The process wasn't all that smooth as some delays came from some of the surveys Charles insisted on conducting personally—short conversations with recipients that stretched each stop longer than necessary.
Charles did not enjoy being in the thick of it. He had confided to Don earlier, voice low while Ash was occupied elsewhere, that he did not fully trust Mr. Xiao to share the complete survey data.
He suspected the chairman would keep the most promising names for himself. As a result, Charles tried to linger near anyone who seemed even mildly interesting, listening in and asking his own careful questions.
It worked for a time, but they still had a schedule to keep, and the visible frustration built in his posture with each forced departure.
Don understood it. The capable individuals were rarely the ones left out on the streets for long.
