LECTER JAMES: Rise of the Braveheart

Chapter three

"Mr James, there's someone here to see you," Lecter's secretary said to him while she stepped into the office.

"Who is it?" Lecter asked without taking his eye off the screen. It's been a week since his announcement as CEO. However, Lecter had refused to make any public statement or appearance since that time.

He preferred anonymity, at least for the time being.

"It's the acting CEO of Thorn Incorporated, sir. Venita Thorn," the secretary replied and Lecter paused. He gazed at the secretary with a frown on his face.

"Why is Venita here?" Lecter questioned. 

"She has been bugging us for a contract, sir. Apparently, her company is on the brink of collapse due to mismanagement. She needs this to kickstart operations," she replied.

Lecter smirked as he thought for a moment. A wave of anger filled his heart and when he turned his attention to the secretary, she saw a darkness on him that wasn't there before.

"Send her in," Lecter instructed.

The secretary quickly left, and through the transparent glass door in the office, Lecter could see the secretary gesturing to Venita to come in. From that angle, he could also see Rand sitting in the reception.

Lecter frowned. At that moment, the two people who betrayed him were at his mercy.

As soon as Venita stepped into the office, Lecter stood up and turned his back to her. The secretary stood at the side of Lecter's table, perfectly in hindsight.

For Venita, she took in the aura of the man whose back was turned to her. She scrutinized his expensive Turkish suit and good perfume. It was unusual for her to feel inferior to someone, however, she could not deny the fact that the man was domineering.

"Where are your manners? Don't sit. I didn't tell you to," Lecter quickly rebuked Venita while she made a move to sit without even exchanging pleasantries first.

The secretary gave her a glance of disdain, and Venita wondered how he could tell despite his back being turned to her.

"Mannerless brat!" The secretary muttered to herself.

"Forgive my manners, Mr James. I learned that you are the new CEO of Sunrise Enterprise and it's such an honor-"

"What do you want?" Lecter cut her off. Venita felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment.

"Well, I have come to finalize our contract together. Here are the documents. I was told to come to speak with you today," Venita said and handed the contract deed to the secretary. She then passed it to Lecter who began to read through it.

Venita's heart thumped as a dead silence fell on the office. However, she was optimistic that she would get the contract. She had put so much effort into drafting it. But when Lecter began to chuckle, her confidence weaned.

Then, he tore the contract into pieces and she gasped.

"This is nonsense. My company cannot become partners with you. Your ideas are feeble. Even a child can do better. Get out of my office," Lecter said to Venita. Her legs felt like they would collapse in the next second.

Tears built in her eyes as she shuddered.

"Please..." She fell to her knees. "I'll give anything. I will do anything. Please, give me this contract. My life is over if you don't!" Venita begged.

She wondered why he still had his back turned to her. Does that mean she wasn't even worthy of his gaze?

"Get out, now!" Lecter boomed and that caused Venita to whimper and fall.

"I'd rather die than leave here without a contract!" She screamed. Tears still fell from her eyes while the secretary led security into the office.

When they dragged her out, Venita cried and screamed, begging at the top of her voice. However, Lecter was unhinged.

As Rand stood up to stop the men dragging her, Lecter also turned around. In that brief moment, Rand could swear that he saw Lecter's face. 

The security men dragged them out of the company and shut the door against them. Just then, Rand received a notification on his phone.

"'Termination of employment'. What the heck is this?" Rand was shocked as he read the email.

Venita was too stunned to say anything. No one has made her feel so worthless.

"It's Lecter. I swear it's him..." Rand blurted out while Venita gazed at him in anger.

"You are such a stupid man! How can you come up with such nonsense thoughts at this time? Lecter is probably in some slum as we speak. I just lost the deal that would have made me a millionaire, and you're here spilling rubbish!" Venita screamed at him.

"This CEO's name is Lecter James. Is it a coincidence that he and your ex-husband have the same first name? And I think I also saw his-"

"You think? Oh! I don't even wanna hear it! You've been fired too. Your car and your house are company property. They'll be seized. Why don't you think of how to solve this mess you're in instead of daydreaming about a vermin I dumped? Whatever you think you saw or figured out is all bollocks! Get your fucking head back into the game."

Venita snapped at him in disbelief and left the scene as her tears soiled her face with mascara. Rand on the other hand began to doubt his sanity while he accompanied her. Meanwhile, in his office, Lecter's phone began to ring. It was Alaric. Lecter picked up the phone.

"Boss, an invitation just came for you. Reginald Heath is holding an exclusive party tonight. He asked for your presence specifically," Alaric said over the phone.

"Who is he?" Lecter asked.

"Reginald is one of your father's shareholders. He has the greatest influence and he is the only one amongst them who has not accepted you as CEO," Alaric said to him. Lecter frowned.

"So, he wants to test me?"

"Reginald is a crafty man, boss. The other shareholders hold him in high esteem. If he does not recognize your legitimacy, we may have a crisis on our hands," Alaric replied. Lecter scoffed.

"Don't worry, Alaric. I'll take care of this," Lecter said and hung up.