The Genius She Treated Like a Dog

Chapter 8

"Do you want to join us?" I asked, surprised.

Lucy nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Doesn't it take capital to seize port business opportunities? If you're asking for help, why not ask me? Helping others make money is fine, but why not help me instead?"

Sensing the sincerity and eagerness on her face, I found myself seriously considering it. "It feels like a dream opportunity."

"So, my dear Andy, are you going to take this opportunity or not?"

I chuckled, "This sounds like freeloading."

Lucy pretended to be annoyed and punched my shoulder playfully. "Hey, this isn't a free ride! I'll be a shareholder in your company, and you have to ensure returns for your shareholders. I'll make sure the contract states the return rate clearly, and if it doesn't meet my standards, I'll withdraw my investment!"

"Alright, alright, welcome, Miss White, as my first shareholder." Playing along, I quickly extended my hand for a handshake.

She playfully slapped it away and pointed at my shoulder, feigning authority. "Mr. Lambert, you'd better work hard to make money for me, the sponsor. I'm quite demanding, and average returns won't cut it for me, humph!"

"Yes, I'll work tirelessly for my sponsor, making sure you earn a fortune!"

Though we were joking, inwardly, I vowed to produce good results to repay Lucy's trust in me.

Watching her smile at me under the night sky, I couldn't help but think that maybe she was the warm light in my life, a reward for all the hardships I'd endured.

Lucy told me to wait a moment and soon came back, slightly breathless, holding two cups of milkshake.

Handing me one, she said, "Come on, cheers! Here's to us setting sail, facing difficulties, and conquering the business world!"

Lucy's enthusiasm was infectious. I nodded eagerly, clinked my milkshake with hers, and took a big sip.

On the way home, I sat in the passenger seat and stared at her. She looked dreamily beautiful in the glow of the neon lights.

I thought of something intriguing and asked almost without thinking.

"Lucy, what did you study abroad? You've got big dreams. Surely your original plan wasn't to start a company with me and venture into overseas business, right?" I asked seriously, "What's your real plan?"

She looked ahead, focused on driving, and said calmly, "You'll figure it out in time. I'm not telling you now!"

Suddenly, my phone rang. I smiled apologetically and picked it up.

It was Karen's always rude voice on the other end.

"You've disappeared all afternoon. Do you think you can take the company's money so easily?"

"I took a leave."

"Did I approve it? Andy, get back to the office and work overtime. Don't think about leaving until you've finished reviewing those documents!" Karen pressed on.

Her shout was loud enough for Lucy to hear.

Lucy scoffed, "I didn't think the Moore Group was so harsh to its employees. That would look terrible in the news!"

Karen vaguely caught some of that and demanded immediately, "Andy, are you conspiring with someone from another company? Who's the woman with you?"

"Ms. Moore, it's after work hours. You can't question my private life," I retorted calmly.

"After work my *ss! Do you think you get to decide when work ends? Get back to the office right now!"

"Understood." I just wanted to end the call quickly, so I agreed curtly.

I glanced at Lucy. "Sorry, could you drop me off at the Moore Group?"

"Are you really going back to work? It's so late..." Lucy sounded worried.

"It's fine. My contract with Bill is up in less than a month. I'll make sure to get what the Moore Group owes me over the years."

Lucy sighed, "Alright, take care. I'll be waiting to celebrate your freedom."

"Okay." I nodded.

At the traffic light, the car turned toward the Moore Group.

***

I entered the lobby and switched on the lights. Right away, I noticed five large cardboard boxes stacked in front of my office door.

Surprised, I moved closer and realized they held all the documents and materials from my desk. I tried to unlock the door with my fingerprint, but it showed an error. I attempted the password, but it had been reset.

It was clear then. Karen had changed the lock on my office. She wanted me to work out in the open so everyone could see the spectacle the next morning.

Karen was more committed to embarrassing me than to her actual work.

The phone rang, and it was Karen again.

"Hello," I answered, keeping my voice steady.

"A piece of sh*t like you doesn't deserve an office or even a desk," Karen sneered. "You can finish your work at the door. I'll check on you tomorrow at the company. If you can't handle it, you can just leave. The Moore Group would be happy to see you go."

"I said I'd stay until the end of the month. Have a good night, Ms. Moore."

"You're such a shameless bastard. It's disgusting how you're clinging to me," she said coldly.

"I have documents to review, so goodbye, Ms. Moore," I replied, ending the call and switching off my phone.

The office lobby was silent at night. As I focused on the paperwork, the hours slipped away, and soon I could hear people whispering.

"Is that Mr. Lambert? Why's he sitting at the door?"

"You know how Ms. Moore always treats him. She just doesn't want him here anymore."

"Look at him, a grown man with no self-respect just for some money. How pathetic..."

Ignoring their chatter, I continued my work.

That was how it went in the office. When one succeeded, other people were envious. And when one fell, they belittled him.

Time flew by, and before long, two hours had passed. Suddenly, someone kicked me in the back with high heels, sending a sharp pain through me.

"This document is urgent. My sweetheart is waiting for my investment," Karen's voice came from above, and a document landed on my head.

The disdain on everyone's faces was clear now.

"If it's that urgent, sign it yourself."

"If I must do everything myself, why does the Moore family bother keeping a slave like you around?" Karen jabbed, using her fingerprint to open my office door, tossing a warning over her shoulder as she walked in. "You've got five minutes to sign and deliver it."

Ignoring her, I opened the document and saw it was related to that Cook family guy she had had s*x with on her birthday.

This project was obviously a setup. The Cook family wanted not just money but also half the shares. Karen was foolish enough to agree to this kind of contract.

Well, it wasn't my company, so why should I care? As I prepared to sign it, I paused.

If this ended up in court, I could be held liable too.

I couldn't sign this!

I had to talk to Karen about this!!