A Wealthy Man Humiliates a Humble Mechanic, Unaware of His Real Father — Part 2

Previously: When a wealthy snob sneers at a grease-stained mechanic and forbids him from marrying his daughter, he has no idea that the young man's father is the most powerful tycoon in the city.

The Mask of Confidence Slips

Marcus’s smug smile began to falter as he registered the sheer gravity in the older man’s tone. He scoffed, trying to regain his footing. "Your son? This grease monkey is your son? Do you even know who I am? I run Apex Logistics. I can have this pathetic shop shut down by tomorrow morning!" Marcus barked, adjusting his sunglasses in a desperate attempt to look intimidating.

Robert didn't blink. He slowly reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a sleek leather wallet, and handed a gold-embossed business card to Marcus. "I know exactly who you are, Marcus. But you clearly have no idea who I am," Robert said calmly. Marcus snatched the card, his eyes scanning the elegant gold lettering. The color drained from his face instantly. His hands began to tremble.

The card bore the name of Robert Vance, the majority shareholder of Vance Enterprises—the global conglomerate that had literally funded Apex Logistics' expansion. In fact, Marcus’s company was currently in the middle of a delicate multi-million-dollar merger with Robert's firm. One word from Robert, and Marcus’s entire empire would collapse overnight.

"Mr. Vance... I—I had no idea,"

Marcus stammered, his voice suddenly squeaky. He looked back and forth between the billionaire and the young mechanic in the dirty jumpsuit.

Robert stepped closer, his shadow looming over the terrified businessman. "My son, Leo, chose to work from the bottom up to learn our family's automotive supply chain. He wanted to earn his respect, not buy it like you did," Robert explained, his voice dripping with disdain. "And you dared to lay your hands on him because you thought he was beneath you."

Marcus began to sweat profusely, realizing that his pride had just walked him straight into a financial firing squad. He desperately looked at Leo, hoping for a shred of mercy.