Just Chris Winchester

Chapter 3

The next morning, Chris took a taxi to the business district. His car had broken down the day before his arrest, and he hadn't had the money or time to fix it. The taxi driver kept glancing at him in the rearview mirror, probably wondering why someone in worn jeans and a simple shirt was heading to the most expensive part of the city.

The WR Quantum Corp building rose into the sky like a monument to power and wealth. Eighty stories of gleaming steel and glass, with the company logo visible from blocks away. Chris had avoided this place for five years, but now he needed what it represented. He needed power, resources, and the ability to fight back.

The taxi pulled up to the main entrance, and Chris's stomach twisted when he saw two familiar figures walking toward the building entrance.

Victor Kane, dressed in a charcoal gray designer suit, walked hand in hand with Beatrice White. Beatrice was Vera's lawyer and supposed friend, a woman Vera trusted completely. She wore a tight red dress and expensive heels, laughing at something Victor whispered in her ear.

Chris paid the driver and stepped out. Victor spotted him immediately, and his face lit up with malicious glee.

"Chris?" Victor called out loudly, drawing attention from other people entering the building. "What is a low life like you doing here? Did you get lost on your way to the unemployment office?"

Chris kept his expression neutral. "I should be asking you that question."

"Oh, I have a business meeting here," Victor said, straightening his tie proudly. "With the executives at Quantum Corp. My company is about to partner with one of the biggest corporations in the world. But I have no idea what a worthless person like you is doing at a place like this."

"I have an interview," Chris said simply.

Victor and Beatrice burst into laughter. It was loud and cruel, making several people turn to stare.

"An interview?" Beatrice wiped fake tears from her eyes. "You? At Quantum Corp? Oh my God, that's the funniest thing I've heard all week. Tell us another joke, Chris."

"And what are you doing holding hands with Beatrice?" Chris asked, his voice cold. "I thought you were so desperate to marry my wife, Vera."

Victor's smirk widened into something ugly. "Oh, come on. Who would actually want to marry Vera? Please. She's boring, plain, and frankly not worth my time except for one thing. I just need her inheritance and her share of her father's company to boost my business status. Once I get access to her family's resources, I'm done with her. I could never actually marry someone as dull as your wife."

Red hot rage flooded through Chris's body. His fists clenched at his sides, and he took a step forward. Victor was using Vera, playing with her feelings, manipulating her for money while sleeping with her friend behind her back.

But fighting here would be stupid. Chris forced himself to breathe, to think. Punching Victor in front of Quantum Corp would only create problems and possibly get him arrested again.

"You're disgusting," Chris said quietly.

"And you're poor," Victor shot back with a laugh. "Good luck with your janitor interview, Chris. Maybe they'll let you clean my office after my meeting."

Victor and Beatrice walked past him into the building, still laughing and whispering to each other. Chris watched them disappear through the revolving doors, memorizing every detail of Victor's smug expression.

He would wipe that smirk off Victor's face soon enough.

Chris entered the building and walked through the magnificent lobby. Marble floors, a indoor waterfall, expensive art on the walls. Employees moved with purpose, their ID badges marking them as part of something important. He felt out of place in his cheap clothes, but he kept his head high.

He bypassed the reception desk and headed toward the elevators. He knew where William's office was located from the instructions sent to his phone earlier that morning. Sixth floor, executive operations.

As he waited for the elevator, he could see Victor and Beatrice in the lobby, checking in with reception for their meeting. Victor looked so confident, so sure of himself and his future success.

Chris stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the sixth floor.

When the doors opened, he found himself in a quiet hallway with thick carpet and expensive artwork. He walked to the office labeled "William Chuks, Executive Operations Director" and knocked.

"Come in," a voice called.

Chris entered to find William behind a large desk, reviewing documents. William looked up and immediately stood, a genuine smile crossing his professional features.

"Young master Winchester," William said, moving around the desk to greet him properly. "I'm so glad you came. Please, sit down."

Chris sat in one of the leather chairs across from William's desk. "I've been thinking about what you said last night. About my father, about everything."

"And?"

"I'm not ready to forgive him. I don't know if I ever will be. But I need resources right now, and I'd be stupid to refuse what's being offered."

William nodded slowly. "Your honesty is appreciated, young master. Your father will understand. He only wants you to take your rightful place, even if your relationship remains complicated."

"There's something I need you to do for me," Chris said, leaning forward. "Right now. There's a man downstairs named Victor Kane. He has a meeting scheduled with someone in this company about a potential partnership."

"Yes, I'm aware of the Kane meeting. It's scheduled for ten o'clock with our investment division."

"Cancel it. Immediately. And make sure Victor Kane's company is blacklisted from ever doing business with Quantum Corp. Tell him the company has decided not to move forward with any partnerships with his firm."

William raised an eyebrow. "May I ask why, young master?"

"He's using my wife to get access to her family's money and business connections. He just told me to my face that he's playing her, that he thinks she's boring and worthless. He's also sleeping with her lawyer and best friend. I want him to lose this opportunity, and I want him to never know it was me who took it from him."

A slow smile spread across William's face. "It will be my pleasure, young master. I'll handle it personally."

William picked up his desk phone and dialed. "This is William Chuks. I need you to cancel the ten o'clock meeting with Victor Kane immediately. Yes, the Kane Tech partnership discussion. Cancel it and inform Mr. Kane that Quantum Corp will not be pursuing any business relationships with his company at this time or in the future. Make it clear this decision is final."

He paused, listening. "I don't care if he's already in the building. Have security escort him out if necessary. This comes from the highest level of authority. Yes. Thank you."

William hung up and looked at Chris. "Done. They're informing him now."

"Good," Chris said. "Now, I need information. Everything you can find on Victor Kane, his company, his investors, his business dealings. I want to know every weakness, every vulnerability."

"I'll have a complete report on your desk by this afternoon," William promised. "Now, let me show you to your office. Your personal assistant is already waiting."

They took a private elevator to the executive floor. When the doors opened, Chris found himself in a stunning corner office with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the entire city. The furniture was modern and expensive, the technology state of the art.

A young woman stood near the desk, professional and poised. "Young master Winchester, I'm Audrey Chen, your personal assistant. It's an honor to work with you."

"Thank you, Audrey," Chris said, walking to the window. From up here, the city looked small, manageable. He could see everything, control everything.

His phone buzzed. A text from Vera.

"Hey, are you okay? You left early this morning. Call me when you can."

Chris smiled slightly. She had no idea where he was or what he was doing. She still thought he was her struggling husband working at a warehouse.

He would tell her the truth eventually, but not yet. First, he had work to do.

"Audrey, I need you to start compiling information on someone for me," Chris said. "Victor Kane and his company, Kane Tech Solutions."

"Of course, sir. I'll get started right away."

Down in the lobby, Chris imagined Victor's face when he received the news. The confusion, the anger, the desperate scrambling to understand what went wrong.

It was just the beginning.