Rivals Redemption

chapter 68 : The ultimate challenge

Rowan Cortez

Starting my career as a junior aerospace engineer was everything I had dreamed of. The offers had come in from some of the most prestigious companies, but none of them held the same appeal as Victor Diaz's company. It wasn't just because of his reputation or the scale of his projects-it was personal. A chance to prove myself not just to the world, but to Tina's father, who had never made it easy for me.

Walking into the towering building, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This wasn't just about engineering; it was about the unspoken challenge between Victor and me. He didn't want me here, and I knew it, but I thrived on that tension.

I had barely settled in when I saw him. Victor Diaz, as composed and unyielding as ever, walking down the hallway, flanked by a few of his executives. Our eyes met, and I could see the subtle narrowing of his gaze. He approached with a calm confidence, the kind that demanded respect.

"Rowan," he said, his voice controlled but heavy with meaning. "Welcome to the company."

"Thank you, Mr. Diaz. I'm looking forward to contributing," I replied, matching his tone.

His lips curled into a tight, barely-there smile. "I'm sure you are. Let's see if you can keep up with the standards we set here. This isn't a place for amateurs."

I didn't flinch. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could."

Victor took a step closer, his eyes sharp. "This is my world, Rowan. It's not like university or your side projects. You'll find it harder than you think."

"I'm ready," I said, keeping my voice steady. "And I'm not just here to learn-I'm here to show that I belong."

His expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. Maybe he wasn't used to being challenged so directly. "We'll see," he said before walking past me, leaving me standing in the middle of the hallway with my resolve only hardening.

The first day was going to be interesting, but I knew one thing-I wasn't backing down. Not from Victor Diaz, not from this challenge.

Starting my career as a junior aerospace engineer was everything I had dreamed of. The offers had come in from some of the most prestigious companies, but none of them held the same appeal as Victor Diaz's company. It wasn't just because of his reputation or the scale of his projects-it was personal. A chance to prove myself not just to the world, but to Tina's father, who had never made it easy for me.

Walking into the towering building, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This wasn't just about engineering; it was about the unspoken challenge between Victor and me. He didn't want me here, and I knew it, but I thrived on that tension.

I had barely settled in when I saw him. Victor Diaz, as composed and unyielding as ever, walking down the hallway, flanked by a few of his executives. Our eyes met, and I could see the subtle narrowing of his gaze. He approached with a calm confidence, the kind that demanded respect.

"Rowan," he said, his voice controlled but heavy with meaning. "Welcome to the company."

"Thank you, Mr. Diaz. I'm looking forward to contributing," I replied, matching his tone.

His lips curled into a tight, barely-there smile. "I'm sure you are. Let's see if you can keep up with the standards we set here. This isn't a place for amateurs."

I didn't flinch. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could."

Victor took a step closer, his eyes sharp. "This is my world, Rowan. It's not like university or your side projects. You'll find it harder than you think."

"I'm ready," I said, keeping my voice steady. "And I'm not just here to learn-I'm here to show that I belong."

His expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. Maybe he wasn't used to being challenged so directly. "We'll see," he said before walking past me, leaving me standing in the middle of the hallway with my resolve only hardening.

The first day was going to be interesting, but I knew one thing-I wasn't backing down. Not from Victor Diaz, not from this challenge.