The Ex and Her Riches

The endless pressure being applied triggered a sense of suffocation in Craig.

His fists alternated between clenching and releasing as the rage within him swelled to its brim.

All the physical punishments that Cedrick had meted out were exercises used during training. Other than the coffee cup thrown earlier, he had not laid a finger on Craig.

Hence, even if Craig wanted to report Cedrick to their superiors, he had no reasonable excuse to do so.

With that thought in mind, Cedrick calmly tapped on the table and reminded, “You still have fifteen seconds to decide. Take your time.”

The words sent a shiver down Craig’s spine, vanquishing the thoughts that were previously cycling through his mind.

Without a moment’s delay, he hurried toward a spot two steps away from the wall. Teeth gritted, he took a deep breath and pushed himself upright with his hands.

When Cedrick mentioned for it to be done near the wall, he clearly didn’t mean for Craig to lean against it.

Thus, the latter had to support the weight of his entire body with his hands alone.

Although his back was facing the wall, it only acted as a temporary cushion in case he fell down.

This exercise was particularly strenuous due to its technical difficulty, and the fact that Craig was already drained made it worse for him.

At the two–minute mark, his arms were already trembling uncontrollably.

Thus, he felt as if thirty minutes could potentially torment the life out of him.

Many years had passed since he was reduced to such a pathetic state.

He would never forget the humiliation he suffered and swore to seek revenge one day.

Observing him from a distance, Cedrick could clearly see Craig’s trembling arms.

coffee before remarking, “Craig, the years I spent away in Fairlake was supposed to be an opportunity for

few words through

personally groomed to become deputy director. Therefore, I know better than anyone else how truly ambitious you are. Unfortunately,

power to order everyone around and have them obey him unconditionally caused him to be intoxicated by power. From then on, his ambition began to grow as he craved more

see anything wrong with it, let alone

I have not changed. You have to reconsider the

tilt toward the back. However, he swiftly

Craig’s excuses, Cedrick continued solemnly, “Do you feel tired? As

of Craig’s silence, that was precisely what he

truth is, man’s potential is limitless. When faced with overwhelming pressure, even the proudest of us have no choice but to submit. Moreover, despite knowing that one is incapable of withstanding the punishment for failure, one would still give one’s

was trying to convey. Cedrick has never lectured me about

and icy tone. “If you’re unable to keep this up for thirty minutes, it means that your physical body is too weak. I’ll have no choice but to report it and request that you be sent back to training camp for three months. Upon your departure, the position of deputy director

be temporary on the surface, but once he actually did,

lips, leaving a bloody print. He

arrangement isn’t necessary, Mr. Jenson.

snorted in laughter. “I’m glad

an hour passed quickly for Cedrick as

be said for the hand–standing Craig. Every second felt like an eternity to him. All

later, the

also signaled the end of the

of relief, Craig collapsed to the ground, unable to get

sweat, he was so exhausted that he

the same time, Cedrick had finished notating the last document with his red

up to Craig. “You have managed to pass the test by a whisker. Now, clean

softly upon collecting himself, “can

could read Craig’s mind, Cedrick rejected

learning of your punishment here, you’re welcome to get someone else to clean it up. Even if you can’t stand on your feet, I’m sure you can still crawl on your knees. I won’t let anyone enter to disrupt your work. Now, whether you want