The Ashborn Tower rose high above the city skyline.
A single structure—
yet within it existed Ashborn Holdings, Ashborn Labs, and executive floors that rivaled Stark Tower in both elegance and restraint.
White marble, dark glass, subtle golden circuitry running through the walls like veins.
Power—without arrogance.
Jennifer Walters and Helen Cho arrived within minutes of each other.
At the reception desk, both gave their names.
The receptionist smiled politely.
"Welcome. Please proceed directly to the Chairman's Office."
They exchanged a glance.
The elevator doors slid open.
The Elevator
"So," Jennifer said casually, pressing the button. "You here for an appointment?"
Helen nodded. "Investor meeting. Research funding."
Jennifer smiled faintly. "Legal position. Corporate structure."
Helen blinked. "Lawyer?"
"Yes."
"…Interesting," Helen said with a soft laugh. "Scientist."
The elevator hummed upward.
Neither of them realized yet—
They were walking into the same future.
The Chairman's Office
The doors opened.
They stepped inside together.
And froze.
Alexander Ashborn stood near the window.
His hair was platinum silver—yet not simply silver.
It flowed like molten metal, streaked with cosmic gold and void-black, shimmering as though alive.
Subtle sparks of geo-light and faint arcs of restrained thunder danced along each strand.
His eyes—
Molten solar gold, a swirling void core at the center, encircled by a slow-rotating silver ring.
Eyes that felt like they saw laws, truths, futures—and chose not to comment on them.
The room felt… quieter.
Both women forgot to breathe.
Their hearts raced.
Their faces heated.
Alex turned.
And smiled politely.
"Dr. Cho. Ms. Walters. Thank you for coming."
They didn't move.
"…Please," he added gently, "have a seat."
Still nothing.
Alex raised a hand slightly.
The pressure lifted.
Helen blinked.
Jennifer cleared her throat.
Both sat down almost at the same time—faces flushed.
Alex took his seat across from them.
The Offer
"I'll be direct," Alex said calmly.
He gestured toward Helen first.
"I need a Director for Ashborn Labs."
Helen straightened.
"If selected," Alex continued, "Ashborn Labs will fully fund your research. Production rights will be shared. You'll retain 30–40% profit ownership, depending on project scale."
Helen's breath caught.
"That's… far better than any offer I've received."
Alex nodded. "It should be."
He turned to Jennifer.
"I need a Chief Legal Authority for Ashborn Holdings. Corporate law. Share management. Defense and offense."
Jennifer listened carefully.
"For every major legal conflict you resolve," Alex added, "you receive a performance bonus."
Jennifer smiled—slow, satisfied.
"…That's generous."
Alex replied simply, "Competence deserves reward."
The Interview
The questions began.
And immediately—
Both women stumbled.
Helen lost her train of thought.
Jennifer answered too quickly, then paused.
Alex noticed.
He chuckled softly.
That alone made both of them fluster again.
"No pressure," he said. "Let's talk first."
He shifted the conversation—casual, thoughtful.
Research ethics.
Corporate responsibility.
Long-term impact.
Slowly—
They relaxed.
Helen spoke passionately.
Jennifer spoke with calm precision.
The interview turned smooth.
Natural.
By the end—
Alex stood.
"You're both hired."
They froze again.
"Welcome to Ashborn."
He extended his hand.
They shook it—still blushing.
"You may start tomorrow," he added.
They thanked him, bowed slightly out of habit, and left together.
After They Left
The office fell quiet.
Alex leaned back in his chair.
"…They're different," he murmured.
Both Jennifer Walters and Helen Cho looked more beautiful than he remembered from canon.
More confident.
More striking.
Jennifer's presence lingered in his thoughts—
Her mature elegance, dark flowing hair, emerald eyes that saw through lies.
Tall, athletic, curvy, composed—authority in human form.
A woman who didn't need to raise her voice.
Helen, equally impressive in her own way.
Alex smiled faintly.
Ashborn Labs.
Ashborn Holdings.
Everything was finally coming together.