Chapter 7

The dim light of the restroom flickered above as James stood cornered by two security guards, their sneers making it clear they relished this moment.

“Guess you didn’t think you’d end up back here, did you, ‘Mr. Carter’?” one guard jeered, pushing him toward the stalls. “Still pretending to be someone important?”

James remained silent, his gaze steady despite the humiliation. Let them think they have the upper hand, he told himself. Their time will come.

Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He managed to pull it out, seeing Alexis Lane’s name flash across the screen. But before he could answer, the guard nearest him snatched the phone.

“Well, well, what’s this? Ms. Lane is calling you? Trying to get help, huh?” The guard laughed and answered the call, pressing the speaker button.

“Hello, James?” Alexis’s voice was sharp, laced with authority. “Where are you?”

“Oh, James is a little busy right now,” the guard sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “Why don’t you mind your business, Ms. Lane, and let us take care of this ‘pauper’? He’s got some toilets to clean.”

There was a brief silence on the line before Alexis’s voice returned, now icy and controlled. “I’m coming down there right now.”

The guard snorted, tossing the phone to the floor. “Go ahead. Won’t make a difference. Your boy here is getting what he deserves.”

But even as he spoke, footsteps approached down the hallway, fast and purposeful. Within moments, the restroom door swung open, and Alexis Lane stepped in, her gaze sweeping over the scene with cold fury.

Her eyes locked onto the guards, her expression unyielding. “What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

The guards froze, caught off guard by her sudden presence. One of them stammered, “Uh… we were just, uh… making sure he knew his place.”

Alexis raised an eyebrow, her voice steady but laced with steel. “And you thought insulting him, and me, was appropriate?”

Ray appeared in the doorway, his expression confused and annoyed. “What’s going on here? Why is everyone so worked up?”

Alexis turned to him, her tone unrelenting. “Ray, did you know that this man you’ve been humiliating is actually the new CEO of Maple Properties?”

A stunned silence filled the room as Ray and the guards exchanged panicked glances. Ray’s face paled, his earlier arrogance dissolving into shock.

“That’s impossible!” Ray spluttered, looking from Alexis to James in disbelief. “He’s… he’s nobody! This has to be some kind of joke!”

Without a word, Alexis pulled out her phone and brought up a photo of James from a recent board meeting, clearly labeled with his full name and new title: James Carter, CEO of Maple Properties.

The guards took a step back, their faces twisted with regret and horror. Ray’s jaw dropped, the realization of his actions hitting him like a punch.

Alexis folded her arms, her gaze never leaving them. “Now, Mr. Carter, how would you like to handle this?”

James looked at each of them, his expression unreadable. He could see the fear in their eyes, the dawning realization that their casual cruelty had caught up with them. But he wasn’t looking for apologies.

A slow smile spread across his face. “Alexis, I have a different kind of punishment in mind.”

Ray blinked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “Mr. Carter, please, I… I didn’t know—”

James raised a hand, silencing him. “Save it. Apologies mean nothing to me.” He paused, his tone firm and unyielding. “Here’s what you’ll do. Since you all enjoy assigning degrading tasks so much, I’m giving you one.”

Ray’s face fell, realizing his fate was sealed. “Mr. Carter… please…”

James’s voice was cold. “You’ll lick the toilet. The security captain will join you. And as for you,” he turned to the guard who had taken his phone and insulted Alexis, “you’ll take the urinal. Since you’re so keen on degrading others, let’s see how it feels.”

One of the guards fell to his knees, hands clasped in desperation. “Mr. Carter, please… anything but that. I… I didn’t mean—”

James’s gaze hardened. “You’re right. You didn’t mean anything except to belittle and insult. Now, you’re going to find out what it’s like.”

He looked at the last guard, who had been silent throughout, now watching in shock. “You’re going to livestream this on I*******m. And I want everyone to see exactly how Maple Properties handles disrespect.”

A collective gasp filled the room as the severity of James’s demand sank in. The guards and Ray looked at each other in horror, knowing they couldn’t refuse. James was the CEO now, and disobeying him would cost them their jobs—and possibly more.

“Now,” James continued, crossing his arms. “Do it. Or you’re all fired on the spot. I’ll make sure you never work security in this city again.”

The security captain, face red and dripping with sweat, looked down at the toilet, a grimace twisting his face. Slowly, he leaned down, his expression filled with humiliation and anger.

Ray, trembling, followed suit, his usual arrogance shattered as he knelt beside the toilet, glancing up at James in a final, desperate plea. But James’s face was resolute, unmoved by the pitiful sight.

The guard with the phone reluctantly pulled it out, his fingers shaking as he opened I*******m and started a live stream. Soon, notifications poured in as viewers tuned in, commenting with confusion and shock.

“Just like that,” James said, his tone unyielding. “Let the world see what happens when you disrespect others.”

Ray, his face contorted with humiliation, leaned down, his nose inches from the toilet. A sickening silence filled the room as he finally lowered himself and licked the porcelain. The comments on the live stream exploded in laughter, disgust, and bewilderment as everyone watching witnessed the guards’ and Ray’s forced penance.

When it was over, James looked down at them, his voice even. “Let this be a lesson. Respect isn’t optional.”

The guards scrambled to their feet, wiping their faces in humiliation, while Ray sat back, utterly defeated, his eyes fixed on the floor.

James glanced at Alexis, who was observing the scene with quiet approval. She nodded, her voice calm. “I believe that was a fitting punishment, Mr. Carter.”

James smiled, glancing at the now-empty restroom. “I thought so too.” He turned back to Ray and the guards, his voice softer but no less firm. “Next time you see someone you think is beneath you, remember this moment.”

They nodded, still in shock, too ashamed to look him in the eye.

As James and Alexis left the restroom, Alexis glanced at him, admiration clear in her eyes. “You’ve made quite an impression, Mr. Carter.”

James chuckled, feeling the weight of his new authority settle over him. “Good. It’s about time they understood who I am.”