The Rebirth Of A Titan

CHAPTER 7

I stepped into the bar and the smell of old cigarettes hit me like a punch in the face. It was one of those places where the sun never seemed to reach.

I spotted him in a corner booth, hunched over a glass of something that looked like jet fuel. Thomas.

In the old life, he was the sharpest mind I knew. Now, he looked like a man who was just waiting for the lights to go out.

I slid into the seat across from him. He did not even look up from his drink.

"We are closed for business, pal. Move along," he grunted. His voice was gravelly and dry.

"I am not here for business, Thomas. I am here for justice," I said. I kept my voice low so the regulars would not hear.

He finally looked at me. His eyes were bloodshot and filled with a bitterness that made my chest ache.

"Justice? That is a funny word coming from a St. Claire," he spat. He took a long pull of his drink.

"I know about the offshore accounts, Thomas. I know Marcus put your digital signature on those wire transfers," I said.

He froze. The glass stopped halfway to his mouth. For a second, the only sound was the buzzing of a neon sign.

"How the hell do you know that?" he whispered. The anger in his eyes was being replaced by pure shock.

"Because I am the only one who can help you fix it," I replied. I leaned forward, letting him see the fire in my eyes.

I activated the System. A blue window hovered over his head.

≈Loyalty: ninety five percent. Talent: Genius level. Status: Broken but Ready.

Seeing that loyalty score made my heart race. He did not hate me. He hated the lie that destroyed his life.

"Marcus took everything from you," I said. "Your reputation, your career, your dignity."

He slammed his glass down on the table. A bit of the cheap whiskey splashed onto his hand.

"He turned me into a thief, Victor! Nobody will even look at my resume now," he hissed.

"I am looking at it," I said. I pulled a thick envelope from my jacket and set it on the sticky table.

"What is this? A bribe to keep me quiet?" he asked. He looked at the envelope like it was a snake.

"It is a contract. And a signing bonus that will pay off all your debts," I told him.

He opened the envelope and his eyes went wide. He stared at the check inside like it was a ghost.

"Why are you doing this? You are his brother," Thomas said. He looked at me like I was a puzzle he could not solve.

"He is not my brother. He is a parasite. And I am going to burn his world down," I said.

I saw the moment his spirit flickered back to life. It was like watching a cold engine finally catch a spark.

"You want me to help you take him out?" he asked. He sat up a little straighter.

"I want you to be the most powerful CFO in this city. I want you to find every cent he has ever stolen," I said.

He looked at the contract again. Then he looked at me and gave a slow, jagged nod.

"If we do this, we go all the way. No mercy," Thomas said. His voice was suddenly sharp and professional.

"Mercy is for people who have not died yet," I replied. I held out my hand across the table.

He took it. His grip was firm and steady. The deal was done.

[Ally Recruited: Thomas Reed] the System flashed. [Reward: ten thousand dollars].

"Get cleaned up. Meet me at the office at eight tomorrow," I said. I stood up and felt a surge of confidence.

"I will be there, Victor. I will bring the shovels," he said. He did not touch his drink again.

I walked out of the bar and into the cool night air. I felt like a general gathering his army.

Marcus thought he was safe because he had cleared the board of everyone who could stop him.

He had no idea I was just putting the real players back in their spots.

With Thomas by my side, Marcus’s financial tricks would not stand a chance. We were going to bleed him dry.

I got into my car and smiled. The pieces were finally moving.

Tomorrow, the real fun would begin. And I could not wait to see the look on Marcus's face when Thomas walked through that door.

I drove away from the dive bar. The city lights looked brighter than they had in years.

I was not alone anymore. I had a genius on my side who had nothing left to lose.

That was the most dangerous kind of ally. And together, we were going to make history.