All Chapters of My Boss Cut My Pay, So I Bought His Company: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

I stayed at that lousy company for two reasons. First, I genuinely loved photography. Taking portraits was my only hobby for years.Second, Desmond Quinn treated me well back then. He kept calling me his buddy, and I thought working for him would be fun.As for the money?My father and older brother ran the family business. I was a wealthy man of leisure. I didn't need that little bit of income.My family's only requirements were that I find something respectable to do, avoid starting my own business, and stay away from gambling and drugs.But buying a small company for fun was perfectly acceptable.I sent the company's basic information to my personal assistant and told him to prepare for acquisition talks.Just after I sent the message, I heard the photography intern, Harvey Chandler, speak."Joe, that's a terrible attitude. Mr. Quinn is talking to you, and you're playing on your phone?""We young people need to be polite and respect the rules. You won't last long in the workplace be

With that, Lily slammed the door and left.Harvey curled his lip."I bought an online photography course for $1.98. I improved so much today, but clients these days have no taste."Then he looked at me and ordered, "Joe, why don't you edit these photos?"I didn't even look up. I drew out my reply."I'm just the guy who does odd jobs. How would I know how to edit photos?"Harvey was furious, but there was nothing he could do.I went to work as usual the next morning.A crowd had gathered outside the company. Seven or eight young men and women stood there, some filming with their phones."Joe Archer's here!""He's the one who took those photos of Lily! He even leaked a private video of her. What a scumbag!""Expose him! Ruin his reputation!"As the crowd shouted, a young man with dyed blond hair rushed forward and punched me in the face without warning."So you’re Joe Archer? What the hell were those photos? Were you trying to make Lily look bad?"I staggered back a step. Before I could

Desmond's eyes widened, and his mouth opened and closed without a sound."Joe Archer, what kind of joke is this?"I said nothing. One of the burly security guards behind me shoved Desmond, his face stern."That's no way to speak to Mr. Archer. Show some respect."All the color drained from Desmond's face.Behind him, Harvey looked stunned too.But a moment later, Harvey's eyes darted around, and he gave a sudden laugh."Who do you think you're fooling? Joe Archer, if you're going to put on an act, at least make it convincing!""You hired a big guy, put him in a black suit, and now we're supposed to believe he's your bodyguard? Do you think Mr. Quinn and I are idiots?""If you're really that rich heir, why would you work at a tiny company like ours? Why would you happily show up every day for three hundred and sixty dollars a month?"The more he spoke, the more convinced he became, and his voice rose."I've seen real rich people online! They live in mansions, drive sports cars, and spen

I raised an eyebrow and gave him a faint smile."Oh? How exactly will you handle it?“"Your statement said you already called the police. Why haven't any officers come to ask me what happened?"Desmond's eyes shifted. Then he slapped his thigh."Oh! I haven't had the chance yet, that's all. I'll call them now! Right now!"He pulled out his phone. Harvey saw what he was doing, panicked, and lunged for it."Desmond, you snake! You told me to do it, and now you want me sent to prison? I'll take you down with me!"They grappled immediately. Desmond was older and no match for Harvey's strength, so Harvey soon pinned him to the floor.Several punches landed on his face, and blood poured from his nose.But Desmond fought back, gripping Harvey's hair with both hands and cursing nonstop.I watched with interest."Harvey, how can you hit your boss? What happened to all those workplace manners?"They were too caught up in the fight to hear my sarcasm.I kindly called the police and reported a bra

I hung up and blocked Harvey's number.After Harvey, Desmond called me several times too.Each call sounded more desperate and more humble than the last.I didn't answer any of them. Eventually, I blocked his number as well.Later, Zane told me Desmond's company was finished.Desmond counted on the sale to give him enough money to recover, but the acquisition fell through.The hidden-camera scandal destroyed his reputation, and all his longtime clients left.Before long, former employees and clients came forward with complaints.They said he overcharged, provided poor service, withheld employees' pay, and failed to pay business partners on time.As the complaints piled up, the company shut its doors within three months.Buried in debt, Desmond gathered what little he had left and fled to another city overnight. No one knew where he went.A year after my studio opened, I was out of town photographing a series about rural life when I received unexpected news.One of my photo series was s