?


    "It just doesn''t add up, gically speaking!"


    In Roseanne''s tone, Halley could almost see a shadow of her biological father, Maddox Cole.


    He couldn''t help but wonder how she had managed all these years alone in Lumina City. It wasn''t the smooth sailing that bred such audacity in someone to personally fund aboratory; nor did an easy path furnish anyone with the connections and means to secure such arge plot ofnd, let alone breeze through the approvals...


    This sister of his was a mystery from head to toe.


    Yet, more than unraveling the mystery itself, Halley found himself more concerned about what she had been through.


    But he asked nothing.


    Perhaps not bringing it up was the best constion he could offer.


    Halley''s expression grew serious. "It really doesn''t match up. The project''s moving slower than I anticipated."


    "The reason? Have you figured it out?"


    He gave a wry smile. "Short on hands."


    "Really? That''s it?"


    Halley''spany had long since moved away from basic construction work, which was not only grueling but also not very profitable.


    So, when they decided to focus on smart home instations, they dropped the construction segment altogether.


    But Roseanne had specifically requested they handle the construction work as well.


    Halley understood her; building from the ground up, construction was fundamental.


    It made sense she wouldn''t trust it with anyone else.


    "We''ll do it, then. It''s not like we''ve never done it before."


    He immediately got in touch with a former construction crew, "About twenty or so people, all hardworking and honest. Based on previous experiences, I estimated we''d have enough manpower."


    If they stuck to the original n without deepening the foundations, his estimate would have been correct.


    But Halley wanted to do better and made ast-minute change to the blueprints. That small 3-centimeter adjustment was a significant amount of work.


    "...and with that change, we''re short-handed."


    Roseanne pondered for a moment before asking, "Is this a long-term issue, or just temporary?"


    A one-time blueprint change, extending the schedule, was manageable.


    But constant changes and extensions were out of the question.


    Halley replied, "I reckon we''ll need to make further adjustments to the blueprints. Our current manpower... it''s not sufficient."


    "I see. So, we''ll find a couple more crews?"


    Halley couldn''t help butugh and sigh, "You think construction crews are like cabbages at the market? Avable whenever you want, just throw money at it?"


    "Isn''t that the case?"


    "Far from it! A good crew is booked solid year-round, impossible to just schedule on a whim."


    "What if we offer more money?"


    Halley shook his head, "The extra we can offer won''t cover their breach of contract fees, and even if it did, it


    would damage their reputation. They won''t sabotage their own brand."


    Roseanne didn''t get it, "Willing to spend the money, and still worried about not finding the right crew?"


    "We might find someone, but


    et


    whether they''re suitable is another matter Without prior experience or reliable rmendations, the risks are too high."


    On a construction site, even a minor incident can escte into a major issue.


    You never know when someone might get greedy.


    By then, regretting would be toote!


    "So, I''d rather not just pick anyone."


    Roseanne sighed.


    "Alright, don''t worry. I''ll figure something out soon. It''s almost noon, how about I take you out for lunch?" "Sure, thanks, bro."


    "Little sis still so formal..."


    There was a quaint diner nearby, where their construction site''s lunches were delivered from every day.


    Halley usually ate with the crew, but with Roseanne visiting, they decided to eat at the diner.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Ma''am, two specials, please!"


    "Well, if it isn''t Mr. Halley! Brought your family today?"


    Halley scratched his head, "This is my sister."


    "No wonder she''s so pretty, runs in the family! Alright, take a seat, I''ll get cooking—"


    The diner owner greeted them warmly before heading to the stove to start cooking.


    "Hey, hold on, why are you letting


    them skin


    the line? My boss


    look bad." Content bemet


    inspect today, and this is make to


    "Oh dear! My apologies, I just "


    to


    me


    "Let it be, it won''t take long for two specials. Let them go first." A man''s calm voice cut through.


    Despite his work clothes and safety helmet, the diner owner could tell there was something different about him.


    He must be some kind of boss as well.


    She wondered.


    "Mr. Sullivan-" the man started to protest, "We''re in a hurry too. We were here first..."