Chapter 121
“Wipe the dog crap off your shoe p>
Fortune stared at Ray in disbelief, certain he must have misheard.
Even the two workers nearby looked stunned, as if their ears had deceived them. Grant Marshall couldn’t hold back. “Manager Barrett, you’re asking Kensington to clean your shoes? Isn’t that just plain humiliation p>
“Yeah, Manager Barrett, what’s the point of treating someone like this?” Farley added, his voice tight with anger.
Ray just smiled, looking straight at Fortune. “Humiliation? Well, if that’s how you see it, Ladd, then forget it. Clearly, you don’t care much about keeping this job anyway p>
He stood up as if to leave.
Fortune rushed to stop him, pressing Ray gently back into his chair. “Wait, Manager Barrett, please don’t go. I—I’ll do it. I’ll clean your shoes for you right now p>
It’s just cleaning shoes, isn’t it? He told himself it was no big deal-plenty of people made a living shining shoes on the street. If they could get by, so could he.
Trying to steady his nerves, Fortune grabbed a napkin from the table, dropped to one knee, and started wiping the mess from Ray’s shoe.
Seeing him actually kneel on the ground, Farley and Grant immediately tried to pull him up. “Kensington, get up! Don’t do this. We don’t have to take this kind of treatment p>
Ray was clearly just throwing his weight around.
Fortune looked up at them and forced a smile. “It’s fine. Really. You don’t have to stop me. If Manager Barrett wants his shoes cleaned, it’s my honor p>
He was an older man from a small town, barely literate, and finding work hadn’t been easy. If cleaning Ray’s shoes was the price to keep his job, so be it.
Seeing Fortune’s determination, Farley snatched another napkin. “Then I’ll help you p>
Grant did the same. “Count me in p>
The old-timers always stuck together. Farley and Grant simply couldn’t stand to watch their friend suffer in silence.
Ray glared at them, his expression sour. “The two of you can back off. I only want Kensington’s help p>
Fortune looked up at his friends and offered a grateful nod. “Blake, Marshall— appreciate it p>
Farley and Grant fumed, but their hands were tied. When the boss throws his weight around, all the working guys can do is keep their heads down.
Ray leaned back, watching with satisfaction. “Keep going, Kensington. And do a thorough job p>
“Yes, sir. Of course,” Fortune replied quickly, nodding as he worked.
Ray smirked. “Kensington, didn’t you used to brag about your precious granddaughter getting top marks? Who would’ve thought that her proud granddad would end up cleaning my shoes today p>
So what if she’s at the top of her class? So what if she made it into Central Academy? His own son hadn’t gotten in, hadn’t topped any lists, but at least he didn’t have to live as humbly as Fortune Kensington.
Some people’s lives really were pitiful.
Fortune said nothing, focusing all his attention on scrubbing the shoes clean.
After five or six minutes, he tossed the dirty napkin into the trash. “Manager Barrett, I’m finished p>
Ray glanced at his shoes. “Not bad. Looks much better p>
Fortune pushed himself to his feet. “Then I’ll get back to work p>
“Hold it right there p>
Ray’s sharp voice stopped him.
Fortune turned, confused. “Is something wrong, Manager Barrett? Do you need anything else p>
Ray let out a cold laugh. “Didn’t I make myself clear? You’re fired p>
“Fired?” Fortune was stunned. “But Manager Barrett, you said if I cleaned your shoes, I could keep my job p>
“Did I say that?” Ray feigned confusion, his face blank. “Did anyone else hear me promise that p>
Farley jumped in, “You did! I can vouch for it p>
Grant nodded. “Me too! Manager Barrett, this is just plain bullying p>
Ray took a few steps closer, stopping right in front of Fortune. “Bullying? Sure, I’m bullying you. What are you going to do about it p>
“Ray!” Grant clenched his fists, barely holding himself back. “That’s enough! You’ve gone too far p>
Fortune quickly stepped between them. “Please, Manager Barrett, let’s talk this over. What is it you really want p>
Ray’s eyes glittered with contempt. “What do I want? I’m just following company policy. The company says you’re out, and there’s nothing I can do. So stop making a scene p>
Farley couldn’t take it anymore. “If you never planned to help Kensington, then why make him clean your shoes? You’re just the company’s lapdog! Who gave you the right to treat people like this p>
Ray’s face twisted in anger when Farley insulted him. “Farley, I’d watch my mouth
if I were you. Unless you want to join Kensington and get out of here p>
“Fine! I’ve had enough of this!” Farley tore off his work vest and threw it to the floor. “I quit p>
“Me too! I’m done!” Grant pulled his vest off and hurled it down as well. “Ray, you bastard, you’ll get what’s coming to you p>
Seeing his old friends risk their jobs for him, Fortune rushed to intervene.
“Marshall, Blake, please don’t do anything reckless on my account p>