Stephan rushed out in alarm, stumbling out of the office to find a horrifying sight.
A young woman was being pushed into a corner, a young man above hre. He quickly recognized him as Gerald Finerty, one of the security guards in the place.
The man never failed to remind him of his low reputation, often tripping him up or locking the building, sometimes preventing him from going home. Stephan had to swallow up his complaints as he knew that there was nothing he could do. Gerald was the nephew of the head guard of the building and got away with many things.
But this, he couldn't take.
The man's oversized frame was cornering the young woman. He could hear their voices from here.
"Please stop. I don't want this." she whimpered and Gerald laughed.
"Come on baby, you've already come here, I know what you wanted."
"N-no. I only came here to get my friend's things. I told she's sick-"
"Well she's not here now is she? And neither is anyone else. We're all alone. I can take anything I want."
"P-please."
"I tried it the nice way. Now it's time for the hard way."
At the sound of her scream and struggles Stephan's mind went blank. He couldn't control himself as he ran towards them. Without hesitation he pushed Gerald's away from the woman, pushing her behind him for protection.
His heart was racing and rage built up in his chest. To think there were people as despicable at this….
Gerald looked at him, eyeing the man. He quickly recognized him. Wasn't it Harry's little slave secretary and punching bag?
He hadn't accounted for him being here, but it didn't matter. What could he do anyways?
"Back off if you know what's good for you." Gerald sneered.
Stephan stiffened. Gerald although they were the same, Gerald had a fatter build, giving him an advantage to overpower him. Could he fight him?
No, but he could do something else.
"The lady said no." he said, standing firm as the woman whimpered behind him.
Gerald sneered. Is that what this bastard was going to play? In that case he was going to teach him a lesson.
Gerald sprung towards him, set on pushing him and Stephan moved quickly. Taking his phone out of his pocket, he quickly whispered to the woman.
Right before Gerald collided with him he pushed the woman away, taking the full brunt as he was pushed against the wall.
"I warned you. Now I'm going to beat the shit out of you."
"If I didn't interfere, you were going to assault an innocent woman. Do you deny it?" Stephan asked calmly.
Was he serious? Gerars laughed.
"What does it matter? Does she belong to you? Serves her right for meeting me. I'll deal with her later but you should be more worried about yourself." He grinned
" When I'm done with you you won't even be able to speak. I bet the big boss is still going to make you come to work. I can't wait to see you all black and bruised. Nobody will know anyways.".
Stephans eyes drifted to the side.
"Are you sure about that?" he asked, a hidden note in his tone. Gerard confused, followed his eyes and turned around only to stiffe.
Clearly at the side, was the young woman, a bright light emanating from the object he was holding. It was Stephan's phone, blinking light from his video camera. She has done exactly as he instructed her before he pushed her away.
He watched in satisfaction as the plump man's face turned white.
"You can get rid of the CCTV footage, but you can't get rid of this."
Gerard turned back to him, his face turning red.
"You-!"
Stephan felt his grip loosening and immediately knew what was coming as he was turning around.
Before Gerard could rush to the woman Stephan took advantage of the opportunity and struck Gerard harshly on the cheek. The man toppled to the floor instantly and didn't come back up.
Stephan breathed heavily. His head cleared as the adrenaline wore off, staring at the man. For a man who boasted so much strength he had been knocked out easily.
The sound of whimpering alerted him. The woman was crying. He rushed to her to comfort her.
"Hey, hey. It's okay." He breathed out. Before he knew it he was engulfed in a hug.
"T-t-thank you." she cried out, wiping her tears away, "My friend works in this office but she fell sick. She asked me to get some of her belongings and files. I knew it was too early but she needed them. When I came here, he was so welcoming. I didn't think…didn't know…"
His heart softened. She was just trying to help only to come across the wrong sort.
"You don't have to worry anymore. You're safe now." he assured her, "Go and get your things."
She passed his phone to him
"Thank you." she whispered, giving an appreciative smile, before slipping past him. Her shoes clicked into the distance and he smiled to himself.
He was about to leave when a voice rang in his head.
'Defeated Gerald Finerty. Inheritance Gained.'
Merit points gained; 200 points'
'Congratulations Subject. You have gained a total of 200 merit points and inherited Gerard Finley's worth of 20,000 dollars.'
Stephan couldn't believe his ears. 20,000 dollars?
That was over 4 times his monthly salary.
He stumbled back into his office, ignoring the ache in his back as the holographic monitor popped into his vision, showing the money and points.
"Are you serious?" he gasped, looking at the money displayed.
'Yes Subject. The money is being sent into your account as we speak.'
As if on cue, hios phone dinged and he saw the money.
'It is rightfully yours. By defeating and exposing Gerald Finley's and stopping his heinous acts, you inherited the wealth that was supposed to be given to him and by saving the young woman, you also gained he appreciation which turned into merit points. You can spend your merit points here to buy skills or resources or convert them to capital if you wish.'
The moitor switched showing a veriety of items but he couldn't pay attention to it as he processed the words. Inheritance? Doesn't that mean he has stolen from him? What would happen then?
'Do not feel bad or sorry for him, Subject. According to my database, everything he had he got from cheating others for rent. Were the money to land in his hands, it wouldn't be used for any good. Using the inheritance system, your money was rightfully gained in return for the deeds he has done. With the Oppressor's sight, I can detect those who are doing wrong and by punishing them, can inherit their wealth.'
He was slowly beginning to come to terms with his new predicament. Looking at the money it solidified in his mind that this was real.
It wasn't a bad thing. This opened so many possibilities to him!
"What do I do now?" he wondered out loud.
'So far Subject, your major obstacles remain the Woods family and Harry Reeves.'
Instantly his body turned cold and the air grew serious. The reminder of his death was still clear in his mind.
His fate was still the same. If he let things slide by like before he would face the same hurdle.
His thoughts hardened at the memory of Meghan and Harry in bed, mocking him. His in-Laws sending him out of the house and the last words he heard, Meghan laughing victoriously at his death.
He couldn't let that happen again.
He looked at the wedding band. Magan was still cheating on him and was likely doing it now. All the love he had for her died in his past life, now all he felt was Apathy.
He would have no mercy on the people that wronged him.