Chapter 133: Who Will Be Hired?
Chapter 133 of "Suddenly, I Am Rich" starts unfolding: Chapter 133: Who Will Be Hired?Joel was the first to answer.He straightened slightly in his... Discover more!
Chapter 133: Who Will Be Hired?Joel was the first to answer.
He straightened slightly in his seat as if trying to collect his thoughts before speaking.
"Iâll be honest, sir," Joel began, his voice calm but a little rough around the edges. "If I donât get the job, Iâll just keep looking."
He gave a soft chuckle, almost self-conscious.
"Itâs what Iâve always done since my store closed. Sometimes it takes weeks. Sometimes months. But eventually, I know that Iâll find something."
He glanced down for a second, rubbing the back of his thumb along the edge of his other hand.
"But this one felt different. Iâd be lying if I said the stability and the pay didnât matter, but for me, itâs really about the people. I really like the atmosphere of this company."
Since this was supposed to be a conversation, Joel thought it was better to keep his answers true to himself.
After a second, he looked back up, meeting Grayâs eyes.
"Iâm not desperate, sir. But Iâm tired of jumping from place to place. I was hoping this would be the last time Iâd have to start over again."
As Joel finished, Gray felt something shift before his eyes.
The amber halo surrounding Joel flared. It became brighter and warmer. It didnât just glow anymore. Tiny golden specks began to flicker through it, like sparks of light rising from a flame.
He meant every word...
Gray swallowed quietly. His chest felt tighter. But it wasnât just from pain or heaviness. It was also because he was relieved that the man was true to his words.
After Joel, Gray turned toward Clarisse.
She had been listening carefully. Throughout, her face remained calm and unreadable. But as Joelâs voice faded and the silence returned, she inhaled softly and lifted her chin.
And thenâ
The smoke surrounding her shimmered again.
Gray narrowed his eyes as he watched.
Different from Joel, the smoke on Clarisseâs body turned darker.
"Iâll answer too," Clarisse said, her voice still controlled and smooth. "If I donât get this job..."
She paused, just long enough for everyone to wonder what came next.
"...then Iâll just come back and help with our family business. Itâll be disappointing, of course. But Iâll be fine."
Her eyes flicked toward Joel for the briefest second before returning to Gray.
"Iâve always been practical. I donât let setbacks stop me. If this doesnât work, Iâll take what I learned and move forward. Thatâs how Iâve gotten through life."
She smiled politely.
"I appreciate being here. And if I donât make it, I still appreciate the opportunity to be considered."
Gray didnât answer immediately.
He didnât need to.
Because the smoke surrounding her darkened again.
The white was still there, buried underneath. But it was being pulled under by something heavierâsomething faintly greyish.
Gray slowly blinked and deactivated the skill.
Grayâs vision dimmed as the last remnants of the glow vanished. The flickering halos were gone, but the effect still clung to his eyes as if he were still seeing things.
When everything faded, a sharp throb echoed behind his temples, pulsing with each heartbeat.
He blinked slowly and shifted in his chair, suppressing the grunt that almost left his throat.
His limbs felt heavy, and a slow, creeping fog began to wrap around the edges of his mind.
It wasnât painful, but it wasnât comfortable either.
It felt like his entire body had just been drained of its energy.
He rested his forearms on the table and clasped his hands together, just to prevent himself from slumping forward.
Caesarâs voice cut through the silence.
"Is that all?"
Gray didnât answer right away.
His eyes were still on the two across from him.
The fatigue didnât just press down on his body. It also dulled his thoughts. But he couldnât let it show.
"Yes," he replied finally, his voice softer than usual. "Thatâs all."
Marcus raised a brow but didnât speak.
Joel looked between them, a trace of unease flickering across his face.
"Um... should we...?"
Gray forced a nod, his shoulders stiff.
"You may go. Thank you for coming back so quickly. Youâll know the result soon."
Joel stood first, offering a polite bow.
"Thank you, sir. Whatever the outcome, I appreciate the chance."
Clarisse rose too, as if not wanting to be outdone.
"Me too, sir," she said, smiling. "Iâll wait to hear from you soon."
The two exited the room soon after. They nodded politely toward Ms. Lopez, who held the door for them once more. The door clicked shut gently behind them.
And the moment it didâ
Gray leaned back, shut his eyes, and exhaled slowly.
His body felt like it had just run a marathon on no sleep.
"Are you okay?" Marcus quickly asked.
Gray didnât respond immediately. Instead, he lifted one hand and pressed his fingers against his temple, massaging slowly.
"Iâm fine," he muttered, though his pale complexion and the beads of sweat near his forehead said otherwise.
"But Gray..." Caesar stood and crossed his arms, frowning slightly. "What the hell was that?"
"That... was a confirmation," Gray replied, barely above a whisper.
Marcus tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Gray opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling for a moment.
He didnât have the strength to explain everything. Not now. But he knew he should give them something.
"I saw what I needed to see," he said. "Joelâs genuine. Clarisse isnât."
Caesar and Marcus exchanged a glance.
Marcus pulled out his pen again, tapping it idly against the pad.
"Youâre sure?"
Gray let out a breath and nodded once, firm despite the weight dragging at his spine.
"Iâm sure."
Caesar arched a brow. "Based on a feeling?"
Gray didnât answer that. Not directly.
"Nope," he said. "But for now... Iâve made my decision."
His voice dropped slightly.
"Letâs hire Joel."
Marcus stared at him for a moment, then gave a faint nod. "Alright. Iâll get the paperwork ready."
Caesar, though skeptical, didnât argue. He sighed through his nose, then turned toward the window with a mutter.
"I was also leaning toward him, so I guess itâs no problem for me."
"Thanks..." Gray responded in a low voice.
Only now did he realize just how much the skill had taken from him.