Heavens Fortune System

A Day of Humiliation and Hope

Ethan quickly bowed his head and thanked her for the lift. All the other workers, who had been looking down on him and mocking him for being the poorest among them, were stunned as they watched him step down from the car belonging to Sophia Caldwell, the youngest daughter of the man who owned the company.

“Here, take my card. If you need anything in the future, just call or text me,” Sophia said, pulling a sleek business card from her handbag. She handed it to Ethan as she prepared to leave.

Ethan hesitated, then cleared his throat and said, “Actually… I don’t have a phone to text or make calls, but thank you. I’ll keep it.” He slid the card into his trouser pocket. Despite his shabby appearance, Sophia treated him kindly, like an equal—unlike his colleagues, who despised and mocked him for his struggles..

“I’ll come by this afternoon,” Sophia said after a moment, studying him thoughtfully. “I’ll bring you a phone so you can reach out if you ever need help.”

Ethan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

He watched her drive off before turning toward the company entrance, feeling a small sense of relief that he had managed to arrive early. Although he used to arrive an hour ahead of time, this morning he was only five minutes early.

As he stepped inside, James, the branch manager, stormed down the staircase to confront him.

“Ethan! Why are you late today?” James barked, his tone sharp and condescending.

“But sir, I’m not late. I’m still five minutes ahead of time,” Ethan replied calmly, his posture steady.

James’ face darkened. “What do you mean, ‘five minutes ahead of time’? Do you think this is a joke? Don’t you dare give me attitude. And another thing—don’t let me catch you with Sophia again. She’s someone’s girlfriend, and you’re just a nobody. I won’t stand by and watch you take advantage of her just because she’s foolishly kind to people like you!”

Ethan blinked, confused and irritated. “Sir, I don’t understand what you’re implying. I only helped her fix her car this morning because it broke down on the roadside. She offered me a ride—nothing more,” he explained, keeping his tone even but firm.

James’ expression twisted with fury. “How dare you talk back to me?” he shouted, slapping Ethan across the face. “You think you’re clever, don’t you? You helped her fix her car? Is that supposed to be your job? Why are you so useless? Oh, I see it now—you’re trying to get close to her so you can scam her, aren’t you? That’s your plan!”

Ethan clenched his fists at his sides, forcing himself to stay calm. He understood the risks of reacting in anger. “I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again,” he said, bowing his head slightly.

“That’s not enough!” James snarled. “Kneel down and apologize right now, or you’re done here!”

Ethan froze, his pride warring with his fear of losing his job. After a moment, he slowly lowered himself to his knees. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,” he repeated quietly.

James smirked, satisfied with his humiliation. “Good. Now get back to work.”

Later that afternoon, Sophia returned to the company, and James happened to be out at the time. She asked for Ethan, and when he was brought out, she walked straight toward him.

“Ethan, what’s wrong? You don’t look happy. Did something happen?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Ethan hesitated, then said, “Come with me. I need to tell you something.” He gently took her hand and led her to a quiet area where there were only a few people around.

He explained everything that had happened that morning, from James’ accusations to the humiliating apology.

Sophia’s expression darkened. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea James would act like that. For the record, I don’t have anything to do with him. He’s been trying to force his way into my life, but I’m not interested.”

“I didn’t ask if there was anything between you two,” Ethan interrupted, his voice tense. “I just don’t want any trouble. I’m here to work and earn money—I don’t need complications. That’s all.”

Sophia frowned as Ethan’s tone grew sharper, and he suddenly stopped, realizing he had been yelling. His shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at you.”

“It’s okay. I understand,” she said softly. She held out a small box. “Here—this is the phone I promised. Please, take it.”

Ethan hesitated, but seeing the sincerity in her eyes, he finally accepted the gift. “Thank you. I really appreciate it,” he said, a forced smile tugging at his lips.

Sophia smiled back. “You’re welcome. Now, let me make it up to you. Let’s go out—I’ll treat you to something nice so you can forget about what James did this morning.”

“Oh, no. You know I can’t leave work. If James finds out, I’ll lose my job,” Ethan replied quickly.

Sophia waved his concerns away. “Don’t worry about James. This is my dad’s company. He’s only here to manage this branch—he’s not family. If he gives you trouble again, I’ll make sure he’s fired. Now, come on!”

Ethan hesitated, his stomach growling. He hadn’t eaten lunch, and he didn’t have enough money to buy food. “Alright. Where are we going?” he asked softly.

“You’ll see. Don’t worry—I’ll pay for everything,” Sophia said with a grin as she led him to her car.

Sophia turned to Ethan as she was about to start the car. “So, where do you want us to go now, Ethan?”

“Umm… I think we should go to Fred’s Restaurant. It’s not far from here, and it’s more affordable,” Ethan said, fixing his gaze elsewhere to avoid looking at her directly.

Sophia raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Well, I’ll take you somewhere nicer since you clearly don’t know how to pick a good spot.”

Before Ethan could protest, she started the car and drove off with confident determination.

They arrived at Goldtast Restaurant, an upscale establishment that oozed luxury from its polished golden entrance to the uniformed staff standing at attention. As they stepped out of the car, Sophia lightly held Ethan’s left arm, guiding him toward the entrance.

Before they could enter, the security guard stepped forward, blocking their path with a skeptical expression. His eyes darted to Ethan’s shabby clothes, and his tone was dismissive. “Sir, this place is reserved for—”

Before he could finish, his gaze landed on Sophia. His demeanor changed instantly as he recognized her. He bowed quickly, stepping aside. “Apologies, Miss Caldwell. Please, go right in.”

Ethan felt a pang of discomfort but said nothing as they walked inside.

The restaurant’s interior was breathtaking—gleaming chandeliers, marble floors, and an aroma that made Ethan’s stomach rumble. As they were seated, Ethan was handed the menu, but he found himself staring blankly at it. The elegant dishes and their fancy names were completely foreign to him. Instead, he found himself distracted by the intricate designs of the walls and the impeccable service around him.

Noticing his hesitation, Sophia smiled and took charge. “I’ll order for us,” she said and quickly placed their requests.

As the meal arrived, they ate while chatting. Sophia took the opportunity to explain James’ earlier behavior. “You see, James and I dated for about five months. It was a mistake, honestly. I ended things, but he’s been trying to force his way back into my life. That’s why he was so aggressive with you this morning—he’s still bitter about the breakup.”

Ethan nodded but didn’t say much, his attention more focused on the incredible food in front of him. He had never tasted anything so delicious, and his silence didn’t escape Sophia’s notice.

“Are you even listening, Ethan?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

He looked up, startled. “Oh, sorry. Yeah, I’m listening. So you mean that’s why he acted like that? Does he seriously think there could be something between us? I’m just a poor guy—someone who could never meet your standards.” His voice was quiet but tinged with frustration as he kept his gaze on his plate.

Sophia leaned back in her chair, her expression growing serious. “James knows I’m not the kind of person to care about class or wealth. If I like someone, it’s because of who they are, not what they have.”

Ethan gave a shrug, brushing her words aside. “Well, he’s still an idiot if he thinks I like you. Let’s be real—we’re not the same. I don’t even try to go beyond my boundaries,” he said nonchalantly, his attention already back on his plate as he enjoyed the meal.

Sophia paused, watching him closely. The playful grin she had worn earlier was replaced with a contemplative expression. Then, as if out of nowhere, she asked, “Would you marry me?”

Ethan froze mid-bite, almost choking on his food. He coughed, hastily swallowing as he stared at her in disbelief. “What? Wait… I don’t understand. Did I hear you right?”

His heart raced as he tried to process what she had just said, but Sophia’s serious expression left no room for doubt.