217 Chapter 217 – A Friendship Fractured by Ambition
“I see it clearly,” I said, disappointment settling heavy in my chest.
“We’ll discuss your future with the company later,” Finn cut him off coldly.
“Growing up doesn’t mean selling your soul.”
“Liam? Is that you?”
“Give it back!” she demanded.
His tone made it clear he expected immediate compliance–the voice of a man accustomed to being obeyed.
“You haven’t heard the last of this!” she threatened, voice quavering.
She backed away, grabbing her remaining phone and tripod.
He hesitated, then returned it to Yoyo, who snatched it back triumphantly.
“Professional?” I echoed. “There’s nothing professional about making someone lick your shoes for entertainment.”
“The Thornton family’s instructions were very clear,” she said. “Whatever you request is to be provided without question.”
Finn laughed, a sharp, brittle sound. “Still the idealist, I see. While you’ve been clinging to your principles, I’ve been building a career. See the difference?” He gestured at his expensive watch and tailored suit.
“And the worker who was being harassed?”
“You think you’re some kind of hero?” she shrieked. “My followers will destroy you! Do you even know who I am?”
As they started to walk away, I called out, “He won’t be fired.”
Instead, he sighed heavily. “Yoyo is one of our premium influencers, Liam. Her content brings thousands of visitors to our resort.”
His smile tightened. “Liam/you’re a guest here. I suggest you enjoy the facilities and leave management issues to those of us who understand the business.”
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Finn’s expression shifted immediately. He looked from Yoyo to me with growing
concern.
I explained the situation concisely–how Yoyo had tried to humiliate the worker over an accidental scuff on her shoes, demanding he lick them clean.
“Finn,” I said, genuinely pleased despite the circumstances. “I didn’t know
here.”
you worked
Eamon raised an eyebrow as we followed Niamh toward the administrative building. “Sir, was that wise? Creating conflict when we’re here for cultivation purposes?”
“Things aren’t always what they seem,” I said simply.
Before I could answer, Yoyo rushed to Finn’s side, her face streaked with tears that hadn’t been there seconds before.
The worker stood awkwardly between us, embarrassment and fear written across his face.
Twenty minutes later, as requested, there was a sharp knock on the door. Niamh called for the person to enter.
Finn checked his watch with exaggerated impatience. “If we’re done with this little reunion, I have actual work to do.” He turned to Yoyo. “Let me escort you where we can discuss compensation.”
to my
office
“I’ll personally ensure his position is secure,” she promised. “Director Langley may be in marketing, but I oversee operations?
The dismissal in his tone was unmistakable. I stared at him, searching for any trace of the friend who had once shared my sense of justice. There was nothing but cold ambition in his eyes.
“What happened to you?” I asked quietly.
A mocking smile spread across Finn’s face. “And who are you to make that decision Liam? Last I checked, you’re nobody here.”
“And one more thing,” I added. “I’d like you to call Director Langley to your office in about twenty minutes.”
I nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”
<
217 Chapter 217 – A Friendship Fractured by Ambition
Before she could finish, I took the phone again and dropped it on the ground. The
screen cracked satisfyingly against the concrete.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re firing him? Over this?”
“Less expensive than a man’s dignity,” I replied. “Now leave before I decide to break the
other one too.”
“I keep my promises,” I replied evenly. “Always have.”
Her expression shifted from anger to shock, then to calculation. Slowly, with theatrical reluctance, she lowered herself to her knees, clearly thinking this would make her look sympathetic to her viewers.
“Liam, what are you doing here?” he demanded. “Get out. I’ll deal with you
The emphasis on that last word stung.
She backed away, still filming. “Make me!”
after work.”
I sighed, feeling the weight of disappointment. “Some conflicts find us, Eamon. I didn’t create this one–time did.”
He shook his head with exasperated amusement. “Whatever. Enjoy your stay, old friend.” The last two words dripped with sarcasm.
I turned toward the familiar voice, surprised to see Finn Langley approaching. My childhood friend looked different–designer clothes, styled hair, the confident stride of someone who had climbed the corporate ladder. It had been years since we’d last spoken.
Confusion crossed his features, but he nodded gratefully before walking away.
“Liam, what’s going on?” he asked, his voice cooler than before.
I stepped forward, disbelief giving way to anger. “Finn, this isn’t right and you know it.”
His smile seemed genuine as he clasped my hand. “Director of Marketing. What brings you to our little slice of paradise?”
“I’m sorry,” she said flatly to the worker, her eyes hard as stones.
“I grew up,” he replied flatly. “Maybe you should try it sometime.”
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217 Chapter 217–A Friendship Fractured by Ambition
I blinked, processing his words. “So that makes what she did okay?”
“The worker,” I clarified. “He won’t be losing his job over this.”
Niamh and I exchanged glances, and for the first time since arriving, I allowed myself a small smile.
“Clearly,” he scoffed. “Look, our friendship was a lifetime ago. Don’t think it gives you any say in how I run things.”
“What are you-” she began.
She hesitated only briefly before nodding. “Consider it done.”
Something snapped inside me. I moved forward with deliberate steps, noting how she flinched when I entered her personal space. Without breaking eye contact, I plucked the phone from her hands.
Finn’s face darkened. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Liam. It’s pathetic.”
“I won’t apologize for standing up for someone who can’t defend themselves,” I said firmly, watching the female streamer–Yoyo–stomp away in humiliation.
Before I could say more, Yoyo whirled around, her face contorted with rage. She’d been filming on a second phone, and now she thrust it toward me, broadcasting live.
The construction worker looked uncomfortable. “It’s okay, sir. I don’t need this.”
She shot me a victorious look through fake tears. “Thank you, Director Langley. I knew you’d understand the value of my platform.”
“Director Langley!” she cried dramatically. “This–this violent man attacked me and broke my phone! He forced me to kneel in the dirt!”
I stepped closer, my patience evaporating. “No, and I don’t care. What I do know is that you’re a bully who gets off on humiliating others for clicks.”
Finn placed a hand on Yoyo’s shoulder. “Of course not, but there are ways to handle these situations… professionally.”
“That’s not your concern,” Finn replied tersely. He turned to Yoyo with a practiced smile. “Ms. Yoyo, I deeply apologize for this incident. The resort will of course replace your damaged phone and compensate you for this unfortunate experience.”
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“When you kneel and apologize to that man,” I countered. “Seems fair, doesn’t it? The same humiliation you wanted to inflict on him?”
The man’s face fell. “Sir, I-”
The words were calculated to wound, to remind me of our divergent paths. Once, we’d been equals–two kids from the same neighborhood with similar dreams. Now he stood before me, flaunting his success, wielding it like a weapon.
The construction worker approached me, gratitude etched across his weathered face. “Thank you, sir. Not many would’ve stepped in like that.”
Yoyo lunged for the phone, but I easily held it out of reach.
If she was surprised by my authoritative tone, she didn’t show it. “Of course, Mr. Knight. Whatever you need.”
Her eyes widened at my directness. “How dare you! I have three million followers!”
Something flickered across his face–perhaps regret, perhaps annoyance at being questioned.
Finn turned to the construction worker, his expression hardening. “You should have been more careful. You know influencers use these grounds for content creation.”
I nodded, remembering all too well how it felt to be powerless. “Everyone deserves
dignity.”
“You’ll regret this,” she hissed at me, then turned again to her livestream. “Did you all see how this man assaulted me? He forced me to kneel! I’m going to sue-”
Finn strode in confidently, a folder tucked under his arm. When he spotted me sitting across from Niamh, his expression darkened instantly.
Finn paused, turning slowly. “Excuse me?”
Yoyo’s mouth fell open. “You–you broke my phone! Do you know how expensive that
was?”
I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Go back to work. You have my
job is secure.”
I handed him the phone. “The choice is yours.”
word–your
11:18
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“And not an ounce of decency,” I replied coolly. “Put the phone down.”
I turned my back on her, effectively dismissing her from my mind. Eamon gave me a slight nod of approval while Niamh looked nervous but impressed.
After they departed, I turned to Niamh, who had watched the entire exchange with wide eyes. “Ms. Rhodes, I’d like to speak with you privately about securing a specific villa area. And I’ll need it fenced off immediately.”
The construction worker nodded vigorously. “It’s true, sir. She was filming it all, making fun of me to her followers.”
In Niamh’s spacious office, I explained exactly what I needed for my stay. To her credit, she didn’t question why a guest would require such specific arrangements or
extensive privacy.
Finn’s face remained impassive as he listened. When I finished, I expected the friend I remembered–the one who had once stood up against bullies with me when we were
kids–to understand.
“Enough,” I said, holding the phone up to address her audience directly. “To everyone watching–is this really who you want to support? Someone who demands a working man lick her shoes over an accidental scuff?”
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