Chapter 657 Recruiting Ryder!
Since Zane outranked her, Calista could only smile awkwardly and endure the humiliation.
Afterward, Zane and Calista went inside to discuss "business matters" while Ryder remained outside counting inventory.
As he worked, several colleagues with impeccable timing suddenly appeared to help him move packages. Someone even bought him coffee. Two or three of these helpful colleagues were the same ones who had previously mocked him.
"Ryder, look at your injured hand! Let me take care of these packages for you."
"Hey Ryder, I just bought this coffee. Have some!"
"Ryder, this doesn't look good. Have you had that hand checked at the hospital?"
Ryder kept his responses simple: "Thanks!" "Sure." "It's not that serious."
As they chatted, his colleagues mentioned: "Since you and Martin are old classmates, don't forget about us when you make it big!"
"Wouldn't dream of it," Ryder replied casually. They'd be working together daily, so he knew to maintain appearances. Those three years as a submissive son-in-law had taught him the necessary social graces.
Soon, his colleagues eagerly finished all of Ryder's work, then gradually left for the day. Ryder realized it was time for him to clock out too. Considering what had happened earlier, he decided to inform Zane and Calista before leaving.
The door wasn't fully closed. Through the gap, Ryder could hear them talking—unmistakably Zane and Calista.
"At the rate we're going, I guarantee we'll be able to buy a villa in Aurora City within six months," Zane was saying.
Calista sounded surprised: "Six months? That's impossible!"
Zane lowered his voice: "Think about it. From just this one delivery station, we're pocketing at least $100,000 a month. Passion Logistics has dozens of stations, and I'm the company's deputy manager. That's easily over a million dollars monthly! As logistics operations expand, making ten million in half a year will be a piece of cake."
Ryder was shocked by what he was hearing. He accidentally bumped his injured arm and couldn't help but let out a hiss of pain.
"Who's there?" An alert voice came from inside.
Zane rushed out immediately. Seeing Ryder standing at the door, he relaxed a bit.
No point in being subtle now. "You heard what we were talking about?" Zane asked directly.
Ryder's eyes shifted nervously. "No... I didn't hear anything."
"Look at him—he obviously heard! Calista, we should fire him before he starts running his mouth around the company!"
Calista approached, glaring at Ryder.
"I... I didn't hear much! Just that you're taking kickbacks from the company... enough to buy a villa in Aurora City!" Ryder stammered, his eyes revealing a hint of hope.
Calista was alarmed and moved to dismiss Ryder immediately. However, Zane stopped her. He laughed: "No need to be so harsh. This could actually work in our favor! Besides, Ryder has a college degree but is working as a delivery guy—our station lucked out!"
"This delivery station is all manual labor. What desk job could he possibly do?" Calista sounded frustrated.
A college graduate delivering packages did seem pitiful. She hadn't even finished elementary school, yet she had achieved more than him! The thought gave her a strange sense of accomplishment.
Zane continued, "Ryder was always in the top three in math in his department! You're always struggling with the accounts. He could help us with the numbers. We're all on the same team now—no need to hide anything."
Calista brightened: "That's perfect! I really need an accountant. It's been hard getting the logistics money into my pocket without raising suspicions from above!"
"Logistics money? Isn't that company money?" Ryder looked confused.
Zane shook his head. "You can't get rich with physical labor. You need to use your brain! Think about all the cash flowing through logistics every day. We just need to skim a little off the top, and we'll be swimming in money!"
He patted Ryder's shoulder. "Now, you help us with the books, make sure the logistics operations look normal, and of course, we'll cut you in on the kickbacks."
Zane and Calista exchanged knowing smiles. Clearly, they'd been skimming for quite some time.
Real company parasites, Ryder thought angrily, though he maintained a naive expression. "Really? I could buy a house in Aurora City too?"
"Absolutely! And didn't you say you have a beautiful wife to support? Without money, that pretty wife of yours will eventually run off with someone else!" Zane added.
Ryder nodded calmly. "This does seem like a good way to get rich."
"Now you're thinking straight! We'll work together, and when old man Eli goes back to Maple Group as chairman, I'll take over as general manager of Passion Logistics. Then I'll make sure you get a logistics department manager position!"
"Thank you so much!"
"Come on, just call me by my first name like before! We're not strangers!"
That evening, Zane had planned to take Ryder for barbecue, but considering Ryder's injury, they opted for something lighter.
Zane was thrilled. Bringing down the once high-and-mighty Ryder and watching him act so respectfully was exhilarating! He believed that with his manipulation, Ryder would become an obedient puppet—maybe even willingly offer up his beautiful wife!
Ryder, meanwhile, was curious. How had Zane—with neither ability nor family connections—managed to become deputy manager at Passion Logistics?
At dinner, Ryder casually brought it up.
Zane's expression changed instantly. He changed the subject, clearly unwilling to discuss it.
Ryder didn't press further.
Zane sipped his coconut chicken soup and smacked his lips. "By the way, do you know why I came to your delivery station today?"
"To check accounts with Calista?"
"No! I usually do accounting on Fridays, but today's Thursday. Actually, I came at Saskia's request!"
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