Chapter 1: Electric Shock
1998 Words
"Mr. Siega, I... I want to talk to you about a salary increase."
Liam Bernthal stood nervously in the office of the general manager.
Andrew Siega, who was playing a game, looked up.
"Oh, Liam Bernthal, why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
Andrew Siega leaned back in his large boss chair, smiling ambiguously at Liam Bernthal.
Liam Bernthal bit his lip, tightly gripping the hand by his side.
"Mr.Siega, I have been with our company for seven or eight years, interning here since graduation. The people who started at the same time as me have already become managers, while I am still in a frontline technical position. You are also aware of my family situation. My mother just had surgery, needs chemotherapy, and also... every week..."
Andrew Siega raised his hand and interrupted, "Liam Bernthal, let's talk about work, why mention personal matters."
Liam Bernthal lowered his head at the words, his face turning red.
He couldn't take it anymore!
He had been working diligently in this technology company since graduation, for eight years. He was at the top in terms of both technical skills and experience in the industry.
But now, approaching thirty, he had a girlfriend but still hadn't gotten married.
His girlfriend wanted a house and a car, and it all required money.
His monthly salary of 1,200 dollars was barely enough to get by in the city, let alone fulfill those expectations.
Asking the boss for a raise was a last resort.
If he didn't get married at this age, would he have to marry a divorced woman with children?
His family also needed money.
His mother was seriously ill, and his father was working three jobs, struggling heavily.
Without money, nothing could be accomplished, and progress was impossible.
Seeing Liam Bernthal remain silent, Andrew Siega smirked and threw a document on the table.
"Liam Bernthal, this is the layoff list for this month. You are fortunate to be at the top. Take a look, and if there's no problem, sign it! The company will provide you with appropriate compensation."
"What... what?"
Upon hearing this, Liam Bernthal froze, feeling like the sky was collapsing.
"Mr. Siega, why are you firing me?"
Andrew Siega laughed and said, "Because someone is willing to take your position for only 1,000 dollars."
"No... that's impossible!"
Liam Bernthal suddenly looked up, "Who would be able to survive in the city with only 1,000 dollars? This is absolutely impossible."
Although Houston wasn't a first-tier city like New York or Los Angeles, it was still a provincial capital.
There was no way someone would accept a lower salary than what he was asking for!
"Why the f**k would I lie to you!" Andrew Siega became impatient. "Either sign the agreement and leave, or reduce your salary by 200 dollars. You decide."
Liam Bernthal felt his heart being twisted like a knife, staring at the opposite party for a long time.
"I... I'll take the reduction."
"Hahaha!"
Andrew Siega stood up laughing and patted Liam Bernthal's shoulder.
"That's the way! Liam Bernthal, don't blame me. The current economic situation is not good for anyone. Your family needs money, and I'm already being understanding by reducing your salary by only 200 dollars.
"Work hard, the company won't mistreat any of its employees! You're staying, that's what I'm saying!"
Andrew Siega laughed as he tore the layoff list in half.
Liam Bernthal looked at the crumpled paper on the floor, feeling a sense of relief, as if he had escaped a disaster.
He had completely forgotten why he came today.
"Alright! That's it. Report to HR later about the salary reduction."
Andrew Siega picked up a few pieces of tissue paper and apparently went to the bathroom.
Before leaving, he suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, Liam Bernthal, I remember you're good with computers. Clean up and scan my computer for viruses! Damn it, they spent 200,000 dollars on this computer, and it's just laggy when playing Solitaire. What a bunch of unscrupulous businessmen."
Andrew Siega grumbled and left, leaving Liam Bernthal standing in place, dazed.
Liam Bernthal couldn't help but slap himself in regret.
Why did he bring up the salary increase after being full?
He helplessly sat in front of the boss's desk, looking at Andrew Siega's computer in a daze.
The value of this computer was actually five hundred thousand?!
A computer alone was worth half a set of houses inHouston, something that Andrew Siega often boasted about.
Unfortunately, Andrew Siega was a computer i***t, frequently browsing adult websites, so even the best computer would get infected with viruses.
Some people bought expensive computers to show off, while others worried about their next meal.
The world was just so helpless.
Liam Bernthal sighed and started to scan the computer for viruses, thinking about how to explain to his girlfriend.
If his girlfriend found out that his salary didn't increase but decreased, he didn't know what kind of face he would have.
They were college classmates and had been in a relationship for almost ten years.
A few days ago, she issued an ultimatum that if they didn't get married soon, they would break up.
This was why Liam Bernthal's mind was currently in chaos, with no energy to focus on scanning the computer for viruses.
The cursor aimlessly wandered, and by some inexplicable impulse, he clicked on the computer version of i********: belonging to Andrew Siega.
"Ding ding ding ding..."
At that moment, a notification sound played, startling Liam Bernthal.
The profile picture of the message sender turned out to be his girlfriend, Laurie Holden.
Liam Bernthal's head was about to explode.
How could Laurie have Andrew Siega's i********:!
Trembling, he clicked on the profile picture to check the details.
An indecent photo appeared before his eyes.
Liam Bernthal felt like the sky was falling.
"Honey, I hate it. Someone sent me a private photo. Can you buy me a bag, please?"
The woman in the photo was dressed scantily and tried to be seductive.
There was a reply from Andrew Siega in the chat box.
"b***h! I've long been tired of such photos. Bark like a dog! Send it quickly, or else forget about buying a damn bag!"
Soon, another photo appeared, showing the woman kneeling on the ground.
Following that, there was a voice message.
"Woof woof woof..."
Listening to his girlfriend's lowly voice, Liam Bernthal felt a rush of blood to his head.
He couldn't believe his eyes, nor his ears.
How could his once innocent and lovely girlfriend be so subservient in front of Andrew Siega!
The conversation continued.
"Hahaha, b***h! You and your boyfriend Liam Bernthal look so similar. He was just like a dog in front of me too. You two really are a pair of male and female dogs!"
"I hate him! Andrew, don’t say his name! This useless guy, I'm breaking up with him today, and completely throw myself into Andrew's arms, how about that?"
"Get lost! I just love this feeling, playing with employees' girlfriends, and making him work for me. It feels amazing, hahaha..."
Bang!
Liam Bernthal smashed the computer screen with one punch.
He couldn't bear to watch anymore.
He bit his lip tightly, unable to understand how his girlfriend had ended up like this.
When did Andrew Siega start getting involved with Laurie Holden!
A series of memories flashed through his mind like lightning.
Right.
Half a year ago, during a company dinner, he brought his girlfriend along.
Andrew Siega must have met Laurie Holden back then!
Thought about this adulterous couple betray him and hide even more than half a year, Liam Bernthal couldn't help but want to stab them to death with a knife.
Just do it!
His gaze wandered and found a sharp tea knife on the table.
This was a tool Andrew Siega used to cut tea, it was perfect for killing.
In the next moment, Liam Bernthal was going to find this despicable couple and make them pay the price.
"Ding Ling Ling!"
Suddenly, an urgent voice rang out.
It was Liam Bernthal's phone.
Liam Bernthal glanced at it and trembled all over, finally sobering up from his madness.
It was a call from his mother, who was in the countryside.
"Mom, what happened? What's wrong!"
"Liam Bernthal, Liam Bernthal!"
His mother's panicked voice came through the phone.
"Your father was hit by a car on his way to work! The driver ran away, he's covered in blood..."
"What!"
Liam Bernthal's mind exploded, and the multiple blows almost caused him to pass out on the spot.
"Liam Bernthal, don't panic! Your father has been taken to the hospital by a kind-hearted person. The doctor said he needs 30,000 dollars for the surgery. You need to figure out a way to send it as soon as possible, otherwise your father..."
His mother said something, but Liam Bernthal couldn't bear to listen anymore.
30,000 dollars!
Where could he find that kind of money? He could barely send 600 dollars to his family every month, he couldn't save a single penny.
What was he going to do!
"Liam Bernthal, think of a solution quickly. I've already begged all our relatives, no one wants to spend any more money. I'm useless, I've dragged your father down, and I've dragged you down..."
His mother's voice became even more distraught over the phone, causing Liam Bernthal even more pain.
"Mom, don't say these things! I'll figure out the money, I will definitely make the doctor do the surgery for my father first!"
The call ended, and Liam Bernthal couldn't even hold onto the tea knife in his hand.
The knife fell on the table as he agonizingly covered his face.
Oh heavens, why are you treating me like this!
"What the hell! Liam Bernthal, what the hell are you doing! What's wrong with this computer!"
Andrew Siega, who had just finished taking a dump, immediately noticed the broken computer screen and exploded in anger.
"You smashed my 80,000-dollar computer?"
Andrew Siega grabbed Liam Bernthal by the collar.
Liam Bernthal thought of his girlfriend's affair and instinctively wanted to grab the knife on the table.
But reality made him realize everything.
As long as he could save his seriously injured father, even if it meant death, he would have no regrets.
Liam Bernthal lowered his head.
"Mr.Siega... Mr.Siega, I'm sorry! I want to borrow money from you, just 30,000 dollars is enough! Please, I'm begging you!"
Andrew Siega didn't expect Liam Bernthal to borrow money from him, and he laughed angrily.
"Are you crazy? You smashed my computer, and now you want to borrow money from me?"
"Do you know what you smashed? It's a computer worth 80,000 dollars! Do you know how much that is! It can buy half a house in the city!"
Andrew Siega shook Liam Bernthal hard: "You have to compensate me, every single penny, or I'll make you rot in jail for the rest of your life."
Liam Bernthal clenched his teeth tightly: "Andrew Siega!"
Andrew Siega was shocked by his shout.
"I found out about you and my girlfriend!"
"As long as you lend me 30,000 dollars, I won't blame you. Otherwise... otherwise I..."
Madness flashed in Liam Bernthal's eyes.
Otherwise, we will destroy each other!
Andrew Siega was taken aback by these words and subconsciously looked at the computer screen.
It displayed his chat history with Laurie Holden.
It turns out Liam Bernthal knew everything.
Andrew Siega laughed instead of getting angry.
"Damn it, you dare to threaten me? Let me tell you what kind of person I used to be!"
He grabbed Liam Bernthal's collar and punched him in the face.
Bang!
Liam Bernthal, caught off guard, was hit in the face and fell backwards.
He instinctively reached out for something to support himself, and happened to touch the shattered monitor.
Crack!
Liam Bernthal felt his mind filled with the roaring sound of machinery, a numbness spreading through his body, and then he fainted.
- Writer
