His Name is Law, I'm Self-Made novel
But when it was my turn, Tyron, the new intern, suddenly snatched the menu out of my hands.
That's enough. No more orders.
I ignored him and turned to the waiter. One vanilla bean panna cotta, please.
Out of nowhere, Tyron slammed the menu right into my face, his eyes blazing.
I said no more orders. What part of that didnt you get? Who the hell do you think you are, huh?
The edge of the menu scraped across my cheek, leaving a burning red line. My patience snapped clean in an instant.
I didnt even think twice; I grabbed the menu and slapped it right back into his smug face. He instantly exploded, roaring like a lunatic.
Son of a bitch! Do you even know who youre messing with? My mother is Thelma Appletonthis companys biggest client!
Even the CEO shows me respect! You touch me again, and Ill make sure your entire 500,000 bonus gets wiped outand Ill have every company in the industry blacklist your ass!
I frozecompletely thrown off.
Thelma Appleton? My aunt whos been single for forty years and has never had a kid in her life?
Since when did she suddenly have a full-grown son?
Seeing me caught off guard, Tyrons ego went through the roof.
What? Cat got your tongue? A clown like you, winning contracts with your faceletting you sit at this table already lowers the air quality. And you still think you get to order?
Winning deals with my looks?
I wake up before sunrise to write proposals, spend eight hours a day on construction sites, covered in dust and getting burned so dark my own mother has to squint to recognize me. And this idiot thinks I skate by on my face?
I slid my chair back, stood up, and locked eyes with him.
Listen carefully. I earn everything I have by working my ass off. Everyone here knows that. You? Youre just an intern. You havent earned the right to talk.
And lets get this straightthis is a company dinner, not your party. If Im not worthy to order, youre even less so. No wonder this place stinks; turns out its just your mouth spewing nonsense.
Around us, the entire room looked down, shoulders shaking from trying not to laugh.
Theyd all had it with Tyron. One month in the company and hed been acting like everyone was his personal staff.
Once, the new hire Lilla Gurt refused to fetch his coffee.
He dumped the entire cup over her head, burning her scalp so badly it blistered.
And he didnt even apologize. He threatened her instead.
Try to make me apologize, and Ill make sure you get kicked out of this company!
The company ended up covering her medical bills.
I wanted to step in back then, but my colleagues held me back.
I always wondered why everyone just swallowed their anger.
Turns out everyone was terrified of his Thelma Appletons son title.
Tyrons face flushed bright red as he jabbed a finger at me.
Boy, stop trying to act tough here! Without my mom, this company would already be bankrupt. Im telling you right nowtonights dinner goes by my rules! If I say you dont order, you dont!
Youre just a piece of shit! How dare you act cocky? You order one dish, just one, and Ill make sure youre fired tomorrow!
The waiter looked at me nervously.
S-Sir, should I still place your order?
Yes, please, I answered without a hint of hesitation.
What the hell was this? I bring in projects worth tens of millions in this company, and Im not allowed to order one damn dessert?
Whats all this yelling?
Our CEO, Rayner Fogarty, pushed open the door, his face dark as storm clouds.
A company dinner isnt where you come to fight. Whats going on?
But Tyron cut him off, spinning the story as if he were the victim.
Before I could speak, Rayners sharp gaze landed on me.
Conley, youve been here for a year. You should know by now that frugality is one of our core policies.
Tyron was just thinking about the companys finances. Was one dish really worth the trouble?
You hitting someone just made everything worse, Conley. Apologize to Tyron right now and pay over ten grand for emotional damages, and then maybe well consider this matter settled.
I couldnt help but laugh and stare straight at my boss.
Sir you seriously want me to apologize and pay him?
Rayners face darkened, unreadable, while Lilla yanked at my sleeve.
She hissed, Conley, dont be an idiot. Tyron is Thelma Appletons son. You cant afford to cross him. Sir Rayner is still counting on him to close the Aptivion deal.
I couldnt help but snort in bitterness.
He says his mother is Thelma Appleton and you all just believe him? Did he even show proof when he joined?
Lilla pulled out her phone, scrolling to Tyrons Facebook.
Its legit. First day, Mrs. Appleton drove him here personally.
I stared at the figures in the photo and almost dropped my jaw.
My goddess-level flawless auntstanding there looking sharp in front of a luxury carand next to her was really Tyron.
Tyron even captioned the photo.
[Thanks, Mom, for taking time from your busy schedule to drop me off for my internship. I wont let you down.]
I immediately dialed my aunt, but all I got was the mechanical message saying her phone was powered off.
Seeing that I refused to apologize, Tyron shot me a vicious look.
Boy, dont regret this. Ill make sure you pay for it.
The next day he really did make me pay.
At the awards ceremony, the top sales trophy that was supposed to be minealong with the 500,000 dollar bonuswere somehow handed to Tyron.
They didnt even have time to swap out my name on the PPT slide for the acceptance speech.
It was a straight-up daylight robbery. A surge of anger quickly burned through my chest.
I spoke up on the spot.
What were the criteria for choosing the top salesperson? This month, my projects brought in over one billion in total sales and generated tens of millions in profit. Im five million in profit ahead of second place. Meanwhile, Tyron hasnt closed a single deal. So Im asking all the executives hereon what basis does he get my award?
The hall fell completely silent.
The CFO and sales director exchanged glances, but neither dared breathe.
Tyron looked at me with pure arrogance.
Obviously, your projects werent clean. The company cant condone your kind.
Right now, were only stripping your top salesperson title. Keep playing these dirty games, wrecking the companys rep and next up? Termination.
I was shaking with fury, my eyes scanning the stage.
All those executives who once praised my remarkable performance, called me promising talent were all avoiding my gaze, heads lowered like spineless cowards.
I had no choice but to turn to the CEO.
Sir is that your take, too?
Being called out publicly clearly pissed him off. He frowned, annoyed.
Conley, the company has its considerations. Dont let this small thing ruin the ceremony. Look at the bigger picture.
The bigger picture? My eyes were flames, my voice raw.
The bigger picture? I grind all yearno days off, midnight nights, my back broken on these projects just for my work to be handed to someone else?
One baseless rumor wipes out every damn thing Ive done, and you all stand there? Doing nothing?
Tell mewheres fairness? Wheres justice? Do you feel nothing treating someone whos carried this company like this?
Rayner was completely speechless, but Tyron didnt show the slightest shame. Dude even lifted his chin at me.
Fairness? He let out a mocking laugh. Boy, dont be na?ve. In this world, fairness belongs to whoever holds the power.
You want justice so damn bad? Then go get yourself a rich mother to fight your battles. Oh waitright. You dont have one.
Tyron didnt even bother hiding the contempt on his face. He looked at me coldly and said, Me? Im Thelma Appletons sonthe CEO of Aptivion Group. My status alone is enough to crush you for the rest of your life.
I stared straight at him, genuinely wondering where this guy got the balls for that kind of confidence.
Hell, for a second I even started doubting my auntdid she really sneak around and pop out some secret kid behind the familys backs?
Then, I asked, I heard Mrs. Appleton has a nephew she treats like her own son. Tell me, top salesperson, have you actually met him?
Tyrons face froze. Then he clicked his tongue and shot me a dismissive look.
Thats my cousin. Of course, Ive met him. But hes been overseas for years. He barely comes home. Even I hardly see him, so a nobody like you? Dont even dream about it.
I chuckled. Is that so? If hes not low-class, then whyd someone steal another mans top-sales title and bonus? Dont tell me youre not a real Appleton.
Son of a! Tyrons face went dark, his eyes filled with rage. Tyrons face went dark, rage twisting his features.
Im telling you, Conley. Dont push your luck. Your title was revoked because you didnt deserve it. I earned mine with real skills!
With skills? I stepped forward, staring straight at him. You mean the skill to slack off and play games every day at work? Or the skill to take two-hour lunch breaks and clock out right at five?
Or maybe, I added slowly, the skill to stare at your computer all day and only type the word Proposal on a PowerPoint slide?
I wasnt talking fast, but every word landed hard.
His mouth moved, but nothing came out. He just flicked his eyes toward our boss in desperation.
Rayners face twisted with disappointmentlike Tyron had embarrassed him by being useless. Then he turned to me, his voice cold.
Conley. Watch your tone. This is a company, not a street corner. You dont get to yell as you please!
Just because you won a few projects before doesnt mean you get to be untouchable. Survival of the fittestyou were replaced by someone better. You need to accept that. Stop making trouble!
Everyone turned to look at me, waiting to see how big of a fool Id make of myself for a five-hundred-thousand bonus.
Five hundred thousand?
Five million wouldnt even interest me.
What I wanted was fairness.
I didnt get angry. I didnt argue. I just let out a cold, mocking laugh.
Fine. I accept it. The top salesperson title should go to someone more capable.
The moment I sat back at my desk, HR blasted out two announcements.
[Our employee, Conley Myntti, has misused company funds for excessive dining, severely violating company policy. Effective immediately, he is removed from the Sales Manager position and suspended for reflection.]
[Our intern Tyron Appleton, who has bravely defended company interests and shown outstanding performancecreating massive profitsis now hired full-time. He will take over the Sales Manager position and all ongoing projects.]
Right after that, the CEO mentioned me in the group chat.
[@Conley, due to your wastefulness and disregard for company rules, your monthly bonus is deducted. Write a 10,000-word self-criticism and post it in the group chat for everyone to learn from!]
Unbelievable.
They stripped my title, cut my bonus, turned me into a public example, threw me onto a sacrificial altarusing my humiliation to flex their power.
The group immediately fell silent. Even the whole office went dead quiet.
Everyones eyes drifted toward mesome sympathetic, some angry, some gloating.
The message just sat there, unmoving, like everyone was waiting for me to swallow my pride and apologize in the group chat.
Then Rayner mentioned my name again.
[@Conley. Did you not see it?
I still didnt respond.
He kept tagging me like a madman.
Then Lilla sent me a private message.
[Hey, dont be stubborn. Just bend a little. Your job matters more.]
I looked at her and gave a small smile, and somehow that smile brought out a few tears.
My stiff fingers tapped on my phone as I typed back, my hands shaking a little.
[Got it, sir. Ill remember this lesson. I will never again order a 40-dollar dessert and splurge and waste company resources. Next time at the company dinner, Ill just drink water and skip the food.]
On the surface, it looked like an apology, but the message was basically a drop of water landing in hot oil.
Anyone could see it for what it wasan employees quiet, blunt disappointment in his own company.
Right after sending it, I logged out of every company system and took my mandatory self-reflection suspension exactly as instructed.
Rayner, sticking relentlessly to his stay in your lane mantra, shoved me into a workstation next to the bathroomwhere I had to deal with coworkers walking by all day, some giving me half-interested disdain, others giving pitying looks I didnt need.
Meanwhile, Tyron parked himself proudly at my old desk, barking orders at the department like he was suddenly in charge.
But my seat wasnt something you could just slide into and fake your way through.
Every project before thisI handled myself. From design to production, I knew every piece of it.
Tyron? That rookie didnt know a damn thing.
Within a few days, more than ten clients complained. They demanded I return to take over their accounts, or theyd cancel the contracts outright.
The company was about to face massive compensation fees.
Rayner finally couldnt hold it together. He swallowed his pride and walked over to my exile of a workstation.
Conley, these projects were yours. Now there are technical issues. Go deal with them. Make sure the Chevrolets are satisfied.
I raised my head slowly, giving him a blank look.
Sir, did you get the wrong person? Im suspended, remember?
He froze for a second, then forced out, stiff as iron, Even during suspension, you still work. Company rulesyou start a project, you finish it.
I opened my hands. But I already logged out of everything. I cant access a single thing to follow up.
His face tightened, anger building behind his eyes.
Suspension isnt termination. Why did you log out? Re-apply for access. Now.
I looked at him steadily.
Youre the one who said stay in your lane, sir. Im just following leadership instructions.
A twitch ran across his face, but he forced himself to stay composed.
Fine. Im restoring your position right now. Contact the clients immediately. Dont let them terminate the contracts.
I gave him a small smile.
Sir, wouldnt your star salesperson be the better choice for that? Im just the guy who supposedly relied on his face to get sales. I dont have that kind of talent, remember?
His face darkened to the color of spoiled meat, rage barely held down.
Conley, colleagues make jokes. You actually took it seriously?
I kept the smile, but the coldness behind it was impossible to miss.
So stripping me of my top salesperson title and cutting my 500k bonuswas that a joke too?
And saying a 40-dollar dish counts as extravagance and wastewas that also a joke?
Each word hit him like a punch.
His face went from red, to pale, to a blotchy bruise-like purple.
But he said nothing. I knew he was fighting himself; admitting he was wrong wasnt something a CEO like him could stomach.
Right then, Tyron came running over, practically buzzing.
Sir! Aptivion finally agreed to invest!
Rayners face lit up instantly with triumph.
Excellent! Tyron, youre a damn lucky star for this company. With Aptivion behind us, those clients will be begging to stay!
Then he turned and gave me a venomous glare.
Conley, youre fired. Go process the paperwork. Now.
I nodded calmly. Fine. Then according to policy, I expect the company to give me the compensation Im due.
He snapped, shouting, Compensation? After all the trouble you caused? Wait for our lawsuit!
Tyron glared at me, full of spite.
Boy, Ill make sure you get blacklisted in this entire industry!
I gave a small smile. Sure. Ill wait.
I quietly packed up my things and walked out of the company I had fought for the entire past year.
I poured all my passion and talent into this place. I didnt rely on connections or family background. I used my own capability to help the company climb.
And the result? Getting fired.
It was like my chest had been dragged across ice bladescold and sharp.
My coworkers followed me out, offering a few words of comfort.
Lillas eyes were red as she said, Conley, youre seriously talented. Youll do great anywhere. Dont take Tyrons nonsense to heart. Youll definitely find another job.
I just gave a brief smile. Tyron? He didnt have that kind of power.
The moment I stepped out of the building, I got a call from my aunt, who had been unreachable for half a month.
Conley, Im supposed to sign a contract with your company next week. But Im flying to Germany for an inspection trip, so I wont be there.
I replied flatly, Auntie, I got fired.
She paused. Did something happen at work? Do you need me to step in?
No. I want to go back and take this project myself.
After hanging up, a quiet smirk pulled at my lips.
No hurry. The real show was just starting.
When I walked into the signing ceremony, everyone from my old company was stunned.
Rayner and Tyron especiallythe way they looked at me couldve cut glass.
Tyron glared at me with open disdain. What are you doing here? Youve already been fired. You have no right to be part of this signing!
I glanced at him sideways. Just because Im not your employee doesnt mean I cant be here. Ever think that maybe Im here as Aptivions representative? The client?
He snorted. You? Dont make me laugh. The CEO of Aptivion Group is my mother. I am the client. I can sign on her behalf!
And you? Calling yourself the client? Dont kid yourself. Someone like youa cheap pretty boydoesnt even qualify to clean Aptivions bathrooms.
His words instantly drew everyones attention.
So hes Mrs. Appletons son? No wonder hes got this attitude.
And that guy actually dared to go against Mrs. Appletons son? Is he done living in Texas?
Look at himhes got that nightclub vibe. Probably living off someone.
Not like Mrs. Appletons son. Her son is polished and impressive.
Tyron stood in the middle of all the flattery, soaking it in, smug as hell.
He gave me a cold, arrogant grin and barked at security, Get this piece of shit out of here. Right now. Were signing.
The guards started moving toward me.
I didnt even flinch.
Instead, I slowly pulled out a crystal seal and held it up.
Tyron, without this how exactly are you planning to sign?
Everyone froze, staring at my hand.
Isnt that Mrs. Appletons exclusive crystal seal? I heard its insanely valuable. Shes never handed it to anyone. How does he have it?
Ignoring Tyrons stunned expression, I walked straight up to the podium and picked up the microphone.
As of now, I officially announceAptivion Group is canceling its cooperation and contract signing with Fogarty Corporation.
Rayners eyes widened sharply. He glared at me. Conley! Who do you think you are? You dare to speak for Mrs. Appleton?!
I met his stare. My voice was steady. Didnt I say it already? Im the client.
Tyron stared at me like his whole world cracked.
Conley! How do you have my moms seal?! Who the hell are you?! What gives you the right to make her decisions?!
I looked him dead in the eye and answered, word for word, Well, Thelma Appleton is my aunt.
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