Chapter 11 Calum - business partner of Calum , said . He was out having a business " Look , isn't that the new CEO of Aegis Core Systems ? " Mr. Tucker , a new busine lunch when he noticed Soraya sitting a few tables away . Calumn hadn't noticed when Soraya got there . At first , he frowned , questioning Soraya's presence . It was too much of a coincidence , but then Silas Ward arrived . His name had been on the news last month , as the newest CEO in town . " He is seeing another woman ," another business partner , Mr. Buck , said . " But Mr. Ward has never been known to be truly romantic . I believe this is the first lady he has publicly given flowers to . " Well , I can't blame him , " Mr. Tucker said , glancing at Silas and Soraya . " The woman he is with is gorgeous . She isn't looking , but if you look closely , she has that very angelic face . I wonder who she is . " sophisticated- Both business partners who were with him today were single men in their early thirties . Thus , they had every right to appreciate anyone they saw as beautiful . In the next few minutes , Calum focused on their discussion , but now and then , he felt unsettled at how Soraya and Mr. Ward were chatting like they were intimately close . Another thing that caught Calum's attention was how Soraya looked different . He could not point his finger to it , but she felt different . He noticed her laughing quietly at something Silas said , a sound he hadn't heard from her in a long time . For a moment , curiosity rose inside him , but he pushed it down . I don't care . Never did . Never will Then , he found himself checking his phone . He realized that Soraya had made a follow - up on the divorce . Seeing how she was Silas Ward , he wondered how deep their relationship was He did not know much about Soraya , but he was aware that she had worked with Aegis Core Systems . " Could they have known each other then ? " Calum shook his head . He didn't want to get involved with Soraya anymore , but she was still Sage's mother . That meant he had a responsibility to protect his daughter . Even if they were getting a divorce , what if Sage had to meet a new stepfather who was notoriously known for dating multiple women ? Calum couldn't let that happen . He needed to make sure Soraya didn't bring that kind of shame into his daughter's life . Their meeting soon ended . Mr. Tucker excused himself to take a phone call while Mr. Buck went to the restroom . Calum took the opportunity to send Soraya a message . She still did not look his way . He could not understand himself . He had always found Soraya's presence annoying , but now , he felt the need to address the situation at hand Calum got up and walked over to her instead . He said , " Silas Ward ? Not exactly your usual type , Soraya . " Soraya turned to him , raising her brow She asked , " And how do you know that , Mr. Montclair ? " " You prefer the mysterious kind . Affluent , less wordy and serious , " Calum suggested . He frowned because he was describing himself , but wasn't that what Soraya truly wanted ? After all , she had been in love with him for many years , even before he got trapped in their marriage . " People change , " Soraya said . " I realized my old preference was quite boring " Caluny's eyes darkened " Hey , Muter " Unexpectedly , Silas Ward returned " Find y your own Woman . This " Your woman ? " Calum raised a brow . His frown deepened as he stared at Soraya . " Very well . " That encounter left him with an unfamiliar feeling . But despite that , he allowed Soraya to go with Silas . He figured he would deal with Silas later , if the need ever arose . When he returned to his table , his business partners soon came back . They bid their goodbyes just in time for Rose to walk in , looking bright in a summer dress " Calum " 33 3.54 PM P P. Chapter 11 " Oh , this must be Mr. Montclair's girlfriend ," Mr. Tucker reacted . " How beautiful " Calum smiled . Of course , Rose was beautiful . Not only that , she had made a name for herself at such a young age . " Good afternoon , I'm Rose Becket , " she introduced herself with a smile , shaking Mr. Tucker's and Mr. Buck's hands . " It's nice to meet you " " Mr. Montclair , no wonder you did not pay much attention to the woman with Mr. Ward earlier . Your girlfriend is nearly as beautiful , " Mr. Buck reacted . Calum winced , but before he could react , Mr. Tucker added , " Yes , indeed . Miss Becket is almost just as beautiful ." " Almost just as beautiful ? Calum noted their words , his face forming a frown . After Mr. Tucker and Mr. Buck left , curiosity got the better of Rose . She asked , " Who were they referring to ? Did a celebrity dine here earlier ? " " No one important . They were wrong . You are the most beautiful woman in the city , Calum said , smiling at Rose . " She is kind and radiant . " He thought . What he liked best about Rose was the fact that she did not make him feel suffocated . No , Rose is perfect , Calum reminded himself . - Soraya " Thank you , Mr. Guzman , Soraya said as Silas ' assistant handed her a cup of coffee , Since joining her friend in the CEO's office at Aegis Core Systems , she had become familiar with Marcus Guzman , Silas's young executive assistant . " I'm happy you have a male secretary , Silas ," Soraya remarked , making Mr. Guzman chuckle . " Female secretaries are troublesome ," Silas remarked , shaking his head behind the CEO's table . " I like women , but I don't want them to be anywhere near my workplace . You are the only exception I will make . " Silas smiled , and Soraya did too . While waiting , the two old friends discussed how Silas had become the CEO . Silas shared , " Aside from getting promoted , I started buying company shares . My parents became good friends with Mr. and Mrs. Sharma , the founders of Aegis Core Systems . " " Right . " Soraya noted . Mr. and Mrs. Sharma had no favorable heirs to pass the company down to . They had a son , but he was more interested in pursuing a career in medicine . " Trust is everything . Mr. and Mrs. Sharina entrusted me with their company , and I'll always be grateful for that ," Silas added . " Still , Mr. Sharma rentains the director of the board . He has a say in my every decision ." " They had asked fo for you . They had wondered how you were , " Silas revealed . The thought of the two kindest and gentlest innovators Soraya had met made her smile . She said , " I look forward to seeing them again . " A knock on the door interrupted their conversation . Marcus Guzman returned with a contract in his hand . It was Soraya's offer letter . Dear Ma . Soraya Azar . We are pleased to offer you the position of Exclusive Systems Security Consultant at Aegis Core Systems . In I development and implementation of our next - generation cybersecurity system , NeuroSentinel 2.0 . Position : Exclusive Systems Security Consultant Contract Duration : Six ( 6 ) months Compensation USD 100,000 per monthl this role , you will lead th the Soraya siniled . She and Silas had agreed that a part - time role suited her best for now . It allowed her to support her uncle's company while also giving her the flexibility to focus on growing her finances . " I'm afraid , Soraya , since you had given up your rights to NeuroSentinel , the succeeding version's rights will remain with Aegis Core Systems . However , as previously agreed , you will retain a profit share of the program , which I believe will be much higher after the 354 PM Chapter 11 upgrade , " Silas said . " Of course , any innovation outside the company , you have full exclusive rights to . You may opt to sell your rights . or you may not . When that time comes , we will have another discussion . " That's fine . " Soraya said , smiling . " I'm glad to be back where I belong ." She signed the contract and said . " Please allow me a week or two to get settled . I want to rent an apartment within the city for when I need to focus on working on NeuroSentinel " Do you need help ? " Silas asked . " No , I already have a few prospects . I just need to get a better deal , " Soraya said with a smile . " And please do let me know if any shareholder wishes to sell- " You want to be a partner ? " Silas asked in amusement . " If there is any company I'd like to be more part of , it's Aegis Core Systems ," Soraya confirmed . " If you marry me , I'll sell you some of my shares , " Silas teased , making Soraya roll her eyes . Silas , please , " she warned . I know , I know , I'm not your type , " he said , eyes narrowing as he pointed at her . " You like men who seem mysterious without even trying . The tall and handsome ones with that quiet , commanding presence , always in control , always dressed like they walked out of a boardroom shoot " Well , too bad . There is only one man in Cedar Heights who fits that description in detail , and he is cheating on you , " Silas pointed out . " If you're not changing preferences anytime soon , I guess I'll help you with a global manhunt Of course , Silas did not know there was one other man who fit the description quite well - and he lived not too far away . 田