Chapter 1

At a coffee shop in Los Angeles city, a couple was talking to each other.

The girl looked at the man in front of her and spoke in a sour tone, "A dowry of 1 million dollars, and in addition, you must fulfill one condition. If you agree, then I will consider marrying you."

"Oh! Please tell me," Maximus replied.

Selina stirred her coffee with a spoon and continued, "I can have a male best friend, but I won't allow you to have any close female friends."

Maximus couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this proposal. "Selina, don't you think your demand is ridiculous?"

"I don't find it funny at all. Do you feel that you're superior? Or do you think that just because I agreed to see you, I've accepted you? Don't be naive. There is no shortage of wealthy men around me. Look at yourself, you dress poorly and don't even have a car, yet you demand so much."

After a brief pause, Selina continued, "The person who introduced me to you is an acquaintance of mine, which is why I gave you a chance, but it seems you don't appreciate that. Anyway, we have nothing left to say."

Maximus felt disappointed and couldn't believe that the girl had such unreasonable demands.

He shook his head and said, "I don't agree. I think..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Selina sneered and interrupted, "If you don't have money, don't bother dating. It's a waste of time!"

"Haha! Forget about the 1 million dollar dowry! And you want to have a close relationship with another guy? What kind of ridiculous demand is that? Even if I had 1 million dollars, I wouldn't marry you."

Maximus spoke loudly, which immediately caught the attention of other customers in the shop.

Selina turned red with anger and said, "Maximus, what do you mean by that? I don't despise you for being poor. Your monthly salary is only a little over $1000, and you don't have a house or a car, yet you dare to criticize me?"

"You're poor and shameless! Where's the bill? Let's pay!"

Maximus watched Selina storm out, and on his face, he finally showed a bit of disappointment.

This is the 10th time Maximus has been on a date, but everyone criticizes him for being poor and having no future, so after the first meeting, almost no one contacts Maximus anymore. The reason they came to meet Maximus is also because he is very handsome. But being handsome is not as good as being rich, so Maximus has never had a girlfriend.

"Another failure! Can't I find the right girl for myself, how unfair."

Maximus walked out of the coffee shop feeling discouraged, hailed a taxi and headed towards VinOPEN company.

VinOPEN is a car manufacturing company, which has its own brand and has achieved many successes in America.

As Maximus walked into the company, his colleagues looked at him with a regretful and pitiful gaze.

Maximus frowned, feeling strange about everyone's attitude, but since it was almost time to work, he didn't think much about it. Maximus's workspace was where they specialized in processing software components, and the staff and the department head totaled just over ten people.

In recent years, due to the pandemic happening all over the world, America in particular has been severely affected. Almost all companies have to close, people have to stay indoors, and they need a new confirmation paper to go outside.

For over a year, countless companies have gone bankrupt, and VinOPEN has also been heavily affected by the pandemic. However, the company is still trying to survive through that crisis.

But, it was also because of this that the company had to cut positions, and more than 100 people were laid off.

And the monthly salary has also decreased significantly, Maximus's salary last month was over $2000, but now it's only just over $1000.

Maximus is also very sad about this, but what can he do? Finding a job is very difficult now that the market has only just returned to stability after the outbreak.

"Maximus, you're back. Go see department head Asher, he was asking me about you."

A colleague saw Maximus come in and immediately came over to tell him.

"Oh, thanks Brian! But do you know why department head Asher is looking for me?" Maximus asked.

"I'm sorry, I don't know anything about it," Brian shook his head in response.

Maximus furrowed his brow and opened the door to walk to Asher's office.

"Knock knock knock!"

"Manager Asher, it's me, Maximus!"

"Come in!"

A man's voice came from inside.

Maximus opened the door and entered the room, looking at Asher and asking, "Is there something you need from me, Manager?"

Asher looked at Maximus and felt a sense of regret in his heart, but his superior had ordered Maximus to be dismissed, and there was nothing he could do except follow orders.

"Sit down, let's talk a little bit," Asher said with a smile.

Maximus sat down and waited for Asher to speak.

Asher calmly asked, "Maximus, how long have you been working at VinOPEN?"

"For five years, since I graduated from university and joined the company until now."

Maximus felt like something was about to happen to him, but he calmly answered Asher's question.

"Haizz, I don't want to say this, but...you're fired."

"What? How can this be?" Maximus couldn't believe his ears as he looked at Asher.

He had devoted so much to the company, and now being told to leave was not pleasant at all. Maximus couldn't accept this!

"Manager Asher, why? What did I do wrong?" Maximus took a deep breath and looked at Asher.

"Hmmm, it was an order from higher-ups! Did you offend anyone?" Asher asked, furrowing his brow.

"Offend someone? Is that it? How...could..." But before he finished speaking, Maximus fell silent. Perhaps he knew why he was being fired.

"I understand, thank you, Asher, for your help during the past years. If there is a chance, I would like to work with you again. See you later!"

Maximus said and left the room.

Asher watched Maximus's tall figure leaving and felt uncomfortable inside, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He was just an employee and had to follow orders from his superiors.