Chapter 13: New Job

Just when everyone thought Monty was gone, his fingers twitched. A heartbeat later, he slowly opened his eyes. "Water... I want water..." His voice was weak and hoarse. Kara froze, then burst with joy. "Dad!" She hurried to pour a glass, carefully lifting it to his lips. After a few sips, Monty sat up on his own, surprisingly steady. Everyone stared, eyes wide with disbelief. No one had dared imagine that the man at death's door would return to them, clear-eyed and breathing, as if dragged back from the brink. Scott and the other physicians felt their cheeks burn as if they had been slapped. They had mocked Byron as a fraud, and reality had just smacked them hard in the face. Kara turned to Byron, her eyes shining with relief and gratitude. She had not expected Byron to truly pull her father back from the edge. She walked over and bowed deeply. "Byron, thank you. You saved my father." Byron said softly, "No need to thank me. I was just honoring our agreement." Kara answered immediately, "No, you've done more than enough. Here's ten million dollars as your fee for saving my father." She held out a bank card. Byron frowned and didn't take it. "That wasn't our deal. I'm joining Thubron Group." "Huh?" Kara stared at him, stunned. She had never imagined a man from the slums would turn down such a fortune. "What's wrong, Ms. Thubron? Do you think having an ex-convict on staff will hurt Thubron Group's image?" Byron's tone was cool. "Of course not." Kara smiled and shook her head, respect for him deepening. This man not only healed with uncanny skill, but he also had principles carved in stone. A gleam lit her eyes. She'd bring him under her wing and make him her right-hand man. She pulled a sleek memo pad from her bag, wrote a line, tore off the slip, and handed it to Byron. "When I get to the office, I'll prepare an offer letter appointing you as Thubron Group's medical consultant, with Thubron Group's Talent Benefits package. Bring this note and you can start anytime." Byron took the slip, glanced at it, and let out a low whistle. "Alright. I'll report for work soon." Kara nodded. "I'm looking forward to what you can do." Byron faced the gathered doctors, his voice turning cold. "Now, do you have anything else to say?" Scott went livid. He glared and barked, "Don't get cocky, boy. It was all my doing. You just got lucky and grabbed the credit. What are you bragging for?" "You're all talk and no skill. Get lost." Byron's words cut like ice. "You..." Scott pointed at him, shaking all over. "Dr. Helwick, my father has just been cured by Byron. He needs rest. Please don't disturb him." Kara's voice carried a clear order. Scott had lost face and could only grind out, "Fine, I'll leave. The humiliation I suffered today, I'll remember it. In time I'll repay it a hundredfold. What goes around comes around..." "Forget that. At your rate, you'll be lucky to last ten. Go home and pick out a coffin first." Byron cut him off. "Damn it!" Scott howled, and the other physicians dragged him out of the ward, slinking away. ***** Byron left the hospital and headed home. The moment he stepped inside, his family crowded around him. Amy asked urgently, "Byron, how did it go with Mr. Thubron?" Amber watched him with shining eyes. Oliver said nothing, but his gaze was full of concern. Byron's lips tilted in a faint smile as he drew Kara's note from his pocket. "Don't worry. I cured Mr. Thubron. I've been appointed Thubron Group's medical consultant." His family lit up. Amy's eyes filled with happy tears. Her hands trembled as she took the slip and studied the neat handwriting. She murmured, "Is... is this real? Byron, you've really been appointed by Thubron Group?" Oliver's smile warmed. "Great, Byron has made us proud." Amber actually hopped in place. "My brother is amazing! Thubron Group is a big company!" After a moment, Amy asked carefully, "Byron, how senior is that role?" Byron shook his head. "I'm not sure. But if Kara appointed me personally, it shouldn't be low." Oliver nodded. "Whatever the title, landing a job at a big company like Thubron right after getting out is a huge break." Amy kept nodding. "Yes. Byron, you must do well. Don't let her down." Her heart swelled with happiness. She felt heaven had finally taken pity, giving her son a good path forward. "I'll go make dinner right away and we'll celebrate." She turned into the kitchen and set to work. Amber helped beside her, pride glowing on her face. She was thrilled about her brother's new job and looked up to him as her role model. Watching his family's joy, warmth surged through Byron. He felt, suddenly and surely, that joining Thubron Group had been the right choice. The next day, Byron, dressed in casual clothes, arrived at Thubron Tower. The building soared into the sky, its glass facade flashing in the sun like a vast crystal palace. At the entrance, the fountain murmured, droplets catching the light and throwing little rainbows. Two rows of tall palms lined the drive, lending an air of dignity. Byron stepped toward the doors, about to go in, when a security guard blocked him. The guard looked him up and down, saw his plain clothes and lack of a badge, and frowned. "What are you doing here? This is Thubron Group property; no outsiders." Byron paused. "I'm here to start work. Ms. Thubron appointed me medical consultant." Suspicion flickered across the guard's face. "You? A medical consultant? Do you have an employee badge?" "I don't have one yet, but I have this." Byron held out the slip. The guard took it, glanced at it, and sniffed. "Who knows if this is real? Wait here. I'll ask my boss." He ducked into the security booth and picked up the phone. Byron could only wait outside. It was the morning rush. Streams of office workers headed for the doors. Everywhere he looked, people were sharp and polished, walking fast with files or coffee. The men wore tailored suits, neat hair, and gleaming shoes; the women moved in sleek business suits or dresses, their makeup light but precise. Byron stood at the entrance, his plain getup at odds with the scene. As they passed, the office workers gave him curious looks and whispered. "Who is that? Why is he dressed so plain and just standing at the door?" said a woman in a pink suit, lowering her voice. "No idea. He doesn't look like one of ours," another woman replied. "With that look, maybe a construction worker here to ask for back pay," guessed a bespectacled man. "Could be. Some crews don't get paid and come make a scene," another man agreed. Byron heard them, frowned a little, and held his peace, waiting for the guard's call. Just then, Ashlyn appeared. She wore a sharp, stylish business outfit and impeccable makeup, a designer bag swinging from her hand as she strode toward the doors, ready for work. Seeing Byron at the entrance, surprise flashed across her face. She hurried up to him and snapped, "Byron, what are you doing here?" Byron looked at her and said evenly, "I'm here to join Thubron Group." Ashlyn stalled for a beat. Then disdain crept onto her face. She sneered, "Don't be ridiculous. You? An ex-con trying to get into Thubron Group? Stop dreaming. Thubron Group isn't a place for just any Tom, Dick, or Harry." Byron's tone cooled. "How do you know I can't get in?" Ashlyn laughed aloud. "Do I even need to ask? Even if Thubron Group were desperate, they'd never take someone like you. If you get in, I'll eat my hat." Byron's eyes chilled. He said nothing. Nearby, the office workers had caught snippets of their exchange. Learning he was an ex-con, they sent him looks of undisguised contempt. "So he's an ex-con. No wonder he looks so shabby," said a woman, brows pinched. "How does someone like that still have the nerve to come here?" a man chimed in. Ashlyn felt he was embarrassing her and scowled. "Get lost. Don't sour my mood by standing here and making a scene." She turned on her heel and hurried into Thubron Tower, unwilling to spend another second there.