"How was it? How was it?" As soon as Gray entered his office, Mara’s soft and curious voice greeted his ears. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Mara quickly stopped what she was doing when he entered. She brought down the papers in her hand and faced Gray fully. "Was it a success?" she expectantly asked once again. Her eyes were shining,

Gray chuckled at her questions. She didn’t even let him answer the first one when she asked once again.

"Hey, let me sit first," he answered, but the smile on his face was too obvious to hide.

Gray closed the door and walked further inside his office. He could still feel the exhaustion in his body. His time earlier was really not that great. But, oh well, he managed to do what he needed, and it was a big success.

While he was minding his own business, Mara couldn’t help but stare at him. When she noticed the smile on his face, her eyes narrowed at him.

"Oh my!" she quickly pointed at him. "It worked, didn’t it?" Her eyes widened as her expectation grew.

Gray didn’t answer her right away. He sat on his chair before staring at her. The smile on his face widened even more because of it.

"It worked," he confirmed as he teasingly wiggled his brows.

"Yes!" Mara almost squealed when she heard the answer, but she quickly covered her mouth with both hands to keep her voice down.

Gray chuckled more, "I told you I’d handle it."

Mara hurriedly stood up to run over to his desk. Excitement was written all over her face.

"You actually managed to put everything back without anyone noticing? Really?"

"Mmh," Gray nodded. "They were all busy in the meeting. I slipped out and went straight to his office, and finished it." Gray dropped the part of his suffering. That was not needed anymore, and his dignity would be ruined once Mara learned of it!

"You’re actually insane." Mara shook her head in disbelief.

"Hey, what’s insane?" Gray shot back at her lightly.

Mara just laughed at it. It actually felt relieving. It was as if the huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Well, not only her, but for Gray too!!

After a moment, Mara crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly.

"How about the other thing you planned, too?" she asked, lowering her voice. "Did they take it? Your excuse?"

Gray’s smile shifted into something more satisfied.

"Yup," He nodded. "They did."

Mara’s eyes widened once again.

"So that means..."

"Yeah, I’m free for the next two weeks," Gray finished the words for her. The corners of his lips lifted again. "I told you we have a problem on our own, so I wouldn’t be able to join them on any public appearances."

Mara looked completely satisfied by it.

"Damn. That’s perfect."

Gray leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

"Yep, we can use that time wisely," he said. "We can get everything done while they’re busy preparing for those visits."

"Yes. Let’s get everything done." Mara nodded firmly.

Gray nodded at her words.

"Yes. We should finish everything before they even realize what’s happening."

Mara stared at him for a second longer. Then her lips slowly curved upward from a happy smile into a teasing one.

"Hmm... you must be so happy now that you don’t have to see them for a while," she said before raising a brow.

Gray leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms casually.

"Oh my?" he replied in an exaggerated tone. "How did you even know that?"

Mara rolled her eyes at him.

"Please. Every time you come back from those meetings, you look like your soul left your body. It’s only now that you look alive and lively!"

"Really? Is it that obvious?"

"Very."

Their eyes slowly met at the answer. Then, all of a sudden, they just burst into laughter

- - -

Days passed quietly after that day.

Everything went on as they planned. Gray and Mara started talking to the lawyer that Selina provided. They had it easy, especially with all the evidence they had. They just compiled it and sent it to the lawyer.

The lawyer told them that it would do everything it could. Gray trusted him deeply. After all, he was Selina and Conrad’s lawyer for decades.

I was also on Alistair’s side. Everything was going well according to his schedule. Just like what they agreed on at the meeting a week ago, the directors showed immense support for him.

On Alistair’s first visit, the response of the people was immeasurable. They really made sure that it would highlight Alistair by inviting different media and also paying bots to comment good things about him.

With it, the people online couldn’t help but believe everything they see on social media.

His ratings had already increased with just one public appearance that showed him with patients of AIL Northern District Hospital.

The next one was scheduled in 2 days. They didn’t want to cram everything because it will feel excessive. Just as the directors recommended to him, they should do it in different days and also for different purposes.

Alistair’s next appearance was to be a speaker in a school filled with young adults. If that were a success, he would surely get more voters.

So while that was days ago, Alistair knew he had to prepare it. To make it as entertaining as ever!

That afternoon, in his office building, Alistair could be seen just arriving in his floor. He was walking calmly. He was on his way to his office when he was suddenly stopped by a uniformed janitor.

The janitor looks quite old.

"Good afternoon, sir," the janitor greeted politely.

"Afternoon," Alistair gave a short nod.

"Uhh.... S-sir," before Alistair could take another step, the janitor opened his mouth again to stop him.

Alistair glanced at him, annoyingly.

"What?" he raised his brows.

The janitor hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.

"Sir, you might have dropped this," he said, holding out a thin folder with both hands. "I found it on the floor while I was cleaning your office earlier..."

Alistair completely paused as his eyes lowered to the folder. It looked... familiar.

"I found it near your cabinet," the janitor added carefully.