, surrounding the round table were seated no less renowned investors and businessmen of the world. As the meeting door opened, they were welcomed with a quite fresh sight of a young girl -dressed in dress slacks & blazer of peach color over a black blouse, her face devoid of any make-up- and instead of looking their way she calmly stood aside, holding the door open for Jackson Hale to step-inside. They thought she was a new secretary but when Jackson ordered to arrange a seat for her along with them on the table, they were interested in her identity.

Throughout the meeting, the girl remained calm and gave pointers to the presenter to elaborate on points that were of more importance so that everyone can get a clear idea of the benefit they'll get from this project. To finalize the decision to work with Ming Technologies, Jackson Hale stood up from his seat and walked toward the podium to announce it.

"Jackson my friend, mind introducing us to the young lady here?" One of the directors pointed toward Allea and asked Jackson.

"I was going to."

Jackson gestured for Allea to come on the podium, she elegantly stood up and walked toward him, her face was expressionless but filled with calmness, she stood facing the people in the room.

"She's Allea Ciarve, some of you might know her as Odgen's stepdaughter." At Jackson's words, some presumed that this was the reason she was here in such an important meeting but some also guessed that there must another reason for Jackson to be putting on her this importance and their doubt proved right at Jackson's next words.

"After six months, I will announce Allea Ciarve as CEO of Allgaier Corporation."

At his words, the whole room fell into utter silence and they just stared at the man and girl standing confidently in front of them after dropping the bomb. Then, in the next instant, their voices grew from grumbles to pointing accusations, questioning unbelievable words they just heard. How could they believe that the girl standing in front of them, who was a stranger just a moment ago not to mention such young-age, even if she was Odgen Allgaier's stepdaughter she still had no right in the company, through which eyes Jackson saw her competent of such position of prestige-company?

Was this a joke? If so, then it was a quite terrible one.

Not just a few months ago, after the death of the previous owner & representative, they thought the company will face a drop but they were also well-aware of the capacity of Jackson Hale, and he didn't disappoint them. That's why they had no problem with him being a CEO but now this?

"Jackson, are you aware of your words?" Some voiced their disagreement, some kept silent, they knew Jackson Hale was the man of principles, and certainly not the one to do something without a reason, so they waited for him to explain.

"Gentlemen, I'm certain. I know that you have not only given us your investments and money but also trust. Like you have believed mine & Odgen's young minds, I want you to place the same integrity in Allea's capabilities."

At Jackson's persuasive words, they once again fell in silence, deep down they also knew they can't do anything if Jackson has made his mind. Odgen Allgaier was the owner of twenty-five percent shares priorly, after his first wife's death with her fifteen percent also came under his ownership, Jackson Hale himself had a twenty-percent share in the company. As Odgen left him with rights of his shares, right now he had the power of sixty percent shares which was more than the remaining distributed among shareholders. He had the authority to assign anyone as he wishes but that doesn't mean they're going to keep silent, the company's stock market value was still in their hands.

"Jackson, what makes you so sure of her abilities?" He was one of the men who sat silently, when others noticed him questioning Jackson, they were relieved because among them he was the only one with twelve-percent shares & an old powerful acquaintance of the company, his words can never be ignored.

"Mr. Salvadge, your own son started the Company at the age of fourteen, I expected you to be the last one to doubt someone's aptitude and ask such a question."

At Jackson' direct informal reply, instead of taking offense the middle-aged man gave a hearty laugh and nodded as he gazed at the young girl standing the whole time quietly in front of them, not once her impassive mask faltered but his perceptive eyes could see the deep conviction in her distant gaze.

"But," Jackson once again spoke, "It's my responsibility to assure your worries, that's why I announced this news six months early. During this time, you all can keep a keen eye on Allea, she'll be handling Ming Technologies' Project and others in the future. I believe this will be enough to prove her worth, if not then I'll assuredly consider your words."

They were somewhat convinced but doubt was still visible in their eyes, Will this girl be able to handle such a high project? Well, seeing Jackson trust in her, they could only wait & see.

When the meeting ended, Allea followed Jackson out and couldn't help but say, "I never knew you'd be this easy to impress, it only took six months." Her face was blank despite underlying ridicule in her tone, at her face Jackson never praised her, so she was a little sour at why this old man was this hard to move when she was putting her everything in the work.

Jackson glanced at the girl, who had no reaction to his news in the room and stood there the whole time like she knew this was going to happen, he also taunted, "It was for those old-foxes to believe my words, not to boost your ego."

Allea knew he just didn't want to admit or give her any appreciation so she kept silent instead of retorting with further logic. As they reached near the office and were about to enter, Jackson's head secretary anxiously came rushing toward them with the phone clutched in one hand, Allea could guess what was the reason.

"Boss, a call came from Kai's school, they're demanding for his guardian to come. I think he got-"

"I'll handle this."

At Allea's intervention, Jackson raised a brow at him, "You know about this?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, but call if anything happens."

Saying this Jackson stepped inside his office and Allea after a nod left for Kai's school. Although he's Kai's legal guardian, because of him not being good with kids, they are not close but it's not like Jackson doesn't care about Kai, he does. But witnessing the peculiar bond between Kai and Allea, he has no intentions to intervene in their things.