"What! You expect me to work for Benjamin?" Chris's voice shot up as he glared at Karen with disbelief dancing in his eyes.
"Of course," Karen answered curtly. "You should be grateful Mr. Burton was generous enough to offer you a job after the embarrassment you caused him."
Chris opened his mouth to protest, but she quickly cut him off.
"I don't want to hear another word of complaint from you, Chris. Our family supported you since you were a child, but now that you're a grown man, we won't let you live off our daughter's income any longer!"
Karen crossed her arms, her tone final. "Make your choice. Either you accept the job with Mr. Burton or pack your things and leave this house."
With Karen being the one who made most of the decisions in the household, Chris had little choice. Reluctantly, he agreed to take the job.
"Be ready first thing tomorrow. We're going to his office," she added sternly before walking off.
After Karen and Josh left, Chris knew he had some explaining to do to Ava. He spent most of the evening apologizing for not listening to her five years ago when she begged him not to take the blame for Alice.
It seemed like their friendship was on the mend. Ava even admitted she was glad he had moved on from Alice. They agreed to head together to Benjamin's company in the morning to see about the job.
---
7:45 AM
Karen was up and dressed, ready to leave for the company.
"Chris!" she called sharply, but there was no response. Ava, also ready, stepped out just in time.
Before Ava could explain, Karen huffed, "I knew it—he's probably still in bed!"
"I'm not asleep, Aunt," Chris said as he descended the stairs calmly.
Karen, acting as if she hadn't just accused him of slacking, turned away quickly.
"Let's go. Mr. Burton is likely expecting us," she said as they all headed to their luxury car.
Ava offered to drive. As Chris moved to sit in the front passenger seat, Karen abruptly blocked him.
"What do you think you're doing?" she snapped, slamming the door shut.
"I'm getting into the car, Aunt. Isn't that where we're going?"
"Well, not you," she retorted coldly. "You're not worthy of sitting in this car."
"What? But we're headed to the same place. You want me to be late—?"
"I expect you to walk," Karen interrupted him harshly. "That's what you're good at."
She climbed into the car and shut the door without a second glance. Ava looked torn but didn't intervene—Karen's decision was final, as usual.
Josh, feeling sorry for Chris, tried to hand him some money for transport. Chris refused, insisting he'd manage on his own.
By the time the family reached Benji's Corp, Chris was already there—waiting outside.
"Chris? How are you even here before us?" Ava asked, astonished.
Karen was speechless. She knew Chris had no money or car. Even if he took public transport, he shouldn't have beaten them there.
Chris simply smiled, recalling how he had tapped into his super-speed ability. He'd arrived in under ten seconds and had been waiting for nearly thirty minutes.
Just then, a security guard approached. "Sir, the boss would like to see you now," he said, leading them to Benjamin's office.
But the office was empty. They waited another half hour, still no sign of him. Chris, smiling faintly, wondered if Benjamin was stalling on purpose.
"Where could he possibly be?" Chris finally muttered.
At that moment, Benjamin walked in.
"Apologies for the wait," he said, moving towards his desk.
Chris scoffed under his breath, "Seriously?"
Benjamin narrowed his gaze. "Did you say something?"
"Not to you directly," Chris replied. "But come on—we've been waiting forever. Can we start the interview now?"
Benjamin smirked. "Interview? I never said anything about an interview. I said I'd offer you a job."
Chris stared at him, confused and irritated. "What kind of job doesn't require an interview? Nobody gets a position without at least reviewing a CV!"
Benjamin stood, folding his arms. "Graduates get interviews. Not ex-convicts."
Their eyes locked, tension thick in the air. It was clear Benjamin had planned to humiliate Chris before anything else.
Then, Benjamin dialed a number. "Send them in."
Two men in janitor uniforms walked in.
Chris's brows furrowed. "Who are these guys?"
"Your coworkers," Benjamin said smugly. "As of today, you'll be a janitor here. Starting pay—$300 a month. Maybe more, if you prove yourself."
Karen stepped forward quickly, thanking Benjamin profusely. But Benjamin wasn't interested in gratitude from her.
"There's something else," he said, glaring at Chris. "I don't feel appreciated. I gave your adopted son a chance, and he's just standing there, ungrateful."
"I want to hear him call me his Divine Helper," he added, his voice rising.
Karen spun around, shooting Chris a cold look. "Go on. Tell him how thankful you are."
Chris didn't budge. He was too deep in thought, calculating every move.
Karen's voice hardened. "Are you deaf? Thank him properly!"
Chris finally responded. "Why should I thank him for offering me such a degrading job?"
Alice stepped forward, trying to calm him down, but Chris ignored her.
"Shame on you, Benjamin," Chris barked. "Of all the roles you could offer, you chose janitor? You call that a favor?"
"And what else would I offer an ex-convict?" Benjamin shot back. "You're not even worth the dirt on my shoes!"
Chris's eyes narrowed. "Big mistake, Benjamin. You're underestimating me. I'm not the same Chris you sent to prison."
"Oh really?" Benjamin mocked, chuckling darkly. "You're still that same pathetic friend I used to order around. You'll never bring me down."
Chris smirked. "What if I told you I already have?"
Benjamin laughed, Alice shook her head, and Karen looked confused.
"Why are you laughing?" Chris asked calmly. "Did that sound funny to you?"
Benjamin stopped laughing. Placing a hand on Chris's shoulder, he said, "Benji's Corp has five major contracts with Dragon Group. We're about to announce a $1 billion deal. A nobody like you can't touch us."
Chris's smirk deepened. "True. A nobody like me can't destroy your company. That's why I already did."
"What?" Benjamin snapped. "What are you talking about?"
"Check your phone."
Benjamin pulled out his phone. His expression changed instantly—eyes wide, jaw slack.
Emails flooded in. Their bank accounts were drained. Contracts—gone. Dragon Group and several others had cut ties. The final message: Benji's Corp is now under a $7 trillion mortgage.
He turned to Chris, visibly shaking. "Who are you?"
Chris held his gaze, smiling coolly. "Told you not to underestimate me, didn't I?"