Revenge of The Furtive Billionaire Heir by Ryker Helios

53. Reputation

Lemon is right. The next day, the bruises become nasty, purple swellings, and everyone stares.

It’s horrible and I feel like a show pony. But hey, I made this bed, so I am going to have to lle on it. People come up to me to ask what the hell happened to me, but in more polite terms, and leave me with their sympathetic remarks after I lie to them that I got mugged the night before. That is what Gerald ordered me to say because he did not want any potential clients of our company to get the wrong idea that the COO of Zelt Tech was an adrenaline junkie who went out of his way to get involved in barfights with frat.

boys.

“Whatever you do, do not let them know that you actually hit someone else. Make yourself to be the victim, they dig things like that.” Gerald had told me, and I had stared at him because a.) he said ‘dig’ and b.) that made no sense.

“I was under the impression that strength and endurance are important assets for an executing officer,” I’d pointed out, and Gerald had scoffed.

“Young master, people already think that the only reason you are the COO of the company is because of nepotism. The last thing we want them to think is that you are someone who picks fights at low-level establishments like bars. If you give them that impression for even a moment, they will have it fixed in their brain for the rest of your career. No matter what you do, you will be the nepotistic, adrenaline-driven lowlife in their eyes.”

He had a point, I would give him that, but “Aren’t I the COO of Zelt Tech exactly because of Nepotism, though? I mean you guys didn’t even hire Coraline because her CV didn’t have enough talent. I got this job right after I came home to my estranged father.” I pointed out, amused.

Gerald huffed, “When it comes to the sons and daughters of owners, founders, and CEOs, nepotism is a given. Everyone expects the higher position to go to their next-of-kin, and so it’s overlooked in a way. However, getting the job is easy, but holding on to it is difficult. No matter how closely related to the higher-ups you are, in order to keep the job, you have to work hard as the next worker does. Otherwise, you will have to be replaced with someone who is capable of actually doing the job.” He’d looked straight. at me, “you can get a job out of nepotism, yes. But in order to excel in it, and keep doing it, you need to have considerable talent. And those talents should include making others see the abilities beyond your

last name.”

lie Gerald gave me a lot to think about. So, when everyone questions about the bruises. the

reputation to create, after

***

any bars at night or get into fights. The rest of the forum sails smoothly, and thus our mini vacation from all the chaos at home ends.

event, if not a bit bland. But the food is great, and I even get to dance with Coraline for a classic waltz number. Of course, my dancing is abysmal, and I try my hardest not to step on her feet, which is a task that monopolizes my attention for the most part, but in the end, Coraline is laughing her head off at my antics, and

it is

again to say goodbye to Lemon. Of course, Lemon had been visiting us every night after his

trust me, I’m in New York! This place is brimming with interesting people! So, tell me how people are getting shot in your

the most morbid interest in

obviously saddened by the news of

you come to New York and not visit the Central part? Or even the Empire state building, I mean, even

say that I wished we could stay a bit longer and do all those things. Ever since we got here, we had been busy attending the conference. That night at the bar was the only thing that broke the monotony of the three-day-long stay. And

we wish we could stay,” Coraline replies with a sad smile,