Chapter 104: Looked Down Upon Others

“I invited Hilda to a party with my colleagues, Mrs. Wallace. And I’m bringing her to my office for an interview tomorrow,” Jared explained hastily to Chloe.

“No need for explanations! I don’t care if you’re with Hilda. Even if you spend the night outside, I won’t say anything!” Chloe retorted, giving him a meaningful look.

Jared felt his cheeks burn. Oh my God, she’s so bold!

“What nonsense are you talking about, Mom?” Hilda blushed, quickly pulling Chloe away.

After a few steps, she glanced back at Jared. Following the earlier incident, her love for him had grown exponentially.

Early the next morning, Jared brought Hilda to the office, but it was deserted despite it being office hours. They waited over half an hour before employees began arriving, one by one. All had dark circles under their eyes, evidence of a late night. Consequently, they were late to work.

Zayne arrived shortly after ten o'clock, yawning constantly. He immediately made himself a cup of tea.

“Do you know what time it is? Is this your usual work ethic?” Jared asked, pushing open Zayne’s office door and entering.

The company belonged to Josephine, and therefore, to him. He was understandably annoyed by the employees’ tardiness.

Zayne was stunned, then his temper flared. “Who do you think you are, Jared? I’m the manager! You question me? Know your place!” he roared.

As he shouted, Maria entered with Hilda. “What’s wrong? Why the early morning rage?”

“Jared thinks he can reprimand me for being late! Unbelievable!” Zayne sneered. “Jared, your task today is to collect one-third of your team’s outstanding payments. Fail, and you work overtime!”

He was clearly using his position to assert dominance over Jared.

Jared sneered, spun on his heel, and left. I’ll collect all the arrears, not just a third! I hate people owing me money!

After Jared left, Maria had Zayne complete Hilda’s onboarding and assigned her to her team, clearly favoring Hilda.

Maria, while possessing the demeanor of a wealthy heiress and looking down on others, wasn't entirely unkind, as her attitude toward Hilda showed.

After Hilda's onboarding, Zayne leaned back and fell asleep. They’d enjoyed themselves late into the night, and he’d had to clean his soiled pants after returning home, resulting in a very late bedtime.

While he slept, Xavier entered without knocking. Seeing Zayne asleep, he frowned.

“Don’t you know you’re supposed to knock?” Zayne demanded, eyes still closed, roused by the door opening. He was the sales department king; he feared nothing.

Opening his eyes to Xavier’s glower, he was petrified and fell from his chair.

“M-Mr. Jennings, w-why are you here?” Zayne stammered, panic evident. Xavier rarely visited the sales department; why today?

Xavier merely glared, then looked out the window at the employees, his gaze fixed on Jared.