Chapter 136 Ripple
This world demanded a heart of steel, power was everything meanwhile having mercy was considered a weakness
Today, he had affected a family of two, a mother and her deadbeat child.
But what about tomorrow?
He would affect more than just one family, and the effect would ripple through lives on a wavelength that many would not like.
"Breaking now would mean never reaching the top," he thought, his mind sharp and cold.
If a single family's pain was enough to shake him, if the sorrow of one old blind woman could make him falter… then he would never make it.
Noah knew that his ambitions; the power, the status. They all required him to have one goal and only one goal in mind.
To dominate, and not care about the consequences as long as it didn't affect him or the people around him.
His will must be strong and sturdy, like iron. He couldn't falter, it would only ruin him psychologically.
"This is the life I chose." He muttered coldly.
No illusions of being the nice guy, nor any ambitions of being the hero that saved the day.
He didn't see himself as the bad guy, but he knew he wasn't the good one either.
He was a force in the world, moving in the river of time and following what fate had in store for him, and forces didn't have the luxury nor time for pity.
People were bound to get hurt, some more than others—and he had to accept that if he was to keep moving forward.
This was just the beginning, and he knew it would get worse, messier, more ruthless.
"It's a price I'm willing to pay to reach the top."
He knew others wouldn't understand, perhaps even despise him. But that didn't change a thing.
He pushed open the exit door, stepping into the main road.
Ding
His phone buzzed. Glancing at the text from an unknown number, he realised it was Adam.
He had sent him the information of a few housekeepers, and their experience.
He started reading the CVs of the housekeepers one by one. They were all obviously trustworthy.
Alfred, a 55-year-old head butler, has 35 years of experience in the field.
Pennyworth, a 45-year-old butler, has 20 years of experience in the field.
these two were the best options he found, the salary was not an issue.
He decided to go with Alfred, he took the contact number and called.
Ring-ring.
"Hello?" came a calm and professional voice through the phone.
"Hello, am I speaking to Alfred?"
"Yes, sir, I am Alfred. How can I be of assistance?" The voice replied calmly
"Hello, Alfred. I got your number from a contact of mine who recommended you. I'm looking for a full-time butler to manage my property, I wonder if you are interested" Noah replied.
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There was a moment of silence, and then Alfred spoke.
"I understand, sir. Typically, before I commit to any position, I prefer to do a preliminary visit to understand the layout and maintenance requirements of the property."
"It also helps to discuss essential details such as working hours, residence arrangements, and, of course, salary."
"That makes sense," Noah replied
"Actually, there are no other house staff at the moment. I was hoping you might have a team or could help me source reliable staff, as it's quite a large property that needs upkeep."
"Certainly, sir," Alfred responded without hesitation. "For a larger estate, I typically recommend at least two housekeepers for general cleaning, someone for groundskeeping if there are extensive gardens, and perhaps a chef if daily meals are desired."
"Rest assured, I can assemble a team suited to your needs if needed."
"Excellent," Noah said, pleased.
"Are you free this morning? I'd like us to meet and go over everything in person. We can meet at the mansion, and I'll show you around."
"That would work perfectly, sir," Alfred agreed, his voice calm. "I will be there at your designated time."
Noah glanced at his phone to check the time.
"Good. I'll send the address. How does an hour from now sound?"
"Very good, sir. I'll be there on time," Alfred affirmed.
After confirming the time, Noah ended the call and sent the address.
"Adam's referrals seem to be of high quality, this Alfred is giving me a good vibe. I feel like he would be a good choice." Noah thought as he slipped his phone into his pocket.
Noah soon arrived at the mansion gates, he quickly told Anderson about the butler who would come later to which Anderson nodded in understanding.
"Mr. Noah, are you looking for housekeepers too? my sister is a housekeeper if you want, maybe you can think about it." Anderson said hesitantly.
"Sure, send me her CV. I will look into it," Noah added, with a light smile.
An hour later, a black car pulled up at the mansion's gates.
After identification, Anderson let him in.
Soon the car arrived at Noah's mansion.
Alfred got out of the car and knocked on the door, a minute later Noah opened the door.
In front of him was Alfred, he was dressed professionally in a tailored suit, his posture upright, his gaze assessing yet discreet.
After offering Noah a courteous nod, he greeted with a slight incline of his head, his gaze respectful yet observant.
"Good morning, sir. Thank you for meeting with me today,"
"Thank you for coming on such short notice, Alfred," Noah replied, gesturing toward the interior of the mansion.
"Please, come inside. I'll give you the tour, and you can also get a sense of the workplace."
After nodding his head, Alfred followed him in, his gaze taking in the surroundings.
As they moved through the main hall, Alfred finally spoke.
"A fine residence, sir. It appears well-kept, though it's clear that consistent attention would maintain its… elegance." He looked at Noah with a polite look.
"Do you entertain others here often, or is it primarily for personal use?"
"Mainly personal use, but I do plan to host on some occasions," Noah replied, as he led him through the living room.
"I'd like the mansion to be ready for both, and I'd also like the gym kept spotless. I use it frequently."
Alfred nodded.
"I understand, Sir. I advise that for this property, two housekeepers should be sufficient for its daily care and upkeep. A gardener could also maintain the garden outside."
"When you do want to host, I would advise you to get an extra temporary staff to ensure that nothing goes wrong, and the property functions as usual during the event."
"What about your personal preferences, sir? Do you have any specific routines or things you'd like me to oversee?" Alfred asked, his tone attentive.
"Indeed, I have a few," Noah said, pausing in the kitchen.
"I want the meals to be prepared at certain times, and the car to be washed daily."
Alfred nodded, his eyes sweeping the kitchen.
"I understand, sir. A private chef would ensure quality meals are prepared consistently, and I'd be happy to coordinate schedules to maintain order and efficiency."
They continued through the hallways, heading toward the gym, where Alfred inspected the setup.
"The gym could be cleaned at the end of the day, making sure you aren't disturbed during your workouts," Alfred observed, his tone calm but direct.
As they returned to the main hall, Noah looked at Alfred. "This is a full-time position, of course, with residence on-site."
"As for salary, consider it done." Noah added.
Alfred inclined his head, his gaze unwavering. "Thank you, sir. My preference would be to live on the premises, as it allows me to respond to any needs you may have at any time."
"Then it's settled," Noah said, extending his hand with a confident smile. "Welcome aboard, Alfred."
Alfred shook his hand with a slight nod. "Thank you, sir. I look forward to ensuring your estate functions smoothly and upholds the standards you expect."
"By the way, I only have one housekeeper in mind. You can figure out the rest such as the gardener, the chef and the other housekeeper."
"No problem sir, I will do as you said."