The First Employee (Edit)

Lex stepped out onto the pavement.

His thoughts drifted—to his last life, when he had trusted the wrong people to handle his finances. Lawyers. Executives. Accountants who answered to Barnie before they answered to him.

If he was going to do this right, he needed someone competent. Someone he could trust.

Lex's mind settled on a name.

Sam Chau.

A small smirk tugged at his lips.

In his last life, Sam had worked for him eventually. But by then, it had been too late—Barnie had already dismantled Lex's holdings, and Sam had only been able to slow the bleeding, not stop it.

This time, Lex wouldn't wait until he was bleeding.

This time, he'd bring Sam in now.

By memory Lex walk into a small garage, a few steps from the brownstone.

Lex sat in the car for a moment, fingers drumming against the wheel.

In his past life, the Supra had gone missing.

Security footage had caught Trent passing by the garage the same night. No proof, no leads—just gone.

It had been a warning.

Back then, Lex had ignored it.

This time?

Lex punched in a new code on the keypad.

3-5-1-5.

The lock beeped, and the garage door slid open with a smooth mechanical hum.

Not this time.

He climbed in, gripping the wheel, and pulled onto the street.

The drive took him to the cheap side of town—where sidewalks cracked, neon signs flickered, and the city felt more real.

Lex parked in front of a run-down two story building. A peeling glass door read:

"We Do Your Books!"

And underneath, in smaller print:

ThisThat Financial Services.

Inside, the space was cramped—cluttered desks, outdated computers, and cabinets bursting with too much paperwork.

And in the farthest corner, behind the smallest desk, sat the man Lex came to see.

Samuel Chau

Twenty-seven.

Three jobs—telemarketer, accountant, personal assistant.

Wheelchair-bound since twelve, when a car accident shattered his spine.

And one of the sharpest mind Lex had ever worked with.

Sam was mid-call, headset on, clearly arguing with a client.

"Sir, you can't claim your dog as a dependent—no, I don't care if he eats better than you—sir, yelling won't change tax laws—"

Lex leaned against the doorway, smirking. "Busy?"

Sam's head snapped up, eyes narrowing as he sized Lex up instantly.

"Who the hell are you?"

Lex stepped forward. "Your new employer. Lexington Latham."

Sam scoffed, crossing his arms. "Yeah? That so? You hiring telemarketers now?"

Lex pulled out the chair across from him, settling in smoothly. "No. I'm hiring an accountant."

Sam arched a brow. "Congrats, you found one. Now get in line—I already have two jobs too many."

Lex didn't flinch. "Quit them."

Sam let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, sure. And who's paying my dad's rent?"

"I am."

That shut him up.

Lex leaned forward, voice calm and certain. "Full salary. Six figures. Work from home. No commutes, no office politics. You run my books, manage my numbers, and make sure my financials are airtight."

Sam stared at him, processing.

Lex didn't stop. "You also get full benefits, full medical—hell, I'll even cover your dad's insurance."

Silence.

Then Sam muttered, "You're serious."

"Dead serious."

Sam ran a hand through his hair, staring at Lex like he was waiting for the joke to land.

"What's the catch?"

Lex smirked. "You work for me. No second jobs. No distractions. You focus on Latham Ventures, and in return, you never have to take another telemarketing call in your life."

Sam exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

Then, without a word, he reached for his laptop, flipping it open with practiced ease.

Lex watched, amused but unsurprised, as Sam's fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard. Background check.

Good.

Lex needed someone who asked questions, someone who didn't just take things at face value.

Sam muttered to himself as he typed, "If you're for real, you'll be in the system."

Lex leaned back, waiting. "By all means."

Lexington Latham, Seven Headlines.

A few moments later, Sam's eyes flicked over the screen, reading the results.

Tab1. "7-Year-Old Bids—and Wins—at Art Auction" (2000 – Society & Gossip Section)

Sam's eyebrows shot up. "You spent your birthday money on Picasso prints?"

Lex smirked. "Could've been worse. Could've bought a racehorse."

Sam's eyes flicked over the screen, scanning the next headline.

2. "Maddox Trust Fund: The Next Generation" (2002 – Business News)

His brows furrowed. "When your great-grandfather died… the Maddox Trust passed down, but a Latham—" His eyes snapped up. "You—got 50%?"

Lex nodded, watching the realization dawn.

"Barnie, the current CEO, only got 15%," Lex clarified. "So I own the majority vote."

Sam whistled low, shaking his head. "That's at least three-quarters of a billion, right? Last I checked, Maddox Holdings was at eighty-eight dollars a share."

Lex's smirk didn't waver. "Something like that."

Sam clicked on another article.

Tab3. "William Latham's Estate: What Happens Now?" (2003 – Finance & Markets)

"Your grandfather died, and you got… 15 office buildings?"

Lex shrugged. "His legacy."

Tab4. "Top 12 Billionaires Before 12: Born Into Money" (2005 – Financial Profiles)

Sam laughed under his breath. "Wow. Must've been tough."

Lex rolled his eyes. "Tragic, really."

Tab5. "Roger Latham's Tragic Death: The Legacy He Left Behind" (2006 – Business Obituaries)

Sam's expression sobering as he read. "Plane crash."

Lex's jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing.

Sam exhaled. "And when he died… another trust fund?"

Lex nodded once.

Sam clicked the final link.

6. "Vivien Maddox's Will: The Final Distribution of a Dynasty" (2007 – Society & Wealth)

His voice was quieter now. "And when your grandmother passed, you got another."

Lex stayed silent.

Sam leaned back, staring at him for a long moment before closing the laptop.

Then, with a slow grin, he said, "So, four trust funds."

Lex arched a brow.

Sam smirked. "You really could pay me."

Lex chuckled. "Told you."

Sam tapped his fingers against the desk. "Alright, boss. Where do we start?"

Lex's smirk widened. "Glad you asked."

He leaned back, drumming his fingers against the desk.

"Latham Ventures. Startups, movies, music—whatever makes money and puts me ahead."

Sam snorted. "That's a rich kid shopping list."

Lex chuckled. "Call it what you want, but I'm not throwing cash around for fun. Every move I make now sets up the next five down the line."

Sam folded his arms. "And where do I fit into this master plan?"

Lex gestured lazily. "You keep the books. Handle payroll. You get check-signing authority—twenty grand limit. Anything bigger, you run it by me."

Sam raised a brow. "So I get to write my own checks?"

Lex smirked. "Within reason. Try and buy a yacht, and we'll have a problem."

Sam exhaled, shaking his head. "You're either reckless or a genius."

Lex shrugged. "Little of both."

He shifted slightly, his tone turning sharper. "I've got Benny C. running a movie project. Two weeks. Fast turnaround."

Sam's brows lifted. "Two weeks? That's insane."

Lex's grin didn't fade. "Welcome to the game."

Sam let out a low chuckle. "Alright, boss. Let's see if you're as good as you think you are."

Lex extended a hand. "Latham Ventures doesn't lose."

Sam shook it. "Guess I just signed up for the ride."