Chapter 9

Tessa’s face paled with anger. She hadn’t expected Matthew to be so obnoxious; he was utterly unreasonable. “Take it from here, Randall!” she exclaimed.

Randall nodded. “Don’t let it bother you, Tessa. This isn’t worth your upset. Step aside; I’ll teach him a lesson.”

Tessa murmured her agreement and stepped back. Randall removed his watch, handing it to Tessa, then unhurriedly rolled up his sleeves. “You’re a pathetic loser, Matthew. You couldn’t keep Tessa, so you took it out on Xavier. Apologize to Tessa now, or I’ll make your life miserable.”

Matthew, observing their interaction, sensed their relationship. “Who do you think you are?” he challenged.

Randall, brow furrowed, replied, “Still don’t get it? A good-for-nothing remains a good-for-nothing. You lack self-awareness. I’ll show you the deadliest boxing style in the world. Don’t beg for mercy when I’m through with you!”

A glint sparked in Matthew’s eyes as he recognized Randall’s open boxing stance—the Valhallan Blitz. The open stance indicated Randall underestimated him. Seeing Matthew remain still, Randall sneered. “Scared? Too late! I’ll beat you to a pulp!”

He launched a swift, heavy roundhouse kick toward Matthew’s face, a viper’s strike. Matthew, however, countered with lightning speed, landing a kick squarely in Randall’s stomach. Randall flew back over ten feet, crashing heavily to the ground.

After a long moment, Randall slowly rose, his face contorted with pain. “A sneak attack? Damn! You used such a cheap tactic! I’ll make you regret this!”

He approached Matthew cautiously, but Matthew seemed unfocused. Randall lunged with an elbow strike, moving with wolflike speed and agility. Yet, Matthew again landed a kick to Randall’s stomach, sending him flying backward.

Clutching his stomach, sweat beading on his forehead, Randall stared in disbelief. “Y-you… How can you be stronger than me? I’ve trained in the authentic Valhallan Blitz, the deadliest boxing style!”

Matthew’s gaze was intense and unwavering. “It’s not about the style, but the strength. You failed to avoid my kick twice! Pathetic!”

Randall, speechless with agony, could only manage a single word before Matthew silenced him with his gaze. Tessa was stunned. Randall, a childhood Valhallan Blitz practitioner and award winner, was considered a powerhouse. Matthew, however, had never shown such fighting skill.

Matthew approached Randall, raised his foot, and stomped on his chest. “You told me to kneel and beg for mercy?”

Randall gasped, his face crimson. “Y-you… Do you know who I am? I’m from the Young family… Ouch!”

Tessa cried out, “Matthew! You’ll kill him! What are the consequences of this? You’re courting disaster!”

With a swift kick to Randall’s head, Matthew knocked him unconscious. He then glanced at the stunned Tessa. “Randall brought this on himself.”

A chill emanated from Matthew’s eyes as he stood over the unconscious Randall. His commanding presence was formidable. Tessa was awestruck. Was this the weak, easily manipulated Matthew she knew? The Matthew she’d once sent to prison with a few tears? Terror surged through her.

From a distance, a man exited an elevator and spotted Matthew across the parking lot. “Are you Matthew Grant?”

Matthew replied, “Yes. And you are?”

“I’m Larry Scott, logistics manager. You’re the new chauffeur, right? Come with me. You need to fill out a form, submit a photo and ID copy. I’ll handle your onboarding.”

Matthew nodded, removed his foot from Randall, and glared coldly at Tessa. “Cross me again, and you’ll regret it!”

Tessa recoiled in fear. Matthew approached the elevator. “I don’t have a photo.”

Larry pointed upwards. “Use the copier upstairs. Get your paperwork ready and leave it on my desk.”

Matthew affirmed and entered the elevator, leaving Tessa speechless. Chauffeur? She’d thought Matthew was successful, but he was merely a chauffeur. It made sense; an ex-convict with no money. Only low-paying jobs like chauffeur had less stringent requirements. Yet, as a chauffeur, he’d dared to provoke Randall!

Randall, coughing painfully, sat up, clutching his chest, only to find Matthew gone. He asked Tessa, “Where’s that bastard? I want him dead! I’ll make a call!”

Tessa was apprehensive. “We’re at Wealthwave Group. Causing a scene will have repercussions.” She was counting on a partnership with Rachel.

Randall was reluctant. “Let it go?” He’d lost to someone he considered worthless, a lowlife who’d taken his woman. He refused to accept it.

Tessa chuckled. “Suffer? Matthew’s working here as a chauffeur. You have connections at Wealthwave, right? Easy to fire someone with a criminal record!”

Randall was surprised. “He’s a chauffeur? I know Larry Scott, the logistics manager. One word from me, and he’s fired. Let’s show him what we’re made of.”

After printing his photo and ID, Matthew went to Larry’s office, encountering Tessa and Randall exiting. Randall sneered, “You’re fired, Matthew. And this is just the beginning.”

As Matthew tried to intervene, Larry called him. “Matthew Grant! In here!”

After watching Randall and Tessa leave, Matthew entered. “Mr. Scott, I’ve printed my photo and ID. How do I finalize my employment?”

Larry stared silently. “Someone reported your criminal record. You have the nerve to apply to Wealthwave with that record? You’re not qualified. Your onboarding is canceled.”