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Chapter 10

Unqualified? Matthew raised an eyebrow. He had come here to work to get to know Rachel better, all because of Fred’s invitation. Being labeled as unqualified by a mere manager was the last thing he had expected. “You might not have gotten this clear—” Larry cut him off. “I don’t need an explanation, and you don’t need to give one. I’m the manager of the logistics department. I have to oversee hundreds of employees. “I’m incredibly busy and don’t have time to waste on a driver like you. Get lost!” Matthew felt his suppressed anger surge up again. “Watch your mouth. I don’t want trouble, but don’t push me.” Larry scoffed. “I’m the manager here! I supervise dozens of drivers. Why should I show respect to a mere driver like you? Who do you think you are? “And what can you do even if I push you? Let me be clear! A criminal record doesn’t affect your job here, but I’ll fire you anyway. What can you do about it? I’ll say it again. Get lost—” Before Larry could finish the word “lost”, Matthew slapped him across the face. “Show some respect!” Matthew demanded. The sudden slap left Larry dumbfounded. He stared at Matthew in disbelief while clutching his face. Though he wanted to fight back, he hesitated at the sight of Matthew’s muscular build. Through gritted teeth, Larry spat, “How dare you hit me? Are you out of your mind? Just wait; I’ll have the security beat the crap out of you!” Larry then pulled out his phone to call the head of security. He pointed accusingly at Matthew and said, “Just wait and see! You’re doomed!” Matthew responded coldly, “I planned on keeping a low profile and simply working as a chauffeur here. But since you’re making things difficult, let me set the record straight. “I’m Rachel’s boyfriend. She’s the president of this company!” Larry was dumbfounded by Matthew’s words. Then, he chuckled condescendingly. “You? You’re Ms. Carter’s boyfriend? Ms. Carter, our president and the renowned beauty? “Her suitors line up from here to the suburbs, and none of the elites catch her eye. And you’re fantasizing about being her boyfriend? Snap out of it!” Matthew sighed in exasperation. “I’m telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, call and ask her.” Larry snorted. “Is that even necessary? Matthew, do you think no one knows your past? I know everything. “You were abandoned by your wife after you got out of prison, and now you’re stuck raising a kid. Ms. Carter would never choose someone like you unless she was blind.” Matthew took out his phone and said, “If you won’t call her, I will.” He called Rachel and asked, “Hello, where are you?” Rachel frowned and put down her files. “I’m in the office. What’s up?” Matthew was blunt. “I’m in the logistics manager’s office. Larry wants to fire me.” “Fire you?” Rachel was surprised. Matthew had just started the job. What could he have done wrong so quickly? Rachel couldn’t help but suspect that Matthew had been acting up again and harassing female colleagues. Her poor first impression of Matthew made her think the worst. She recalled the first time they had met. Matthew had touched her chest and unbuttoned her shirt. After a moment of silence, Rachel asked, “Tell me. What did you do?” After some contemplation, Matthew spoke up, “Nothing. He saw me and just wanted to fire me.” Rachel remained skeptical and said, “Pass the phone to Larry. Let me talk to him.” She needed to know what really happened by asking Larry. If it was something serious, like harassment, Matthew definitely couldn’t stay at the company. Matthew handed the phone to Larry and said, “Answer it. It’s Rachel.” Larry sneered, “Keep pretending. You think a driver like you has Ms. Carter’s contact? Even I don’t have it.” Matthew sighed and said into the phone, “He won’t take my phone. He doesn’t believe I have your number. You’d better come down here yourself.” Rachel glanced at the pile of paperwork on her desk and frowned. She was swamped with work and didn’t have time for such nonsense. But seeing Larry’s stubbornness, she relented. “Alright, hang up. I’ll be there.” Matthew ended the call and told Larry, “Wait, she’s on her way.” Just then, hurried footsteps were heard as three security guards rushed over. Larry pointed at Matthew and shouted, “It’s him! Get him out!” The security chief had a baton in hand. He didn’t immediately act on Larry’s command. Instead, he asked cautiously, “What’s going on here?” Eager to avenge the slap, Larry said, “This new driver messed up, so I fired him. But he won’t leave and claims he’s Ms. Carter’s boyfriend. He’s out of his mind! Get him out!” The security chief was dumbfounded. How could a mere driver have the nerve to pose as Rachel’s boyfriend? He grasped the gravity of the situation. He thought that Rachel would be livid if she found out. While waving his baton, he ordered his men, “If you want to keep your jobs, get him out of here!” Two guards immediately charged toward Matthew. But Matthew shook his head slightly. “I don’t want to fight. Rachel is on her way. You guys should stop.” The security chief scoffed. “You don’t want to fight? Sounds like you don’t want to get your face smashed in. Too bad!” He ordered, “You two, take him down!” The guards moved in, and the chief followed suit with his baton in hand. Larry watched in confidence as three security guards attacked Matthew at once. He even tried to kick Matthew a few times in the chaos to avenge the slap. Suddenly, two loud thuds echoed through the room. The first pair of guards were flung like sacks of potatoes, crashing heavily to the ground. The security chief raised his baton, but seeing how his men were taken down swiftly, he faltered. Taking advantage of the moment, Matthew delivered a swift kick to his stomach. The security chief flew back over three feet and landed hard on the ground. Seeing the guards down, Larry retreated in fear, stuttering, “You… you…” He couldn’t gather the courage to say anything else. Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached the office. Matthew turned to see Rachel striding toward them. “You’re here at last. I tried to tell them I was your boyfriend, but they wouldn’t listen.”