The Reaper's Redemption

Chapter 008

Lily hung up the phone, quickly freshened up, changed into a business suit, and headed straight for the Northgate Group headquarters. Stepping into the massive corporate lobby for the first time, she watched the sharp, impeccably dressed employees moving with absolute purpose. A suffocating wave of anxiety washed over her. She had once dreamed of working in a towering corporate empire like this, but now, faced with the reality, she felt entirely out of her depth. For the first time, she realized she was completely unprepared for the corporate battlefield she had once dreamed of conquering.

Up in the Human Resources department, the manager, Ms. Fisher, slid a heavy contract across the desk. It was the paperwork for the Executive Assistant to the President.

"Ms. Fisher, can I sign this now?" Lily asked, swallowing hard, her voice tight with nerves.

Fae Fisher had reviewed Lily's resume; it was an absolute, undeniable disaster. But this was a direct order from the Chairman himself, so she kept her professional smile locked in place. "Yes. We have carefully reviewed your background, and the President specifically requested you for this role. The annual salary is five hundred thousand dollars. How does that sound?"

Ms. Fisher leaned forward. "Miss Lohan, being the President's assistant is an incredible opportunity to learn. Furthermore, your compensation package is the absolute highest for this specific role in all of Liverton. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so please consider it carefully. I must also inform you that due to your lack of experience, and to protect the company's interests, this is a strict five-year contract. However, upon signing, the group will immediately advance you one full year's salary to guarantee your living expenses."

Lily's breathing hitched. She didn't hesitate for a single second. She grabbed the pen and signed the contract immediately. She was drowning in poverty; she desperately needed that five hundred thousand dollars to solve her family's immediate crisis.

"Congratulations, you are officially an employee of Northgate Group," Ms. Fisher said, standing up to shake Lily's hand. "Let's work hard together."

"Thank you," Lily nodded deeply, her face flushed with overwhelming excitement. She finally had a respectable, high-paying career. As she held the contract, a spark of anticipation ignited in her chest; she wondered what kind of man the President she would be serving for the next five years actually was.

A staff member escorted Lily out of HR and led her directly to the President's office on the executive floor. However, she was informed that the President was entirely too busy to see her. Her orders were to sit at the assistant's desk outside his door and wait for further instructions. Until she was called, she was instructed to read.

A stack of books sat on her new desk: How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Art of Communication, Crucial Conversations, and True Colors.

Lily sat at the desk, staring blankly at the covers. It hit her that the last time she had actually sat down to study was back in her school days. Ever since that traumatic incident eight years ago, her mind had been a chaotic warzone; she hadn't been able to find the peace to quietly read a single book.

"Miss Lohan, you must read these carefully. It is a direct order from the President," the HR employee reminded her.

"Understood. No problem," Lily nodded firmly.

For the first time in eight brutal years, she forced her mind to quiet down and immersed herself in the text. To her surprise, the sensation was incredibly comforting. Being an Executive Assistant while getting paid to elevate her own knowledge felt like a dream come true.

Meanwhile, Robert and Viper had already exited the Northgate skyscraper.

"Boss, you just left Lily up there to read books?" Viper asked, glancing in the rearview mirror as he navigated the Rolls-Royce through traffic.

"Yes. It's time she replenished her knowledge," Robert replied, resting his head back and closing his eyes. "Head back to the clinic. I have two patients waiting."

"Copy that."

When the Phantom pulled up to the dilapidated clinic, Robert stepped out and froze. Standing right by the entrance were Brit Lohan and little Jenna.

Robert immediately walked over, his cold demeanor softening as he gently rubbed Jenna's head. "Auntie, is there something you need?" he asked Brit.

Brit looked down at her granddaughter. "Jenna, go play over there for a minute. I need to speak with your father."

Jenna blinked, looking up at Brit in confusion. "Grandma... is he really my daddy?"

Brit didn't say a word; she just gave a slow, deliberate nod.

Robert's heart soared. He crouched down in front of Jenna, gently tapping her small nose. "Jenna, I am your dad. Call me Dad."

But the sheer intensity of the moment terrified the little girl. Jenna shrank back, hiding behind Brit's legs, entirely unable to force the word out of her mouth.

Robert let out a heavy, painful sigh, a bitter smile crossing his face. He understood. The child hadn't fully accepted him yet; "Dad" was a concept that had never existed in her life, and she couldn't just say it on command. His heart ached for her, but he knew he had to be patient.

Standing back up, Robert looked at Brit's heavy expression. "Auntie, how can I help you?"

Brit let out a long, theatrical sigh of distress. "Robert, my street stall hasn't been making much money lately. Jenna's school fees are due soon, and your uncle's medical treatments are draining us. We are completely out of cash. Can I... can I borrow a little money from you?"

"Of course." Robert didn't hesitate. He pulled a sleek, heavy black Citibank card from his wallet and handed it to her. "Take this. Withdraw whatever you need from Citibank. This card doesn't require my authorization; you can pull cash just by showing your own ID. Whenever you face any difficulties, come find me. No matter what happens, I am Jenna's father."

"Thank you. Thank you so much," Brit gasped, her eyes widening at the black card.

"You never have to be polite with me, Auntie," Robert said, his voice ringing with absolute sincerity. "I was young and reckless, and I caused Lily unimaginable pain. I came back to make amends to her, to Jenna, and to you and Uncle. Whatever you need, just ask."

Brit paused, momentarily stunned by the raw, unfiltered truth in his eyes. He wasn't faking it.

"I... I need to take Jenna home now," Brit stammered, eager to leave now that she had the prize. "When I have time, I'll secretly bring her to play with you. But you have to promise me, Lily cannot know about this."

"Uncle, I'm leaving now," Jenna waved timidly. As Brit led her away, the little girl kept looking back over her shoulder at Robert.

Robert stood on the street, locking eyes with his daughter until she finally disappeared around the corner, before turning back into the clinic.

Back at the cramped apartment, Brit was practically vibrating with excitement. She slapped her disabled husband, Austin, on the shoulder, flashing the heavy black card. "Old man, you were right! We don't have to sell Jenna, but we can absolutely use her name to milk him for cash! Look, he just handed this over!"

"Of course he did," Austin laughed greedily, snatching the black card. "Robert is loaded now. Whenever we run out, we just go back and ask for more."

Back at Northgate Group, the atmosphere was incredibly hostile.

Frankie Muniz, the current President of the company, stormed through the lobby. He had just caught wind that the board had hired a new President with an astronomical salary. The news felt like a knife to the gut. His face was a thundercloud as he ignored the greetings of his terrified staff. Everyone in the building knew the arrival of this new executive was a direct threat to his power.

"The President is here! The President is here!" a hushed warning rippled through the executive floor, reaching Lily's ears.

The President? Lily thought. That's the man I'm assisting.

She immediately put her book down, smoothed out her suit, and hurried to the elevator banks to wait. The moment the steel doors slid open, Lily offered a polite, respectful bow.

"Hello, Mr. Muniz," she greeted him warmly. "I am your new assistant, Lily Lohan."

New assistant? Frankie frowned deeply, his sharp eyes scanning Lily. He noted her striking beauty and professional demeanor. Did the Chairman arrange a pretty assistant as a consolation prize to pacify me? he thought bitterly.

Even if that was the case, it didn't extinguish his simmering rage. He waved a dismissive hand. "Follow me."

Once inside his sprawling office, Frankie dropped into his leather chair. "Bring me your resume," he demanded coldly.

"Right away," Lily nodded. She hurried out, grabbed her file, and handed it to him. Internally, she felt a surge of confidence. After all, Ms. Fisher had explicitly told her the President wanted her for this role. Her background was terrible, yes, but surely he wouldn't mind too much.

Frankie’s eyes scanned the catastrophic document. His face turned an ugly, volatile shade of red.

Smack!

Frankie violently hurled the resume directly into Lily's face. The papers scattered across the floor.

"With this kind of garbage track record, you think you are qualified to be my assistant?!" Frankie roared, his voice dripping with absolute venom. "Get the hell out of my sight! Get as far away as you can and don't ever let me see your face again! Sending a piece of trash like you into my office... is this how that old Chairman thinks he can humiliate me?!"