Chapter 3: Blessing Or A Curse?
"Blacklisted."
The word echoed in Asher’s head as he sat still in his car, staring blankly ahead. The crushing weight of the corporate rejection was secondary to the profound betrayal it implied. All his life, he was hidden away by his family, never brought out to socialize with any noble house or family. Who could he have offended to blacklist him?
His father came to his mind, but he quickly dismissed the idea. The patriarch of the Starfire Empire was a man of cold calculation; he didn’t waste resources on petty spite. Although his father was ruthless, he will only do something that will benefit him. Blacklisting his son won’t get him anywhere.
So Asher cleared him off, and shifted his target:
’The ones who could fuck me up are my step siblings... Those bastards, taking me out of the family wasn’t enough, and now you’re targeting me!’ He gritted his teeth in rage, fist clenched tightly on the steering wheel. They couldn’t stand the thought of him surviving on his own, even in exile. They wanted to see him crawl.
’The worst part is, I can’t move up to them... Those rich kids will simply deny it, and that might backfire.’ Asher exhaled a deep breath, and relaxed on his seat. Anger wouldn’t put food on the table, and right now, survival was the only thing that mattered. Rushing wasn’t a good idea. For him, he needed to look for a way to make money.
He picked up his phone on the passenger’s seat, and switched it on, staring at his balance. The digital numbers mocked him.
"Only One thousand dollars. How can I feed my wives with this small money? We won’t even last this week, I must find a way, I can’t let them starve, especially not Sara." He exhaled, feeling the heavy burden of being the only pillar holding up their fragile household. And before he could drop his phone, a call came up.
"Unknown number?"
With a confused expression, Asher answered the call, placing the phone beside his ear:
"Who is this?"
"Are you Juliana’s husband?!!"
An anxious female’s voice sounded from the other end, filled with fear.
"Huh?! Yes. I am her husband!" Asher yelled, instantly getting alert.
’What did she do again?’ He thought to himself. She was a walking powder keg, but she was his responsibility now. But the Lady’s next word stunned him in place.
"She is in trouble in the community’s market!! A fight might break out soon, please hurry over!!!"
"How dare you say I copied you?!!"
Asher froze, the second voice was clearly Juliana’s, but what is she doing at the Community’s market? He quickly disconnected the call, and started the car.
Their current house is located in a community, at the far northern district of the city, it was a small peaceful community. Due to the community location, the Leaders came to a decision, which resulted to the market.
Truthfully, the market has been very helpful to the residents in the neighborhood, they buy and sell items and goods, some residents even opened business inside, but that still cost money. The main question is;
Why was Juliana in the market?!!
The car shot through the road, as Asher hurried back as fast as he can, praying he wouldn’t be too late.
____
[Community Market.]
At the moment, Onlookers had gathered all over the place, surrounding the group of people in the center. On one side were six people, five men, and a woman, and the other side was two ladies.
"Don’t worry, I have called Asher. He is on the way." The young woman who had just spoken to Asher on the phone, turned to Juliana, her face paled.
"Why did you call him? I can handle this alone." Juliana stated in a low voice, looking at the lady over her shoulder.
"I... I..." She stammered, but the fat woman opposite them yelled, pointing at the bags of wool scarves and jackets on the ground:
"How dare you plagiarize my work and claimed they are yours?!!"
"How many times should I tell you!! I made these myself, and never copied it from anyone!! I don’t even know you!" Juliana yelled at her, her teeth gritted in rage. She had stayed up half the night working her fingers to the bone, only to be accused by a local tyrant.
"Hmph! You aren’t even 20, and you’re already plagiarizing others’ works, I wonder what you will turn into in the future!! As for compensation, and the trouble you placed me in, I will take the money you made today!! And don’t you dare say I am bullying you!! You copied my design and way of knitting, so any money you made is mine!" She said, and pointed a greedy finger at the bags:
"These bags are also mine."
"You?!!! Do you think I will let you get your hands on my stuff?!! I already said it, and I will repeat myself! I didn’t plagiarize any of your work... This is also my first time coming to this market, and seeing your old ugly fat face!!" Juliana yelled, not backing down.
"How dare you insult me?!!! Today, I will teach you a very good lesson!! Boys, each of you must give her two slaps each!! The louder the slap, the more I will increase your pay!" She yelled with disdain, pointing a finger at Juliana’s nose.
"Hey!! It hasn’t gotten to this!!"
The lady who called Asher quickly got in front of Juliana, her arms spread wide:
"This is a world governed by law!! You can’t just hit someone and get away with it!" She yelled at them, trembling but standing firm.
"Lady, please move out of the way!" A muscular man said, cracking his knuckles, a cruel smirk on his face:
"I don’t want to hurt anyone else in the process, as you can see, my hands don’t have eyes." He added, staring down at the woman.
’These five men, they are D-ranks Awakeners, this big man is even a C-Rank.’ Juliana thought, and lowered her gaze to her bags on the ground, her teeth clenched in anger.
"Boss, just shove this lady aside, and let’s slap that slut!" Another said, staring at the lady with a deep frown on his face.
"Yes."
The five men nodded their heads, staring at the two women like predators stalking their prey, waiting for the signal to strike.