Chapter 5 - The Smug Villain
The chaotic, toxic energy immediately flooded the pristine corporate floor as panicked executives scrambled to locate the arrogant Vice President.
They didn't have to look far. Down the polished corridor, the heavy glass doors of the executive suite swung open.
Gregory Vance confidently strutted into the hallway, holding a crystal cup of expensive sparkling water. He wore a smug, deeply satisfied smile, looking like a man who had just conquered the entire corporate world.
As he rounded the corner and saw the Chairman standing with the billionaire investor, Gregory’s chest puffed out with arrogant pride.
He completely misread the suffocating, terrifying tension in the room. He assumed Martin and Jonathan were gathered there to personally congratulate him on his brilliant restructuring of the technology department.
“Ah, Martin! Jonathan! Excellent timing,” Gregory announced loudly, his voice dripping with toxic, unearned confidence as he approached the group.
He barely even glanced at Daniel, treating the senior engineer like a piece of invisible garbage.
“As you can see, I am already optimizing our payroll and trimming the unnecessary fat from our development teams. We don't need dead weight dragging down the Meridian launch.”
A collective gasp echoed from the surrounding HR staff. The sheer, unadulterated delusion radiating from the Vice President was absolutely staggering.
Martin Hayes closed his eyes for a brief microsecond, his jaw clenching so tightly that his teeth audibly ground together. He was staring at a man who was actively pouring gasoline on a burning bridge.
Jonathan Pierce didn't yell. He didn't raise his voice.
He simply adjusted his grip on his expensive leather briefcase and stared directly into Gregory's eyes with the cold, calculating gaze of a lethal apex predator.
“Trimming the fat?” Jonathan asked smoothly, his sophisticated tone masking a lethal corporate trap.
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“Tell me, Gregory. Since you are the visionary behind this project, I have a few technical questions before I sign the acquisition papers.”
👉 Gregory flashed a bright, arrogant smile, stepping confidently onto the invisible landmine waiting beneath his expensive shoes.
