Chapter 5: Stealing Our Jobs

Words : 3200 Updated : Dec 20th, 2023

Fanix let Brisa hit and scold him as he brushed his hand across her cheek, leaning closer. Both embarrassed and anxious, Brisa thought Fanix would take advantage of her. "I won't let it slide if you touch me." "You misunderstood me. Look at this." Fanix let go of Brisa, holding her earring in his hand. "Give it back! What are you doing?" Brisa reached out to grab it, but Fanix quickly dodged her. "Where did this come from?" "What's it to you? Are you crazy? Are you trying to rob me?" Brisa's face turned red as she crossed her arms, looking at him with disdain. "There is something amiss about it." Fanix pinched the earring between his fingers, applying pressure until it shattered. Brisa was furious. This was a diamond earring, very expensive and incredibly hard. How did he break it so easily? She mused, "Something isn't right. From what she knew, he didn't have that kind of strength. Could the earrings be fake?" Fanix didn't seem to care about her feelings at all. Instead, he pulled a tiny object from the broken diamond. "See this? It's a spying device, a high-tech product often used by spies. It's not something ordinary people can get their hands on. You've been under surveillance." "What nonsense are you spouting? Not only did you break my earrings, but you're also trying to make up such a ridiculous story. You've really changed." Brisa smiled bitterly, thinking this was just one of Fanix's absurd attempts to get close to her. "I'll replace the earring for you, but you need to be more careful. People are not always what they seem." Fanix began searching the office, completely unaware of the strange look Brisa was giving him as if he were insane. "What are you looking for? This is my office; get that straight." "I suspect there are more listening devices." Fanix rummaged through the desk, flowerpots, and other items, quickly making a mess. "Did your brain get damaged in prison? Don't you find this laughable, acting all paranoid?" Brisa was at her wit's end, looking at him like he was a monster. But in no time, Fanix had found several cameras and listening devices. After expertly dismantling them, he placed them in front of Brisa. "It looks like you've been under surveillance for years. If you don't believe me, you can have a professional check them out." Brisa blinked in astonishment, not quite processing what she was seeing. If this were true, she hadn't had any privacy all these years? She wondered, "What about company secrets? Wouldn't they have been completely leaked?" "Alright, I'll have someone check to see if you're lying." Brisa, half skeptical, was about to call someone to investigate when Fanix suddenly dashed out. She thought, "Is he fleeing because he feels guilty? Is he just assuming that I'll believe him? Fanix, you've truly become a disappointment." Brisa sighed, feeling a bit disheartened. Even though, over the years, she had gradually given up on Fanix, she had once loved him deeply. Now, seeing how he had changed upon his sudden return, Brisa found it hard to accept and began questioning why she had once fallen so hopelessly in love with a man like him. Suddenly, a scream echoed from outside, and a person was thrown in, landing right in front of Brisa. Fanix walked in, radiating a murderous aura. Brisa couldn't help but be startled. "Help me, Ms. Genry! He's a madman!" Galen crawled on the floor, trembling and begging Brisa for help. "Mr. Doyle? Fanix, what are you doing? Stop it!" Brisa immediately stood before Fanix, and Galen quickly hid behind her. "He was eavesdropping and monitoring you. Someone like him shouldn't stay in your company." Fanix clenched his fist, causing Galen to scream in terror. "Ms. Genry, I'm innocent! He's crazy! He's lying to you! He's the one monitoring you!" Brisa frowned. "Mr. Doyle, there's no need to be so nervous. Tell me slowly, what happened?" Galen, already having a prepared excuse, pretended to be wronged. "I was just coming to report to you when he suddenly rushed over and started beating me. A murderer fresh out of prison is nothing but a brute." "Shut up." The anger on Fanix's face intensified. Galen was a little scared, especially after witnessing Fanix knock out so many people in the cafeteria rapidly. However, Madsen's side noticed the spying devices were destroyed and quickly notified Galen to handle it. Galen had secretly observed everything and already had a plan. "Fanix, do you dare to deny it? Afraid I'll expose your despicable behavior? You must have secretly installed these listening devices, right?" "Ms. Genry, think about it. Why did Fanix take the job as a cleaner? It was to sneak up on you! Yesterday, he was sneaking around your office. He must have installed these listening devices!" Galen countered, and Fanix quickly realized that Madsen was involved in this. Fanix would have already twisted Galen's neck if it weren't for Brisa being present. "You're quite cunning to say it was me behind this when it was your doing." Madsen's ambitions seemed to have grown significantly over the past few years. Fanix silently resolved to settle the score with Madsen sooner or later. Someone like Galen was too insignificant for him to take action in front of Brisa. Otherwise, Brisa would just think he was violent and brutal, worsening her impression of him. Fanix quickly reined in his anger, though his eyes still burned fiercely. "Look at him! He's still glaring at me! Ms. Genry, he's just angry because I've uncovered his plot." Galen became more emboldened after noticing that Fanix didn't retort him. Brisa shook her head, feeling confused. "But why would Fanix reveal these listening devices?" Galen smirked as if he had figured everything out. "Ms. Genry, don't you see? He wants to be seen as smart by discovering these devices to gain your favor. He wants you to think he's reformed." "Think about it. How would someone who's been in prison know about these things? He's shamelessly trying to outsmart you. I suggest you kick him out immediately." Brisa's expression grew darker, her lips trembling as she questioned Fanix. "Is what he says true? Why are you doing this?" "No matter how much I explain, you probably won't believe me. So why waste my breath?" Fanix straightened up, calmly adjusting his collar with righteous dignity. Galen immediately sneered and moved closer to Brisa, continuing to fan the flames. "Ms. Genry, he's out of excuses. You need to make a decision. Do you want to become a laughingstock because of him, just like he did to you six years ago? What client would dare work with our company if that happens again?" "Enough, Mr. Doyle. You can leave now; I know what to do." Brisa seemed to have been hit in a sore spot, sighing as she covered her forehead. Galen glared at Fanix with dissatisfaction but left, pleased with himself. He immediately called Madsen, confident that Brisa would soon kick Fanix out. Meanwhile, Madsen praised Galen when he learned about the situation. He instructed Galen to continue monitoring Fanix secretly and report his every move. After Galen left, Brisa called in her lawyer. "This is what the lawyer wrote. See if there are any issues, then sign it." Brisa handed a document to Fanix. Fanix glanced at it. The document stated the division of the company's assets. "When we co-founded this company six years ago, I never considered splitting it up." "What do you mean? Do you think it's too little? You're not thinking of taking everything, are you?" Brisa was so angry that she slammed the table—her initial impression of Fanix after his return had already been ruined. With the drama just now, she was even more disappointed in him. "I told you, I'm only doing this for Serin and for you..." "Forget about Serin. Don't even think about it. She's mine alone; she carries the Genry name. Even if you take me to court, I'm not afraid of you, and you won't win." "I raised Serin. You don't deserve to be her father. Don't push your luck, Fanix." Mentioning Serin made Brisa extremely emotional and out of control. She was trembling. "Calm down. I said I don't want it, so that's that." Fanix directly took the contract and tore it up, throwing it into the trash. Brisa was shocked. She let out a cold laugh. "Don't think you can gain my favor by doing this. If you don't want the money, leave now and never reappear." But Fanix sat upright, speaking clearly and firmly, "I won't leave. I'm staying. You're in danger and need my protection, and Serin needs a father." "You're being ridiculous. I don't need your protection. My security here is excellent. Besides, Serin has done just fine without a father all these years, so stop flattering yourself." "I've made my decision. That's it. I'll wait for you to get off work." Fanix stood up and left, standing at the office door without moving. Brisa was a bit anxious, wondering if Fanix would remain so stubborn. "Fanix, do you think you're being so manly right now? What's the use of this now? Where were you when my daughter and I had no one to rely on for these years? Why are you causing trouble now that we're living comfortably?" Fanix didn't respond, remaining steadfast and immovable. "Fine, if you like standing guard so much, then stand at the entrance and don't disturb my work here. Others might misunderstand if they see you. I need to maintain my reputation, unlike you." "Alright, I'll wait for you at the entrance." Fanix turned and went straight to the entrance, not looking back. Brisa was stunned. Did he really not understand that she was telling him to leave? But looking at his back, she felt a pang of sadness, and her eyes grew moist. She wondered why the man she loved had turned into this horrible man. After work, as Brisa walked to the entrance, she found Fanix still standing there, straight and immovable, which had drawn the attention of many security guards. They were gathered around him, chattering among themselves. "Ms. Genry, what is he doing here? Is he a new security guard or something? He's just standing here without saying a word or responding to us. Isn't he practically stealing our jobs?" "Yeah, Ms. Genry, tell us what you think. We'll get rid of him right away." Brisa found Fanix's behavior unreasonable, but she couldn't explain much with so many people around. Suddenly, someone in the crowd said, "Hey, isn't this Fanix? I think he's Ms. Genry's ex-husband." "What? Isn't he supposed to be in prison for life? How is he out? What's he trying to do…" The sounds of people gossiping started. Brisa felt incredibly embarrassed. "Why won't you leave now?" Are you trying to put on a show for everyone? Is this fun for you?" "Let's leave together." Fanix seemed to ignore everyone around him, focusing only on Brisa. He moved closer to her. This only worsened the gossip as they made assumptions about Fanix and Brisa's relationship. Brisa endured much such gossip and humiliation after Fanix was taken away six years ago. She had suffered enough from the shame and discomfort. Now, when people almost forgot the incident, he showed up again. It felt like deja vu to her. "I'm not leaving with you. Do you really think you can protect me? Don't think too highly of yourself." "I can," Fanix replied earnestly and confidently. "Oh, really? Then prove that you're better than them, and I'll consider your unreasonable request." Brisa said this on purpose, hoping to make Fanix give up. Unexpectedly, he agreed readily. "Alright, give me a minute. Please come with me." The security guards, especially the team leader, were naturally displeased by his arrogance. Several security guards walked to the security room with Fanix. They had long wanted to teach him a lesson. He had been standing at the entrance like a fool for so long. They would have thrown him out if it weren't for the company's reputation. "This is what you brought upon yourself. Don't blame us for being rude." "Stop talking. Let's get this over with," Fanix said as he closed the doors and windows.

Chapter 5: Stealing Our Jobs

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