Shattered Mask

CHAPTER 8

A LOWLIFE DRIVER

The gold-leafed entrance of the Rothwell Plaza was bustling with the city's elite, but the Smith family was focused on the VIP parking bay. There, leaning casually against a pristine, black Rolls-Royce Phantom, was Jack.

He wore a pair of black trousers and a white long-sleeved shirt, the classic chauffeur’s uniform, with an ease that felt wrong to Leslie. 

He wasn't lazying around; he was polishing a blurred mark off the side mirror with a steady hand, looking entirely unbothered by the world.

"Look at him," Robert hissed, his knuckles whitening as he gripped his steering wheel. 

"Acting like he owns the pavement just because he’s holding the keys to someone else’s life.

I knew he was a driver. I knew it!" Robert exclaimed

Robert swung his Mercedes into the spot behind the Rolls-Royce, stopping inches from the bumper. 

The Smiths piled out of the car, eyes locked on Jack like predators.

"Nice suit, Jack," Linda sneered, walking up to him. 

"Suits you much better than that fake one you wore to my house. I see you have finally accepted your true calling as a servant."

Jack didn't stop buffing the mirror. He didn't even look up. 

"It’s honest work, Linda. Something you wouldn't know much about, considering you spent the days trying to bribe a dead man's estate for a catering contract." Ethan fired back without looking up

Linda’s face turned pale. "How dare you!" She hollered at him

"And you," Jack said, finally turning his gaze to Leslie. 

She was dressed in a gown he had helped pay for, sparkling with jewels he had sacrificed his meals to provide. 

"I see you’re still wearing the earrings I bought you. Funny, for a woman who 'deserves better,' you are still clinging to a repairman's gifts."

Leslie flinched, her face hardening with defeat.

But she was not one to lose. She had a comeback ready for Jack

 "I keep them as a reminder of how low I fell, Jack. A reminder to never go back." She retorted

Robert stepped forward, his chest puffed out. He intentionally kicked the rear tyre of the Rolls-Royce. 

"You have got a big mouth for a guy who is one bad review away from the unemployment line. In fact..." Robert looked around at the gathering crowd of socialites. 

"I think you just earned that review."

Robert reached out and slammed his palm against the trunk of the Rolls-Royce, then pointed to a pre-existing scratch on his own Mercedes.

"Hey! Everyone look at this!" Robert shouted, his voice echoing across the plaza. 

"This idiot just backed his boss's car into mine He is reckless and dangerous."

A circle of onlookers began to form. 

Jack didn't flinch. He didn't look scared. 

He simply crossed his arms over his chest, standing tall in the uniform with a mocking smirk on his face

"I haven't moved this car in thirty minutes, Robert," Jack said, his voice calm and carrying. "There are four security cameras pointed at this bay. Do you really want to play this game?" He added.

"Are you calling me a liar?" Robert roared, lunging forward and grabbing Jack by the lapels of his uniform. 

"You are a common driver! I am a CEO! Who do you think they are going to believe?"

"They will believe the truth, besides, you are a former CEO, and I am a current worker, the difference is clear" Jack replied, his eyes cold and unwavering. 

He didn't struggle; he just looked down at Robert's hands on his suit. 

"I would suggest you take your hands off me, Robert. This uniform belongs to Rothwell Industries. Touching it is a liability you can't afford." Ethan taunted him to burst his bubbles

"Liability?" Leslie laughed shrilly. 

"You are a loser, Jack. 

You hit our car and now you are going to pay for it. Kneel down. 

Apologize for the damage and beg Robert not to call your boss, and maybe we will let you keep your pathetic little job."

"I don't beg," Jack said, his voice like iron. 

"And I certainly don't apologize to frauds."

Linda stepped in, her finger inches from Jack’s nose. 

"You are nothing You hear me? You are a bug under our boots. 

You will pay for every cent of the damage to Robert's car, or I will make sure you are in a jail cell by midnight"

"I have no money for your imaginary repairs," Jack stated flatly. He looked around at the wealthy onlookers who were whispering and laughing at the 'clumsy driver.' 

"And even if I did, I wouldn't give a cent to a family that sold their dignity for a contract they will never get." He added insult to injury

Robert sneered, shoving Jack hard against the car. 

"We will see about that. You stay right here. We are going inside to find the Chairman’s assistant. We are going to tell them their driver is a thief and a liar." Robert said and walked past him

As the Smiths marched toward the gala, heads held high with the thrill of "winning," Robert threw one last insult over his shoulder. 

"Enjoy the cool air, Jack. It is the last time you will be on this side of the glass"

Jack remained standing by the car, without a word of response to what Robert has said. 

He didn't look defeated; he looked like a man watching a slow-motion wreck. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a clean silk handkerchief, calmly wiping the spot where Robert’s hands had touched his lapel.

"Harnes," Jack said into his earpiece.

"I am here, sir. We have the high-definition footage of the assault and the false claim. The security are on standby."

"Good," Jack said, a dark, sharp smile finally appearing. 

"Let them get inside. Let them find 'the Chairman’s asistant,' who I suppose is you. I want them to have the best seats in the house when the floor drops out from under them."