Chapter 4: The Game of Power
1347 Words
The next day, Robert Williams stormed into the state health department first thing in the morning, flanked by his bodyguards. There was no way he was going to let Daryl pass the civil service exam just like that.
“Mayor Williams! You’re here!” a bespectacled man greeted, his voice filled with nervous surprise. None of the staff had been informed that the mayor would be visiting their office.
“Yes. I need to speak with Mr. Monroe,” Robert commanded. His glare was sharp, and his voice, though low, carried an undeniable authority.
The man hesitated. Mr. Monroe was the current head of the state health department — but he wasn’t in the office today.
“I’m sorry, Sir, but Mr. Monroe is currently away. Would you like me to call him and let him know you’re looking for him?”
“Where is he?” Robert demanded.
“He’s on vacation. He won’t be back until next week. But I can relay your message—”
“No need,” Robert cut him off. “You’re overseeing the interviews for the police recruitment, correct?”
The man blinked in surprise. “Y-Yes, Sir. That’s right. May I ask why?”
Robert’s eyes narrowed. “Good. There’s a man named Daryl Grey on the interview list. I want you to make sure he fails.”
The man’s eyes widened in shock. “S-Sir? I… what do you mean?”
Robert paused, considering his next move. “No. On second thought, I want to be one of the interviewers on the panel.”
The man froze, clearly alarmed. “I-I’m not sure that’s possible, Sir. We already have a set panel of interviewers—”
“I don’t care,” Robert said coldly. “If you want to keep your job, you’ll make it possible. Understood?”
The man swallowed hard. He was well aware of Robert’s influence in Astrendale — and even more aware of his close relationship with their department head. With no other choice, he lowered his head and nodded.
“Y-Yes, Sir. Please… this way.”
A slow, satisfied smile spread across Robert’s face. “Good.”
Meanwhile, at Martin’s home, a chessboard sat between him and his son, Nicholas. The pieces were arranged in a tense mid-game position, and Martin’s sharp gaze followed his son’s every move.
“You’re too hesitant,” Martin said calmly, his voice carrying the weight of quiet authority. “Daryl Grey wouldn’t hesitate.”
Nicholas frowned, his hand hovering over his pieces. “Why do you keep comparing me to him? You barely know the guy.”
Martin moved his queen swiftly, placing Nicholas’s king under immediate pressure. “I’ve seen enough to know. That young man has vision. His chess game reflects his thinking — strategic and calculated.”
“Or manipulative,” Nicholas countered, his voice tinged with skepticism. “You ever think he’s trying to gain your trust? Maybe he has an agenda.”
Martin smirked. “Don’t worry, Son. He doesn’t know a thing about me. And I’ll decide if he’s trustworthy.”
Nicholas sighed, recognizing the familiar stubbornness in his father’s tone. Once Martin took an interest in someone, there was no changing his mind.
“Fine,” Nicholas relented. “I’ll admit, I’ve looked at his records. I see why you’re interested — the guy’s got potential. But there are people who want him out. The department’s interviewing candidates from the last exam. If Daryl’s not careful, someone’s going to make sure he never gets a chance.”
“I know,” Martin said, his expression hardening. “That’s why I’ve arranged for someone to observe the interviews. If Daryl isn’t genuine, Henry Davis will see right through him.”
Nicholas blinked in surprise. “Henry? You got the deputy minister involved?”
Martin moved his queen once more — and with that, the game was over.
“Checkmate,” he declared. “I want the truth about Daryl Grey. And if anyone can spot a liar, it’s Henry.”
Nicholas groaned in frustration as he knocked over his king. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
Daryl arrived early at the state health department for his interview, a determined calm settling over him.
Even now, it still felt surreal. After seeing his name on the list of those who passed the exam, the sudden call claiming he had failed had come as a shock. And Daryl had no doubt who was behind it.
Fortunately, the department called again — this time to confirm his interview slot. He wasn’t going to waste this second chance. Not when everything was at stake.
After submitting his documents at registration, he was guided to the interview hall. He was confident — ready. But the moment he stepped inside, his confidence wavered.
Robert Williams sat among the panel of interviewers, smiling far too widely as he chatted with the others.
‘What the hell is he doing here?’
Daryl’s stomach twisted, but he kept his face neutral. He wasn’t going to show any weakness.
Robert’s eyes flicked toward him — sharp and filled with something dangerous. Their gazes locked, and the older man’s mouth curved into a knowing, malicious grin.
“Ah! The man of the hour has arrived!” Robert’s voice rang out, dripping with mockery.
Daryl’s hands curled into fists at his sides. He refused to let Robert get to him, but the man’s presence could only mean trouble.
One of the women on the panel raised an eyebrow, her eyes sweeping over him from head to toe. The judgment in her gaze was clear — and Daryl suddenly became aware of just how out of place he looked.
He wore a simple, faded button-down and black slacks — a stark contrast to the polished, formal attire of the other candidates waiting outside.
“Are you sure you’re in the right room, Mister?” the woman asked, her voice dripping with condescension.
Another panelist, a middle-aged man, snorted. “This isn’t a job opening for a janitor, kid. You might want to check the next room over.”
Laughter rippled through the panel.
Daryl cleared his throat, keeping his expression calm and composed. “I believe I’m exactly where I need to be, sir. I was called for an interview here today.”
Robert snorted. “Or maybe you just forced your way in. Who on earth would call someone like you for an interview? You don’t deserve to be a police officer.”
Daryl’s jaw tightened, but he held his temper. “And why’s that, Mr. Williams? Did you forget you were the one who sponsored my education because you saw my potential? Maybe the person who helped me get this interview saw that same potential.”
For a split second, Robert’s eyes flashed with rage. Then he laughed, loud and derisive.
“Hah! I was a fool back then!” He turned to the rest of the panel. “You’re all aware of the scandal, aren’t you? This so-called ‘top scorer’ cheated on his medical exams — and the state department proved it!”
“What?!” one of the panelists exclaimed, scandalized.
“How disgraceful!” another muttered, shaking his head.
“You don’t deserve to be here!” the first added, voice rising in anger.
Daryl’s fingers curled tighter, his nails biting into his palms. He remembered this moment all too well from his past life — the humiliation, the helplessness.
Back then, he’d walked away.
Not this time.
This time, he wasn’t backing down.
“I didn’t cheat,” Daryl said, his voice steady and clear. “I passed the exam with the highest score. If I’d cheated, would I have managed that? My credentials speak for themselves. I’ve always been at the top of my class. Someone’s trying to sabotage me — and I have no idea who.”
His eyes flicked back to Robert, daring him to deny it.
But Robert just smiled — and that was more dangerous than any threat.
- Writer
