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Zero to Billionaire Chapter 1
The busy workplace floor was bathed in a sterile glare from the fluorescent lights humming above. With his head down and his suitcase firmly gripped, John made his way through the tangle of cubicles. A sense of a thousand invisible eyes pressing down on him sent shivers up his spine.Whispers turned into murmurs, which grew louder until they became a faint hum carrying parts of his name. John tensed up and tightened his hold on the briefcase. Though he couldn't quite make out what she was saying, he could tell by the tone that it was mocking and tinged with sympathy. A voice behind a cubicle wall muttered, "There he goes, Mr. Failure himself," the words dripping with a poisonous delight. An further, sardonic voice said, "It's unbelievable he's still here. Due to his terrible suggestion, the firm has been losing money for months." John clenched his jaw and forced himself to continue moving. He was aware of its unfairness. It wasn't all his fault that the client pitch had gone south.
Zero to Billionaire Chapter 2
The heavy knock on the mahogany door being pushed open by John reverberated through Mr. Harris' magnificent office. Massive mahogany desk laden with paperwork dominated the area, which was far larger than his own little cubicle. Behind it stood Mr. Harris, a man whose intimidating presence was only enhanced by his immaculately made suit; his steely blue star seemed to penetrate John.Mr. Harris bellowed, "Ah, Mr. Evans," with a hint of irritation in his voice. "Please enter. Kindly have a seat." The creak of the soft leather chair across from the desk startled John amid the tight atmosphere as he fell into it.Retiring in his chair, Mr. Harris made a move that made John shudder: he curled his fingers. "John," he said, his dramatic voice faltering, "we need to talk."John felt his heart pounding in his chest. The only thing he could manage to say was, "Of course, sir," in a quiet voice.With measured and careful remarks, Mr. Black added, "It's come to my attention that your performance
Zero to Billionaire Chapter 3
John sounded desperate in his voice. "Mr. Harris, please. I have to keep this job. I'll take any action. Please give me another opportunity."Mr. Harris observed him for one another heartbeat, the tension in the atmosphere sharp enough to pierce. A little grin appeared on his lips, a hint of what may have been laughter. He said, his voice carrying a note of challenge, "Anything, you say?"John took a deep breath. "Yes, in that case, sir. Anything that I am able to do.""Interesting," Mr. Harris said as he leaned back in his seat. In fact, there may be a solution. Next week, we have a group of possible investors that might rescue our business. John, you have to impress them. They must realize that we are a dynamic, forward-thinking business."John felt his heart accelerate. A chance? This could be his chance at atonement. His voice full of fresh life, he said, "And what do you need from me?""I need a project," Mr. Harris said, fixing his eyes on John's. "A project that highlights this
Zero to Billionaire Chapter 4
John came inside his flat, tired and with a leaden weight on his body. Meetings, brainstorming sessions, and hurried concept drafting for the next project had characterized the day. There was nothing he wanted more than to crash into the sofa and let all of his worry evaporate. But he had to speak with Sarah first. His diminishing professional life was beginning to intrude into their home lives, causing tension in their relationship. Arguments had grown commonplace, interspersed with protracted, awkward silences. He missed their simple connection from before. Taking out his phone, he navigated to her number. He took a deep breath and then pressed the call button. The phone went directly to voicemail after ringing once and again. A stab of disappointment soured his mood. Sarah's late nights at work were nothing new, but of late, they appeared to correspond with his own. His phone rang with a notice just then. Sarah texted me, saying, "Hey sweetie, got work late. really worn out. Dis
Zero to Billionaire Chapter 5
John was startled out of sleep when he heard his alarm clock's incessant buzzing around his flat. It was the day. The day of the potentially career-defining presentation. Feeling an exhalation of tense energy, he tossed off the blankets. His body buzzed with a powerful mix of fear and adrenaline in every muscle. He shaved and washed like a man getting ready for a battle. Choosing a tie had significant symbolic meaning — a striped design represented self-assurance, a subdued blue hue represented professionalism. John, looking dapper in his finest suit, had a glimpse of the John he knew back then, the John who would confidently go into meetings. It was now more important to him to prove his value and win back his lost confidence than it was to simply get a promotion.A glimmer of optimism sprang in his chest as he checked his phone. Sarah's message. "Have a great day, sweetie! Make me proud and knock them dead!" It thrilled him with a false hope, the first really encouraging note she'd
Zero to Billionaire Chapter 6
As John walked aimlessly across the city, the streets became a painting of blinking traffic lights and neon signs. Every stride was weighed down with treachery, his thoughts a war zone of opposing feelings. With a sour flavour of disappointment, anger simmered like a kettle on the verge of boiling over. It seemed unbelievable to him that Mark, the person he had looked up to like a brother, had taken his presentation and his opportunity for forgiveness. What had seemed like a desperate effort at emotional support, Sarah's previous communication had become a nasty joke. He cried out for comfort, for a familiar voice to calm the storm building within of him. Driven by a fervent hope, his feet guided him to Sarah's apartment complex. A discordant song floated down the corridor as he climbed the creaking steps. It was not music, he realised, but a jumble of discordant noises, like a muffled groan, a stifled chuckle, or the creak of overworked furniture. A feeling of icy fear descended ov
Zero to Billionaire Chapter 7
John was having trouble breathing. The smell of cheap beer and treachery permeated the dilapidated flat, casting a dark shadow. Sarah's comments replayed themselves in his head, a never-ending litany of charges and defences. He gazed at them, like a shattered marionette with its strings cut. "This is why you've been so cold to me all month?" With a rasp, he asked, the question falling out like a parched leaf in a windstorm. Sarah said nothing, her eyes darting from him like a housefly gone awry. Her lack of response revealed much and validated his darkest suspicions.Encouraged by Sarah's contemptuous demeanour, Mark advanced, adding an additional layer of brutality to the already exposed injury. "Cold?" he mocked, a sardonic chuckle from his chest. "John, you looked like a solid block! You couldn't even find the energy to have a great evening with your partner, work or no job. My friend, you're as thrilling as a wet sock."John's hands became tight, with his claws penetrating the de
Zero to Billionaire Chapter 8
John was standing in the middle of the room on a wobbly stool, his bare feet feeling the cold metal. Above him, the ceiling fan buzzed, its steady whir that belied his urgency. The unravelling rope felt scratchy on his flesh as he gripped it. It was a dreadful necklace, fitting for the last scene of his own personal tragedy.The treachery, the overwhelming debt, and the sensation of total worthlessness all weighed heavily on him and dulled his senses. This was the only way out, he reasoned in a dejected and empty way.A hideous invitation, the noose dangled limp from the ceiling. John closed his eyes and imagined the looks on Sarah and Mark's faces as their treachery played back to him like a merciless movie reel. He saw them enjoying a happy life indefinitely, unaware of the destruction they had brought about. His motions were driven by a sudden and intense wrath, a last glimmer of defiance.With a sense of finality that sent chills down his spine, he tightened the rope around the pr