Chapter 4

"My deepest apology, Mr. Castell!"

Edwin's words sent a shockwave through the hall.

No one expected the most influential man in Luchenstad to humble himself before a 18-year-old in casual attire. If word of this got out, it would cause an uproar throughout the city.

No one was more stunned than Britney and Bianca.

Britney was terrified. She had insulted Reinhard and ordered the security to throw him out. Now the man whose authority she had relied on had just made it clear who was truly in charge.

A small smile flickered in Reinhard's eyes. "You've done a good job managing Skycastell."

It was a genuine compliment. Reinhard hadn't expected Edwin to build an empire from this business in just five years, with nothing more than Reinhard's initial investment.

Meanwhile, Edwin was breaking out in a cold sweat.

To him, it felt like a backhanded compliment. After all, the money that had launched Skycastell came from Reinhard. Without him, there would be no company.

Edwin was merely an employee following the orders of his real boss.

And what had happened when the true boss came to visit? His employees tried to stop him. The security had nearly kicked him out.

This was a disaster!

Edwin turned to his employees, his voice thunderous. "Anyone who has offended Reinhard is to apologize right now. You'll receive your severance pay from HR. You're all fired!"

Bianca, Britney, and the security guards turned pale.

Skycastell was one of the city's top ten businesses. A starting salary here was at least 1,500 dollars per month, not including bonuses and benefits.

Many of the employees had been with the company since its inception. But now, they faced the terrifying possibility of being fired simply because Edwin wanted to please Reinhard.

Stunned into silence, no one moved.

Even Britney was quiet.

Edwin was about to throw another tantrum when Reinhard raised a hand, signaling for calm. He smiled at Bianca, nodding at her.

She remained motionless. Her mind was a whirlwind after everything that had happened so quickly.

Reinhard's gaze shifted to Britney, who was squirming. "I told you I could fire you. You didn't believe me. How about now?"

Britney trembled, glancing at Edwin for help.

This time, though, the man who had never once rejected her requests looked at her with apathy. Britney was on her own.

"I... I..." she stammered.

Reinhard waved her off. "Don't worry. You and Edwin seem to be more than just colleagues. I won't fire you."

Britney was quietly relieved. So, Reinhard still needed Edwin's approval for company decisions.

"Instead, you've been demoted. If you want to stay with the company, you'll change out of those clothes and into a uniform. You're starting as a receptionist," Reinhard added, his voice firm. "If you don't like it, you're free to leave."

Britney was crushed.

She had grown accustomed to being at the top, lording over everyone, and now she had to start over. Worse, she was certain she had lost Edwin's favor over this incident.

It was almost certain she would never be promoted again—she would be a lowly receptionist for the rest of her life!

Despite her devastation, she nodded.

Working as a receptionist at Skycastell was still better than being a white-collar worker in any other company.

Reinhard turned his attention to the security guards. "Pay your medical bills, but I'll pretend this never happened. Any objections?"

Naturally, there were none.

The guards were just grateful not to be fired. Paying for any injuries sustained was a small price to pay.

Besides, who would dare ask for more after seeing how Edwin had behaved toward Reinhard?

Finally, Reinhard addressed Bianca.

"You've been promoted," he said. "You'll be taking Britney's job. You're the kind of worker Skycastell needs!"

Bianca was stunned, then enraptured by this sudden windfall.

A threat of demotion had been turned into a promotion just because Reinhard said so. She skipped so many rungs on the ladder and became a department manager just like that!

She nodded gratefully, grinning uncontrollably.

"I have no business here anymore. Let's go," Reinhard said, gesturing toward the escalator with a tilt of his head.

Edwin turned to face the bewildered crowd. "Listen to me very carefully: this young man is our director, Mr. Reinhard Castell. His name even contributes to the name of our company!

"So from now on, if anything remotely resembling this happens again, I don't care what position you occupy. You are fired, and you can get the hell out of here!"

Edwin had been a gangster before he became a businessman, so there was a certain force behind his threat. Only a fool would doubt him.

The crowd was more bemused than scared, though.

The revelation that a teenage man was their mysterious director was simply too hard to accept.

-

Reinhard had taken Edwin's place behind the desk in the CEO's office, while the older man sat on the couch. "It's been five years, Mr. Castell! I'm so glad to see you!"

Edwin feared and respected no man except one.

Five years ago, he and his men had been brutally overpowered by a rival gang and banished to the outskirts of Luchenstad. If Reinhard hadn't shown up to save him, he would have died from his injuries.

Then, the young man had given him an obscene sum of money to help him return to the city and start over.

This was how Edwin had managed to defeat his rivals, rise to power, and become the underworld's king. He later founded the Skycastell Group and became a billionaire.

Edwin knew who his benefactor was. He was a loyal man. Even after founding the company, he had always kept the title of CEO for himself, leaving the director's role to Reinhard.

"I didn't expect you to turn it into such a success in just five years," Reinhard remarked, sipping his coffee. "I always knew I had an eye for talent."

Suddenly, his expression hardened, and an aura of ambition seemed to envelop him. "I told you back then that by swearing loyalty to me, you had to be prepared for things beyond your wildest imagination. My ambitions are far greater than anything you can comprehend!"

He drained his coffee in one gulp and rose to his feet.

"Skycastell is yours to control. I won't interfere. But I need you to find the best plot of land in this state suitable for crops and farming, and I need it within a week. I don't care how much it costs.

"Notify me immediately once you've found it. This is of utmost importance, so don't waste any time," Reinhard instructed.

Edwin knew just how powerful this young man was, and he nodded.

Strangely, a hint of sadness and guilt colored Reinhard's eyes.

"Also, I need you to locate a young woman for me. Her name is Clover Lovelace—a twelfth-grader at Luchenstad City High," he added. "I need to know which class she's in. Then, I want you to arrange for me to have an identity as a student in the same class."

Edwin was shocked. Why would a billionaire suddenly want to be a high school student?

Curiosity aside, he immediately ordered his men to do exactly as Reinhard had asked.

-

Grand Empyreal was Luchenstad's largest mall and lifestyle district, boasting fashion, entertainment, dining, and gyms. It was where Luchenstad's youth frequently gathered.

Amelie was enjoying her time at a coffee shop with a friend—a young woman with a doll-like face and an amazing figure, completely decked out in branded wear.

"Some hobo just showed up at my house unannounced, girl. I was so shocked! And then my mom just let him shower in our bathroom! God, disgusting!" Amelie winced, sweeping her hand through the air.

"Your mom let a hobo shower at your house? Is she a saint or what?" Doll Face exclaimed.

"Nah. There's a reason for it. This guy helped my mom once in West Galatea," Amelie explained.

"I think he fell on hard times or something. Either way, he managed to find us and probably wanted handouts. But mom didn't just give him money, you know. She invited him to stay!"

Doll Face laughed. "Oh God, if Rex and his friends heard a farmer boy was staying at your house, they'd go ballistic! So, is he really staying there?"

Amelie shook her head. "God knows. I told him he'd be a burden if he stayed here and suggested he rent a room. I could even help him find a job if he needs it."

She sighed. "I don’t even know if he listened to me. The guy just left a parcel on the bench and walked out!"

"Ha, just wait. When you return, he'll be the one telling you, 'Welcome home!'" Doll Face quipped gleefully. "I'd love to see the look on your face!"

"Oh, shut up. Thinking about it pisses me off!"

Amelie stirred her coffee absent-mindedly. She was genuinely worried about Reinhard's return.

Doll Face was still making jokes when Amelie noticed a familiar figure at the door.

She looked more closely, and her face turned pale.

It was Reinhard—again!