PROLOGUE – THE THEFT

“Thief! Everyone, I’ve finally caught the thief. I caught him red handed!”

The once quiet hallways of Hunter & Sons Technology Ltd. erupted into a frenzy of whispers as all the workers gathered in the lounge, each struggling to see the reason for the screaming.

In the centre of the room, Miss Susan, the assistant secretary, held Alexander Easton, the secretary, by his collar, fuming like a snake in heat.

“I didn’t do anything.” Alex stated boldly. “Let go of me. I’m innocent. I did not steal from you.”

Susan held on tighter, her voice growing louder and louder by the minute.

“If you’re not guilty, explain why I found it in your bag. I suspected you from the very beginning. You’re a thief, Alex. You’re a shameless thief!”

Alex’s heart nearly beat off his chest as more than half of his colleagues whipped out their phones and began to record the humiliating scene.

Before long, the head manger was alerted and he immediately rushed to the lounge. When he arrived at the scene, his eyes widened with horror.

“What the hell is going on here?!”

Silence immediately reigned in the room. The head manager was furious.

“Are you all aware that the CEO is currently hosting a conference meeting with international clients? What’s with all the screaming? Do you realise how hazardous this is to the image of our company?”

Alex opened his mouth to defend himself but it was too late. His blood turned to ice when he noticed the CEO himself approaching with some of his clients tagging behind.

The CEO, Mr. Derek Hunter, was the son of the company’s founder. And he was one hotheaded, arrogant young man.

It was obvious from his thunderous expression that he was furious. He looked ready to kill.

“What is this?” He asked calmly, his voice dripping with cold anger. “Let go of him.” He ordered and Susan released Alex immediately.

Alex rubbed his sore neck.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Oh, shut up. Do not thank me yet. What happened? Why did she hold you hostage?”

Alex cleared his throat, his veins already burning with anger.

“Well, sir, Susana is accusing me of stealing her wallet but I’m innocent. I did not steal anything. I came here to get the file you requested when she held me down.”

Hunter levelled Susan with an icy glare.

“Explain yourself, Miss Susan.”

Her face was red with rage.

“Sir, my wallet went missing about an hour ago. I searched my bag but couldn’t find it. I asked everyone but they still couldn’t find it. Everyone else gave up their bags to be searched except Alex. When we forcefully got his bag from him, I found my wallet inside.”

All his co-workers stared at Alex accusingly. Some even pointed fingers as they gossiped about him. At that point, he knew no one was coming to save him.

“Sir, please. You have to believe me. I did not take her wallet. I didn’t…”

“If you did not take it, how did it appear inside your bag?” Susan asked accusingly.

Alex ignored her, focusing his attention on the CEO.

“Sir, please. I didn’t do this…”

One of the CEO’s clients, a petite, sharp tongued woman cut in rudely;

“Mr. Alexander, we were just about to sign a multi-billion dollar contract but after this incident, I don’t think I can trust you or your company.”

The atmosphere was instantly choked with tension.

“Ma’am, I assure you that I will handle this. Please, don’t make any hasty decisions.” Hunter begged.

“No! That’s impossible. How can I trust a company filled with thieves? If the staff cannot even trust one another, how can an outsider like me trust you?”

The CEO turned to Alex with an icy glare.

“Apologise to Susan for stealing her wallet.”

Alex narrowed his eyes in surprise.

“But sir, I did not take her wallet. I’ve been set up. I promise…”

Thwack!

He barely completed his sentence when his left cheek exploded in searing, unimaginable pain.

Alex clutched his cheek in shock and staggered a few steps backwards from the force of the blow.

He barely recovered when a shadow loomed over him once more. Before he could protest, another blinding slap landed on his right cheek.

“How dare you question my orders, you fool? How dare you question me?”

For five full seconds, Alex was partially blinded. He could barely see a step in front of him.

“When you’re done whimpering like a dog,” his boss muttered remorselessly, “clear out your stuff and get the hell out of here. You’ve been suspended. Your salary for this month will not be paid. And do not step those wretched legs of yours into my company until I call you back.”

Alex’ throat burned with disappointment as he got to his feet. Everyone was watching now. All his colleagues watched him struggle and bleed but none of them offered to help. He was all alone.

“Sir, please.” He begged. “ I beg you to reconsider. I have a sick brother in the hospital. How will I pay the hospital bills if you don’t pay me this month?”

Hunter stared at him with a harsh expression.

“How exactly is your sick brother any business of mine? Did you think of him when you stole your co-worker’s wallet? Did you think of your brother when you tried to disrespect one of my most important clients? Your brother can die for all I care. Everything that’s happened here is your fault.”

His words pierced Alex’s heart like a thousand sharp needles. Anger burned in his guts but he had to be sensible. He had to think of his brother.

“Sir, please reconsider your decision. I have to pay my brother’s hospital bills. Please reconsider.”

“I will only help you on one condition.” Hunter growled.

Alex nodded, his chest already swelling with hope.

“What’s the condition, sir? I’ll do anything.”

An evil gleam shone in Hunter’s eyes.

“I want you to admit before everyone here that you’re a thief and you stole Susan’s wallet. I’m giving you five seconds to do that.”

Alex blinked in shock.

“But sir, I didn’t steal…”

“You’re wasting your own time.” Hunter cut in remorselessly. “Five…four…”

An invisible fist squeezed Alex’s heart as he pondered over his choices.

If he admitted to the theft, everyone would label him a thief. If he didn’t, the hospital would throw his brother out on the streets and he could not afford that.

Finally, he made his decision.

He lowered his head, his ears burning with shame as he muttered.

“I’m the thief. I stole Susan’s wallet.”

This was the most humiliating day of his entire life.

“What was that?” Hunter barked. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you. Say it louder and look me in the eye as you do.”

Alex raised his head slowly and did as his boss ordered.

“I did it, everyone. I stole Susan’s wallet. I’m a thief. Please don’t suspend me, sir. I really need the money. Please forgive me.”

Each word he uttered was like a blow to his heart but he sucked up and tried to appear brave.

Hunter’s lips twisted in a devilish smirk and at that very moment, Alex knew he wouldn’t like whatever his boss was going to say next.

“Thank you for admitting that you’re actually a thief. Security! Get this foolish criminal out of my premises immediately! I cannot have him polluting the rest of my staff.”

Alex’ eyes widened in shock, his heart pumping like a runaway train as the guards approached.

“S-sir.” He stammered. “Sir, you promised. You promised me.”

“I do not make promises to thieves. Take him away!”

Before he could put up any more argument, the company’s security guards grabbed him by both his arms and carried him out of the premises kicking and screaming.

They threw him out of the gate and he landed on the concrete floor with a pained grunt. Next, they threw the box containing his few things on him, littering the stationery and books all over the street.

Both men laughed and jeered at him.

“And make sure you don’t come back, you thief. Shame on you!”

Alex watched helplessly, his heart burning with dejection as the guards slammed the gates in his face.

He thought his world had come to an end… but this was only the beginning of his humiliation.