Chapter 1018: die with dignity

[GLOBAL PRIME LOGISTICS]

"Heh! Those losers!" Stephen scoffed as he arrogantly walked into his new office. His cunning smirk was plastered across his face until he closed the door behind him.

Click.

"Hah..." Stephen pressed his back against the door, exhaling heavily.

This had become a habit of his since the beginning of the scheme Charles had concocted. He would always find himself breathing in and out the moment he was alone. However, he had to admit that acting in front of everyone was getting easier.

Once his heart rate stabilized, Stephen patted his chest and nodded at himself. When he looked up, his eyes scanned Atlas’s office, which was now his. Unlike the minimalist design Atlas had during his tenure, he decorated the office to his liking.

"It’s more perfect like this," he told himself, giggling a bit, feeling briefly happy about it.

Even though it was part of their plan, this was still huge! Now that he was getting the hang of it, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of realization and satisfaction.

"Hihi..." His giggling stopped when he realized that his happiness was genuine. "Ahem!"

Stephen straightened his back and cleared his throat. He walked to his desk with dignity and pride. And when he sat down, the side of his mouth stretched from ear to ear.

"Heh," he smirked, appreciating his surroundings. "I am the head..."

RING!!

"Oh, my goodness! That scared me!" Stephen almost jumped out of his seat when his phone rang. He instinctively clasped his chest, his eyes shaking as they landed on the desk drawer. There was only one phone inside the drawer, hidden in a secret compartment.

"How did he know I was here?" he wondered to himself, scrunching his nose in confusion before he panicked. Stephen looked around nervously, thinking that this office might be tapped or that there were hidden cameras. Otherwise, how would Charles know he was in the office to call him?

’If there were cameras, did he just see me grinning just now?’ he wondered, shaking his head as he realized he had to get the phone, since it couldn’t just keep ringing. Although the default ringtone wasn’t loud in reality, to Stephen’s ears, it was blaring.

Weren’t they being careful!?

After a minute, he grabbed the phone and leaned back in the swivel chair to hide himself. His actions were becoming more natural, like muscle memory.

"Hey there!" Charles’s lazy voice greeted the moment the line connected. "How are you faring?"

"Charles, did you plant spy cameras in my office? How did you know I was in the office when you called?" he asked curiously, just in case he needed to act more properly. ’I take it back. Acting isn’t getting any easier.’

"Why would I put a camera in your office? To watch you do what? Celebrate your win?"

"So you really set up hidden cameras?" Stephen pressed.

"Huh?" Charles was briefly confused before a wicked smirk appeared on his face. "Wait, are you really celebrating?"

Stephen almost choked on his own breath as soon as he heard that.

"Hahaha! I knew it, you nasty little thug!" Charles laughed, only to hiss afterward, making a punching gesture. "This isn’t acting anymore. This is your true colors, you wicked man!"

"What are you talking about?! I’m always anxious! Give me a break! If I’m that wicked, why would I come to you for help?" Stephen spat out in retaliation, but in truth, he just wanted to avoid the shame of the truth. "Why did you call?"

"Well, you’re right. You’ve been working hard," Charles agreed, thinking about what had been happening while Stephen was doing his best not to get caught. His sons and Haines went on a date. Thinking about it made Charles pinch the bridge of his nose. Then, his daughter got a fever, followed by Zoren’s scarily sensitive recovery, and they had a bountiful feast.

They had been living as if there were no threats to their family. They were quite relaxed—too relaxed. If Stephen knew this, he would flip.

"To clarify, I didn’t plan any hidden cameras in that office because no one is interested in knowing what you’re doing there. God forbid you’re having an affair with your secretary. I don’t want to know that," Charles said, making Stephen’s face turn red.

"What the hell are you talking about?! My assistant is older than me! She’s only working for me now to write her retirement!" Stephen gasped in disbelief. "Besides, I may be like this, but I’m very faithful to my wife!"

Charles rolled his eyes, clearly being sarcastic, but Stephen wouldn’t take a joke.

"Ahem! So, you didn’t install any cameras in the office?" Stephen asked, focusing back on track because this conversation would go nowhere if he didn’t stay focused. Stephen was their frontman, so he had to be prepared at all times. He needed to know what Charles and his children were up to.

"I didn’t."

"Then how did you know I was in my office?"

"Stephen, just like our main concern—that our enemies might be watching our every move, that they could have planted their people in the company—I also have to plant mine," Charles explained in a knowing tone. "If I place a camera, they could easily find it and, worse, alter it. Although my daughter reassured me it wouldn’t be a problem, I’m worried about you. So, I asked some of my friends for help to make sure you won’t be in harm’s way."

Surprise spread across Stephen’s face upon hearing that. He was a little touched by Charles’s gesture. "So, you’re saying there are people in the company whose sole purpose is to keep me alive?"

"Yes."

"Charles, I didn’t know you would—"

"But they might make sure that you stay alive, but that doesn’t mean they can help you with what’s coming."

Whatever words of appreciation and gratitude Stephen had for Charles rolled back into his throat. Stephen narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"What are you saying, Charles?" he asked, not feeling good about this.

Charles sighed. "I’m saying my children will make their moves soon. Haines told me there was no need to let you know about this, but I felt sorry. So, I’m giving you a heads-up. I hope you’re keeping up with your maintenance. Don’t let the family down, Stephen. Good luck!"

Having said that, Charles hung up. Stephen, on the other hand, listlessly lowered his phone and scanned the room.

"Don’t let the family down," he mumbled, reminded of Atlas’s parting words when he kicked them out. His face began to twitch, imagining the crazy look in Atlas’s eyes that had briefly appeared at that time. "He’ll take this seriously, won’t he?!"

Now, everything was clear. Stephen not only needed to deceive the enemies, but he also had to save the company and fight those guys — his own relatives — as if it were real. Worse was that he knew it would be real, somehow and in some way. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be believable.

In other words, giving up and cowering wasn’t an option. Asking for mercy wasn’t even on the table!

He had to fight to the death and at least die with dignity.