The Rebirth Of A Titan

CHAPTER 6

Marcus walked into my office without knocking. He had that smug, boyish grin on his face that used to make me feel like a protective older brother.

Now, it just made me want to break his teeth. I didn't even look up from my laptop as he flopped down into the chair across from me.

"Hey, Vic! You’ve been a busy bee lately," he said. He sounded cheerful, but I could see his eyes darting around my desk.

He was looking for something. A weakness, a mistake, anything he could use to pull me back down.

I finally looked up. My System vision flickered to life, bathing him in that ugly, pulsing red light.

≈Threat Level: Rising. Loyalty: Negative five percent. 

The prick was actually getting more dangerous.

"What do you want, Marcus? I have a company to run," I said. I kept my voice flat and bored.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on my desk. "I saw what you did with Henderson. Cold move, man. Really impressive."

"It was just business," I replied. I watched a bead of sweat roll down his temple. He was nervous.

"Anyway, I’m here because I want to help," he said. He pulled a thick document out of his leather bag.

"I found this gold mine. It’s a start up called 'Lumina Tech'. They’re working on some crazy new energy stuff," he whispered.

My heart skipped a beat. Lumina Tech. I remembered that name very well.

In my past life, this was the investment that bled me dry. Marcus had convinced me to put forty percent of our liquid cash into it.

Two months later, the founders disappeared with the money. It was a shell company designed by Marcus to bankrupt me.

[Trap Detected] the System screen flashed in my eyes. [High Risk Investment: 99% Probability of Fraud].

I looked at the document. Marcus was watching me like a hawk, waiting for me to take the bait.

"It looks risky, Marcus," I said. I tapped my chin, pretending to be deep in thought.

"High risk, high reward, brother!" he urged. "If we don't move now, the Grand Company will snatch it up."

He was using my own greed against me. At least, that’s what he thought he was doing.

I opened the folder and started reading. My Market Intuition was screaming at me, pointing out every lie in the fine print.

But then, the System showed me something else. A small, glowing box appeared over a specific clause.

[Loophole Found: Personal Guarantee Clause]. If the contract was modified, the primary backer would be held personally liable.

I felt a dark, wicked joy rising in my chest. I had to keep my face perfectly still.

"I tell you what, Marcus. I trust your instincts," I said. I saw his eyes light up with pure, evil glee.

"But the board is already on my case about the Henderson deal," I continued. "I can't use company funds for this yet."

Marcus’s face fell. "Then we’ll miss it! We need to move today, Victor!"

I leaned back and sighed. "There is one way. We can use a private bridge loan."

"What’s that?" he asked. He was leaning so far over the desk he was almost falling out of his chair.

"It’s a personal loan. I’ll sign as the lead, but I need a secondary guarantor to satisfy the bank's security," I explained.

I slid the contract back to him. "Since you’re so sure about this, why don't you sign as the backup?"

Marcus hesitated. He wasn't stupid, but he was incredibly greedy. He thought the money was going to disappear anyway.

"If the company is a fraud, I’d be on the hook?" he asked. He was trying to sound casual, but his voice went up an octave.

"Only if I can't pay. And you know I’m good for it," I said. I gave him a fake, trusting smile.

"Besides, once the profits start rolling in, I’ll give you a ten percent finder’s f*e," I added. "That’s millions, Marcus."

I watched the gears turning in his head. He thought he was playing me for a fool.

He figured I would sign the main papers, the company would vanish, and I’d be the one ruined. He didn't think I had changed the fine print.

"You’re right. Family sticks together," he said. He grabbed my pen and scribbled his name on the line.

He didn't see the System notification that popped up the moment his ink hit the paper.

[Contract Modified: Risk Transferred to Secondary Guarantor]. My smile turned into something sharp and dangerous.

"Thanks, Marcus. I’ll handle the rest," I said. I took the folder back and tucked it into my drawer.

"No problem, big bro. We’re gonna be rich!" he shouted. He stood up and practically skipped out of my office.

I waited until the door clicked shut before I let out a long, jagged breath. I felt like I had just defused a bomb.

In my first life, I signed that paper and lost everything. I lost my home, my dignity, and eventually my life.

Now, Marcus had just signed his own financial death warrant. When Lumina Tech "vanished" next month, the banks wouldn't come for me.

They would come for every cent Marcus had in his personal accounts. They would take his car, his condo, and his pride.

[Mission Progress: 50%] the System pinged. [Reward: $20,000 and Influence Stat Increase].

I felt the familiar buzz in my pocket. Another twenty grand in the bank. I was getting paid to destroy my enemies.

I looked at the drawer where the contract was hidden. I wasn't just surviving anymore. I was winning.

Marcus thought he was the cat and I was the mouse. He had no idea I was the one holding the trap.

I pulled out my phone and called Sarah. It was time to see how the other snake was doing.

"Hey, Sarah. Marcus just brought me a great deal," I said into the phone. I made sure to sound happy and naive.

"That’s wonderful, babe!" she chirped. I could hear the excitement in her voice. She thought the plan was working.

"Let’s celebrate tonight. My treat," I said. I watched my reflection in the dark screen of my laptop.

I looked like a man who was finally in control. I looked like a man who knew exactly where the bodies were buried.

Because this time, I was the one digging the holes. And I was going to make sure they were deep enough for both of them.

I hung up the phone and stood up. I felt a sense of peace that I hadn't felt in years.

The game was in full swing now. Marcus was trapped, and Sarah was next.

I walked to the window and looked down at the street. I could see Marcus getting into his flashy sports car.

Enjoy it while it lasts, you backstabbing bastard, I thought. Because very soon, you won't even be able to afford a bus pass.