Zero: God Of Mercenary

Chapter 8: Payback

After a single ring, the call connected.

“Hello, Sir Oliver!” Rebecca’s voice was smooth, professional.

Oliver blinked. “How did you know it was me?”

Rebecca smiled. “I don’t give my number to many people, and any unknown number I answer is always noteworthy. It wasn’t too hard to guess.”

Clearing his throat, Oliver asked, “Your offer of help still stands?”

“Of course. Anything, anytime.”

“Does Umbrella Bank invest the largest wet market in town?”

“Yes, we do.” There was a hint of curiosity in her voice. “Why do you ask?”

“The market manager is abusing his power. It’s harming business and could damage the bank’s reputation. He just assaulted my friend.”

Her voice took on a sharper tone. “Is that so? What would you like me to do about it?”

“Make it hurt.”

“Understood. Give me five minutes,” she replied before hanging up.

Anthony sneered as Oliver put his phone away. “Was that a fake call? Trying to scare me? Really funny.”

Oliver remained calm. “You’ll see soon enough. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Anthony laughed, patting Oliver’s shoulder mockingly. 

“Cute. Maybe next time, call my mom like a five-year-old.”

He walked off, leaving the wreckage behind. 

Once Anthony was out of sight, Oliver hurried to Nate, who was slumped against a bench. “You okay?”

Nate winced, holding his side. “I’ll live. But I’m more worried about losing this job. If I can’t work, I won’t be able to pay for my son’s cancer treatments.”

Oliver’s jaw clenched. “Don’t worry. Anthony will pay for this.”

Nate shook his head, forcing a weak smile. “You’re a good friend, but Anthony’s too powerful. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

Oliver sighed. Even if I told Nate who I really am, he wouldn’t believe me.

Nate forced a weak smile.

“Don't worry about me. I’ll figure something out. But what about you? Your wife will be upset if you don’t bring her any money.”

“We divorced,” Oliver said, “She kicked me out of the house, too.”

“What?” Nate’s eyes widened in shock, but he didn’t pry further, “If you don’t have a place to stay, you’re welcome at mine. It’s small, but there’s room.”

Even after being beaten because of him, Nate was offering his home. Moved by Nate’s kindness, Oliver gave a quiet nod.

“Relax. Anthony will come back soon to pay for us.” Oliver said, smirking.

Nate chuckled, thinking Oliver was just bluffing. 

But then his face fell as he saw Anthony approaching.

Anthony strode forward, his phone pressed to his ear. His swagger faded as he listened. “What? They were beaten up? Oliver did what—?”

His face twisted in anger. “You brought eight people, and he beat them all? Useless idiots!”

Hanging up, he grabbed a nearby steel pipe and turned, ready to take on Oliver himself. 

Oliver is dead! No one messes with me and gets away with it.

But before Anthony could take another step, his phone rang again. 

Seeing the caller ID, he instantly stiffened. 

“Yes, Mr. Lander? What do you mean, fired? You can’t be serious!”

Oliver smirked knowingly. Rebecca had come through.

Nate looked on, confused, as Anthony’s face turned desperate.

“You can’t just take away my management rights!” Anthony shouted, panic rising. 

“Mismanagement and damaging the company’s reputation,” Lander’s voice was cold. “And we’ve decided to file suit as well. You’ll be hearing from us soon.”

Anthony’s voice cracked. “Did I piss off someone important?”

Lander’s voice softened with curiosity. “Did you, by any chance, offend someone you shouldn’t have?”

Anthony froze, his mind racing. “Oliver? No way, he’s worthless bastard—”

The words died on his lips as the memory of that phone call clicked in his mind.

Anthony dropped the pipe, realizing what had just happened.

He stumbled forward, pulling a wad of cash from his pocket, almost kneeled before Oliver.

“Please… I didn’t know. Just take it. Don’t let them fire me. I’ll do anything!”

“It’s your behavior made them fire you, not just me. I just wanted what you owed us.” Oliver took only what was owed, leaving the rest. “You’ll need this money more than I will now.”

As he and Nate walked away, Nate finally broke the silence.

“What the hell just happened?” Nate asked, still reeling. “Did Anthony really just grovel to you?”

Oliver shrugged, grinning. “Karma, I guess.”

Changing the subject, Oliver glanced at Nate’s bruised face. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’ll be okay. I’ll ice it before Chris sees,” Nate replied, thinking of his son. “Thanks for standing up for me. Without you, they would’ve done worse.”

“You wouldn’t have gotten hurt if you hadn’t tried to protect my stall.”

Nate gave a small, sincere smile. “You’re the only real friend I’ve got. I know what it’s like to be left behind.”

Nate’s ex-girlfriend had left him soon after their son, Chris, was born.

With Chris needing chemotherapy, Nate worked tirelessly under Anthony just to cover the costs.

The thought of Nate’s struggles weighed heavily on Oliver’s mind.

Without a word, Oliver reached into his pocket and handed him an envelope. 

Nate opened it in confusion and nearly dropped it in shock.

It was the 10 thousand bucks Oliver had just withdrawn from the bank.

“Where did you get this much money?” Nate shouted. “You didn’t rob a bank, did you?”