Paul cast a stern glance at Lena, signaling her to back off. But the woman wouldn't budge. He turned to his friend apologetically."I'm sorry for my wife's rude behavior, Hughie. She is tense because of our worsening financial condition. I can't hire Tyler or offer him any help with jobs."Hugh lowered his eyes in embarrassment. "I understand. You don't need to explain."Lena narrowed her eyes at the young man. "As far as I remember, Tyler went to Sapphire University and secured campus placement in a decent company, right? Why would he seek a job at a butcher shop? That sounds suspicious to me."Hugh shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "I have a confession, too. Tyler got into some trouble with a billionaire family after graduation. He was arrested, convicted, and sent to prison for three years. Now that he served his time, I am looking for gainful employment on his behalf.""Oh, your son is an ex-convict?" Lena snapped with derision. "He's unlikely to get a job in this climate. These
When the Grant boys reached home, it was already past dinner time. Hugh looked exhausted and worn out despite no physical exertion throughout the day.Tyler figured his father was upset by his embarrassment at Paul Walker’s home. Hugh used to be a successful businessman who provided for his family and helped his friends in need. Right now, he was a nobody whom everybody ridiculed and underestimated.“Dad, what if you could be GlobeMall’s owner again?” Tyler asked him on their way home.“It is good to dream of happy times, son,” Hugh replied in a defeated tone. “But we also have to be rooted in reality. Our family is reunited, but hard times are upon us again. Don’t worry; once you get a job, I will also start seeking one. I heard online food delivery apps are looking for delivery guys.”Hugh was indeed depressed about his helplessness but was also upbeat that his son had landed an interview at one of the city’s best insurance companies. That kept him going.Tyler was parking his bike
Hugh was speechless. How could the young daughter of his best friend talk to him in such an insulting manner? He stammered for a few seconds, trying to find the right words. However, before the man could respond, Jennifer disconnected the call rudely.Hugh lowered his phone from his ear slowly. He felt like somebody had kicked him in the face. Was he so pathetic and broke that youngsters had no respect for him? Even his son had to suffer second-hand humiliation.Tyler had overheard the conversation with his enhanced senses. “What is it, Dad? What did Jennifer say?”Hugh forced himself to smile. But the bitterness and suffering in his heart showed on his face.“Nothing important, son. She is patiently waiting for you. But you must show gratitude and appreciation for Jennifer’s efforts. Don’t forget to thank her profusely.”Tyler pursed his lips and nodded. “Don’t worry, Dad. I will pay her back a hundredfold.”***Tyler put his bike on overdrive and reached the main building of Skyline
Donald Glover was the Managing Director of Skyline Insurance Company. He sat in his office, rubbing his forehead in anxiety. Lately, profits had plummeted in the company balance sheet, giving him nightmares.Donald just got off a call with the Chairperson, Natalie Anderson. She might be a beautiful young woman in appearance, but she was a fierce tigress when it came to business. Natalie threatened the MD she would fire him if profits didn’t rise by the end of the present quarter.Donald looked at the printed reports before him. Sales had not gone down; in fact, they were much higher than last year. However, a particular account had withdrawn huge claim settlements over the previous year.The account didn’t belong to an ordinary civilian or company. It belonged to the Sapphire City branch of the Red Viper gang. They had been leeching off the company through fraudulent means.The gang members purchased fire insurance policies for old, derelict shops at huge principal sums. They set fire
Tyler relaxed in his chair and crossed his legs. "I was in prison for three years, convicted of aggravated assault. My Dad used to be a sanitation worker. Are these answers satisfactory?"Jenna winced at the young man and pushed back in her chair as if he were untouchable. "So you are an ex-convict? This was a mistake. I don't think we hire criminals in our organization. Besides, your family appears steeped in poverty, barely getting a morsel to eat.""We don't hand out jobs as alms," Ben said with a snort. "If we knew a homeless ex-convict had applied for this position, we would've struck that name from the list!"Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? I think you already know that I was an ex-convict and the son of a sanitation worker. In fact, someone tutored you on how to deal with me before the interview started."Tucker, the man to Jenna's right, slammed his hand on the table. “What nonsense are you blabbering, wastrel! Are you really here for an interview? Is this how you behave
Clyde was so frustrated that he barely spoke anything as he led Tyler into the claims department hall. The manager felt acid reflux rising in his throat as he realized their devious plan had failed miserably.Jennifer had asked Clyde to bribe and coax the interview panel to reject Tyler and humiliate him in the process. Instead, not only did they hire the young man, but he was promoted to an officer position. The CEO, Donald Glover, himself intervened and signed his joining letter!What had gone wrong in his plan? Did Tyler have influential connections? Did the guy have friends in high places? That was highly unlikely, considering his low socioeconomic background.“This is your table,” Clyde said reluctantly, showing him to an empty cubicle. “Let’s see whether you can actually read English.”Tyler ignored the manager’s insult. He seemed to be on the verge of a stroke.“By the way, what happened in the interview?” Jennifer asked with scorn. “Why was Mr. Glover so impressed with you? Di
Tyler had barely used his mystical energy in Peridot City and had a full stockpile bubbling to be exploited. He was itching to unlock one of his abilities that would be perfect in the current situation."Guardian Hermes," Tyler said aloud, radiating mystical energy into the vacant hall. Guardian Hermes was an ability to manipulate any setting or situation related to commerce. The setting could be a bank, an insurance company, a business establishment, a corporate office, a library, a conference room, and so on.Skyline Insurance's claims department hall suddenly came alive. The furniture and stationery rattled, and files and pen caps snapped open. It was as if invisible hands had seized control of the objects in the room.Pens scribbled vigorously; pages flipped by themselves; rubber stamps trampled; staplers clicked. Everything happened uniformly, neatly, and at breakneck speed.Within ten minutes, the mountains of files had been reduced to nothing. They were deposited to the dispatch
"What the hell am I doing here?" Barney exclaimed as he alighted from the bus with Tyler. "And don't you have a car to drive us around?"Tyler patted the guy on the back. "I have a bike, but the passenger seat is reserved for my near and dear ones. So the bus was our best option. Besides, I didn't ask you to accompany me. Your boss did."Barney rolled his eyes and grimaced. Tyler was his designated partner, and they were supposed to go on all field trips together. But that didn't include suicide missions!When the manager, Clyde Smith, read Donald Glover's message aloud, Barney was the first to object. The CEO wanted Tyler to handle the Red Vipers gang account. Not only was the young man a newbie, but letting him deal with a notorious gang was like signing his death warrant.However, Barney's protest backfired heavily. The angry manager ordered him to join Tyler. The duo's task was to refuse the gang's insurance claim to their face."I don't want to die!" the bespectacled guy exclaime