Sounds of heavy breaths filled the room that now grew very quiet.
Eyes wide open, the security guards in the area didn't expect what happened.
"Mr. Zhen, forgive me of forgetting your name. You're right, though. You do need a strong body to qualify as a good leader," Peter said cooly.
Eric tried to get up but failed. He felt like he wanted to spit out blood. He yelled at the guards in the room, "What are you doing, you stupid pigs! Beat the crap out of this guy! I'll back you up if anything happens! I'm the boss here! Follow my orders, or leave!"
Eric would not let his authority be questioned like that, especially in front of his men.
The guards hesitated. They didn't enjoy being called insulting names either.
They knew they'd only get beaten up as the guy was clearly stronger than Eric. But Eric was their leader; they knew they had to do as they were told.
Before he could enforce his orders, Peter decided to finish him off with one big kick. Peter kicked Eric so hard so fast that Eric immediately blacked out.
He already beat the crap out of Eric. He didn't mind adding one more solid blow. He did not want to fight all the guards. It was enough to have friction with Eric, but he couldn't risk being on the bad side of all the other guards.
"Call 120!"
"Take him to the hospital!"
The guards were smart enough not to fight Peter. They focused instead on attending to Eric and carrying him out. Peter and Jack were left alone in the room.
"Jack, are you OK?" Peter asked Jack.
"I'm good." Jack shook his head, with a frightened gaze at Peter, his hand clutching his chest. He didn't expect Peter to be such a strong fighter.
"Ok, then. Let's get to work." Peter smiled as if nothing happened.
Jack grinned. "Hey, buddy. I like your attitude, but you offended Eric. I'd bet good money you won't be allowed to stay anymore. He's the cousin of the Head of Security, Bob Zhen. I'm sure he won't let you off the hook.
Bob is much tougher than Eric. He has really strong connections with some big guy, he'll be a difficult person to be up against. I'd be calling Miss Dai right about now if I were you."
Jack suggested, genuinely concerned about Peter's predicament.
"What? Nah." Peter waved away the suggestion. "Why bother Miss Dai with such a small issue? Plus, I don't believe the Silverland Group would fire me for an incident as petty as this." 'Besides, what would I tell her? That I beat the team leader to death in less than 2 minutes at work? Haha, nothing good will ever come from that.' Asking for Elaine's help was the last thing Peter wanted to do in this situation.
In the reception hall, Peter went about his day as he would normally.
The two receptionists saw Eric being carried out by the other security guards earlier that day, and after hearing what happened, started to admire Peter secretly for what he had done.
Apparently, Eric had been harassing them with crude jokes and indecent proposals, for the longest time. It drove them crazy but they couldn't say anything because of his position in the company.
They felt as if what Peter did was a stand against him for all the abuse he has caused them, and they appreciated it very much.
"Hey girls. Is everything okay? Do I have something on my face?" Peter asked when he noticed their quick glances.
'Hmm, do I look handsome today? Is spring coming? Why ha
ve I been encountering so many pretty girls who seem to pay me special attention?' he thought.
He met Elaine and that moody fairy yesterday, and now these two attractive girls seemed to fancy him as well.
The girls just giggled when he came over to ask them what was wrong with the way he looked, the girl on the left even looking down shyly, hiding her flushed cheeks. The girl on the right was a little bolder. She leaned forward and put her chin on her bent fist, flashing him a very seductive look.
"Peter, you are so handsome. How about grabbing dinner with me tonight?"
"What? Really?" Peter hurriedly felt his pockets. "I don't think I have enough money. Do I have to pay the bill?"
'What the fuck? What a douchebag!'
Jack thought, overhearing the conversation. 'Why not just go out with me, pretty lady? I have money. I'll get you whatever you want to eat.'
"Hahahahaha!"
The girl burst out laughing. "Oh Peter, you are so silly! Relax, you don't have to pay the bill.
I'm Shelly Huang. And this is my friend, Lisa Ye." Shelly said pointing at her friend. "Nice to meet you."
"Hi," Peter said with a smile. "My name is Peter Wang. Peter actually means 'stone' in Greek, and..." Peter's introduction was cut short with a yell coming from across the room. "HEY, PRETTY BOY. What are you doing? This is office hour, not flirting hour. Who gave you permission to fool around? Come here!"
A 6-foot tall burly man of thirty towered over him with a glare that could have made an average man scared shitless.
Shelly and Lisa exchanged worried looks. Even Jack turned pale.
"Uhh, Peter, this is Bob Zhen, Head of Security." Shelly managed to say. "Mr. Zhen is..."
"No one asked you to speak, lady! Who do you think you are? I'll have a word with your manager!"
Shelly trembled.
Peter's eyes narrowed. 'Is this Silverland Group, or the back alleys? This feels more like a gang than a company to me!' Behind their backs, people called Eric "Bitch" and Bob "Fuck". Peter now saw how accurate these names were.
"You must be Peter Wang. I've heard a LOT about you. I heard you were the BEST —the best at disrespecting authority and flirting on the job on the first day at work, that is," Bob said sarcastically. "Listen, boy," he said with his face only a few inches away from Peter's. "I don't care where you came from, or who you think you are. You're fired.
Also, we called the police. You hurt people and you are going to pay. They should be here to arrest you soon." Bob said, pointing his finger directly at Peter.
"But.. he started it. He attacked me first. He said it was to test my physical fitness and ability to adapt to stressful situations." Peter said quietly.
"Holy shit! Eric won't do that, you little liar. You started the fight and you hurt him on purpose. That's the story, and that's what the police will believe."
'Little liar?' Peter thought.
"That's a lie and you know it. Eric started the fight. He tried to punch me first. What I did was self-defense."
"Mr. Zhen." Jack stepped forward and said, "I can testify to what Peter said."
"What did you just say?" Bob shouted at Jack. "Testify? Who cares what you say, Jack? Who you think you are?" "I said, " Jack said, emphasizing his every word, "I.. can.. TESTIFY—" "You disrespectful piece of —-" Bob roared, and with all his might, threw Jack a big, heavy punch."
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