Virtual Game Plan

Ryan crossed his hands and looked at her solemnly as he asked.

Although he had not been at the company during this time, he had never paid any less attention to it, especially its upper management, who had remained under Nazarick's surveillance.

Quite a few among the executives had betrayed him. He knew that perfectly well, but Ashe had not betrayed his trust and had upheld the integrity expected of the secretary to the board.

"I once thought I would always be your assistant..."

Ashe's expression was bitter, and the hand holding her wineglass trembled slightly.

Unexpectedly, rather than feeling excited upon hearing this decision, she was instead plagued by an inexplicable irritation.

Ryan fell silent when he saw this and said nothing.

He knew Ashe liked him to some extent—or perhaps admired him.

But he knew even better that she was a woman whose rationality outweighed her emotions, and she would not let such feelings influence her too much.

Just as he expected, Ashe quickly composed herself and looked at him gravely. "I am confident I can manage the Haulers Group well, but I need to make one thing clear in advance: I will not do anything that betrays humanity as a species."

Ashe's voice was firm as she lightly bit her lower lip.

She had once thought she knew the man before her very well—his hobbies, his personality, his tastes...

But when the war broke out and Ryan's true identity was exposed, she realized that had merely been her own illusion.

"Ashe, that really hurts my feelings. You should know that, in some sense, I'm human too."

He muttered with a hint of theatrics, then walked to the wine cabinet, picked up a bottle of red wine, refilled his empty glass, and returned to clink it against hers.