11

As soon as the police escorted Gavin out, Rihanna strode confidently over to Chris, a relieved smile tugging at her lips.

"Thank you, Chris," she said warmly. "You may have just saved the reputation of ASSTAS Group. If not for you, this scandal could've made headlines by now."

Chris returned a calm smile. "I only did what was right. Helping others—especially those I care about—comes first. If that means stepping up for ASSTAS, then so be it."

Just then, a familiar voice chimed in behind them.

"You've done more than just help, young man," Mr. Lockwood—Rihanna's grandfather and the company's founder—said as he approached the trio. "You protected the name I spent a lifetime building. Gratitude alone doesn't cut it."

He stepped closer, his eyes steady on Chris. "That's why I'd like to offer you the position of Senior Director in our Recruiting Department. It's a role you've more than earned. Please, accept it."

Chris gave a modest shake of the head and smiled gently. "I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Lockwood, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

The mood shifted. Mr. Lockwood's smile faded slightly, and Ava—who had been glowing with pride—looked just as puzzled.

"Why not?" Mr. Lockwood asked, his tone genuinely curious.

"I didn't do this for a reward," Chris replied. "Everything I did today was because it was the right thing to do. I don't want anything in return."

"But I insist," Mr. Lockwood said, placing a hand on Chris's shoulder. "If not a director's role, then name anything else you want. We'll honor it."

Chris chuckled softly. "If you must insist, I'd be more than happy working as part of your security team."

"Security?" Ava blurted out, surprised. "Why would you choose that when you could have anything else?"

If only she knew the truth.

Chris needed to keep his profile low. If he took a powerful or high-paying role, his enemies would start paying attention. But living like an ordinary man—a poor, unnoticed adopted son—meant he could move in silence. Staying under the radar was his best weapon.

"We'll be on our way now," Chris said, bowing slightly to Mr. Lockwood.

Mr. Lockwood waved them off with a smile, watching until they disappeared from view.

---

As they returned home, Chris was hopeful. Maybe Karen would be happy to hear he'd finally landed a job. But the moment he opened the door, his welcome came in the form of a full bucket of water splashing over him.

Soaked and stunned, Chris looked up. There stood Karen, her face twisted with anger.

"Seriously, Chris? Out of every job in the world, you chose to be a security guard? Are you that stupid?" she shouted, her voice filled with scorn.

Ava couldn't stay silent. "Mom, that's enough! You're humiliating him for no reason. He secured a position at ASSTAS—that's not an easy place to get into! It requires strength, loyalty, and integrity."

"Integrity?" Karen scoffed. "You think it's integrity when he's too dense to take a better offer? He had options! Yet he chose the dumbest path possible. And you expect me to accept someone like that into this family?"

"But how did you even find out about the job?" Ava asked suddenly. "Neither of us told you…"

"I did," said a new voice from the dining room.

All eyes turned. Chris clenched his jacket tightly.

"Zack," he muttered, his tone low.

Zack stepped forward with a smug grin, glass of wine in hand. "I came for two reasons," he said casually. "One—to let your darling mother know her 'golden' adopted son found work as a glorified doorman. And two—to make you a business offer."

Chris narrowed his eyes.

Zack went on, "I'm launching my company tonight, and I want you to be part of the event—as my personal security guard. Since you're clearly a 'professional' now." He laughed, taking a sip of wine. "The pay's decent—$200 an hour. That's enough to feed you and your next seventeen generations."

Chris stood tall, voice steady. "I'm not interested in your pathetic offer, Zack."

Zack's smugness faltered for a second.

"I'd rather sweep the streets than work for someone as heartless as you," Chris added with a glare sharp enough to cut steel.

Suddenly, Karen lunged forward and yanked Chris by the hair.

"Are you insane?!" she screamed. "Do you even realize what you're turning down? $200 an hour! That's $1,400 for one night! You'd rather starve than take that?!"

The grip was painful, but Chris barely flinched. His dragon strength allowed him to endure it like it was nothing more than a tickle.

He calmly pried her hand off. "I said it before, and I'll say it again—my 'no' means no. I will never lower myself to work for a man like Zack."

He turned to leave, but Karen's words stopped him cold.

"If you walk out now, you leave this house for good. Take your things and never come back. You'll no longer be welcome here—not as my son, not even as a stranger!"

Chris froze mid-step.

Karen folded her arms. "Decide, Chris. Accept Zack's offer—or get out of my house forever."