CHAPTER 7 : THE PRICE OF AN INSULT

"Hahahaha!" Mr. Zick laughed

"What did he say? Didn't I hear wrong? He said... he wants to destroy my career?"

Mr. Zick looked at Fernando with an incredulous expression before bursting into laughter. "What kind of joke is this? Trash like you want to ruin my job?"

His laughter echoed throughout the room, until his body bent slightly from laughing too hard. A satisfied expression was clearly drawn on his face.

The other employees joined in the laughter, making fun of Fernando without pity.

"He's just a failure! But how dare he act so arrogant!"

"Yeah, I heard that he had to hand over his entire salary to his wife's family and even took time off just to cook at home. He even has to endure his mother-in-law's nagging every day. His position at home is even lower than a pet dog."

"Hahaha! That's right. Even being scolded is worth it. He's the slowest courier in the company, and his performance is the worst. But now he's angry about being fired?"

"And the funniest thing, he said he wanted to destroy Mr. Zick's career! What a loser!"

The sound of laughter and ridicule mixed together. The atmosphere in the office was like a night market full of ridicule.

However, Mr. Hugo, the only person there with a conscience, finally couldn't take it anymore. He looked at his colleagues with a stern look. "Enough! Stop laughing at others like this!"

Then he turned to Fernando and spoke softly, trying to calm him down. "Forget it, Fernando. Don't engage them. Leave this place quickly. You won't be able to fight Mr. Zick. If you have trouble finding a job later, I'll help. I have some friends in the industry, I can ask them if they're hiring."

Fernando didn't answer. He just took out his cell phone and dialed a number.

Mr. Hugo sighed, thinking Fernando was calling to complain. "Don't waste time, Fernando. Complaining is pointless. This Mr. Zick has strong connections."

However, Fernando was silent. Shortly after, the phone line connected.

Sherry's soft voice came from the other side.

"Young master, how can I help you?"

Fernando looked straight ahead and said calmly, "I want the manager of the Beifeng branch of Express S to receive his dismissal letter within five minutes."

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately disconnected the phone without any additional explanation.

W Group was the third largest shareholder in Express S. Fernando knew that no matter how strong Zick's connections were, orders from above could not be refused. In five minutes, his fate would change.

However, the people around did not know who Fernando really was.

"Hahaha!"

Laughter broke out again after Fernando hung up.

"Good job, Fernando! Did you just call the CEO of Express S?"

"He's really funny! His style is like the son of a big boss!"

"I could die laughing listening to what he's saying."

None of them believed that Fernando was capable of doing anything to Zick. Everyone thought he was delusional.

Zick laughed even harder than before. His stomach hurt from laughing. He pointed at Fernando's face with his index finger while saying loudly, "Five minutes, huh? Listen, I'm not going to get fired for five minutes, not even five days! If I do get fired, I'll get down on my knees and call you Dad!"

Fernando gave him a flat look. "Then get ready to kneel down and call me Dad."

"You think I'll believe your bullshit? I ...."

Before Zick could finish his sentence, the ringtone of his cell phone cut him off. The voice was so loud and clear it could be heard throughout the room.

Zick fell silent instantly. All eyes were immediately on him. The room that had been full of laughter was suddenly silent.

The ringtone continued to ring. Zick looked down and saw his cell phone screen, an incoming call from the head of the Lenoten South branch.

Fernando crossed his arms over his chest, looking at him with a faint smile. "Your dismissal letter is waiting for you. Why are you still stunned?"

Zick snorted. "I can't believe a useless person like you could get the company to fire me."

Still, he picked up the phone and said in a friendly tone, "Hello, sir. Well, what an honor it is for you to call me directly..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud snapping sound came from the other end.

"Damn it! What kind of big man have you offended, huh?! Just now the head office called me directly and ordered that you be fired within three minutes! Otherwise, I'll be the one fired! I don't care what your excuse is, vacate your position right now!"

"Sir, wait a minute, I'm ...."

Beep... beep... beep...

The connection was severed.

The cell phone in Zick's hand disengaged and fell to the floor. His face was deathly pale.

"What... what just happened?" someone muttered from behind.

Everyone stared at each other, confused and disbelieving.

"Didn't... he really got fired?"

The confusion was broken when the HR manager came out of the office calling out.

"Mr. Zick! I just received a call from Mr. Lin, the head of the Lenoten South branch. You are officially fired. Please come with me to complete your dismissal procedure right now."

"What?!"

Zick was stunned, his voice hoarse. "No way... this can't be..."

All eyes now turned to Fernando. They stared at him as if they had just seen a ghost.

Did... the man they had despised really have that much power?

How could everything happen so quickly?

Zick finally could no longer contain himself. He knelt before Fernando. He finally knew who the man before him was.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Quinn! I was wrong! I shouldn't have listened to Miguel and slandered your wife! Please give me a chance to correct my mistake. I have parents and a girlfriend who depend on me. I can't lose this job!"

Fernando looked at him coldly. "When you fired me and cut my salary, didn't you think that I also have a family to support?"

Zick could not answer. His head was bowed, full of fear and shame.

Fernando turned to the HR manager. "I only received two hundred and fifty dollars out of a salary of over three thousand dollars. Please check and transfer the rest now. And one more thing, Mr. Hugo is a good man. Promote him."

"Yes, Mr. Fernando," the HR manager replied with a respectful bow.

Fernando said no more. He turned and walked out of the building with quiet steps.

Moments later, the roar of a car engine could be heard in the front yard. Everyone turned their heads towards the window, and were surprised to see a shiny black Mercedes-Benz S65 pulling out of the parking lot.

"My God... since when did Fernando have a three million dollar car?"

"Isn't he really an important person's son?"

"Is he deliberately working here just to experience life as a commoner?"

"Crazy... it's possible! We just had a good laugh at his expense. It's a good thing he didn't hold a grudge. Otherwise, we'd all be out of a job!"

***

In the afternoon, Fernando parked his car some distance from the neighborhood and walked to the market to buy groceries. Afterward, he went home and prepared dinner as usual.

Soon after, Xiomara and Jolla entered the house, sitting on the sofa with haughty faces, waiting for the food to be served.

At six in the evening, Joyce finally arrived home. Her body looked tired, her steps shaky. As soon as she entered, Xiomara immediately asked in a stressful tone.

"Joyce, did you get the loan?"

Joyce shook her head weakly. "I've been to several banks today, but no one is willing to lend me money. No matter how hard I tried, or what guarantees I offered, they all refused. Some even scolded me."

Xiomara shook her head hard. "Look at you! You're so stubborn. If only you would divorce that useless man and marry Mr. Watson, you wouldn't be in such a hassle!"

Jolla chimed in sarcastically. "That's right. Miguel is much richer than you think. All my friends have rich brothers-in-law, they get thousands in allowance every month. Imagine if I had a brother-in-law like that."

Joyce remained silent. She was too tired to argue. She closed her eyes and leaned back on the sofa, trying to calm herself down.

Xiomara looked at her and then glanced towards the kitchen, where Fernando was busy cooking. She clicked her tongue softly.

"Just wait, Joyce. In a few more days, that trash will be gone from our house." A cold, hateful gaze flashed from her eyes.

And Fernando, who heard every word from the other side of the kitchen, remained silent. He gripped the wooden spoon in his hand tightly, holding back the anger that was slowly burning in his chest.