Corporate Villainy: Trampling Protagonists as a Business Dad

Day 2 After the Attack - 8:30 AM, Cornelius Holdings Strategic Planning Office

Vincent stood before his updated corporate map, watching David add new colored pins representing the escalating conflict between Annapurna and Meridian. The attack on Celia had been the catalyst he'd hoped for, but the speed of escalation was exceeding even his optimistic projections.

"The overnight developments are significant," David reported, consulting his tablet. "Meridian terminated their equipment lease agreements with three of Annapurna's subsidiary companies, citing 'security concerns' and 'payment reliability issues.' The terminations came with four-hour notice, stranding heavy construction equipment at two active job sites."

Vincent nodded approvingly. "And Annapurna's response?"

"Celia filed emergency injunctions this morning, but more importantly, she's activated the reciprocal termination clauses in seventeen contracts with Meridian suppliers. Her legal team worked through the night to identify vulnerable pressure points."

The escalation was beautiful in its inevitability. Unlike previous corporate disputes that followed predictable patterns—aggressive posturing, face-saving compromises, gradual de-escalation—this conflict had crossed into personal territory. The attack on Celia had transformed a business disagreement into something approaching a blood feud.

"The key now," Vincent mused, "is ensuring they don't recognize how far they've already gone. Corporate leaders tend to back down when they realize the true cost of warfare."

He turned to Olivia, who was buried in research materials, her normally immaculate appearance slightly disheveled from working fifteen-hour days. "Status report on the market intelligence operation?"

Olivia looked up from her files, her expression carefully neutral despite the dark circles under her eyes. "The false intelligence about Meridian's market corner strategy has been successfully planted through three separate merchant networks. Our hired informants report that Annapurna's procurement team is taking the threat seriously—they've initiated emergency stockpiling of Qi-alloy materials."

Vincent studied her expression, noting the professional mask she'd been wearing since their conversation the previous day. Her feelings had been carefully managed, but he could see the strain in her posture, the way she held herself just slightly too rigid, the subtle tension around her eyes.

From their conversation after the meeting, Vincent understood the complexity of Olivia's situation. She was brilliant, efficient, and completely professional—but she was also in love with him. Her dedication to her work was genuine, but it was impossible to separate her professional excellence from her personal feelings.

"Excellent work. And the intelligence operation targeting Meridian?"

"The fabricated reports about Annapurna's overseas supplier negotiations are being fed through their usual information brokers. Director Thornfield's paranoia is working in our favor—he's interpreting normal business communications as evidence of conspiracy."

Vincent could see that she understood exactly what he was doing with the information she'd gathered about Celia. Her professionalism was warring with her personal feelings, but she maintained her composure with remarkable discipline.

"Sir," she continued, her voice carefully neutral, "the psychological profile you requested on Miss Annapurna is complete. Her childhood fascination with engineering puzzles, her father's death in the construction accident, her preference for logical solutions to emotional problems—all documented and analyzed. However, I should note that our intelligence gathering within Annapurna has become significantly more difficult."

"Oh?"

"They've hired additional security personnel beyond the bodyguard. Background checks on all visitors, enhanced surveillance protocols, restricted access to previously open areas. Our usual informants are reporting increased scrutiny."

Vincent's expression sharpened with interest. "I want a full investigation into these new security personnel. Who hired them, what their capabilities are, and whether they're connected to the mysterious bodyguard."

"Already initiated, sir. We should have preliminary reports within forty-eight hours."

Vincent recognized the look she gave him—pure reproach, carefully disguised as professional concern. He had to admire her restraint. Many people would have demanded explanations or made emotional scenes. Olivia simply worked harder, buried herself deeper in her duties, and maintained the facade of professional detachment.

"I understand your dedication to thoroughness," Vincent said carefully, "but comprehensive information is essential for proper strategic planning."

"Of course, sir." Her tone was perfectly professional and absolutely arctic. "I'll continue monitoring all relevant intelligence sources."

As she returned to her research, Vincent reflected on their previous conversation. Helena had been right—Olivia already knew what he was. She'd seen him make calculated decisions that would horrify conventional people, watched him manipulate situations with surgical precision. She understood him without illusions, which made her feelings more complex than simple workplace infatuation.

The challenge was managing her emotional investment without losing her professional capabilities. She was too valuable to his operations to risk with poorly handled romantic complications.

Day 3 - 10:45 AM - The Market Intelligence Operation

In the bustling commercial district, Vincent's carefully orchestrated deception was playing out exactly as planned. Three separate merchant networks were spreading his fabricated intelligence about Meridian's supposed market manipulation strategy, each believing they were sharing valuable insider information.

At the Jade Merchant's Association, a hired informant was explaining to Annapurna's procurement manager: "My contacts in the Qi-alloy foundries say Meridian's been systematically undercutting smaller suppliers for months. Once they drive out the competition, they're planning to raise prices by 300%. The timeline is aggressive—they want market control before the autumn construction season."

The procurement manager, already suspicious due to recent supply disruptions, was taking detailed notes. "You're certain of this information?"

"Certain enough to risk my reputation by sharing it. Meridian's been buying up foundry debt and foreclosing on struggling suppliers. It's not random business—it's a coordinated campaign."

Meanwhile, across the city in Meridian's intelligence network, Vincent's second operation was bearing fruit. A carefully compromised information broker was presenting Managing Director Thornfield (also the major controlling owner) with equally fabricated evidence of Annapurna's supposed betrayal.

"The documents are clear," the broker insisted, spreading forged shipping manifests across Thornfield's desk. Though he had a serious look on his face, his heart was beating rapidly. He had decided to betray the enterprise which employed him for another. He felt like he was cheating on his long time girlfriend but he couldn't bear it anymore. The toxicity and cruelty of his girl— his employer, yes employer, has reached more than he could handle. Although he also got a lot of money to do this, that was not the reason for his betrayal. Definitely not. 

"Annapurna's been negotiating exclusive supplier agreements with overseas vendors for the past two months. They're planning to bypass the entire local market and establish their own supply chain."

Thornfield's expression darkened as he studied the false evidence. "This would give them a thirty percent cost advantage over our entire operation."

"Exactly. They're not just trying to win this contract dispute—they're trying to eliminate Meridian as a competitor entirely."

The beauty of both deceptions was their plausibility. Meridian had previously attempted market consolidation strategies, making the first lie believable. Annapurna had been exploring international suppliers due to recent supply problems, making the second lie equally credible.

Day 4 - 2:30 PM - The Escalation Accelerates

By next afternoon, the effects of Vincent's manipulation were rippling through both corporations. Annapurna's emergency stockpiling had triggered panic among smaller suppliers who suddenly found themselves dealing with massive orders and competing with Meridian's bulk purchasing power. Prices were rising as demand outstripped supply.

Meridian's response to the overseas supplier intelligence was swift and brutal. Thornfield activated contingency contracts that forced exclusive loyalty from his remaining suppliers, threatening legal action against anyone who attempted to work with Annapurna. The move was aggressive enough to trigger counter-responses.

Vincent received hourly updates from his intelligence network, each report confirming the successful escalation of the conflict.

"Annapurna has activated their legal warfare division," David reported. "They're filing complaints with the Corporate Council about anticompetitive practices and supplier intimidation."

"And Meridian?"

"Director Thornfield has hired additional security personnel from Sector 4. Their stated purpose is 'protecting corporate assets,' but our sources suggest they're being positioned for more aggressive actions."

Vincent nodded with satisfaction. The corporate war was escalating beyond the point where either side could easily retreat. Each aggressive move triggered counter-moves, and the momentum was building toward genuine conflict.

"The key now is maintaining the pressure without revealing our involvement. Both sides need to believe they're responding to the other's aggression, not external manipulation."

"Sir," David continued, "there's one detail about the attack on Miss Annapurna that might be relevant. The three assailants claimed they were simple armed robbers when questioned by security. They maintained this story even under enhanced interrogation."

Vincent's expression grew thoughtful. "And your assessment?"

"On the surface, it's obviously false—the timing was too convenient, the location too specific. But..." David paused, consulting his notes. "The attackers' cultivation levels, their equipment, their methodology—it all suggests some street gang criminals rather than professional operatives."

Vincent found himself genuinely uncertain. He'd learned to be suspicious of convenient coincidences. But this world operated on different rules. If Marcus was truly a protagonist figure, then fate itself might conspire to provide him with opportunities to demonstrate his worth to Celia.

"Continue monitoring the situation," Vincent decided. "If it was truly random, we'll adapt our plans accordingly. If it was orchestrated, we need to identify who was behind it."

He was now almost certain that this bodyguard was another protagonist he needed to deal with. Vincent smiled to himself. "I have to make some preparations for the upcoming corporate gala."

Then, as if changing his mind mid-thought, he waved David off. "Wait—forget it. No need to monitor the assailants anymore. I'll handle this myself."

Although confused, David nodded and exited.

Vincent watched the departing back of his loyal driver—an old man who, truthfully, was more suited to be an intelligence officer than a chauffeur.

"Sigh… I should just make Raghu my permanent driver and bodyguard instead. David should focus more on intelligence."

David was already 56 years old and better suited for a desk job. Not that Vincent planned on retiring him. Neither of them wanted that. He'd asked him once—suggested retirement—and David had refused.

The only time, Vincent realized, that the old man had ever denied him anything… and it had been his own retirement.