THE AWAKEN RAYMOND WEST STRIKE BACK

Chapter 1

“Congratulations to each and every one of us here. We’ve just secured a deal worth fifteen million dollars.”  

The words struck like a spark. 

The workers’ eyes went wide; their faces froze in disbelief. For a second, no one moved, as if the announcement had turned the air thick enough to choke sound itself.  

Raymond waited, still smiling, then went on.

 “That’s not even all. Once we secure the state-level deal and the national-level deal, the total profit we’ll gain from those will reach five hundred million dollars.”  

Immediately a few mouths dropped open. Someone whispered under their breath, but the room stayed almost silent except for the faint hum of the fan overhead. 

Then Raymond’s tone softened, confident.

 “And that’s still not all. Because of the hard work everyone here has put in doing everything possible to move this company to the very top you’ll each be receiving huge bonuses from this deal.”  

That broke the stillness. 

Immediately Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone jumped to their feet and began to clap. The sound was thunder in the tiny room. Some workers laughed out loud; others wiped at their eyes. 

They couldn’t believe he had done it. Even though he tried to make it sound like everyone shared the credit, deep down they knew he carried most of the weight himself.  

Golden Age Energy was a small company, just twenty employees in total. 

Yet because of Raymond’s sharp mind and relentless drive, they had managed to secure contracts that even the biggest corporations wouldn’t dare dream of acquiring.

The deal was for the production of top‑end protective military vehicles. That was exactly what they had applied for. 

From the look of things, since Raymond had announced it, it was clear that the contract had been awarded, and they were still expecting the state‑level contract and the national‑level contract to follow.  

It simply meant that the first contract, worth sixty million dollars, had already been signed by the mayor of their city and the military officials. They must have finalized it. Now, all that remained was to wait for the state and national levels, which were definitely going to come.  

At that moment, Raymond told his team that they could all leave for the day that was the message he wanted to pass on. He urged everyone to stay focused, keep working hard, and keep striving, because the company was going to become one of the best very soon.  

Immediately, the room filled with excitement.

 They were happy thrilled not just about the bonuses ahead but for the name they were going to make for themselves.

 They clapped for Raymond, their applause echoing across the small room, and then they left right away, smiling and talking among themselves.  

When the last of them walked out, Raymond sat down in his chair, joy written across his face. He took a deep breath, leaned back, and began to talk quietly to himself.  

Now, he could finally be a man. So many things were going to change. Just imagine his contract application had been accepted. It was chosen as the best among all the submissions. He had seen it himself on the official website, right there on the page listing the winning contracts, and it was exactly the same project he had applied for.  

“Thank goodness,” he whispered, a gentle smile forming. Finally, he could give his wife, Megan, the life she deserved. The cheap, tarnished necklace he had given her three years ago the one he’d always felt ashamed of he could replace it now with something far better, maybe diamond. He could give her the good life she had earned through all her patience and support. For three long years, she had stayed by his side without complaint, without attitude, believing in him even when he doubted himself.  

Now, he could stand tall. Megan’s parents would no longer mock him. Everyone who had laughed at his dreams would see that everything he had said about succeeding wasn’t just talk. They would see it now yes, he was truly going to succeed.  

This changed everything for him.

The fact that everybody was now going to see him as a capable husband to Megan filled Raymond with pride. 

No one would call him an opportunist anymore. No one would accuse Megan of staying with him just because of the little money she had. Everyone would finally see him as someone who deserved her love, someone who would make sure she was proud of him. This changed everything.  

At that moment, Raymond was still deeply happy. His chest felt light, his smile easy and genuine. He leaned back in his chair even more, letting the reality of his success sink in until the door creaked open. His secretary stepped inside quietly, without knocking.  

Immediately, something felt off. She didn’t look like herself; the confidence she usually carried was gone. Her face was pale, her shoulders slightly trembling. From her expression alone, Raymond could tell something was wrong.  

Immediately he sat up straight and asked, “What’s happening? Why do you look so worried?”  

The secretary hesitated for a second, her hands nervously clutching the folder she carried. Then she said, her voice unsteady, “Mr. Raymond, I’m very, very sorry, but I just got a disturbing call from the office of the mayor. And it isn’t looking good for us at all.”  

Raymond’s smile vanished instantly. He pushed himself up from his chair and demanded, “What are they talking about? What the hell is happening?”  

The secretary swallowed hard before answering. 

“They said the contract you applied for  the one we were just celebrating not long ago was copied. They claim it was stolen. That we used another company’s proposal to apply, and because of that, it’s been flagged for forgery. The mayor is not happy.”  

At that moment Raymond’s eyes widened in disbelief, but she continued, her voice trembling now. 

“For that reason, they said we’ve breached the contract deal. And there will be punishment to follow. They’re even saying our company license will be withdrawn. And, on top of that, a fine of five million dollars is to be paid as a warning f*e to others who copy, and stole or forge another company’s work.”