37Allvar's mind raced, but he refused to react further. He would not give them the satisfaction of knowing they had gotten under his skin. "I believe that’s enough banter for now," he said, forcing his voice to remain calm. "Let’s dive deeper into the logistics of our project."The woman leaned back in her chair, still grinning, and whispered to her colleagues, "He’s trying so hard to be serious. It’s adorable!"Allvar pretended not to hear, focusing intently on his notes. "First, I propose a detailed analysis of our target regions. This will allow us to identify key opportunities and tailor our approach accordingly.""Key opportunities? Or should we call them ‘keys to nowhere’?" the woman replied, unable to contain her laughter."Is this a meeting or a comedy show?" a man at the back chimed in, chuckling. "Because I’m ready for the next act."Allvar forced a smile, swallowing his irritation. "I assure you, the insights will be valuable. Let's keep our focus.""Valuable? That's rich!
38As he reached the living room, Allvar paused outside the door, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for whatever news or lecture was coming this time.“Come in, son!” his father’s booming voice called from inside, filled with warmth. "I’m glad you’re here."Allvar pushed open the door, forcing a smile as he stepped into the room. “Dad, you wanted to see me?”His father sat comfortably on the plush couch, a knowing smile already playing on his lips. “Yes, I did. There are a few things we need to talk about. Specifically, your future—”Allvar cut him off with a sarcastic tone, crossing his arms. “Oh, great. More surprises? Should I brace myself for another bombshell? Or is this the part where you reveal I have a long-lost brother who’s next in line for the company?”His father chuckled softly, motioning for him to take a seat. “Nothing that dramatic this time, I promise. Sit down, son. It’s not that kind of talk.”“All right,” Allvar replied, ploppi
39The next few days were filled with tense whispers and heated exchanges among the board members. Their offices buzzed with outrage, jealousy, and disbelief. Every time Allvar passed by, conversations hushed and eyes narrowed. It was no secret that they weren't happy with Ms. Westwood’s decision to fire Marcus Vale and appoint Allvar in his place.First of all they were the same people who have belittled and dismissed him the last time when he came for the job interview. They were feeling so shameful!They were friends with Marcus Vale. And now the CEO, Ms. Westwood has fired him to put this pauper useless at Marcus position. They couldn't believe it.In one of the boardrooms, Edgar Loud, the silver-haired board member who had questioned Allvar’s qualifications, slammed his fist on the table. "This is absurd!" he growled, his face flushed with anger. "A few days here and suddenly he’s a member of the board? He hasn’t earned it!"Ms. Abbott, seated across from him, folded her arms, h
40The days following Allvar's promotion were far from smooth. Resentment simmered beneath the surface, and the tension among his colleagues became palpable. Every time Allvar entered a room, conversations would abruptly stop, and hostile eyes followed his every move.One morning in the break room, the whispers behind him were louder than usual as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He didn’t need to turn around to know they were talking about him."Can you believe this?" Jake, one of the more senior employees, muttered to Edgar, his voice low but full of disdain. "Ms. Westwood must’ve completely lost it. There’s no way this kid deserves Marcus's position."Edgar leaned in closer, sneering. "The guy has no clue what he's doing. You think he can handle Marcus's clients? Please. He’ll crack in no time." He shot a look at Allvar, who stood rigidly by the coffee machine.Allvar tightened his grip on the cup. The temptation to turn around and say something was strong, but he forced himself
41The next day came, and Allvar sat in the conference room with the Henley team. As expected, it was a disaster. Every proposal he put forward was met with cold rejection, their questions coming at him like bullets. The tension grew unbearable, thick in the air."Is this the best you’ve got?" Mr. Henley sneered, his fingers drumming on the table as he flipped through the proposal. His face twisted in obvious disdain. "I expected more from Waterfall Corporation. Or maybe Marcus was carrying this company on his back.”Allvar’s jaw clenched. He could feel the heat rising to his face, but he kept his voice steady, determined not to let them see they were getting to him. "This is just a preliminary offer, Mr. Henley. We can discuss adjustments to meet your expectations."Henley leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. The smug smile never left his face. "Adjustments? No, we’re talking about a complete overhaul, Mr. Falck. You clearly don’t understand our business. Or maybe… you just d
42As soon as Ms. Westwood stepped out of Allvar’s office, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out her phone. Her fingers moved swiftly over the screen as she dialed a number. After a few rings, the call connected.A deep, authoritative voice came through the line. "Westwood.""Mr. Falck," she began, her tone immediately shifting into one of deference. "I wanted to update you. Everything is proceeding according to plan. Your son... he’s handling the pressure better than expected."There was a pause on the other end, and she could almost picture Leonard Falck’s sharp, calculating expression as he listened. "Good. It’s all a test for him. I need to know if he can handle it, if he’s ready.""Yes, sir," Ms. Westwood replied quickly. "He’s proving himself, slowly but surely. The board is starting to take notice. They won’t admit it, but they’re impressed.""Hmph," Leonard grunted, his voice laced with skepticism. "They’ve always been a pack of vultures, circling the weak. But they
43The butler remained silent for a moment, watching his employer carefully. "And if he 'is' ready? If he succeeds in spite of everything?"Leonard's eyes darkened as he stared past Lorentz, his mind clearly elsewhere. "Then we’ll have our answer." He paused, his tone softening slightly, though the edge remained. "He’ll have earned his place by fire, and no one—not the board, not his so-called colleagues—will question his right to lead."Lorentz shifted on his feet, his hands clasped behind his back. "And you, sir? Will you... be proud of him?"Leonard's jaw tightened, the question hanging heavy in the air. He turned his back to Lorentz, walking toward the window, the weight of the world seemingly pressing down on his broad shoulders. "I’ve never given my son anything, Lorentz. Not without him earning it. If he survives this, if he proves himself worthy... then maybe."The silence stretched between them, the air thick with unspoken tension. Lorentz cleared his throat, his voice barel
44Serena’s heart pounded in her chest as she marched up to him, her fists balled at her sides. The sight of Allvar casually leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone as if nothing was wrong, ignited a fury she hadn’t known she was capable of.“Allvar!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the stillness of the hallway.He looked up slowly, raising an eyebrow. When his eyes met hers, a lazy smirk spread across his lips. “Well, well, if it isn’t Serena.”“You piece of shit!” Serena spat, her steps quickening until she was just a foot away from him. Her entire body vibrated with anger. “What the hell is wrong with you?”Allvar’s expression remained infuriatingly calm as he slipped his phone into his pocket. “What’s wrong with 'me'? I think you should be asking yourself that question, Serena.” His tone was mocking, and Serena could feel her pulse in her ears.“You’ve ruined everything!” she shouted, her voice cracking. “I can’t even walk around campus without people laughing