Mark squinted at Anthony Curtis. Something is really off on this day.
Could it be possible that Anthony was trying to please his son, knowing that he is dating Celia, and decided to punish her ex-husband for something he didn't do?
How else to explain this scathing injustice?
Anthony, still with a serious look, turned to the other employees.
"Well done! The guy is not working, so he doesn't deserve his salary!" João exclaimed, laughing uncontrollably.
Laughter echoed throughout the hallway.
Anthony knew that Mark was an exemplary employee. Often, he would go above and beyond to keep a good impression on his superiors.
If Mark has a fit body and toned muscles, it is due to the hard work of his profession.
However, everyone had a prejudice against Mark for being poor and for his appearance.
In a company that worked with fashion and physical appearance, Mark always seemed to stand out from the image Glamour wanted to portray to the public.
But Anthony was not stupid. If he only punished Mark, maybe the fool would finally gather the courage to protest, so, not to be so obvious...
"And why are you all laughing over there?" Anthony turned to the others, "We have a magazine to publish, articles with deadlines to be edited, and a program to record.
"But all of you are watching the clown Mark, huh? Do you want to go without a salary too?"
Everyone immediately stopped laughing when they realized they wouldn't be spared.
"Manager Curtis, it's not like that!" Mary Ellen tried to explain, "It all started when—"
"Blah, blah, blah, you all just talk, talk, talk, and don't deliver any results to me!" Anthony shouted.
João, the editor, pointed a finger at the general manager, "Don't even think about cutting our monthly salary, Mr. Curtis! All the power you have wouldn't prevent the Labor Court from receiving our complaint and lawsuit!"
Anthony was shocked. And now, what to do?
Mark smiled smugly, satisfied with what he saw. It seems that there is justice in this company, after all...
Glancing at Mark and seeing him smile, Anthony became angry and decided to escape using Mark as bait, "OK. I'm not careless enough to risk the company being sued. I know your work is harder than janitorial services."
Mark's smile quickly faded.
Excuse me? Janitorial work is less demanding than writing, editing, and layout?
While I bust my butt with brooms, mops, and scrub brushes, these cretins spend the entire day in the comfort of air conditioning, with their butts in a cushioned chair, clicking and typing on the computer!
"But so I won't be unfair, you will lose a day's pay! Let this chaos not happen again!" Anthony decreed and quickly spun on his heels, returning to the safety of his office.
Mark was outraged. He felt that Anthony did not correct an injustice, but instead, dropped another bomb to explode in Mark's lap!
The employees turned to Mark and nearly lynched him as was done in the Wild West!
"YOU DAMNED JANITOR! It's all your fault!" João shouted.
"Why did you have to take a day's pay from us?" Mary Ellen whinnied.
"Do you hate us so much to be so cruel and inhumane?" Gisléne complained, "While you have the ease of janitorial work, we shed our blood to keep the fashion world working!"
Mark couldn't control himself anymore.
"Are you kidding me? Do you want to spend a day scrubbing floors and washing dirty floor cloths?"
João crossed his arms and approached Mark with indescribable disdain, "No, thank you. That's what happens to people like you who don't specialize in anything.
"Let me describe you, because I know people of your kind: you wasted your time in high school, didn't pay attention in class, got horrible grades, and graduated out of pity from the teachers.
"Since you obviously couldn't get into any college, you do what every poor guy does: take the first crappy job you can find, bed a girl from the slum where you live, and marry her without a shred of love.
"Now, with your life being the mess that it is, you rebel against people who didn't follow your lead and think the world owes you something. That's why you cunningly manipulated Manager Curtis to punish us today!"
Mark was taken aback by João's words.
He had never heard such calumny and absurdity in his entire life!
But instead of a single soul warning João that he is exaggerating, the other colleagues applauded João and booed Mark.
"Pretty right, João! That's how scum like Mark lives!"
"He should be fired, that's what!"
"If he were smart, he would resign, it would be better than working a whole month for free!" Gisléne laughed mercilessly.
Mark only had one thing in mind: to get out of there as quickly as possible! He feared if he stayed for too long, he would become as blind and arrogant as these idiots.
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Here Comes the Lord Chapter 9 'Disciplining' the Janitor?
Mark couldn't believe things were escalating to this point. Not only had he become divorced overnight, but now several employees from the company where he worked had taken the day to mock and unjustly accuse him. Something inside of him said that what Anthony Curtis had just done was an indirect favor for his son, now that he was with Celia. "What are you doing standing there, janitor?" João wouldn't leave Mark alone. "Are you thinking of quitting?" "It's better to take João's suggestion," Mary Ellen neighed. "You have no future here anymore." "Unless you want to see your beloved ex-wife happy with another guy every day," Gisléne added, making the others laugh. Mark seemed immune to the employee's provocations. If they expected a violent reaction from the janitor, they would be disappointed. A smile creeping up on Mark's right corner of his lips made the group stop laughing. "What's so funny?" João asked indignantly. "The funny thing is that you guys lost a day's salary by ki
Here Comes the Lord Chapter 10 Keep Up the Good Work
"Miss, do you know this guy?" João pointed at Mark with disgust."I don't know him intimately," she replied, "But he is not entirely unfamiliar to me.""IMPOSSIBLE!" Mary Ellen screamed, "You and he come from completely different worlds!"Gisléne stepped forward, "Miss, let me explain: this guy, although he is not wearing a uniform, is the most deplorable janitor in our company. The other janitors at least manage to keep their uniforms clean, but Mark insists on keeping his always dirty and grimy." Mark smiled ironically. His uniform was the dirtiest because Celia always dumped it into the sink and used it as a mop every time he had hand-washed it. To make matter worse, Celia forbade Mark from using the washing machine because she didn't want his uniform to stain her clothes. João added salt to the wound, "Furthermore, he made us lose a day's pay today, so we need to straighten things out with him." The lady disagreed with the views of the others, "Excuse me, but I thought I was e
Here Comes the Lord Chapter 11 Nothing Personal, Just Business
Mark was about to continue walking when he thought better of what to do.Miss Vasconcelos would probably be busy with Manager Curtis now, so he could stop by the office later.So, he decided to go first to the janitors' room to gather his things before resigning.As he spun on his heels, he realized with exasperation that Mary Ellen was still at the door of her office."Forget it.""Forget what?" Mark frowned."Her. Forget her. She's not for you." Mary Ellen grinned wickedly."Don't you have anything better to do, Mary Ellen?" Mark crossed his arms.He swore that Mary Ellen would be the first on the list to be fired!"Well, since you did me the favor of making me lose my day's pay, I have no motivation to work anymore." Mary Ellen mocked."So get ready to clean, mop floors, disinfect sinks, and unclog toilets." Mark shook his head."Why? You won't be around anymore to do that charity work for us?" Mary Ellen chuckled strangely, as if she suffered from bronchitis, "You really believed
Here Comes the Lord Chapter 12 An Unusual Rescue
When Mark burst into Anthony's office, he got a better view of the situation.Anthony was about to grab Briana in his arms. Briana was semi-conscious, with a red face. Her arms were flailing, trying to push away from the perverted manager.Near her, on the floor, was a smashed coffee cup."Is this the kind of collaboration you want, Mr. Curtis?""MARK?" Anthony's eyes widened as he realized who had burst into his office, "What do you think you're doing? Get out of here immediately!"Mark clenched his fists in anger. Did the general manager really think he would just leave and abandon a defenseless lady?What kind of man would he be?Boldly and irritated, Mark approached in three steps, "Let her go!"With a precise punch, Mark hit Anthony, throwing him away from Briana.The punch was so strong and unexpected that Anthony fell on the coffee table. The impact made him faint instantly.If the coffee table had been glass, the result might have been more disastrous...But Mark had no intent
Here Comes the Lord Chapter 13 Marry Me
Mark came to think that he deserved the prize for both the unluckiest and luckiest person in the world.OK, Mark didn't consider 'unlucky' to have met a beautiful woman like Briana Vasconcelos.The big problem, in his view, was the completely unexpected situation in which he found himself with the same Briana!Everything seemed to conspire for Mark not to escape from his predicament, starting with the same Briana who locked the car with a technology unknown to him.Then, it seemed that the drug had given Briana some strength from beyond to subdue a man.As Mark had noted before, the car was parked in a spot away from the other cars.Also, the employees usually have lunch at a nearby restaurant and walk there, so no one would enter the parking lot and find one of the cars in this unexpected situation.Mark almost strangled himself struggling to prevent Briana from taking off his shirt, but, with no way out, he no longer stopped her and resigned himself.He convinced himself that Briana
Here Comes the Lord Chapter 14 A New Spirit
Mark and Briana walked out of the registry office.For both of them, the feeling of being married gave them an extra dose of confidence in what to do.Mark looked at his new wife and felt that she had a different sparkle in her eyes.As they walked towards her car, he asked, "What's the matter, Briana?"Mark wondered if it would be too bold to call her by affectionate names, but at least he wouldn't call her formally."I can't explain, Mark," Briana replied, "But I feel that signing that certificate gave me a boost for what lies ahead.""Do I not repulse you?" Mark asked, thinking of the countless times Celia had told him that.Briana stopped next to her car's driver and shook her head. "Why would I? I might not know you deeply, Mark, but I'm sure you're not of the same kind as those who drugged me."Mark smiled contentedly to hear that.He felt that, if his marriage wasn't perfect as it usually is in fairy tales, at least with Briana, it wouldn't be a repetition of what it was with C
Here Comes the Lord Chapter 15 It's a Shame, But I Will Have to Fire You
Anthony Curtis was shocked to hear the door of his office being slammed open.When he saw who it was, his face immediately turned red with anger."MARK FERRO! What does this mean?""Did you call me, Manager Curtis?"Anthony was taken aback by Mark's sarcastic tone and attacked with words, "What is a mere employee, of the lowest rank, doing with such an arrogant attitude?""Manager Curtis, my time is precious," Mark replied, leaving the door open, "Let's address what happened."Anthony was a bit confused, but continued to speak angrily, "Yes, let's talk about what happened! How dare you barge into my office and take Miss Vasconcelos, one of our most esteemed collaborators?"Where did you take her? We have CCTV footage showing you taking her by the arm to I don't know where!"You better tell me now what you did with her or where she is, or I'll fire you and report you to the police for kidnapping Miss Vasconcelos!"Mark was not shaken by the words.He shook his head slowly, feeling disg
Here Comes the Lord Chapter 16 Interim Manager
Anthony Curtis was catatonic for a few seconds. He couldn't believe what his ears had just heard.Him, fired?He was about to fire the troublemaker janitor!How is that possible? What did he do wrong?Anthony shook his head and questioned, "Gene, today is not April Fool's Day. Stop with the prank!"Gene rolled his eyes and signaled to someone, "Manager Curtis, this is not a joke. We received strict orders for your position to be terminated today.""Gene, I demand that you give me an explanation—"Anthony was even more shocked to realize that Gene had hung up on him.João, Mary Ellen, and the other employees were in shock, not knowing what to say. Did they hear correctly?"Manager Curtis, why are you reacting as if YOU were the one being fired?""Didn't you explain to HR that it's janitor Mark who has made our company an impossible place to work?" João asks scandalously, entering the office.Mark, glancing disdainfully, warned João, "Careful, idiot. You never know when HR is in a bad m
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Chapter 403 It’s a Matter of Coffee
Briana and Luana were chatting animatedly about work, each seated at their desks. Luana shook her thermos, frowning at the emptiness.“Where’s the coffee lady?” Luana muttered.A soft ding came from Briana’s phone. She checked it and smiled. “Mark says she just dropped off fresh coffee for him and Karl.”Luana’s head shot up. “Karl! Oh, he’s here? That dog didn’t call me...”Briana’s smile faded as she stood. “He didn’t call you?”Luana shook her head, her expression turning serious. “And he didn’t come home last night.”“That’s odd,” Briana replied, frowning. “You should go to their office and see what’s going on.”Luana stood as well, her determination clear.As she opened the door, she nearly collided with Viviana, who was entering with the coffee cart.“Coffee, ladies,” Viviana announced with a saccharine smile.Luana’s tone turned sharp. “I hope your boss told you that you’ve been serving us old coffee while giving the fresh brew to the men.”Viviana’s jaw tightened, her teeth cl
Chapter 403 Glamour’s Dress Code
Mark entered his old, dimly lit apartment, greeted by Regis at the door.Lord Ferro’s expression was cold and detached, as if the matter at hand — Christopher’s life — was of little significance.“He’s in the bedroom, getting dressed,” Regis informed him.Mark’s tone was sharp. “Isn’t he ready yet?”Regis smirked faintly and disappeared into the bedroom.Moments later, he and Vargas reappeared, dragging Christopher into the living room.Christopher’s shirtless torso and haphazardly zipped pants betrayed his interrupted efforts to dress.“Hey, I wasn’t done getting dressed— what the hell are you doing here?” Christopher demanded. “I’ve already told them everything I know!”Mark’s voice was calm, yet chilling. “I just want to make sure you understand your situation, Christopher.”A shiver ran down Christopher’s spine. “I thought Alan Campos Rocha was handling this. Who are you, really, Mark?”Mark’s gaze didn’t waver. “I am exactly what you see.”Christopher’s indignation flared. “No sl
Chapter 402 He’s Still My Man!
Mark’s Old Apartment.Regis tossed a blanket over Christopher, covering him from the waist down. The gesture did little to alleviate Christopher’s discomfort, his unease palpable in the stale air of the room.Meanwhile, Vargas reappeared, dustpan in hand, sweeping up the pile of dirt he had gathered.“Did you come here as hitmen or housemaids?” Christopher quipped, his sarcasm cutting through the silence.Vargas scowled. “Hey, you’re not in a position to be making jokes, smartass!”A faint smile tugged at Christopher’s lips. At least he still had his wit.Regis, unamused, turned to him with a stern expression. “Mr. Vasconcelos, have you reflected on the consequences of your actions?”Christopher’s reply was quick and deflective. “I just wanted to return to my studies.”“Without saying goodbye to your family? Without confessing the truth that could set you free?” Regis pressed.Christopher smirked bitterly. “I don’t exactly feel liberated right now.”Regis remained impassive. “Mr. Vasc
Chapter 401 Back to the Origins
The apartment where Mark and Celia once lived still bore the marks of abandonment and poverty, worsened now by neglect and the absence of constant care.The air was heavy, the space cluttered. Yet, Vargas lounged on the dingy couch, idly scrolling through his phone, his lips curling into a faint smile as he chuckled at a comedic reel.The front door creaked open, and Regis stepped inside.His nose wrinkled in distaste at the sight of the disheveled apartment.The instincts of a butler immediately kicked in, compelling him to search for a broom as he passed Vargas, who remained engrossed in his phone.The trending dance music playing from Vargas’s phone added to the room’s chaotic ambiance.Moments later, Regis returned with a battered broom, its bristles worn and frayed.“Is this all we have?” he asked, holding up the broom in dismay.Vargas finally looked up, surprised. “Hey, we’re not here to clean. We’re here to watch over our prisoner.”Regis shot him a stern glare. “Get off that
Chapter 400 Taking Risks
The next morning dawned over Braspolis with a soft glow, the aerial view of the city bathed in golden light. The day promised a mix of tranquility and tension, a contrast that echoed in the lives of its inhabitants.Mark and Briana lay nestled together in the comfort of their bed. The silence of the room was abruptly interrupted by the simultaneous blaring of their phone alarms, making any attempt to continue sleeping impossible.Briana groaned. “Wow, who can sleep with this going on?”Mark chuckled softly. “No one. That’s the point.”Reluctantly, Mark reached over to silence his alarm while Briana did the same on her side.With a resigned sigh, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and slipped her feet into her slippers.“I wonder how things are with my family right now,” she murmured, her gaze distant.Mark, still searching for his boxers, glanced at her. “You’re dying to find out, aren’t you? Why don’t you just go over there?”Briana turned to face him, catching the implicati
Chapter 399 Carrying a Carpet
Mark entered his study, exhaling deeply after a long day.The room was quiet, its dark wood paneling reflecting the faint light of the desk lamp.He approached his desk and opened his laptop, its screen flickering to life.Just as he settled into his chair, the familiar sound of footsteps announced the arrival of Regis, the ever-composed butler.“Good evening, Mr. Ferro,” Regis greeted him with a subtle nod. “We’ve taken care of the matter you requested.”Mark turned, his eyebrows lifting slightly. “Already?”Regis nodded again, his expression betraying nothing.“So, where is the runaway?” Mark asked, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.“He’s returned to Sterling University,” Regis reported. “However, he’s so ashamed of recent events that he’s refused to contact anyone from the family.”Mark’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “He knows he’s in the wrong. He’s well aware of how badly he messed up.”Regis inclined his head slightly. “What would you like us to do next, sir?”Mark
Chapter 398 Another Vasconcelos Meeting
The living room of the Vasconcelos mansion buzzed with tension as Althea called the family together once again.The air was heavy with stress, and the expressions on everyone's faces reflected the weight of their name—a name that had long ceased to be a symbol of privilege and had instead become a burden.“I hear today was an eventful one for some of you,” Althea began, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room.Gilson frowned, suspicion creeping into his voice. “Mother... who told you?”Sandro responded with a sly, innocent smile, while Claudia pressed her lips tightly together, and Nadir absently ran her fingers over the pearl necklace that was rightfully hers.“Is it too much to ask for communication in this family?” Althea asked, her tone cutting.“Don’t confuse ‘communication’ with ‘gossip,’” Gilson snapped, his frustration boiling over.“Oh, I see,” Althea replied with icy sarcasm. “Because I’m an old woman living under this roof, I’m not supposed to know about the messes you all
Chapter 397 Where’s Karl
Meanwhile, Mark sat in the near-empty café with Sandro and Nadir.The evening crowd had thinned, and the staff were wrapping up for the night. Some waitresses had already left, and the coffee machine had been switched off.Sandro leaned forward, his voice low but urgent. “It looks like they’re going to shut down. We need to act quickly.”Nadir sipped his lukewarm coffee, grimacing. “Hmm… This coffee wasn’t brewed fresh.”Mark smirked. “So, you’ve heard the big news, haven’t you?”Both husband and wife nodded, their smiles showing satisfaction.“My niece is getting what she deserves for choosing someone who doesn’t love her,” Nadir said with a hint of venom.“I should have followed my instincts about him,” Sandro admitted.Mark picked up a cheese puff, popping it into his mouth while mentally tallying the calories he’d need to burn at the gym later.“What’s our next move?” Nadir asked.Mark turned to Sandro. “Are you sure you still want to work at Vasconcelos?”Sandro’s confidence was
Chapter 396 A Tense Afternoon
Adrian stepped into his apartment, clad in a workout tee and gym shorts, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He had just returned from the gym, and his expression was guarded, his brows furrowed in thought.On the couch, Anthony lounged, casually watching TV.Noticing his son’s wary demeanor, Anthony muted the television as the commercial break began.“What’s wrong, son?” he asked, his tone displaying concern.Adrian placed the duffel bag on a nearby dresser, hesitating for a moment before speaking. “Dad, remember what you said about James? Turns out we were wrong.”Anthony’s attention sharpened. “What happened?”Adrian crossed his arms, a grim look on his face. “James has sided with Mark.”Anthony chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. “No, no. They’re not friends. James is just using Mark to get closer to Briana, pretending to play nice.”Adrian frowned, unconvinced. “But would Mark really be that naive?”Anthony leaned forward, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Since when did we as