89Michael, determined to maintain a composed demeanor in the face of conflicting emotions, shifted to the side of his desk where he wouldn't be immediately recognizable. Memories and mixed feelings flooded his mind, but he pushed them aside momentarily, focusing on the matter at hand.Glancing at Donovan's resume, Michael realized his old acquaintance was applying for a management position. Curiosity sparked within him, and he decided to challenge Donovan's suitability for the role."Donovan, considering the requirements of this management position, do you genuinely believe you possess the necessary skills and experience?" Michael's voice was steady, his eyes fixed on Donovan.Taken aback by Michael's sudden line of questioning, Donovan decided to test the waters, his voice laced with skepticism. "Hold on a second, Michael. Are you really the Michael I know? Or could you possibly be some sort of impostor?"Surprised by Donovan's lack of recognition, Michael felt a pang of disappointm
90"Hello Mike!" Emily greeted her brother with a kiss as he walked through the door. He had just returned from a long day at work."Mikey, I really need to redo my wardrobe. It's been ages since I've updated it!" Emily pouted, playing up her little sister act.Michael chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Alright, Em, I'll take a day off in two days and we can go shopping. How does that sound?"Emily grinned, hugging him. "Perfect! I love you, Mikey!"The next day at work, Michael was busy with recruitment. He discussed the process with Robert and his assistant, Elysia, explaining that he needed a day off. "I'm pretty beat," he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll be taking tomorrow off to recharge."In the afternoon, while Michael was engrossed in paperwork, his phone rang. Surprised to see Olivia's name flashing on the screen, he quickly picked up."Michael, is that you?" Olivia's sweet voice rang through the receiver. "I've missed you! It's been too long since we last caught up.
91Emily's fingers slipped from Michael's, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm moving forward, meet me there, I'm continuing my search for the perfect clothes, haha!" she chirped, her voice echoing in the quiet office. With a heart filled with an indescribable mix of emotions, Michael exited the office. The cold, sterile environment was suddenly replaced by the vibrant colors and bustling noise of a high-end fashion store. Soon, he found Emily, arms full of garments, eyes gleaming with anticipation."Michael!" she exclaimed, dropping the clothes and dragging him towards a shelf adorned with a variety of exquisite purses and handbags. "Look at this!" she said, pointing at a particular purse that seemed to stand out from the rest.The purse was a Regalia from LuxeVogue. It was a splash of vibrant colors against the stark white shelf. The purse was crafted with precision, the leather smooth and unblemished. Gold accents adorned the bag, glinting under the store lights. It was a sophi
92Samantha's face contorted into a mix of rage and indignation. "You think you can just play hero and buy her love? It won't work, Michael. Not with your empty pockets," she spat out, her words dripping with venom.Michael's eyes met Samantha's, unwavering in his resolve. "It's not about buying love, Samantha. It's about showing someone you care, even if it means making sacrifices. Maybe you'll never understand that," he replied calmly, his words holding a tinge of sadness.Emily, stepping forward, let her resolve harden her voice, "Michael is right, Samantha. This bag is just a thing, but his love means more to me than anything else. I won't let your bitterness taint that," she declared.Samantha's face contorted with anger, her eyes blazing with fury. She scoffed and turned to Ryan, a cruel smirk playing on her lips. "Did you hear that, Ryan? Michael thinks his love can replace the value of a $30,000 designer bag. What a pathetic joke."Ryan joined in,"Yeah, what a pathetic guy!" H
93Michael, still wearing his signature grin, looked at Samantha and Ryan with a twinkle in his eyes. "Never underestimate the quiet ones," he remarked, his voice calm but filled with a sense of victory.Emily couldn't hide her pride, a wide smile spreading across her face. She knew her brother was capable of surprising people, but this exceeded all expectations.The woman behind the counter regained her composure, a newfound respect evident in her features. "I apologize for my earlier judgment," she said sincerely, her tone now filled with respect.Michael nodded graciously, the satisfaction evident in his demeanor. "No worries. It happens. But thank you for helping me with the purchase."Samantha and Ryan remained silent, their disbelief still written all over their faces. The shop's atmosphere was thick with tension. Samantha's tear-streaked face contrasted sharply with the defiant glare from Michael. Ryan, standing beside Samantha, was a picture of arrogance, his jaw set in a har
94Michael watched them go, then turned to Olivia. “I’m sorry about all this, Olivia. That was uncalled for.” His eyes were apologetic, but also tired, this was not the first scene of its kind he had witnessed with Ryan and Samantha.Olivia, still shaken, managed a weak smile. “Do you know them, Michael?” she asked, trying to understand what just happened.Michael nodded. “Yeah, we've had a few run-ins before. Ryan’s got a stubborn grudge, and it seems he can’t let it go.”Olivia sighed, her eyes reflecting her worry. “Please be careful, Michael. People like that can be dangerous.”Michael nodded in agreement. “I will be, Olivia. Thanks.” He then turned to Emily, who had been silent the whole time. “Olivia, we were actually planning to have lunch after shopping here. But I understand if you're not up for it, given what just happened.”Olivia shook her head sadly. "I'd have loved to, but this whole affair has spoiled my appetite," she confessed.Michael smiled understandingly. "Maybe s
95The evening was falling when the phone rang. On the other end was Douglas Edward's right-hand man. “Michael, it's time to decide on your position within your father's metallurgy company. your father would like to know what role you want to take in the company. He's ready to arrange everything. What'll it be?"Michael paused, contemplating his options. He knew he wanted to be in a position where he could gather information and uncover any suspicious activities within the company. He wanted to understand the ins and outs of the business, to see if there was anything shady going on. He knew the perfect way to do it. After a few moments of deep thought, he responded, "Tell my father that I would like to start as a simple worker. I want to blend in with the employees, extract information, and discover anything shady going on inside the company." He continued, "I want to glean information from the workers like me and uncover any suspicious dealings. After that, we can reassess my posit
96Once Jimmy made his exit, Michael anticipated a formal introduction to the team, but Brad had other plans. "Look," he said, tossing a helmet, a vest, and a pair of gloves in Michael's direction. "I ain't got time to play tour guide, I don't have time to teach you everything like Mr. Turner wants. You'll learn their names soon enough." "Woow! This guy is really something" Michael was taken aback by this cold welcome."Now you'll have to gather scrap metals and it will be ironed again." Brad authoritatively assigned to him.A few men, his colleagues passed by, shoulder-checking Michael and greeting him with a mix of sarcasm and gentle ribbing. "Fresh meat!" one called out, the others chuckling. "New guy with soft skin!" Another called out.Only one, a burly man named Toby, asked them to lay off. "Come on, guys. Give him a break," Toby said, earning a chorus of " It's all part of toughening him up, he'll thank us later" from the others as they walked away."I'm Toby Stephens," he ex