The next morning, Linda appeared at Pervis's desk with a carefully practiced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes."Hey, Pervis," she said with false cheer. "A bunch of us are heading to the café across the street for coffee. Mr. Roden wanted me to invite you. Team bonding, you know?"Alicia, who sat at the adjacent desk, looked up sharply. "Pervis, maybe you should—""It's fine," Pervis interrupted calmly. "I could use some coffee."Alicia shot him a warning look, but he simply collected his jacket and followed Linda out of the office.The café was one of those trendy spots popular with corporate workers—exposed brick walls, Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and overpriced lattes served in mismatched ceramic mugs.About a dozen Whitewater employees were already gathered around several pushed-together tables near the back.The moment Pervis walked through the door, he could feel the atmosphere shift. Conversations paused mid-sentence. Eyes tracked his movement across the room w

Alicia's eyes narrowed as she delivered her final words with icy precision. "The difference between us, Linda, is that I can live with my reflection in the mirror. Can you?"Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away, her footsteps echoing through the lobby with decisive finality.Linda stood frozen, her face burning with a mixture of embarrassment and fury. She wanted to shout something back, to defend herself, to explain that she was just being practical, that survival in corporate environments required compromise.But the words wouldn't come. Deep down, beneath all her justifications and rationalizations, she knew Alicia was right."I was just being smart," Linda muttered to herself, though her voice lacked conviction. "That's all. Just being smart."Meanwhile, several floors above, Pervis entered the executive conference room where Grace waited. She was perched on the edge of the table, scrolling through her phone with one hand while sipping an iced cof

Aria's gaze swept across the assembled employees with the precision of a laser. "Since Mr. Roden seems to have difficulty understanding professional boundaries, let me be absolutely clear about the situation.""Miss Coleman, with all due respect—" Roden started."I don't recall giving you permission to speak," Aria interrupted, her voice like ice. "When I want your input, I'll request it."Roden's mouth snapped shut, though his face had turned an ugly shade of purple."As I was saying," Aria continued, addressing the entire office, "Pervis Tyler is under the direct protection of the Coleman family. Any continued harassment will result in immediate termination and legal action for workplace bullying.""But how can you protect someone who contributes nothing?" Roden blurted out, unable to contain himself. "He's using you! Can't you see that? He's a parasite who—""A parasite?" Aria's laugh was sharp and cutting. "That's fascinating, coming from someone whose department budget has inexpl

Daniel Watson's eyes swept over Pervis with the kind of disdain usually reserved for insects found on expensive shoes.His lip curled in disgust as he took in Pervis's modest appearance and the BMW that Noah had already labeled as fake."Security!" Daniel called out sharply, not taking his eyes off Pervis. "Remove this man from the premises immediately."Two burly security guards in dark uniforms began moving toward Pervis, their expressions apologetic but determined."Mr. Watson, I'm just a customer trying to get gas," Pervis said calmly."You're a nuisance causing problems for paying customers," Daniel replied coldly. "Get him out of here. Now."Noah practically bounced with excitement, seeing his opportunity to align himself with someone powerful."Mr. Watson is absolutely right! This guy is Pervis Tyler—he's a nobody who pretends to be successful by leeching off women! He was even married to my friend Anna Morrison until she finally got smart and kicked him out!"Daniel didn't eve

Daniel staggered backward from Pervis's push, his face contorting with a rage so intense it seemed to physically radiate from him. The humiliation of being touched—of being physically pushed—by someone he considered beneath contempt had shattered whatever remained of his composure."Break his legs!" Daniel roared, his voice cracking with fury. "Both of them! I want this piece of trash to never forget what happens when you dare to put your hands on a Watson!"The eight bodyguards moved with lethal intent, their professional demeanor shifting to something more menacing. They had clearly done this before—enforcing Daniel's will through violence.Noah, sensing his chance to finally gain Daniel's attention, rushed forward with his phone already raised. "Mr. Watson, I'm recording this for you! Everyone needs to see what happens to people who disrespect your family!""Good thinking," Daniel said, actually acknowledging Noah for the first time. "Make sure you get every second of his suffering.