112Darren, unable to contain his skepticism, spoke up. "And what if someone doesn't follow your rules? What are you going to do about it?"Michael locked eyes with Darren, his gaze filled with determination. "If anyone chooses to challenge my authority or disrupt the harmony of this team, there will be consequences. I will not tolerate any behavior that hinders our progress. This is a fresh start for all of us, and it's up to each and every one of you to make it work."Brad, feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment, couldn't hold back his emotions any longer. "This is ridiculous! You come in here out of nowhere and act like you can just boss us around? Who do you think you are?"Michael remained calm, his composure unwavering. "Brad, I understand your concerns, but I assure you that my intention is not to boss anyone around. I am here to lead this team towards success, and that requires a certain level of discipline and order. We need to work together, trust each other, and re
113Toby looked at Michael, concern etched on his face. "Are you sure you can handle this, Michael? Darren seems ready to strike."Michael shrugged, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "Toby, I've dealt with worse. I won't let him or anyone else stand in the way of our mission. We'll dismantle the mafia network, no matter who tries to stop us."Toby nodded, his confidence in Michael reaffirmed. "Alright then, let's show them what we're made of."At the break, Michael took Toby to the same chic restaurant they had visited before, "Le Petit Bistro." Toby looked around, a hint of worry in his eyes. "Do you think it's a good idea to come back here? Won't it attract attention?"Michael smiled reassuringly. "Sometimes, a change in attitude can be more inconspicuous than hiding. Besides, we need a quiet place to talk, and this is the quietest spot I could find."They settled into their seats and placed their orders, the anticipation building between them.Toby took a deep breath and deci
As the tension in the restaurant reached a fever pitch, Leo, a man of gentle demeanor and a higher-up at ForgeCo, could no longer sit idly by. He rose from his seat, his presence commanding the attention of the entire room. "Excuse me, everyone. Let's try to calm down and find a peaceful resolution," Sandra's words cut through the tension. "Accidents happen, and it's important to forgive and move on."Toby, relieved by Leo's intervention, quickly seized the moment to apologize. "Leo, I appreciate your words. I never intended for any of this to happen. Jimmy, I assure you, there was no ill will on my part. Please, let's find a way to resolve this peacefully."However, Jimmy's anger remained palpable, and forgiveness seemed far from his mind. He shook his head, his eyes gleaming with a mix of fury and determination."No, Toby," Jimmy spat, his voice laced with venom. "You won't get off that easily. You need to understand the extent of the humiliation you've caused me. Bend down and cle
115Later that day, Michael picked up the phone and called Douglas to discuss the new hires. "Douglas, I have some names for you," Michael said eagerly."Alright, what are they?" Douglas asked, already grabbing a pen and paper to take notes."We need to bring in Tim Andrew as an technician and Levi Zander as the new head of the communication department. Can you make that happen?" Michael replied confidently.Douglas paused for a moment, considering the choices. "Alright, I'll make the necessary arrangements. Are you sure about these positions?""Yes, absolutely," Michael affirmed. "Tim has the skills to be a great technician, and I believe Levi will excel as the head of the communication department."Douglas, always on top of things, quickly responded, "Consider it done, Michael. I'll take care of getting them both on board."A few days passed, and Tim Andrew started working as a technician within the company, while Levi settled into his new role as the head of the communication depar
116In the dusky evening hours, Levi sent the incriminating records to Michael, before mustering the courage to dial his number. He knew he had to share the haunting tale of what unfolded at the fateful meeting earlier that day.Levi's voice quivered with a mix of fear and urgency as he recounted the spine-chilling encounter to Michael."It was like something out of a nightmare," Levi began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was ambushed, Michael. These shady armed men cornered me, demanding to know how I infiltrated ForgeCo and secured the position as the head of the communication department."Michael's eyes widened, his face filled with concern. "But why would they care about your role in the company?""They were convinced I was an undercover cop," Levi replied, his voice filled with disbelief. "I had to go to extreme lengths to convince them otherwise. I was so terrified, I even wet myself to make them believe I wasn't a police officer."Michael's shock was evident as he struggl
Once Michael and Levi had gathered and organized all the information about ForgeCo's involvement in drug trading, Michael knew it was time to inform Douglas, his father's right-hand man. He wanted to ensure that the evidence ended up in the right hands. "Douglas, I have something important to share with you. It's about ForgeCo and their illegal activities," Michael began cautiously.Douglas listened intently, his brow furrowing as Michael detailed the evidence they had accumulated. "This is grave news, Michael. We cannot let these criminals go unpunished. Can I see the evidence?"Michael sent a confidential file to Douglas, who scanned its contents with increasing seriousness. "Thank you, Michael. You've done well to bring this to my attention. This is a matter that needs to be handled carefully. I will ensure the information is put in the hands of trustworthy individuals who can limit any potential backlash on ForgeCo.""We need to ensure Toby and Levi are safe and taken care of. Th
Michael had grown tired of relying on public transportation to get around. The thought of owning his own car brought a sense of freedom and independence that he desperately longed for. Determined to make that dream a reality, he decided to visit the local Porsche dealership.As he strolled into the sleek showroom, the air conditioning hit him with a refreshing blast, providing a temporary respite from the scorching heat outside. He looked around, admiring the luxurious vehicles on display, his eyes gleaming with excitement.However, dressed casually in a worn-out t-shirt and faded jeans, Michael didn't exactly fit the profile of a typical Porsche customer To make matters worse, he had arrived on his old, half-broken bike, which seemed out of place among the fancy cars.The salespeople, polished and impeccably dressed, turned their attention away from Michael and focused on the potential high-paying clients browsing nearby. They whispered amongst themselves, casting occasional glances
119The taunts of the Porsche salespeople still ringing in his ears, Michael turned on his heel and stalked out of the dealership, each step resonating with his unshakeable resolve. He didn’t need to prove anything to them, but he was tired of being underestimated. He walked across the street, his sights set on the Lamborghini dealership that beckoned invitingly.As he stepped into the Lamborghini showroom, he was greeted by a much more welcoming atmosphere. The salespeople, dressed in tasteful suits, approached him with courteous smiles and a professional demeanor, a stark contrast to the snobbish behavior he experienced at Porsche."Good afternoon, sir," one of them greeted, extending a hand. "Welcome to Lamborghini. How may I assist you today?""I'm interested in purchasing a car," Michael replied, returning the handshake. The salesman, Thomas, raised an eyebrow. "Any particular model you're interested in?"Michael shook his head, "I'd like to see your most luxurious car."Thomas'