Chapter 9
The transition happened swiftly, driven by Julian’s relentless focus and the sudden, unvarnished truth that had cleared out the dead weight in his life. Within three weeks, the divorce proceedings were finalized quietly, shielded from the worst of the tabloid glare by a wall of high-priced attorneys who realized Julian held all the leverage. His former wife was remanded to a secure facility awaiting trial, her social standing evaporating overnight like morning fog.
In the corporate headquarters downtown, things looked entirely different. Arthur Davis had moved into a corner office on the fortieth floor, trading his gray polo shirt for a sharp, well-fitted suit. He still carried himself with the grounded posture of a working-class man who knew the value of every dollar, but his desk was now covered in logistics reports and supply chain manifests rather than cleaning supplies.
Julian sat across from Arthur in that very office, reviewing the quarterly audit. The massive crystal chandelier from the penthouse gala felt like a lifetime ago, a relic of an artificial world he had happily left behind.
"The new vendor contracts are locked in," Arthur said, pointing to a highlighted line on the tablet screen. "Cut out the middlemen who were skimming off the top. Saved the firm four million dollars in the first month alone."
"Good," Julian nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Make sure the extra capital goes into the employee retention fund. I want better wages for the service staff, the kitchen crews, and the night maintenance teams. No more under-the-table compromises."
Arthur smiled, a deep, genuine expression that reached his eyes. "You got it, boss. The crew downstairs still talks about Leo crashing the party, you know. They treat him like a folk hero down in the breakroom."
Julian chuckled softly. "How is Leo liking the new school?"
May you like
"He's adjusting," Arthur said, his expression softening with paternal pride. "Got a bit of an attitude when kids try to push him around, but he's making friends. He misses his old neighborhood sometimes, but having a yard makes up for it."
"Bring him by the executive floor this Friday," Julian said. "I have something for him."
