Alicia's face was flushed, her eyes still locked on Pervis's.She was about to say something more when a loud, obnoxious voice interrupted them from across the office floor."Well, well, well! What do we have here?"Both Alicia and Pervis turned to see Colin Matthews strutting toward them, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar and a smug grin plastered across his face.He was in his early thirties, with slicked-back hair and an air of entitlement that made most employees uncomfortable."Alicia Brennan," Colin said, dragging out her name like it was something he owned. "Just the woman I was looking for. I need you to help me with some paperwork in my office. Right now."Alicia's expression immediately shifted from emotional vulnerability to guarded wariness. She took a step back from Pervis, composing herself."Mr. Matthews, I'm currently working on my own assignments. Perhaps you could ask someone from your department to assist you."Colin laughed, the sound grating and unpleasant. "Did

Alicia's heart pounded in her chest as Colin's rage intensified. She quickly stepped forward, placing herself slightly between Pervis and Colin."Pervis, don't," she said urgently, her voice low but firm. "Just let it go. It's not worth it. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me."Colin's eyes lit up with twisted satisfaction at her words. "Oh, how touching! The little secretary is trying to protect her boyfriend!" He let out a cruel laugh."You hear that, everyone? She knows what happens to people who cross me!"He puffed out his chest, his voice growing louder and more arrogant. "That's right! I can do whatever the hell I want in this company! There are only a handful of people who can stop me, and none of them are standing in this room right now!"He swept his gaze across the office floor, daring anyone to challenge him.The surrounding employees shifted uncomfortably, their eyes downcast.A few whispered to each other, but no one made a move to intervene.Colin Matthews

Colin saw the workers moving forward and felt a surge of power course through him. He spat toward Pervis's feet, his face twisted with contempt."Look at you!" Colin laughed loudly, the sound echoing across the office floor. "You're nothing but a lousy cloutchaser! A nobody trying to act like somebody! You thought you could challenge me? This is what happens when trash forgets its place!"He turned to address the approaching workers, his voice booming with authority. "Go ahead! Deal with this parasite! Anyone who helps me put this scum in his place will be rewarded generously! I'll make sure you all get bonuses—real money, not empty promises!"The workers' eyes lit up at the mention of rewards. Their hesitation vanished, replaced by eager determination. Money was money, and Colin Matthews had plenty of it."You heard Mr. Matthews!" Robert Hayes called out, quickening his pace. "Let's finish this!""Finally, some easy money!" Derek Johnson added with a grin.They rushed forward as a gr

Chapter 63Pervis frowned deeply, staring at his phone screen in confusion. The transaction had definitely gone through on his end—he'd seen the confirmation prompt. So why was it showing as declined?"There must be some mistake," Pervis said, his voice steady despite the chaos around him. "Let me try again—""A mistake?" Robert Hayes cut him off with a mocking laugh. "The only mistake here is you thinking you could fool us!"Kevin Martinez, who had been standing closest to Pervis during the transaction attempt, stepped forward with exaggerated authority. He worked in the finance department and had seen the declined message clearly."I saw it with my own eyes," Kevin announced loudly. "The payment was declined due to insufficient funds. This guy literally has nothing in his account!"The crowd erupted with fresh insults and mockery."Insufficient funds! Did you hear that?""He's broker than broke!""What a pathetic liar!""I can't believe he actually thought he could pull this off!"M

Colin writhed on the floor, his hands still pressed against his face as blood continued to drip between his fingers.His eyes watered from the pain, and his voice came out in gasping, furious sobs."Who—who dared to hit me?" Colin screamed, his voice cracking. "Who the hell—"He tried to look around, his vision blurred by tears and rage, desperately searching for the culprit.His mind raced with thoughts of revenge, of lawsuits, of using his father's power to destroy whoever had struck him.Before he could finish his threat, Pervis's calm voice cut through his hysteria."That would be me."Colin's head snapped toward Pervis, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. Pervis stood there casually, blowing on his knuckles as if he'd just finished dusting off a shelf."You were making too much noise," Pervis said matter-of-factly, examining his hand with mild interest. "It was annoying me. So I shut you up."The entire office fell into stunned silence. No one moved. No one breathed. They all st