He took a step back and gave a nod. “I'll just grab a cab,” he told him.Alfred gave a quick nod of understanding. “I'll see you soon, right?”“For sure,” Alex smiled. “I actually just lost my gig, so I need a fresh start. Your company would honestly be the perfect cover to keep a low profile.”“Awesome,” Alfred said. “Roll up to P.K. Corporation tomorrow. I'll make sure we carve out a solid spot for you.”“Appreciate it, I'm heading out,” Alex said.“Hang on a second,” Alfred reached inside his car and pulled out a sleek bottle. “Take this. It's Diva Vodka, runs about a million bucks. Figured you should bring a nice housewarming gift since you're meeting the family for the first time.”Alex took the bottle carefully, treating it like it was made of thin glass. He looked back up at Alfred. “Man, thank you so much.”Alfred shot him a wide grin. “Anytime, Hercules.”He flagged down a cab and took off even before Alfred pulled away. His palms instantly started sweating the second he bega

Alex peered closer at the paperwork, doing his absolute best to ignore the secretary glaring at him like he was some kind of disgusting bug crawling across her desk.He brushed it off. He was supposed to keep his cover low-key anyway. Scanning down the options, he noticed several listings marked with distinct stars.He looked up at the secretary, and she immediately whipped her head away to pretend she wasn't staring.“What's up with the stars” he began, though he really didn't feel like pulling teeth to get an answer.“Those mean the position is already filled,” she blurted out, spinning back around with a fake, stiff grin. “Can I get you some coffee or tea?”Alex ignored her completely, watching her shoulders go rigid with frustration.“I'll take the manager spot,” he stated calmly, dropping the file right onto her desk and locking eyes with her.“Hold on a second,” she frowned, her face darkening. “You literally just saw that job is taken.”“Yeah, I did. I asked you about it,” he r

Alex stepped out of the sleek black cab right in front of the towering glass skyscraper of P.K. Corporation. The morning sun bounced off the huge metal sign near the entrance, casting a bright, expensive glow over the whole street. He adjusted the collar of his crisp gray shirt, took a steady breath, and walked straight through the revolving glass doors like he owned the entire block.Yesterday, the security guards had tried to block him and Charles had laughed right in his face. Today, things were totally different.The moment the front desk receptionist spotted him walking in, she stood up straight and gave him a polite, nervous bow. She had clearly been briefed by Jane or Alfred about the new management arrival. Alex just nodded back coolly, keeping his hands relaxed in his pockets as he headed straight for the private executive elevators.When the silver doors slid open on the upper management floor, the quiet hum of busy workers hit his ears. People in sharp suits were rushing ba

The morning sun cast a bright, pale light across the polished wooden floor of the executive office. Alex stood by the giant glass window, staring down at the busy city streets below. His new title as senior manager at P.K. Corporation was official, and the whispers of doubt among the staff had completely vanished after his first full day on the job. Everyone in the building now moved with a quick, cautious respect whenever he walked past. Yet, despite his corporate success and the sudden shock he had given his snobby in-laws the night before, Alex knew the real battle was only just beginning. Getting a desk job was easy. Uncovering the people who had schemed against his family and left him to crawl through the dirt as a delivery driver was the true mission. A sharp, quick rap on the door broke his concentration. <

The morning air inside the P.K. Corporation headquarters felt heavy, thick with the kind of tension that usually precedes a massive storm. Alex walked through the grand lobby, his stride steady and his posture perfectly upright. Today was the day he had been planning for since he stepped into this office. The board meeting was set for ten o'clock, and he knew exactly which snakes were going to try to bite him. He pushed his way into the executive elevator, ignoring the nervous glances from the junior analysts crowding into the car with him. When the doors opened on the top floor, the hallway was buzzing. Executives in suits that cost more than a small car were huddled together, whispering and checking their watches. They were worried. News of the internal audit he had ordered had leaked, and the rats were starting to scatter. Alex di