Chapter 10: Not Worthy

Words : 1758 Updated : Jul 31st, 2025

"Idiot! What kind of job can an ex-con even get?" Hogan mocked Pierce through the rearview mirror. "Enough already. Just get him out of here. I can't even stand to look at him," Ailee said with a sneer. She never liked Pierce. Three years ago, when she heard he went to jail for hurting someone, she almost set off fireworks to celebrate. Pierce was just too perfect. He was at the top of his class, every teacher's favorite, and the pride of the neighborhood. Every holiday, her dad would use Pierce as an example, to the point that Pierce became Ailee's childhood trauma. "Don't worry, it's all taken care of. I'll make sure he gets kicked out. He's a real eyesore at work. Sometimes I think your dad sent him to keep tabs on us," Hogan said, a flash of resentment in his eyes. "Alright, my dad's pretty old-school. Just do your best at the family dinner this weekend, and bring a gift so he doesn't have anything to nitpick about," Ailee said. "Got it!" Hogan said with a smile, though he didn't mean it. His monthly paycheck barely covered a few nights out with friends. There was hardly anything left over. After getting out of the car, Pierce spotted a convenience store by the road, bought a pack of Marlboros, and then strolled toward Navy Technology. It took him about twenty minutes to finally reach the company's front gate. Navy Technology wasn't a big company, mainly focused on R&D. It was worth a couple of million, and the headquarters only had a few hundred people. Still, it had some clout. It had a whole office building in the city, with the office grounds covering over eighty acres. The security guard didn't stop Pierce. Once he explained why he was there and signed in, he was allowed to proceed. The receptionist told him where the interviews were. Pierce waited about twenty minutes before his turn came up. The HR manager, Lionel, looked to be in his forties. Without even glancing up from the stack of resumes, he asked, "What's your name?" Navy Technology might not be big, but its R&D was making a name for itself. Every department needed new hires, and as HR manager, Lionel was feeling the heat. "Pierce Jackson," he answered, sitting straight across from Lionel, calm and collected. "Pierce Jackson?" Lionel paused, finally looking up. Pierce had sharp features and a buzz cut, and looked decent. Remembering Hogan's warning, Lionel's face instantly soured. "Yeah, that's me." "Why can't I find your resume?" Lionel asked, a hint of disdain in his voice. "I didn't have time to put one together." Bang! Lionel slapped his pen on the table, face dark. "No resume, and you want a job? Are you messing with me?" "You just ask your questions, and I'll send in my resume later." Pierce suggested, frowning slightly but not losing his temper. He knew he was a last-minute addition, and the lack of a resume was his oversight. "Fine. What school did you finish? Any work experience?" Lionel crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow in clear disbelief. He had just seen Hogan's message. "I didn't finish high school, and I don't have any work experience." Pierce admitted after a moment's thought. Three years ago, he was starting an internship. Later, he was imprisoned, which led to his expulsion from university and left him with no work experience. "But you do have three years as an ex-con, right?" Lionel snorted, face twisted in mockery. "So, what did you go in for? Robbery? Theft?" "How do you know about that?" Pierce asked, suddenly realizing it had to be Ailee or Hogan. Guess Ailee never wanted to help him find a job after all. He laughed to himself. He'd seen enough. "Doesn't matter how I know," Lionel said, realizing he'd let something slip but not caring. "You can go now. As far as Navy Technology is concerned, we don't hire ex-cons. The door's over there." "If you don't want to hire me, I get it. But whether I'm an ex-con or not isn't up to you," Pierce said, standing up slowly, locking eyes with Lionel. "And you're not qualified to speak for Navy Technology, either." "Oh yeah?" Lionel smirked, raising an eyebrow. "You got a problem with me, kid?" "I'm not challenging you, just stating facts. What makes you think you're fit to represent Navy Technology? Are you even qualified?" Pierce finally snapped. Ever since he got back yesterday, people called him an ex-con repeatedly. First of all, he wasn't even an ex-con. And even if he was, did that automatically make him a bad guy? Back in Hillridge Prison, there was a guy who crossed the border to fight enemies. The military court accused him of killing people. But in Hillridge Prison, many people saw him as a hero. Pierce's patience wore thinner. He'd had enough. "I'm not qualified? You ex-con, get the hell out!" Lionel slammed his hand on the table, jabbing a finger at Pierce. "If you don't leave right now, I'll have security throw you out. Believe me?" "Oh, you want me to leave?" Instead of leaving, Pierce sat back down, lit up a Marlboro, and kicked his feet up, looking relaxed. "Oh, you're trying to act tough now? I told you to leave, and you sit back down? Fine, wait right there…" Lionel grabbed his phone and started dialing for backup. He had no idea why Pierce was jailed, so he wasn't about to take any chances. It was better to play it safe and call for backup. "You might want to call Dante Green first. Ask him if he's got the guts to tell me to leave," Pierce said, calm as ever. "You know Mr. Green?" Lionel froze, lowering his phone and eyeing Pierce suspiciously. Dante Green was the founder and CEO of Navy Technology. "I don't know him, but he knows me," Pierce said, voice calm as ever. "Yeah, right. Keep bluffing," Lionel thought, convinced Pierce was bragging. No way an ex-con would know Dante Green. Just knowing the founder's name wasn't impressive. Plus, Hogan had done his homework. He wouldn't lie to Lionel. "You think I'm scared?" Lionel thought he had it all figured out. "This is your last chance. Are you leaving or not?"

Chapter 10: Not Worthy

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