Chapter 3

I went back to the workshop to pack my things.

As soon as my coworkers saw me clearing out my toolbox, they hurried over to ask what happened.

I had always been the one in charge of the repair work, and I got along well with everyone in the shop. So, I told them exactly what Draven did. The entire workshop erupted with outrage.

“That is unbelievable. Everyone knows this shop would not be here without you.”

“Elias, we all saw how hard you worked for this place. If you were only here for the paycheck, nobody would have pushed themselves that hard.”

“Just wait. He will regret this.”

We were all working people. Everyone understood what it felt like to be taken advantage of. Still, they had jobs to keep, so there was not much they could do besides stand up for me.

I thanked them for their support before calling Joseph Cooper over.

“Joseph, do you want to come with me?”

Joseph came from a poor family and dropped out of school early to earn a living. I always looked out for him. Whenever I could, I slipped him a little spending money and taught him everything I knew.

If he came with me, I was confident that within two years, he would master all of my techniques.

I told him about my plans, expecting him to agree. Instead, he shook his head.

“Mr. Charlton, I am doing fine here. I do not want to leave.”

“You only make three thousand a month,” I said. “Come with me, and I guarantee I will double your salary.”

When he saw that I would not give up, Joseph finally told me the truth.

“Mr. Charlton… Mr. Jones already raised my pay to eight thousand. I do not want to leave.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Eight thousand? That is what experienced mechanics make. Why would he pay you that much?”

Joseph hesitated, unable to meet my eyes.

After everything that happened with Draven today, I understood.

“Did you tell Draven you already learned everything I know?”

The guilty look on Joseph’s face told me everything.

He bragged about it before, and I caught him saying it more than once. There was no denying he was smart and genuinely talented when it came to modifying cars, but he had one major flaw. He was careless.

The cars we worked on were high‑end performance vehicles worth millions of dollars. Even a single replacement part could be difficult to get.

One mistake could ruin an entire car. That was why I always supervised his work. Only then could I be sure nothing would go wrong.

Out of genuine concern, I tried to warn him.

“You need to tell Draven the truth. If he is willing to throw me away this easily, what do you think will happen when something goes wrong? He will treat you even worse.”

Joseph’s expression darkened.

“Mr. Charlton, I always respected you, but do not act like you are some kind of legend. You keep talking because you are bitter I took your place.

“Your techniques are not special. It is the same few tricks over and over. I already learned all of them. Do you think the world will stop turning without you?”

He crossed his arms and smirked.

“And do you know who I am? I am Draven’s wife’s cousin. He would fire anyone before he fired me. So, stop worrying about me and start worrying about yourself.”

My mind went blank.

Joseph… was Draven’s wife’s cousin.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

No wonder Draven insisted on making Joseph my apprentice.

No wonder he never said a word whenever Joseph made expensive mistakes.

No wonder he felt confident enough to turn against me today.

From the first day I started teaching Joseph, he already planned for this moment.

There was nothing left to say. I went to the accounting office, finished the paperwork, gathered my belongings, and headed toward the exit.

I reached the workshop door when someone grabbed my arm.

“Mr. Charlton. There you are.”

A young man with silver‑gray hair stepped in front of me.

“Were you supposed to work on my car today? Why did you send an apprentice to deal with me instead? He could not even tell what model I was driving.”