Chapter 6 - Shadows in the Boardroom
High above the city in the executive suites of Sterling Technologies, Antoine watched the recorded security footage of Ethan struggling with the heavy crates.
Sarah stood beside him, holding a digital tablet displaying Ethan's daily productivity metrics.
'He didn't quit,' Sarah noted with a hint of surprise in her voice. 'Most guys with his background would have walked out within the first hour.'
'Suffering is a great teacher,' Antoine replied calmly, swirling amber whiskey in a crystal glass. 'But the real test hasn't even begun yet.'
'You think someone inside the company is leaking supply chain data to our rivals, and you're using Ethan as bait?' Sarah asked, her eyes narrowing.
'Not intentionally,' Antoine corrected. 'Ethan is a magnet for trouble. People assume because he's connected to me through this debt, he must know our internal secrets.'
As if on cue, the secure office doors swung open, revealing Victor Vance, the senior vice president of operations and Antoine's most ruthless internal adversary.
Victor wore a tailored charcoal suit and a predatory smile that never quite reached his cold, calculating eyes.
'Working late, Antoine?' Victor asked smoothly, stepping further into the office without waiting for an invitation.
'Just reviewing warehouse efficiency, Victor,' Antoine replied evenly, not bothering to stand up.
Victor glanced at the security monitors, spotting Ethan struggling with a pallet. A subtle flicker of recognition crossed Victor's face before he masked it with a polite chuckle.
'Ah, the internet meme boy,' Victor sneered. 'I hear you hired him as a warehouse grunt. A bit unconventional, even for you, Antoine.'
'Everyone deserves a second chance to learn an honest living,' Antoine said, his tone dripping with ironclad sarcasm.
Victor's smile tightened slightly. 'Indeed. Though I'd be careful about who you trust around high-value inventory. Desperate people do desperate things.'
'I make it a habit to know exactly who is trustworthy and who is waiting in the shadows with a knife,' Antoine replied, his gaze locking onto Victor's.
Victor held his gaze for a long, tense moment before offering a chilling smile and turning on his heel to exit the room.
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Once the doors closed, Sarah let out a slow breath. 'Victor knows something. He's planning a move against the logistics division.'
'Let him try,' Antoine whispered, his expression hardening. 'We set the trap, and now we wait for them to bite.'
