Chapter 637 Ryder is Lazy and Stupid!
"I may be thinking too far ahead," Brent said carefully, "but this concern seems worth discussing."
He leaned forward, his expression serious. "Currently, six major families dominate Texas, all headquartered in Aurora City. Two are super-families—the Newmans and the Wolfs—each with assets exceeding $100 billion. The remaining four first-tier families each control over $50 billion."
Brent paused before continuing. "The truth is, the Young family was significantly overvalued. When we tallied their actual assets, they barely reached $20 billion. So while Maple Group only gained about $20 billion through this acquisition, the outside world now views us as Texas's third super-family."
Ryder smiled faintly. "So you're worried the Newmans and Wolfs might unite against us?"
"Not worried—certain," Brent replied. "According to my sources, the Newman and Wolf families are planning a business marriage alliance. This news emerged immediately after we acquired the Young family. The timing is clearly deliberate."
His voice betrayed his unease.
Ryder shrugged dismissively. "Don't worry about what hasn't happened yet. If they are targeting Maple Group with this alliance, we'll handle it when the time comes."
Brent nodded with a bitter smile. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it. You're right—our immediate priority should be properly integrating the Young family assets and merging the Treasure Hunt and GoldenEagle projects. If we succeed there, we won't need to worry about the Newmans or Wolfs."
"Ambitious, aren't we?" Ryder laughed.
"And you're not?" Brent countered.
Ryder spread his hands. "Of course I am! With you on board, Maple Group will become number one in Texas—then we'll expand to Capital City!"
"Exactly!" Brent agreed, laughing.
Two ambitious young men in their mid-twenties, united by ambition and a desire for retribution, determined to create something extraordinary together.
After their meeting, Ryder reported to his courier station.
Maple Group's Passion Logistics Management Company operated an impressive network in Aurora City: thirty branch offices, each overseeing one or two delivery stations.
In total, eighty-three stations dotted the city, each with a station manager and between ten to twenty couriers.
This logistics system's scale and efficiency surpassed anything in other states—even Capital City couldn't match Aurora City's delivery infrastructure.
Despite the system's sophistication, Ryder had identified several inefficiencies during his previous days working as a courier.
From company regulations to implementation procedures, there was room for improvement.
Continuing his frontline work would help him identify more issues to optimize the logistics system and better serve the public.
This thought filled Ryder with renewed enthusiasm as he drove to the station.
The station manager, Calista Day, was a formidable middle-aged woman with an imposing physique.
Tough and intimidating to everyone except Rex, around whom she transformed into a shy, blushing admirer.
Despite Rex's obliviousness to romantic matters, he had no shortage of female admirers. Calista, however, showed nothing but contempt for Ryder.
"Look who finally decided to show up for work!" she barked when Ryder entered. "Where's Rex?"
"Ms. Day, Rex is ill and won't be coming in for a while," Ryder explained.
Calista's demeanor instantly changed. "Rex is sick? What's wrong? Is it serious?"
"Nothing major—just a leg injury. He needs at least a month to recover."
"Even minor illnesses require proper care to prevent complications," she fretted. "Where does he live? I should visit him."
Calista continued until Ryder assured her that Rex was receiving excellent care. Her expression immediately darkened.
"What are you standing around for?" she shouted. "You've been absent for a week! Lazy and incompetent! And tell Rex that if he's not back in a month, both of you are fired!"
Ryder nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
"Hmph. By the way, do you have Mr. Wallace's contact information? You three seemed close."
"Mr. Wallace?"
"Yes! Brent, the Maple Group director who owns this logistics company!"
Calista looked at Ryder with disdain. "A courier like you probably spends your free time playing video games instead of watching Aurora City business news. Mr. Wallace was just experiencing frontline work—he couldn't possibly have any real connection with someone lazy like you."
Ryder struggled not to laugh. Earlier, Calista had lumped him and Brent together as "lazy and incompetent," while treating Rex with respect. Now Brent had become the esteemed "Mr. Wallace," while Ryder alone remained the target of her scorn.
As Calista continued berating him, other couriers cast sympathetic glances his way.
After shouting until her throat grew dry, Calista gulped down a container of water. She then planted her hands on her substantial waist, which dwarfed the water container.
"Since Rex isn't here, you'll handle his deliveries too!"
Without further discussion, she assigned Ryder additional packages, marking several areas on the map that he needed to cover.
"Remember," she said with satisfaction, "all these must be delivered today. If you can't handle it, you might as well pack up and leave!"
"Do you understand?" she bellowed.
Ryder inhaled sharply at the mountain of additional deliveries. It was an impossible workload.
Though tempted to reveal his identity or use his connections to have Calista fired, he decided against it. "Yes," he answered meekly.
"Speak up! I can't hear you!"
"YES! I'll deliver everything tonight!" Ryder promised loudly.
"Then what are you waiting for? Get moving! Even as a gigolo, you'd be worthless!"
Swallowing his anger, Ryder organized the packages and set off on his bicycle.
He worked tirelessly, delivering packages house by house throughout the day. Lunch consisted of a hastily eaten sandwich to save time.
By seven in the evening, Ryder had just one delivery remaining.
He'd deliberately saved this one for last. It was a cash-on-delivery package ordered that morning, with a special note from the buyer:
[I live on the twentieth floor. Both elevators are broken, so please use the stairs. The package must arrive tonight! I'll provide extra compensation.]
Arriving at the apartment building, Ryder confirmed the elevators were indeed under maintenance.
After calling to verify the buyer was home, he took a deep breath and began climbing the stairs.
Was it his imagination, or was this building exceptionally tall?
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