Chandler Logan's POV: The office is dimly lit with the huge fluorescent lights hanging on the ceiling as I enter the security office at New Leaf Corporation. I come here and expecting a normal meeting with Julius Mannell, my manager and discuss my monthly performance. I am also hoping for a promotion since I know to myself that I did a good performance on the last project that I handled. But as I get inside the room, I quuckly feel a tense atmosphere around me. Julius is lounging in his chair while his feet are propped up on the desk. His fingers are flicking the end of his cigar and letting the smoke curls up toward the ceiling. He doesn't bother to look at me as I stand in the doorway. The air around us is almost suffocating. Even without saying anything yet, I can already sense that something is wrong. “Mr. Julius, I heard you wanted to see me?” I said after clearing my throat. Julius looks up and meets my gaze with disdain and amusement in his eyes. “Chandler Logan” he s
Andrew stares at me for a long moment before he lets out a long and frustrated sigh. "Alright. Let's say we'll do that. But why should I help you? What's in it for me?""Closure." I confidently said.That word seems to catch him off guard. Andrew looks at me while studying the expression on my face."Look." I said while taking a deep breathe. "I know I screwed up our friendship in the past. I let Jannica to come between us. I even blindly followed her because I was so smitten with her. And I never tried to fix our friendship. I didn't made an effort at all. It was mostly my fault."I look at Andrew to make sure that he is still listening to my words. "But now, I'm giving you a chance to do what you do best. Help me take Victor down and we will both walk away with something to show for it." I said in a determined voice."You are just doing it because you want something from me." Andrew easily countered me."That's one of the biggest factor why I called you here." I honestly replied.
The coffee shop I picked is on a quiet street downtown. As I walk inside, I quickly spotted the person I'm meeting today.'Andrew Carter.'He is sitting in a corner booth and hunched over his laptop just like he used to be in college. His hair is streaked with gray strands now. But his eyes are sharp and scanning his screen with the same intensity I remembered.Andrew and I used to be best friends. We are inseparable in the past. I remember the days we spent in the past where our worlds revolved around projects, debates, and late-night brainstorming sessions. But that bond slowly disappeared when Jannica entered the picture. She had driven a wedge between us without even trying. Thinking about it, I can now recall that Andrew used to warn me about Jannica. Andrew said there is something fishy about Jannica although he couldn't say what it was. At that time, I just dismissed it thinking he was just joking. And besides, I was so smitten with Jannica to believe whatever slanderous rema
Robert looks at me and he is even more alarmed than earlier. His untouched coffee almost spills on the table when he accidentally hits it as he stares at me with wide eyes."Chandler, don't tell me you're planning to confront Victor again so soon? Y-You should stop there. That's...""Risky?" I calmly cut him off while smiling. "I know that, trust me. But everything is worth achieving comes with risk. You should know that by now." I adjust the collar of my jacket and shows him a grin. "And besides, I'm not confronting Victor today. I'm just making sure he will have no chance to confront us."Robert suddenly groans while rubbing his nape."Ugh... Why do I feel like I'm part of a spy movie now?" Robert asked. "Well, maybe. I am the spy and you are the hacker on my side."But Robert ignores my jokes and continues giving me an advice."Chandler, you've got to be careful. According to my research, Victor is not just some corporate rival. It seems like he has someone powerful backing him
The sunlight entering through my thin curtains are so pleasing to look at. It feels warm and gentle in my eyes. I close my eyes and I take a deep breathe and slowly exhales.While sitting at the breakfast table, I am quietly enjoying my newly bought croissant from a bakery near my apartment and the rich aroma of black coffee that I brewed earlier. My phone is now laying face down next to my plate. It keeps buzzing non-stop ever since last night. I keep receiving hundreds of calls and messages but I have no intention to answer any of it right now. In fact, I am quite enjoying it since this is a rare occurrence where my phone is receiving such huge numbers of notifications. This crazy and non-stop activities is more amusing because there is no doubt that Victor's people are mostly the one doing it. They are probably calling and texting me non-stop to clarify whatever results we got last night.I'm pretty sure even Victor is busy investigating how did I managed to have an official doc
Victor's chuckle grows louder and it's echoing inside the whole warehouse. My instincts are now screaming at me and giving me a warning for a possible danger. Still, I force the expression on my face to remain calm. The tension in the air feels like its crackling and creating a static-like sensation on my skin. But I quickly forget it when the blue holographic screen flashes in my peripheral vision once again.[System Notification: Threat Level Rising. New Dialogue Options Unlocked:Option A: Call out Victor for bluffing and show him a force.Option B: Diffuse the situation using the strategic persuasion from the system.Option C: Ignore Victor's action and execute a contingency escape plan for yourself.]I resist the urge to raise a brow while staring at the screen. Instead, I am trying to keep the neutral expression on my face. My finger is hovering near my wristband. I'm ready to act if things escalate and the system fails to provide me a quick solution."Hah. I have to admit..."
I take a deep breath first so I can think more clearer. There is no turning back now. I open my eyes and feels my fingers twitching slightly as I choose betweeen the options. There is no room for me to hesitate now. [Action Selected: Trigger a distraction to neutralize the threat.]Without breaking eye contact with Victor, I secretly tap a small button on my wristband. This quictly activates the signal on Robert's end so he can make a distraction for me. Soon, a distant explosion can be heard from somewhere outside the warehouse. Victor's head snaps toward the noise with his composure slipping for a slight moment."What the hell is happening?!" he angrily asked. A can also hear the uneasiness in his voice.While they are panicking, I take advantage of the situation and step closer to Victor but not close enough where he can possibly stab me in case he is carrying a knife with him. "It's just my little insurance, Victor. Did you think I would come here without an exit strategy?" I a
We are now in front of an abandoned warehouse near the port. As we approach it, I glance over at Robert who is now trailing slightly behind me. His hands are shoved deep into his coat pockets but the telltale signs of his fingers betrays his nerves. His eyes are also looking in every direction of this place as if someone will suddenly appear right in front of us if he stops checking our surroundings."Robert." I called him while stopping in my tracks. When I did, Robert nearly walks into me. Not only he's more nervous than me. He is also lost in his thoughts too."W-What is it, Chandler?!" Robert asked in a loud but shaking voice. His voices echoes a little in this deserted area. I quickly put a hand on his lips and signals him to lower his voice. When he nods his head, I let out a sigh and slowly let go of him."You will stay here." I quiet said. "It's better if you are out of his sight."His eyes widen surprised. Then he looks at the warehouse as if it's like a scary lion's den.
The cafe is quiet except for the occasional clatter of ceramic cups and the soft voices of conversation around me. It is the perfect backdrop for what I am doing right now. Or rather, for what I am watching to unfold. My focus is currently locked onto Victor Donnelly who is sitting by the window with a coffee he only touched once.From my view here near the back, I can see a man who haven't sleep yet. Seeing his tired face is giving me a satisfaction. The dark circles under his eyes speaks volumes as well as the way his hands fidgets on the table.He shifts uncomfortably in his chair with his tightening jaw. His gaze keeps darting around the cafe. I know exactly what he is looking for now.It's reassurance. Reassurance that no one is watching him right now. Too bad, Victor will not find it today.I sip my coffee slowly and savors this moment. Watching Victor Donnelly squirms has its own reward. After all, I spent hours to meticulously craft those emails. Each one of it was designed
Back to Victor Donnelly's side, he stormed into his penthouse apartment and slams the heavy oak door behind him. The sharp sound echoes through the huge and modern space. Normally, the floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city skyline calms him down. But tonight, it feels like they are staring back at him and judging his ugly expression right now.He yanks at his tie and tossing it onto the sleek leather couch before sinking into his chair by the desk. He turn on his computer and let his fingers tap impatiently on the desk. The IT specialist he called earlier is still not giving him any updates.The emails he received played over and over in his mind. He can hear each word from in a mocking tone and its gnawing at his carefully constructed facade of control. How dare they challenge him?Victor is not used to being on the defensive. He is the predator and not the prey. His enemies should fear him. Whoever this is, they are not just reckless but also stupidly bold for doing this to h
Stacy Hagar
author please have the system and charter inter act the system is just basic motivation of who he is in the beginning the money that I thought was coming from system came from his dad so far not a book about having a system