The sun had just begun to rise over Ashrock, painting the low buildings and narrow streets in a pale gold hue. Ashburn stepped out of his car with Aisha and Kainat beside him, a map of the city open on his tablet. The air smelled faintly of dust and fresh bread from a nearby bakery — a typical Ashrock morning.
He rubbed the back of his neck, scanning the modest rows of residential homes. "There aren't any real business plazas here," he murmured. "But I want something independent — a place that feels like the center of it all. Our headquarters shouldn't just be a rented room."
Aisha's POV
She folded her arms, squinting at a small single-story house at the corner. "That one looks nice… spacious enough for a meeting room, and maybe a few desks. You could turn one of the bedrooms into a file room."
Kainat tilted her head thoughtfully. "Or maybe a small apartment flat near the city's edge. It would be quieter, and you could add your office upstairs."
Ashburn smiled faintly. "Both sound good. I want the place to feel stable — a symbol for the employees that this business is here to stay."
They spent most of the morning walking through different neighborhoods, speaking with brokers, and taking photos. Ashburn was quiet most of the time, his eyes scanning every corner with calculation — visualizing desks, meeting tables, shelves, and a small kitchenette for breaks.
He wasn't looking for luxury — he was looking for permanence.
By noon, they stopped at a small café for tea. Aisha leaned on her hand, watching him go through notes. "You've been thinking too much again," she said softly.
He chuckled. "If I don't think, everything might fall apart."
Kainat smiled warmly. "Nothing will. You've built too much for it to crumble now."
---
Scene Shift — Internal Announcement
Later that day, Ashburn gathered the floor managers from all three shops, the delivery supervisors, and a few senior workers from the factory. It wasn't an official meeting, but everyone could sense something important was about to be said.
Ashburn stood before them, calm but firm, hands in his pockets.
"Everyone," he began, "we're entering a new stage of our business. As things expand, I can't handle every detail myself — so I'll be opening a Head Office soon."
There was a soft ripple of murmurs.
He continued, "With that, several new positions will open — Head of the Three Shops, Factory Operations Head, Distribution Lead, and a few other management posts. The salaries will be higher, and benefits will follow accordingly."
Eyes widened. For most workers, this was more than they'd ever hoped for — an actual chance to move upward, not just survive on daily shifts.
Ashburn smiled faintly, sensing the renewed energy ripple through them. "Nothing's decided yet. Everyone will be evaluated based on dedication, honesty, and ability. Do your best — opportunities don't knock twice."
When the meeting ended, whispers of excitement filled the rooms. Workers began organizing shelves more neatly, helping each other, staying later to double-check records. The atmosphere in all three shops changed almost overnight — driven not by fear, but by ambition.
---
Ashburn's POV
Watching them from the side of the supermarket, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. It wasn't just business growth anymore — it was people growing with it.
I quietly opened my digital notebook, beginning a personal shortlist. Using the Truth-Seeking and Risk Mapping abilities, subtle data and instinctual readings filled my mind as I analyzed every employee — their strengths, their honesty, their reactions to pressure.
Khalid from Shop Two — good with people, but too lenient with credit.
Sadaf from packaging — quiet, efficient, loyal.
Rehan from delivery — potential manager material, but needs polish.
I saved the notes silently, never mentioning them to anyone. "Let them all work naturally," I whispered to myself. "People reveal themselves best when they don't know they're being observed."
---
Scene Shift — Evening Discussion
That evening, Ashburn sat at the small dining table with Aisha and Kainat, sheets of paper spread out across it — rough drafts of the future company structure.
"Okay," Aisha said, her tone serious, "we'll need at least one Head of the Shops, a Factory Manager, a Logistics Coordinator, and maybe an Accountant if we don't want to handle all reports ourselves."
Kainat added, "And for the future, maybe a PR or community manager — especially if we want to expand the charity kitchens under the same umbrella."
Ashburn nodded. "Good idea. We can add that to the future structure chart."
They spent the next hour sorting through lists of internal names and preparing a general recruitment notice to post around the city and on social media. Ashrock wasn't a big city, but word traveled fast. The notice was simple — professional opportunities, growth potential, training included.
As Aisha finalized the draft, Ashburn leaned back, exhaling deeply. "This month's been heavy. But once the office is ready and the staff's in place… maybe we can finally breathe a little."
Kainat chuckled softly. "You said that last month."
He smiled. "And I'll probably say it next month too."
---
Closing Scene — Narration
By the end of the fifth month of the sixth evaluation, Ashburn's world had shifted again — from managing with his own hands to preparing others to take command. The search for the Head Office continued, shortlists quietly formed, and the workers of Ashrock's fastest-growing business poured their efforts in with renewed spirit.
Underneath all the paperwork and planning, Ashburn knew something fundamental was happening — his dream was no longer his alone.
For the first time, Khan Enterprises — the name he scribbled at the corner of his notebook one night — felt like it was beginning to take shape.