His Mafia Redemption

Chapter 17 : The Whisper

Nothing feels good than doing the impossible and Richard just did it. 

The impossible. 

The news spread fast — faster than anyone could have imagined.

By the next morning, every corner of the Warren company was buzzing. From the cleaners in the hallway to the executives in their glass offices, everyone was talking about one thing — Richard Tucker.

Some called him lucky. Others called him clever. But everyone agreed on one thing — what he did was unbelievable.

“How did he even pull that off?” a young employee whispered near the elevator. “The Robertson Group never signs deals easily. Especially not with someone like him.”

“I heard he begged Sarah Robertson herself,” another one said, lowering her voice. “Maybe he even worked for her for a while.”

“That can’t be true,” someone else joined in. “I heard she likes men who are bold. Maybe he charmed her.”

The group laughed softly, but the sound carried down the hall. Rumors like that always did.

By noon, the whole company knew that the man they once called the useless son-in-law had done what even Brian — the rich boy of Deluxe company — couldn’t. He had brought home the Denali Clean Energy contract.

No one had expected it. Not even Dianne.

But she was the happiest person in the building.

She walked into the company that morning with her head high, holding Richard’s hand tightly like she was never letting go. Her face glowed with pride. She didn’t even try to hide her joy.

When she saw some of the employees whispering, she smiled wider and pulled Richard closer. “Let them talk,” she whispered. “They all doubted you. Now they can see who my husband really is.”

Richard only smiled. “Let them say what they want,” he said quietly. “The truth will always show itself.”

Dianne looked up at him with so much love that it almost made him blush. Then, without warning, she tiptoed and kissed him right in front of everyone.

Some people gasped. Some smiled. And some — like Thomas— stopped walking altogether.

Thomas was also in love with Dianne for a while. He had even though she was going to choose him but when she married Richard, he felt pain. 

He had just stepped out of the boardroom. His face was still stiff from the rumours that had been circulating through the company since yesterday. When he saw them together, laughing and kissing, his jaw tightened.

He walked straight past them, his shoes clicking hard against the polished floor. But as he passed, he leaned close enough for Richard to hear and said in a low, cold voice, “Enjoy your little victory. It won’t last long. You are still a nobody. It is only a matter of time before you go back to being one.”

Richard didn’t even turn his head. He just watched him walk away, his fists tucked calmly into his pockets.

“Let him talk,” Dianne said softly. “He’s just angry because I chose you.”

Richard nodded but said nothing. He knew many wanted what he had. 

*

Later that afternoon, Gerald Warren called Richard into his office.

Gerald’s office was large, filled with old books, awards, and a single long window that looked over the city. He was sitting behind his desk, turning the pages of the Denali contract with slow, careful hands.

When Richard walked in, Gerald looked up and smiled slightly. “Come in, Richard.”

Richard stepped forward, trying to read the old man’s expression.

Gerald chuckled softly. “You really surprised me. You know that, right?” He tapped the contract on his desk. “I didn’t believe you at first. I thought you were bluffing.”

Richard smiled lightly. “I can’t blame you, sir. I can hardly believe it myself.”

Gerald’s eyes moved over the contract again. “This is no small deal. We’ve been chasing this partnership for months. And you — the man everyone thought was useless — pulled it off in less than a week.”

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Tell me, Richard. How did you do it?”

Richard hesitated. “I… worked hard, sir. I guess luck was on my side.”

Gerald laughed. “Luck? No, this isn’t luck. I’ve been in business for thirty years. Deals like this don’t come from luck.” He looked at Richard with sharp eyes. “You either know something we don’t, or you did something we wouldn’t.”

Richard said nothing. He couldn’t tell him the truth — not about the system that had suddenly appeared in his life, giving him missions, rewards, and strange power. No one would believe him. And even if they did, it might all vanish if he spoke about it.

So he smiled and said, “All I did was go after what everyone else thought was impossible.”

Gerald nodded slowly. “That’s the kind of thinking I like.” He smiled and stood up. “Maybe you’re not such a mistake after all, Richard.”

Richard’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Thank you, sir.”

Just then, the door opened, and Kathleen Warren walked in. She was still wearing her elegant suit from the morning, her face carefully composed, though her eyes showed the shame she was trying to hide.

She looked at the contract in Gerald’s hand, then at Richard.

“So,” she said slowly, “it’s real.”

Gerald nodded. “It’s very real.”

Kathleen sighed, then turned her eyes to Richard. “I don’t know how you did it, but you’ve made quite a name for yourself overnight.”

Richard smiled politely. “I just did what needed to be done.”

Before she could respond, a soft laugh came from behind her. Margaret Warren — Dianne’s younger cousin — stepped into the room, holding a cup of coffee. She was always quick to find trouble.

“Well, well,” Margaret said, smiling like a cat. “If it isn’t our new hero. The poor man who suddenly turned into a businessman.”

Richard turned to her calmly. “Hello, Margaret.”

She leaned against the wall and sipped her coffee. “So tell us, Richard. What did you do to get that contract? Did you sell your soul? Or maybe… Sarah Robertson?” She raised an eyebrow teasingly. “People are talking, you know.”

Kathleen frowned. “Margaret, that’s enough.”

But Margaret only shrugged. “I’m just asking what everyone else is thinking.”

Richard didn’t get angry. He smiled lightly. “Believe whatever makes you sleep better at night.”

Margaret chuckled. “Oh, come on. Don’t act all calm. Everyone knows Sarah Robertson doesn’t give out contracts easily. You must have done something special to make her say yes.”

Dianne, who had just entered the room, stopped short. “Margaret!” she snapped. “Watch your mouth!”

Margaret blinked innocently. “I’m just curious.”

“Curiosity can be dangerous,” Richard said quietly. “Especially when it’s mixed with jealousy.”

Gerald laughed under his breath. “That’s enough, all of you. What matters is that we now have the Robertson deal, thanks to Richard.”

Kathleen crossed her arms. “And what do you plan to do with him now, Gerald? You can’t just ignore how he embarrassed us yesterday.”

Gerald smiled. “He didn’t embarrass us, Kathleen. He saved this family’s company. And as a matter of fact, I think he deserves his place back in the family.” 

The room went silent. 

Gerald turned to look at Richard. “ What do you say?”