Slade to Herondale: A Son-in-law's Rise to Power

CHAPTER 8: Charles Hemmington is Demoted!

“Are you crazy?” Charles asked the fear gripped employee. The man shuddered, stepping backwards and it did not seem right to Allen.

Charles was agitated as he did not get a reply from the man so he asked again. “Are you crazy Philip? Do you want to lose your job?”

His fingers landed across the other man's face and he lost balance, almost falling. He immediately caught balance and went on his knees. What?!

It didn't seem right to Allen at all. Charles not only bullied random poor folks but also bullied employees under him. None could speak up. They all stood pale and scared.

“I have the power to take all of your jobs one after the other,” Charles bragged, dragging his words. “If you don't obey me, count yourself gone.”

Allen couldn't hold it anymore. He forgot that at the moment he was just the poor Allen without all the fancy clothes and accessories. Without thinking, he approached Charles.

“What you are doing is against the company's standards, Charles,” Allen said, and everyone turned towards his direction.

“Who are you to address me by my name or tell me what to do in my own company,” Charles said, turning towards Allen with an angry grin.

“Who I am doesn't matter right now,” Allen raged.

“Oh it does. I remember you now,” Charles said with a scoff. “The pipsqueak from earlier. I'm guessing you want a cleaning job because that's what people like you are good for,” Charles added, making eye contact with Allen, his face just a few inches from Allen’s.

“Is this how you treat your employees? I promise, if you continue like this, you will lose your job,” Allen warned.

Allen's audacity angered Charles and he grabbed Allen by the Collar immediately. “Who do you think you are? I’ll make sure the security deals with you today!”

Just then, two men rushed towards Allen, grabbing him by his hands. He struggled to release himself from their grip but it wasn't working.

“Beat him mercilessly,” Charles ordered them. Just at that moment, a young lady rushed towards the scene.

“Stop, Charles,” the lady identified as Louisa said. “Please leave him alone.”

“Give me one good reason why I should leave him alone or get out of my way Louisa,” Charles raged, pushing the lady.

It angered Allen even more but she stood back up.

“Do you know what this would do to our company? Do you know what will happen if this gets to the boss? Besides, the new C.E.O will be visiting today. What if he is already on his way here?” Louisa spoke, trying to convince Charles.

“We'll simply tell him the guy is just a thief who we caught,” Charles said laughing.

“But that's wrong!” Louisa screamed. “This man is innocent.”

“Telling them I’m a thief is a waste of time because they know who I am and you don't,” Allen said, laughing loudly and Charles' laugh immediately transformed to a frown.

“Alright pipsqueak, let's make this easier for me. Shall we?” Charles told him.

“If you're that important as you say you are, I will kneel before you, beg for forgiveness and resign from my job but if not, you will bend to my rules, pipsqueak.”

Allen scoffed as Charles didn't know what he just agreed to.

“Start the beating,” Charles told the men.

Just as one of them was about to raise his hands high, Calloway rushed in. “Do you know who you are disrespecting?!”

Everyone froze and the hall went quiet.

“Mr Calloway, good thing you're here to reprimand this thief,” Charles broke the silence rushing towards Calloway.

“Thief? What are you talking about?” Mr Calloway screamed.

“We caught him wandering around unsupervised and he is disrespectful,” Charles said again.

“Slap!” Mr Calloway’s hand landed on Charles’ face. “How dare you disrespect young master Herondale.”

Charles gasped, almost losing balance. He wasn't sure he heard right. The employees murmured. “Mr Calloway you are obviously mistaken. He wouldn't even pass for a cleaner!”

Allen laughed seeing the expression on Charles' face. This was just the beginning. “Now that you know who I really am, it's time to fulfil your own part of the bargain.”

Charles realised they were being serious about Allen's identity. His eyes widened in disbelief. Allen was literally asking him to downgrade himself in front of his colleagues. He tightened his fists but there was nothing he could do than surrender.

“Young master, I know I may have been mistaken at first but it happens right? Can't we just let this go and become buddies?” Charles said, feigning innocence.

“I don't have time for your gimmicks Charles. Fulfill your own part of the bargain. Beg for your job,” Allen's voice echoed.

“You can't do this to me!” Charles screamed. The security men immediately forced him to his knees.

“Beg for your job,” Allen told him without mercy. Charles realised there was nothing he could do than comply.

“I, Charles, am sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you young master. Forgive me!” Charles echoed, bowing.

A smile crept to Allen's lips. “Now, apologise to Philip and Louisa,” Allen commanded.

“They're below me so I can't do—ouchh!!” A blow landed on his cheeks, cutting his words.

“I apologise to Louisa, Philip and everyone here,” Charles said hastily, still groaning in pain.

“Good, you can keep your job but you will be demoted three positions down. Louisa would be the new manager,” Allen announced. The hall echoed with murmurs, cheers and laughter.

Louisa on the other hand just couldn't believe what she had heard so as the crowd dispersed, she ran towards Allen.

“Thank you for this opportunity Sir. I really appreciate it,” her soft voice rang in Allen’s ears.

Allen stared at the lady in front of him for an unexpected number of minutes. She was very beautiful and curvy. Her long black hair swayed as she spoke with her brown eyes almost enchanting him.

“If you don't mind, I can show you to your new office,” she added, cutting into his thoughts.

“Uhm…yes…yes,” Allen said, confused. He just couldn't get his head wrapped around this beauty in front of him. He followed her slowly as she guided him to the office.