2025-08-16 20:40:04After Bruce and his dad, Collins got kicked out of their apartment in the Richardson Estate, Collins’ health deteriorated even further. Bruce had to use every bit of money he had left to get his father admitted to the local Health Center.
To make ends meet, Bruce took on a new job at Deluxe Mall. The work was tough and required him to stock shelves, organize the storeroom, and sometimes assist disabled customers in finding their way around the mall.
Although his new job was exhausting, it paid enough to cover his dad’s hospital bills and accommodation while he was able to crash in a container at night.
Bruce had barely started his five-hour shift at the mall, stacking boxes on the shelves, when he heard a burst of laughter. Glancing up, he saw a group of girls standing nearby, all watching him with mocking grins.
Leading the group was Tessa Richardson, one of the daughters of his former landlord, Mr. Harold. Alongside her were her friends Lila and Megan, each with an arrogant look on their faces.
“Hey, Bruce,” Tessa called out in a mocking tone, “why don’t you carry our bags to the car?”
Bruce ignored her, continuing with his work. He knew better than to let Tessa and her friends get to him.
But Tessa wasn’t done. She walked up to him with her two friends trailing behind.
Bruce looked up to find Tessa and her friends, Megan and Lila, standing behind him with smug, mocking smiles. He hadn’t noticed when they’d entered the mall, but their presence here wasn’t surprising since only the rich could afford to shop in this mall.
Though Tessa, Megan, and Lila were all friends, each had a distinct appearance and personality. Tessa had a plump look, Lila was petite and Megan was the tallest among the circle of friends.
“I said, carry our bags to the car, Bruce. Don’t make me repeat myself.” Tessa sneered.
When Bruce shook his head and refused, Tessa suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the face, her cheek instantly turning pink.
Her friends gasped in mock horror, then looked at Bruce accusingly.
“Did you see that?” Lila shouted. “He just slapped Tessa!”
“Bruce, how could you?” Megan added with a fake tone of shock. “What kind of man hits a woman?”
Bruce felt his face heat up with embarrassment and frustration. “I didn’t touch her! She’s lying,” he responded in a bid to clear his name of assault.
“You did that, you hit her.” Lila repeatedly said as she glared at him with disgust.
“Prove you didn’t touch her,” Megan demanded, her arms crossed. “If you can’t, then I’ll report you for harassment. You wouldn’t want that, would you?” She shot Bruce a taunting smile before raising her voice. “Security! Security!! I’d like to speak to your manager.”
Her words instantly drew the attention of everyone nearby. A few shoppers in the mall started to gather, curious about the commotion.
“Wow, he really did that to a girl?” one man murmured, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Unbelievable. They’ll let anyone work here these days, even guys who have no respect for women.”
“She slapped herself, and you all saw it! They’re just trying to get me in trouble because I wouldn’t do what she asked.” Bruce defended himself.
“Oh, please,” Tessa sniffed in tears, rolling her eyes and clutching her cheek for extra effect. “You think anyone’s going to believe that?”
“Why don’t you just admit you can’t handle it when a woman tells you what to do?”
A middle-aged woman hurried over from the back of the store. “You called for me, ladies?” Her name tag read Karen, and she was clearly familiar with the trio.
“Your employee here just physically assaulted my friend!” Megan lied smoothly, her face twisted into a look of fake outrage.
“If I knew you had such an aggressive worker in your store, we would have never stepped foot in here.” Lila backed up her friends.
Karen’s face turned pale at the accusation, and she immediately turned to Bruce with cold eyes. “I’m sorry for the trouble, ma’am,” she apologized. Without a second thought, she slapped Bruce in the face. “If I had known you were this kind of person, I would’ve never hired you. You’re worthless!”
She quickly spun back to Tessa, Megan, and Lila, her posture immediately shifting to one of submission. “I sincerely apologize for my employee’s actions. You can rest assured, he won’t be working here anymore.”
Bruce, who at this point was embarrassed, could hardly believe what was happening. The lies spread like wildfire, and there was nothing he could do to stop the injustice. He knew better than to say a word.
“Get on the floor, now!” The manager, Karen, harshly ordered, slapping Bruce across the cheek again in front of the watching crowd. “Apologize to these ladies, or I’ll make sure you’re fired right here.”
Bruce lowered his head in shame, his face burning from the slap. He was about to get up when Tessa, with a wicked smile, kicked him in the side, forcing him to collapse back onto the floor.
“Now, apologize properly, on the floor,” Karen said coldly, fully siding with the girls.
Bruce kept his gaze downward, unable to meet anyone’s eyes, while the customers muttered among themselves. He could hear a few nasty comments being whispered about him, calling him a woman-beater. It hurt deeply, but he could only hold back the bitterness and choke out, “I’m sorry, Tessa, Lila, and Megan. It won’t happen again.”
“Sorry to your useless self,” Tessa cursed.
The crowd began to slowly disperse, meanwhile, Karen turned back to Bruce and coldly informed him, “I’m also cutting your pay for this. I believe this will teach you a hard lesson.”
After he was dismissed, Bruce quietly went about his work, trying to stay calm but unfortunately for him, the girls, Tessa, Lila, and Megan, began making a joke with their purchases on purpose.
They called him over, making him carry several heavy bags all the way to their car. Once in the car, they laughed and told him to take the bags back to the mall.
It was clear they didn’t intend to buy any of those things, but they still made him do the work as a punishment. These went on for hours until his shift finally came to an end.
It was already late when Bruce finally clocked out from his shift for the day, feeling drained both physically and mentally.
After a few minutes’ walk, he reached the place where he was planning to stop by and see Sadie, his fiancée, and give her some money for upkeep.
As Bruce neared the entrance, a man from the side approached him, looking around cautiously before stopping Bruce in his tracks.
“Hey, I have a job for you,” the man said in a low voice, handing Bruce a package and a slip of paper with an address on it. “Deliver this package there before 10 PM tonight. The pay’s good, and it shouldn’t take long.”
With his recent pay cut, the offer seemed too tempting to refuse, and he quickly agreed, grateful for a chance to earn some extra cash.
Bruce accepted the deal that would change his life for good or better still for the worse.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter Twenty Two
Although the Baron Consortium tower was a hive of activity, there was a sense of unease beneath the gleaming chandeliers and polished marble floors. Though rumors circulated that Bruce's own executive, Marcus Vane, was planning something risky, the city had already started to turn against Vincent Richardson. For months Marcus had worn the mask of loyalty. Calm in meetings, sharp with numbers, and always the first to clap when Bruce made bold moves. But Bruce had seen the cracks. The irregular accounts, the false charities, the sudden disappearances of funds. Marcus had survived every purge so far, slipping through like smoke. But now, cornered by Bruce’s reforms, he was ready to gamble everything.The morning started with a summons, and when Bruce walked into the boardroom, the directors were already seated, their faces pale and nervous. Marcus was at the head of the table, but not in his normal seat; his silver hair gleamed in the light, and he smiled confidently, almost smugly.“We
Chapter Twenty One
There were still rumors circulating the city the morning after the Collins Court attack. Hungry for statements, reporters set up camp outside the Baron Consortium. In a panic, investors called and emailed to ask for confirmation that Bruce's business was not going to fail. His name was uttered by politicians in fear and awe. Although the city's trust in the Richardson family had been shaken by the Vincent scandal, Bruce was aware that the war was far from over.Vincent had shown his hand: violence, threats, devastation. Bruce, however, realized something crucial. Vincent and other men fought with more than just fire and fists. Even when their empires failed, they fought with chains; chains of money, debt, and favors that bound influential men to them.Those chains needed to be broken.Bruce assembled his inner circle in the war room of the tower. Screens displaying shipment routes, market data, and political figures' dossiers were arranged along the walls. Lady Scarlet sat at the head
Chapter Twenty
Back at the estate later that evening, James poured Bruce a drink. He said gravely, "You made enemies tonight.Vincent is not going to take this lightly. He will attack you more forcefully than before.” Bruce accepted the glass and gazed at the city lights outside. "Then let him come," he said softly. "I've finished hiding. This will be the final conflict we engage in if it is war. This ends in one way or another.”The headlines were all over the place the following morning: VINCENT RICHARDSON STORMS OUT IN DISGRACE ..CORRUPTION DOCUMENTS LEAKED AT GALA..RICHARDSON EMPIRE UNDER FIRE. There was a lot of speculation in the city. Protesters gathered outside their offices, politicians distanced themselves from the family, and investors pulled out of Richardson Global. The first public blow had come from Bruce, and the streets were already feeling the repercussions. However, another game was being played in the shadows. Vincent refused to back down in silence. Bruce was aware of it.The
Chapter Nineteen
The invitation came in a gold wax-sealed black silk envelope. The handwriting was precise and elegant. The most influential people in the city, including politicians, investors, journalists, and business magnates, were expected to attend the charity gala that Vincent Richardson was throwing at the Grand Marlowe Hotel. Although the note was courteous and polite, Bruce could tell what was written in it. It was difficult. James frowned as he gave the envelope to Bruce. "It is a trap," he stated plainly. "You are not being invited by Vincent to recognize your community service. He wants to make you look foolish.”Bruce gave a small, unwarm smile. “Then give him a chance. I'll meet Vincent on stage if he wants one. I won't play his game this time, though. I'll put an end to it. “Lady Scarlet folded her arms and stood in the doorway. "You need to exercise caution," she cautioned. "Everything we have created could be destroyed by a public altercation. However, if you decide to go, be read
Chapter Eighteen
It was a very quiet night. Bruce had arrived late from a meeting with members of the city council about a new public housing project that he had pushed through. Even though his body was worn out, his mind would not stop talking. Marcus was losing control, the Consortium was stabilizing, and the Richardsons were starting to break under the strain, but Bruce was not at all at ease. He now carried a chain of victory that was heavier than poverty had ever been.He retired to his private quarters after dismissing Louis and James for the evening. Silver splattered across the room as the city lights flickered dimly through the glass walls. He lay down in the hopes of resting, but sleep pulled him into something deeper and darker rather than into tranquility. He discovered that he was standing somewhere between a city and the countryside. The ground appeared to have been bleached by the moonlight, and the air was still. There was only an unending horizon that stretched into silence; there we
Chapter Seventeen
When Bruce awoke, the city smelled of rain and hope. His side wound ached steadily, reminding him that he was still alive and responsible. The attack cleared the fog from his vision, but he had anticipated knives in the dark and enemies in the street. Hesitancy was out of the question. Even though he had only been heir for a short while, the task was straightforward and cruel. The defenses should be rebuilt. Hold the power together. Make the house impregnable.The top priority was trust. He couldn't rely on the board to determine loyalty. As he walked the corridors, he could not listen for the truth. He needed to know. He called a private council, but only those he trusted the most were on it. At one end of the table, Lady Scarlet sat like a calm focal point. Louis took the seat closest to her. James stood with his arms folded by the window, alert as a sentinel. Sadie sat apart, her hands clenched, her presence a complicated thing that pricked like a bruise.Bruce said, his voice stea
You may also like
Savvy Son-in-law
VKBoy224.5K viewsFrom Darkness to Light: Darwin's Rise
Magical Inspirations72.8K viewsInvincible Billionaire Heir
Chanhlee80.3K viewsTHE SECRET HEIR AND HIS SECRET POWER
Wednesday Adaire165.0K viewsTRASH TO TITAN
Maxdom214 views"The games of kings: Rise of the underdog"
Mydas1.6K viewsReturn of the Dragon Master
Harlequin261 viewsThe Prodigy's Return
FLO115 views