Chapter 23: Saving The Desperate Hopeless Boss Who Left His Workers To Suffer

The next morning, Ryan finally decided to take the first step.

For the past few days, he had been thinking about the same thing.

The Time Selling business.

It was no longer enough for him to simply sell people’s lifespan whenever someone happened to find him.

If he wanted to become a true Time Seller, he needed something bigger.

He needed an organization.

A company.

A proper place where people could come to him.

A place where wealthy clients could request his services, where contracts could be handled properly, and where Michelle could manage everything while he focused on what only he could do.

Ryan sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone.

His account balance was enough to make almost any ordinary person lose their mind.

{Account Balance: $58,845,000.}

He had gone from having almost nothing to possessing a fortune in a matter of days.

And yet, Ryan wasn’t interested in wasting it on expensive cars, mansions, or other things that would only make him look rich.

He wanted to build something.

Something that could grow.

Something that could eventually become known throughout the world.

’If I’m really going to do this, I need a headquarters first.’

Ryan stood up.

He picked up his jacket and put it on.

’And I’m not renting.’

He had already made up his mind...

’I’m going to buy a building.’

’A real one.’

’A place that would belong to me.’

...

Zion City had no shortage of large companies.

The city was filled with towering buildings, luxurious offices, banks, corporations, shopping centers, and businesses that had been operating for decades.

But not every company in the city was successful.

Some were barely surviving, and some were already dying.

One of those companies was located in a relatively quiet business district.

The building wasn’t exactly impressive.

It was large enough to accommodate a decent number of workers, but the paint on the exterior had begun to fade.

Some of the windows were old.

The entrance looked like it hadn’t been renovated in years.

It was obvious that the company wasn’t doing well.

Very badly, in fact.

Ryan stepped out of his car and looked at the building.

’This should work.’

He wasn’t looking for something luxurious, as he wanted something spacious enough to turn into the headquarters of his company.

And more importantly...

He wanted something he could buy immediately.

Ryan walked through the entrance.

A few employees glanced at him as he entered.

He wasn’t dressed extravagantly.

There were no bodyguards surrounding him or an assistant following behind him.

He simply walked in wearing a simple outfit and black glasses.

He approached the reception desk.

"Excuse me."

The receptionist looked up.

"Yes?"

"I’d like to see your boss," Ryan said.

The receptionist looked slightly confused.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"Then I’m afraid you’ll have to..."

"Just tell him Ryan Calender is here."

The receptionist paused.

There was something about the way Ryan said it.

He wasn’t arrogant or rude but simply spoke as though he expected to be seen.

The receptionist picked up the phone and called the boss’s office.

A few seconds later, she put it down.

"He’s in his office."

Ryan nodded.

"Thank you."

He turned around and walked toward the elevator.

The receptionist watched him leave, as she genuinely couldn’t help but wonder who he was.

...

Inside the boss’s office...

A completely different situation was unfolding.

The company’s owner sat behind his desk with both hands placed on his head.

His eyes were fixed on the documents scattered across his desk.

Invoices... Bank statements, loan notices, bills, and debt collection letters!

He had spent years building this company.

Years!

And now, it was collapsing right in front of him.

His fingers trembled as he looked at one particular document.

($1.2 million.)

That was how much the company owed.

One point two million dollars, and it was clear that he didn’t have it. That was definitely why his hand was on his head to start with.

The company’s income had been declining for months.

Customers had left and several contracts had been canceled.

The employees still needed their salaries, the building itself required maintenance as many could see, the bank wanted its money.

Suppliers wanted their money...

Everyone wanted something from him.

But he had nothing left to give.

He leaned back in his chair, as his breathing became heavier.

"What do I do?"

He stared blankly at the ceiling.

"I’m screwed."

He grabbed his hair.

How had things gotten this bad?

He had already sold several personal assets just to keep the company running.

His savings were almost gone.

His wife had begun asking him what they were going to do if the company collapsed.

He didn’t even have an answer, because the company wasn’t simply struggling anymore.

It was dying...!

And he was going down with it.

A knock suddenly came from the door, as the man immediately looked up.

"Come in."

The door opened as a young man in his very early twenties walked inside.

The owner frowned as he didn’t recognize him.

"Who are you?"

Ryan closed the door behind him.

"My name is Ryan Calender."

The man’s expression remained confused.

"Do we really have an appointment?"

"No." Ryan walked toward the desk with a smile that had no single stress.

"But I heard your company is in trouble."

The man’s face immediately changed the moment he heard that.

"What?"

Ryan pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down.

"I know about your debts."

The owner stared at him, his heart beating faster.

"Who told you about that?"

Ryan didn’t answer the question, as he genuinely didn’t need to. That wasn’t important, right?

Instead, he looked around the office.

The place wasn’t impressive.

But it had potential, for sure.

The building was large enough, and the location was decent. And even most importantly...The owner appeared to be a desperate figure.

Ryan looked back at him.

"I want to buy this building," he said calmly and casually.

The man’s mouth opened slightly.

"What??? Are you out of your..."

"I’ll give you two million dollars," Ryan suddenly interrupted.

And at that point, a deep silence exploded in the room.

The owner stared at Ryan as though he had just heard something completely unbelievable.

"Two..."

He swallowed.

"Two million?"

Ryan nodded. "For the building."

The owner stared at him, watching Ryan continue his speech.

"You can keep your company."

The man’s expression changed.

"You mean..."

"You can continue your business somewhere else." Ryan leaned back.

"I only need the building."

The owner couldn’t believe what he was hearing, as he couldn’t believe his eyes. It was an offer that was going to blow his mind if it hadn’t already.

He looked at Ryan.

Then at the documents on his desk.

Then back at Ryan.

Two million dollars.

His entire company was drowning under $1.2 million in debt.

And this stranger had just offered him two million dollars for the building alone.

It was more than enough.

More than enough to pay every debt!

More than enough to save himself from bankruptcy.

More than enough to start over, definitely!

He didn’t even bother negotiating.

"Deal."

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

"You’re accepting?"

"Yes!" He shouted.

The man stood up so quickly that his chair nearly fell backward.

"Yes! Of course!"

He rushed around the desk.

"I accept!"

Ryan remained seated.

The owner suddenly grabbed Ryan’s hand with both of his.

"Thank you."

Ryan blinked.

"Thank you so much!"

The man couldn’t control himself anymore, as his eyes had become red.

He had been drowning, and suddenly, someone had thrown him a lifeline.

He released Ryan’s hand.

Then...

He dropped to his knees.

Ryan’s eyes widened in awe, watching the main display different dramas.

"Sir?"

"I’m sorry."

The man lowered his head.

"Thank you." His voice trembled.

"You don’t understand what you’ve just done for me."

Ryan looked at him for a moment, a bit amazed. He wasn’t truly expecting a reaction of this height.

He had simply wanted the building.

But this man looked as though Ryan had just saved his entire life.

Perhaps, in a way, he had.

"Can we sign the paperwork now?"

Ryan stood up.

The owner quickly nodded.

"Of course."

He brought out a few papers and signed on some spaces, handing over to Ryan who immediately did the same.

After that, Ryan headed toward the door.

He then stopped at a point and turned back.

"One more thing."

The owner looked up.

"Yes?"

"Don’t worry about what happens next."

Ryan glanced around the office.

"You’ll be fine."

The owner nodded repeatedly.

"Thank you."

Ryan opened the door.

Then walked out.

The moment he disappeared down the hallway, the owner finally let out a long breath.

He had survived. At least for now.

He immediately began gathering his documents.

There was no time to waste.

He needed to settle his debts and find another place to continue his company.

As he stepped out of his office, several employees noticed him.

"Sir?"

The owner didn’t respond, as he simply walked past them.

"Boss?"

No response came, like their boss had suddenly turned deaf and mute.

He continued walking, causing the employees to look at one another in confusion.

Their boss had never behaved like this before, and suddenly he didn’t even stop to explain what was happening.

He simply walked toward the elevator.

Then disappeared.

A few seconds later, the elevator doors closed.

The employees were left standing there in confusion.

"What just happened?"

"I don’t know."

"He looked..."

One employee hesitated.

"We know he’s going through a lot, but has it gotten to the point of going nuts?"

Another employee lowered his voice.

"Or has the visitor done something to..."

Before he could finish.

Clap!

Everyone turned around.

Clap! Clap!

Three sharp claps echoed through the office, as every employee turned toward him.

Ryan adjusted his glasses.

He looked around at the confused faces...

Then smiled.

"Listen everyone!"

The entire office became silent.

Ryan looked at them.

And delivered his first order as the new owner of the building.

"You’re all fired."