Here Comes the Lord

Chapter 7 Mess in the Hallway

Mark asked Linda to take him to the company where he and Celia worked.

Upon arriving at the imposing building with a dark blue glass facade, Mark was going to ask for a favor...

But Linda was an efficient secretary and promptly parked in the back of the company instead of going to the building's parking lot.

"Lord Ferro, I know you don't want to be recognized." Linda turned off the engine.

"Thank you for your discretion, Miss Mattes. But none of this will be necessary anymore."

"Why?" Linda asked as she got out of the car. She walked around and opened the door for Mark to get out.

He answered as he got out, "The people in this company don't know, but I am the true owner of it. I bought it to give to Celia after we celebrated our first wedding anniversary."

Linda was shocked. "She was going to receive this company on a silver platter?"

The company they were talking about is a famous fashion world publisher. The company, called 'Glamour,' started with a weekly magazine, but then expanded to other branches.

They had their website, a TV station that aired fashion shows and programs, sponsored beauty pageants, and currently paid digital influencers to have a presence on social media, reaching the current generation.

But all of this was only possible through Mark's invisible hand.

"Exactly." Mark nodded, "But since Celia didn't want to wait, there's no reason for me to keep my disguise as a janitor anymore."

"I'm sorry, Lord Ferro... I hope you will triumph in this situation. I'll be available." Linda nodded and said goodbye to her boss.

Mark walked around the building and entered.

The interior of the company was luxurious, as expected of a fashion-related company. The employees also dressed according to the latest trends.

That's why the same employees felt entitled to check and criticize each other's clothing.

Mark, as expected, did not escape such judgments.

"Have you heard?" Mary Ellen, one of the employees, called a few more colleagues in the hallway to gossip, "That janitor finally lost his wife! They divorced!"

"Argh, tell us something really juicy!" João, a stylish guy with glasses, reacted with indifference.

"I'm serious! Celia is no longer the girl who brings us coffee and bottled water. We need to treat her with respect now." Mary Ellen retorted.

"Exactly," said another girl, Gisléne, "We can't deal with Adrian Curtis."

"What people wouldn't do for fame and money, huh?" João belittled Celia.

However, when they saw Mark approaching, they deliberately reversed the comments as if they were Celia's number 1 fans.

"Oh, here comes the failed janitor!" Mary Ellen shouted. Her shrill voice caught the attention of other employees.

"Look, man, I know you're just a janitor." João teased, "But at least you could keep your uniform clean, right?"

"Does this guy even get paid?" Gisléne asked disdainfully, "How can he be so miserable?"

Mary Ellen continued, "He's one of those poor people who spend their meager salary on drinks and bets!"

"That's why Celia rightfully left him!" Gisléne laughed, being joined by the others.

Mark was ready to go straight to HR to resign.

But upon hearing Gisléne, something in him beeped and made him turn to them.

"Did you know about Celia and Mr. Curtis?" He asked indignantly.

"What?" Gisléne stopped laughing and glared at Mark, "Who do you think you are to be indignant about something, you loser?"

João added salt to the wound, "A useless guy like you doesn't have the right to be called 'head of the family'!"

"That's right!" Mary Ellen echoed the insults, "Poor Celia, the horror and disappointment she must have gone through. She deserves happiness, and that doesn't include you!"

Mark stood there observing with great displeasure the employees supporting adultery just because one of the parties was rich and powerful.

He decided it was time to end this nonsense.

However, footsteps were heard, and someone of great authority appeared, shouting, "What's all this gossip going on here?"

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Anthony Curtis, the general manager of Glamour and Adrian's father, stood with a furrowed brow and arms crossed, displeased to see several employees gossiping and wasting time instead of working.

When he caught sight of Mark in the middle of the hallway, he smiled slyly, "Mark Ferro, you never tire of causing trouble in the company, do you?"

Mark widened his eyes. "Huh? Manager Curtis, there must be a mistake..."

"Yes, I know there's a mistake. You are the mistake. You should be downstairs in the cleaning room, organizing materials to clean the floor!

"Where's the broom, where's the mop? You're not even in your uniform!"

All the employees were relieved to see that Mark would take the blame for the commotion.

"Since you're not willing to work, you won't get paid either." Anthony decreed, "This month, you won’t receive your salary!"

Mark squinted at Anthony Curtis. Something is really off on this day.