Humilated.

Chapter 2

Michael took a step forward, his fists clenched. "You don't get to talk to me like that, Samantha. This is a big deal, and you don't even care."

Ryan stood up, his eyes flashing. "Listen to her, loser. You're nothing but a worthless cog in the machine. You should thank me for helping you get demoted and put you in your place..."

Michael, seething with anger, shot back, "I've had enough of your bullshit, Ryan! You've always been an arrogant prick, but I never thought you would stoop this low. Did you have something to do with my demotion?"

Ryan and Samantha burst into laughter, mocking Michael. "You're so naive that it is hilarious!" the spoilt brat exclaimed.

Michael's face turned red with fury. He clenched his jaw and took a step closer to Ryan. "You're not telling me everything, Ryan. What did you do?"

Ryan smirked, thoroughly enjoying Michael's torment. "Oh, Michael... You have no idea what's been going on behind your back. Samantha and I orchestrated your downfall. We made sure you would never climb the corporate ladder."

Samantha chimed in, her voice dripping with condescension. "That's right, Michael. You were always a threat to us. We couldn't let someone as incompetent as you rise above us."

Michael's anger turned into a mixture of shock and betrayal. How could his girlfriend Samantha do this to him?

"What ? How?" He exclaimed in shock.

Ryan laughed, a cruel sound that twisted Michael's rage into fury. "Let's just say that your boss , who's my father found out some interesting things about you, things that didn't quite meet the company's standards."

Michael felt his heart sink. He had never been anything but diligent in his work, and he couldn't believe that his girlfriend would betray him like this. "What did he find out? Samantha, what did you give him?"

Samantha shrugged, her eyes cold as ice. "Nothing much. Ryan helped me withdraw money on your behalf and he planted evidence--- invoices and bills. You were a fool to not password lock your work laptop at home. Ryan may have mentioned to his father, that you've slacking off on your work lately, and that you like to party a bit too much. We created the perfect storm in your life, didn't we?"

Michael felt like he had been punched in the gut. Samantha had betrayed him, and he couldn't believe it. He turned to Ryan, his eyes blazing.

"You're going to pay for this, Ryan!" Michael seethed. "You can't get away with something like this."

Ryan shrugged, his eyes gleaming. "We'll see about that, Michael. We'll see."

"You both need to get out of my house right now," Michael said through gritted teeth, his anger simmering.

"Why should we?" Samantha sneered. "We're having too much fun ruining your life."

Ryan chuckled, his arrogance palpable. "Besides, I think this house is now mine."

"What are you talking about? I purchased this house on a loan!" Michael exclaimed, desperation creeping into his voice.

Ryan smirked, enjoying his power over Michael. "Well, I took it from the bank and transferred it to my name. Looks like you're out of luck, buddy."

Michael's face twisted with rage, his disbelief turning into fury. "You can't just take my house! That's illegal!"

"Actually, it's perfectly legal," Samantha interjected, her voice dripping with venom. "Paupers like you wouldn't understand the power of money!"

Michael's fists clenched tightly at his sides, his mind racing with thoughts of justice and revenge. He couldn't let them get away with this.

"We'll see about that, Samantha," Michael spat, his determination surging. "I won't rest until I reclaim what's rightfully mine."

Ryan and Samantha exchanged smug glances, their confidence unwavering. But Michael wasn't about to back down.

"You may have the upper hand for now," Michael growled, his eyes narrowing. "But mark my words, I'll find a way to expose your deceit and reclaim my house."

Ryan laughed dismissively, his arrogance fueling Michael's determination. "Good luck with that, Michael. I'm sure you'll need it."

Michael's lid blew. He lunged at Ryan, his fist aimed at Ryan's face.

"I'll make you pay for this!" Michael shouted.

Ryan grabbed Michael's arm and twisted it behind his back. "You're the one who's going to pay, buddy. Maybe you should have thought twice before crossing us."

He knocked Michael on the stomach with his knee.

Samantha watched from the sidelines, laughing and cheering on Ryan. "That's right, babe. Show him who's boss!" she yelled.

 Michael grunted in pain and stumbled back. He swung at Ryan again, but this only made Ryan laugh.

"You're weak, Michael. You always have been."

Ryan landed another blow to Michael's face, causing him to fall to the ground. Michael's vision was blurry as he looked up at Ryan, who was now standing over him.

"I will expose you! I will tell John about your conspiracy to sabotage me!" Michael declared boldly.

Ryan smirked, brushing off Michael's accusation. "Who's going to believe you?"

Michael closed his eyes momentarily, trying to steady himself. Regaining his composure, he opened his eyes and locked gazes with Ryan, his determination unyielding. "You may be right, Ryan. Maybe nobody will believe me, but I can't stay silent and let you get away with this."

Ryan laughed dismissively, shaking his head. "You're way out of your league, Michael. But if that's how you want to play it, so be it."

Feeling his anger swell up inside him, Michael's hand instinctively reached for the necklace his grandfather had given him before he passed away. As he grasped it tightly, it began to emit a faint glow, fueling his resolve. However, before he could take any further action, Ryan swiftly landed a punch square on Michael's jaw.

Michael stumbled backward, collapsing to the ground, weakened.

Ryan snapped his fingers, summoning the security personnel who promptly grabbed Michael from behind, firmly restraining him.

"Throw him out! And away from my house!" Ryan ordered.

As they dragged him along the floor, Michael's consciousness slowly slipped away, fading into unconsciousness.