DETACHED

Chapter 19: What's Brewing?

The aircraft pierced through a blanket of white clouds before beginning its descent. Claire looked out of the window.

Germany.

She had visited before on business, but this felt different. This wasn't a two-day meeting. This was a relocation. She quietly folded her hands on her lap. Leaving London hadn't been as easy as she pretended.

Her apartment.

Her routine.

Her friends.

Everything had been left behind in less than a day. She let out a quiet sigh.

"I hope you're not regretting coming with me." Xavier asked feeling a bit guilty

Claire turned.

Xavier had looked up from the documents resting on his lap. His expression remained as calm as ever.

"No," Claire replied quickly.

"I'm just... adjusting." She lied

Xavier closed the file.

"I know this wasn't part of your plans." Xavier said wanting to apologize

"It wasn't part of mine either." Claire smiled faintly.

That sounded exactly like him.

Practical.

Honest.

Never dramatic.

"I'll make sure you're properly settled," Xavier continued.

"The company will arrange your accommodation."

"If there are any problems..."

"You come directly to me."

Claire blinked.

"You don't have to worry about anything." Xavier said

For a brief moment...

Her heart skipped.

She knew exactly what he meant. He was her employer He was simply taking responsibility for a member of his staff.

Nothing more, Yet...

A small part of her couldn't stop herself from wondering if there was something more behind those words. Almost immediately, she pushed the thought away.

Don't be ridiculous, Claire. She had worked with Xavier for nearly four years.She knew the kind of man he was.

Professional.

Respectful.

Thoughtful.

He treated everyone fairly. Still... It was difficult not to admire him She turned back toward the window before he noticed the faint smile on her face. Outside, Germany stretched beneath the morning sky.

A new city.

A new office.

A new beginning.

The aircraft touched down smoothly on the runway. Xavier fastened the button of his suit jacket before standing.

"We're here." Xavier said.

Claire quietly picked up her handbag and followed him.She had no idea...

That coming to Germany would change far more than her office address.

The black company sedan rolled to a smooth stop beneath the executive entrance of Cole Group Headquarters.

The driver quickly stepped out and walked around the vehicle before opening the rear door.

"We've arrived, Mr. Cole," he said. Xavier stepped out, fastening the button of his suit.

Claire followed behind him, clutching her tablet as her eyes instinctively travelled upward.The headquarters towered above them. Its glass exterior reflected the morning sunlight while employees moved briskly in and out of the building.

"It certainly lives up to its reputation," Claire said.

"It has to," Xavier replied.

Together, they walked through the revolving doors. The lobby bustled with activity. Employees hurried toward the elevators. Clients sat patiently in the waiting lounge. Receptionists answered calls while security officers monitored the entrance. Xavier slowed his pace.

His eyes swept across the lobby.

Nothing escaped him.

The receptionist noticed them approaching and smiled professionally.

"Good morning, sir," she said. "How may I help you" she asked a practice smile.

"We are here to see the chairman". Claire relied. Xavier turned around and walked away

"I'll inform his office immediately," she said as she reached for the telephone. As she dropped the telephone and raised her head to speak, she saw Claire running after Xavier, the receptionist looked slightly confused.

"Ma,... Hello miss?" She called after them.

Claire turned to the receptionist and mouttered Im sorry to the lady at the desk.

"Shouldn't we meet your father first?" she asked as manage tried to catch her breath

Xavier pressed the elevator button.

"I will see him later," he replied. Claire sighed softly.

Xavier merely smiled as the elevator doors opened. The first floor welcomed them with organised efficiency. Employees worked quietly at their desks. Department managers moved from one workstation to another, answering questions and reviewing reports.Xavier walked through the department without saying a word. No one noticed him.

When he reached the end of the corridor, he simply turned back toward the elevator. The second floor looked no different.A team of engineers gathered around a digital display discussing structural designs. Another department was already holding its morning briefing. Xavier paused for only a few seconds before continuing. Xavier observed that on a floor there were to department and both were doing their job. He smiled to himself

"This will be an easy ride" Xavier muttered.

Claire noticed something, he wasn't looking for mistakes, he was looking for standards.

The third floor impressed him even more. The atmosphere was disciplined.

Phones rang.

Printers hummed. No one wasted a second. From the way the department was one could tell that they were the public service, they dealt with complains, scandal, social media, advertisement and so other. They were incredibly busy.

Claire smiled.

"I think you'll struggle to find fault here," she said.

"We're only on the third floor," Xavier replied. But he silently praying to actually find no mistake

The elevator climbed once more.

When the doors opened onto the fourth floor... Laughter echoed through the corridor.

Xavier stopped.

Claire followed his gaze.

The words Urban developments Department were displayed beside a glass office. Inside, three employees sat comfortably around a table. A football match played on one computer. Another employee scrolled through his phone.

Several unopened project files lay forgotten on the table.

Xavier pushed the glass door open.

None of them stood.

One of the men glanced at him briefly before returning his attention to the match.

"We're in the middle of something," he said casually.

"If you're looking for someone, come back later."

Xavier walked to the table and picked up one of the files.

"When was this proposal submitted?" he asked.

"Three day......" The department manager paused his speech and frowned. He hadn't seen this face anywhere in the company

" Who are you?" The manager asked with a grown on this face as he got up to scold Xavier

"I'm asking about the proposal," Xavier replied.

The manager leaned back in his chair.

"And I'm asking who you are," he replied.

"If you're from another department, make an appointment."

"We don't entertain random inspections." Manager said arrogantly

Claire frowned.

"Sir..." she began.

Xavier raised a hand slightly. She immediately fell silent. He opened another file.

"This proposal is four days overdue, why hasn't it been reviewed?" Xavier said.

"And why the hell do you dare to touch those fine," the manager said he voice slightly louder.

"How dare you try to teach me my job." The manager said getting more irritated

Xavier looked around the office.

The manager smirked, " who do you think you are", he continued talking

"I've managed this department for almost ten years," he said.

"I don't answer to strangers who walk into my office acting important." He finished. All this time Xavier had been staring at the mid age man quietly waiting for him to finish. The two junior employees looked at Xavier and chuckled quietly.

But before Xavier could respond, hurried footsteps apprroached.

"There you are, Xavier." Uncle Mark stopped at the doorway.

"I've been looking everywhere for you," he said.

The room fell silent.

The manager's arrogance disappeared immediately.

He looked from Uncle Mark to Xavier.

" Xavier?" he repeated.

Uncle Mark looked at him.

"This is Xavier Cole," he said.

"Managing Director of Cole Group London Branch."

"And the Chairman's son." Uncle Mark said looking lovingly at Xavier. He has missed this child.

The manager's face instantly lost its colour. He stumbled to his feet.

"M-Mr. Cole... I..."

Xavier gently closed the file.

"You've managed this department for ten years," he said calmly.

"That's exactly why this is unacceptable." Xavier said, Claire chuckled, she knew, she has seen.

"Mr. Cole, please let me explain," the manager pleaded.

"I've heard enough," Xavier replied.

He placed the file back on the table.

"Effective immediately, you're relieved of your position." Xavier said and know to Uncle Mark

" "Uncle Mark, have HR review his personnel record and have Finance examine the department's recent reports.".."Xavier paused, taking his eyes away from the manager.

The manager sighed in disbelief

"As for the rest of you," Xavier continued.

"You'll receive written warnings."

"The next time I walk into this department..."

"I expect to find professionals."Neither employee dared to respond. They simply lowered their heads. Xavier turned toward Uncle Mark and took in the old man charm

Uncle Mark stood besides Xavier. The older gentleman in his late fifties, dressed in a neatly pressed navy suit and a crisp white shirt. His silvering hair was carefully combed back, and a pair of thin-framed glasses rested comfortably on the bridge of his nose. Time had softened his features, but it had done little to diminish the quiet dignity he carried.

There was something reassuring about him.

His gentle eyes held a warmth that contrasted with Xavier's guarded expression, and the faint smile that often rested on his lips made him seem approachable despite his formal appearance. He stood with the composed posture of a man accustomed to serving an important family, yet there was nothing cold or distant about him.

To Xavier, however, Uncle Mark had never simply been an employee of the Cole family.

He was one of the few familiar faces from his childhood that still made Germany feel a little less like a place he had been sent away from.

"I suppose my father has waited long enough," he said.

"I'm afraid he has," Uncle Mark replied with a smile.