CHAPTER 2 OCOTOMILLIONAIRE HEIR

The smug voice came out of the speaker, declaring that Artis could get everything just by signing a certain set of papers. 

Just from the tone, Artis could tell that the other person was smiling.

Artis didn’t want to talk to him any more than necessary, so he cut to the chase. “Fifty thousand bucks, and I need them ASAP. Can you do it or not?”

“Of course I can. What do you think of me?

As long as you sign, you can have as much as you want.50 thousand dollars is nothing for an OCTO MILLIONAIRE heir like you. Now, are you coming over to sign the paperwork or are you going to keep being stupid, Mr. Hardy?”

There was a hint of scorn in the person's voice, which irritated Artis. He gritted his teeth and said, “Fine, I’ll be over soon.”

“Great, come on up to my office. It’ll be good to see your face, Mr. Hardy.” 

The voice sounded very excited, and Artis could even hear the noises of a crowd in the background.

Artis felt disgusted by the words of the old man, but he had no choice. He ran the entire twenty blocks to get there, and came to a stop, sweating and panting in front of a magnificent building.

The Business Tower soared above the skyline, as it was the highest tower in the city. The headquarters of the Silver Canary Group, one of the largest corporations in the world.

Its glass facade shimmered in the sunlight, and as visitors crossed its threshold, they were greeted by a masterpiece of cutting-edge technology and futuristic design that would make anyone's eyes pop out of their sockets! 

Smart lighting systems adapted to the flow of human activity and daylight conditions, while advanced HVAC ensured perfect climate control according to the weather outside. 

A private high-speed connectivity network was spread to every corner, while biometric access added a layer of security, and AI-driven surveillance kept a vigilant watch. 

Artis didn't pay attention to anything else as he walked straight to the reception desk, and spoke without any hesitation. 

“I’m here to see the chairman.”

Artis Hardy found himself at the headquarters of the Silver Canary Group, facing the critical gaze of the receptionist. 

His face was flushed, not with a healthy pink hue, but with a pale and fatigued complexion, and wisps of hair fell haphazardly over his forehead. 

There was a hint of stubble on his jawline, but it lacked the deliberate charm of a five o'clock shadow and instead gave him a somewhat neglected look. Adding to that, there were deep dark circles under his eyes. 

His suit, which might have once been elegant, appeared wrinkled and creased as if it hadn't seen an iron in quite some time. The jacket hung loosely on his frame, failing to provide the sharp silhouette a well-fitted suit should.

A loosened tie, with a haphazard knot, dangled around his neck, and a few buttons on his dress shirt were left unbuttoned. 

Artis' white shirt, apart from being marked by crumpled sleeves and noticeable wrinkles, contained patches of sweat, and his collar was soaked. 

His forehead still contained beads of sweat that he wiped away with a thick handkerchief, while the receptionist's gaze reached his scuffed and worn-out shoes.

It seemed as if he had made only a half-hearted attempt at dressing up for the occasion, and he appeared far from the typical executives who frequented the offices of the company with an air of elegance and professionalism. 

Not a hair would be out of place, and they showed both by their appearance and behavior, which strata of society they belonged to. 

Naturally, this shabby newcomer instantly drew suspicion from her. But still, the woman maintained a show of professionalism and refinement despite her internal disdain for the visitor.

As the receptionist for Silver Canary Group's headquarters, Emma was trained to maintain composure in all situations, no matter how unusual they might be. 

But still, her eyes reflected her judgment as she regarded Artis for a moment. It was clear that she believed he was not of the caliber to be seeking an audience with Mr. Holt, the chairman of Silver Canary Group.

In fact, he barely seemed qualified enough to be meeting the security guards of the building! 

Emma's expression remained cold and unwelcoming as she asked, 

"Um, excuse me! Do you even have an appointment?" 

Where do you think you are going? This is not a place where you can just enter to beg for alms."

Artis was taken aback by her hostility, and he could only blink in surprise. 

He knew that a meeting should have been scheduled with the chairman, but the receptionist's cold words had left him speechless.

After all, he was merely following the instructions of someone he considered an old and unreliable acquaintance… could he trust the words that had been said over a phone call?  

After a few minutes, he finally managed to say, "I think there should be an appointment under the name 'Hardy'." 

She muttered under her breath, "Really!" before giving her computer a cursory glance and declaring;

"No, I'm sorry, I can't offer you any help if you show up without an appointment."

To her, Mr. Holt was a busy man who couldn't be bothered by just anyone.

Artis felt a sense of frustration growing within him, but he knew that he needed to get through to Emma to explain the urgency of his situation. 

"Listen, Miss! Please just contact Mr. Holt yourself, and inform him that I'm waiting for him downstairs. It's very urgent, please try to understand.

If you don't believe me, at least let him confirm this for you-"

Before he could finish his request, Emma scoffed, 

"Hah! Are you kidding me? If I bother Mr. Holt with the words of any random delusional weirdo who walks in from the street, his phone will never stop ringing!

And who do you think you are, to be ordering me around like this? But since you insist on wasting my time, let me offer you advice for free: just get out of here before I have no choice other than calling security."

Artis, desperate to convey the gravity of his situation, demanded, 

"I told you, I am here to meet Mr. Holt! If you won't cooperate, then even I refuse to leave until I've seen him."

At this moment, the receptionist pressed a button on the counter, and two security guards appeared behind him. 

They understood the situation as soon as they saw Miss Emma's annoyed expression and the out-of-place individual standing at the counter. 

The guards grabbed both his arms to escort him out, while he continued to struggle against them. 

But he continued to protest, and his voice grew louder with desperation;

"Why don't you understand! I need to see the chairman right now! This is a matter of life and death, how can you be so callous?

Just call him and he'll tell you who I am! How do you not understand such a simple thing!"

The situation was escalating rapidly, and his cries caught the attention of the people passing by, as some stopped to watch the ongoing drama with curiosity. 

Still, it seemed to not affect Emma, who continued to ignore him as if he were nothing more than a spoiled child throwing a tantrum. 

Suddenly, a man in a crisp gray suit and gold-rimmed glasses emerged out of the lift. 

It was Jack Montgomery, the director of the HR department. 

Upon seeing Artis, Jack's strides came to a stop as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, and flashed Artis a broad smile. 

It was clear from his mocking smile and the glare Artis gave him, that they shared a history of rivalry.