Corporate Villainy: Trampling Protagonists as a Business Dad

The morning sun streamed through Vincent's penthouse office windows as he reviewed his cleared schedule with quiet satisfaction. Every meeting had been postponed, every call redirected—today belonged entirely to Helena.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. "Come in."

Olivia entered with her usual professional composure, but Vincent caught the subtle tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers gripped her tablet just a fraction too tightly. "Sir, I've confirmed all your rescheduled appointments for next week. The Henderson contract review has been moved to Monday, and the board presentation—"

"Thank you, Olivia." Vincent's voice carried warmth that made her pause mid-sentence. "I appreciate you handling everything so smoothly."

She nodded curtly, but he noticed the slight tightening around her eyes. "Of course, sir. Will you be... unavailable for the entire day?"

There was something almost vulnerable in the question, carefully disguised as professional concern. Vincent's lips quirked upward. "Yes. The entire day."

"I see." Olivia's mask slipped for just an instant, revealing something that looked suspiciously like disappointment before she recovered. "Should I have David prepare the car for... your appointment?"

"Already handled," Vincent replied gently, watching the micro-expressions flicker across her features—the way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, how her breathing became just slightly more controlled.

"Of course you have." The words came out sharper than intended, and Olivia immediately looked mortified. "I apologize, sir. That was unprofessional."

Vincent stood, moving around his desk with fluid grace. When he reached her, he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, feeling her sharp intake of breath at the contact. "Olivia, you've been working too hard. Take the day off. Rest."

Her eyes widened, searching his face with an intensity that made his chest tighten. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to say something—something important, something that had been building behind those carefully controlled expressions for years.

Instead, she simply nodded. "Thank you, sir. Have a... have a lovely day."

As she turned to leave, Vincent caught the slight droop of her shoulders, the careful way she held herself together. He almost called out to her, but stopped himself. Some conversations would have to wait for another time.

After she left, Vincent chuckled softly to himself. Olivia's jealousy was endearing in its careful restraint—so professional, so controlled, yet so painfully obvious to someone who now knew how she thought about him.

Vincent opted for a more relaxed look today—dark jeans that fit perfectly, a soft navy henley that hugged his enhanced physique just right, and a casual blazer in charcoal gray. His black hair was tousled in that effortlessly stylish way, and the cultivation-enhanced refinement of his features caught the light perfectly, lending him an almost ethereal quality that commanded attention without effort.

When Helena answered her apartment door, Vincent's breath caught.

She wore a flowing midi dress in deep emerald that hugged her curves in all the right places before flaring gracefully around her hips. The color made her chestnut brown eyes sparkle like amber, and her hazelnut hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders. She'd taken care with her makeup—subtle but perfect, enhancing her natural beauty and that mature, motherly elegance that drew him like a magnet.

"You look absolutely stunning," Vincent said, his voice rough with genuine appreciation.

Helena's cheeks flushed pink. "You clean up pretty well yourself, Mr. Cornelius."

He offered his arm with old-fashioned gallantry. "Shall we?"

**************

Their first stop was an intimate brunch at the city's most exclusive rooftop restaurant. Vincent had reserved the corner table with panoramic views, and as they talked over perfectly prepared eggs Benedict and champagne mimosas, other diners couldn't help but steal glances.

"You know," Helena said, delicately cutting her eggs Benedict, "I'm pretty sure that woman over there has been taking pictures of us for the past five minutes."

Vincent glanced over casually. "Should I pose?"

"Oh please do. Maybe flex a little?" Helena teased, barely containing her laughter.

Vincent actually started to straighten his shoulders before catching her expression. "You're terrible," he said, grinning. "Here I am trying to impress you with my sophistication and you want me to turn into a bodybuilder."

"Who says I'm not already impressed?" Helena countered, taking a sip of her mimosa. "Though I have to admit, I'm curious about those muscles under that very expensive henley."

Vincent nearly choked on his drink. "Helena Darrow, are you flirting with me?"

"Maybe," she said with a mock-innocent smile. "Is it working?"

"Devastatingly well," he admitted, his voice dropping to that husky tone that made her stomach flutter.

Helena blushed prettily. "Good. Because I have no idea what I'm doing. It's been so long since I've been on a proper date, I wasn't sure if I remembered how."

"Well, you're doing something right," Vincent said, reaching across to touch her hand. "I can't seem to stop staring at you."

"That might be because I have hollandaise sauce on my chin," Helena replied, dabbing at her face with her napkin.

"No, though that would be adorable too," Vincent laughed. "It's because you're beautiful and funny and you make me forget I'm supposed to be this serious businessman."

"Oh no," Helena said in mock horror. "I'm corrupting the great Vincent Cornelius. What will your board of directors think?"

"They'll think I'm the luckiest man alive," he said simply, and the sincerity in his voice made her heart skip.

****************

After that, they strolled through the botanical gardens, Vincent's hand warm and secure in the small of her back as they admired the late spring blooms. The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the walking paths. What Helena didn't know was that Vincent had quietly arranged for the entire garden to be reserved for them today—no crowds, no interruptions, just the two of them in their own private paradise.

"The roses are gorgeous," Helena said, leaning in to smell a particularly vibrant red bloom.

"If you smile at them like that, I might get jealous.," Vincent murmured close to her ear, making her shiver deliciously.

They found themselves at the garden's famous maze, and Helena's eyes lit up with childlike excitement. "I've always wanted to try this!"

"Race you to the center?" Vincent challenged.

"You're on!"

They split up at the entrance, and Helena's delighted laughter echoed through the hedge walls as they called out playful taunts and directions to each other. Vincent could have used his enhanced abilities to navigate efficiently, but he found himself deliberately taking wrong turns just to prolong Helena's joy.

When they finally met at the center, both slightly breathless and grinning, Helena threw her arms around his neck in triumph. "I won!"

"Did you?" Vincent asked, his arms encircling her waist. In the secluded heart of the maze, surrounded by flowering hedges, the moment felt magical.

"Maybe we both did," Helena whispered, suddenly aware of how close they were, how his eyes had darkened as he looked at her.

They stayed like that for a long moment, the outside world forgotten, before Helena's cheeks flushed bright red and she stepped back, suddenly shy. "We should... we should head to dinner."

Vincent smiled at her endearing embarrassment. "Of course. The shopping mall first, though—I promised you that browsing session."

They were walking back toward the car when David approached with a concerned expression. "Sir, I'm afraid there's been a mechanical issue with the vehicle. It won't start."

Vincent frowned, but Helena touched his arm gently. "Why don't we just take a taxi? It might be fun—when's the last time you rode in one?"

David looked uncomfortable with the suggestion, but Vincent nodded. "That's actually a great idea. David, follow behind in your backup vehicle."

"Very well, sir," David replied reluctantly, already reaching for his phone to call for the secondary car.

A yellow taxi pulled up within minutes, and a man who looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties leaned out. He wore plain and worn out clothes. There was a hole in his shirt and a stain on his pants.

Vincent opened the door for Helena, not even glancing at the driver as he helped her in before sliding in beside her. "Grandview Shopping Center, please."

As they settled into the surprisingly clean leather seats, Helena laughed. "This is actually kind of exciting. Very... authentic."

"I haven't taken a taxi in years," Vincent admitted, his attention entirely focused on Helena. "Usually David drives me everywhere."

The driver's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, and for just a moment, his gaze lingered on Helena with an inappropriate intensity. Something shifted in his expression—a flash of jealousy, resentment, maybe both.

Without warning, he took a sharp left turn that sent both Vincent and Helena sliding across the back seat then slammed on the brakes at the next intersection, causing them to lurch forward.

"Hey!" Helena gasped, gripping Vincent's arm for balance. "What was that?"

"Fuck. What the hell is wrong with you? Do you not want your damn job?" Vincent snapped, his voice low and dangerous as he finally looked up from Helena to focus on the driver.

But as soon as he focused on him, the mechanical voice came.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

New Protagonist Detected.

Name: Jin Ashera

Luck Points: 1770

Current Threat Index: Low