he access badge felt unfamiliar in my hand.
Not because I didn't belong—
but because I no longer needed permission.
The temporary executive office overlooked the river. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Minimalist furniture. The kind of space designed to intimidate without saying a word.
I placed my jacket on the chair and activated the system.
[Market Insight System — Active][Authority Context Updated][Risk Exposure: Elevated]
Elevated.
Of course it was.
Power always came with visibility.
I scanned the operational data Victor's team had reluctantly handed over. Shipping delays. Inflated vendor contracts. Redundant middlemen feeding off inefficiency.
Messy.
Deliberately messy.
[Pattern Detected:]▶ Artificial cost inflation▶ Internal resistance probability: High▶ Sabotage likelihood: 41%
I exhaled slowly.
"So they're already testing me," I murmured.
A knock on the door.
Without waiting for an answer, a man in his early thirties stepped inside. Confident. Too confident.
"Ethan Moore," he said. "Senior Operations Manager."
The system reacted instantly.
[Warning: Hostility Masked as Compliance]
Ethan smiled. "Mr. Han asked me to assist you. Anything you need, just say the word."
Translation: You won't last long.
I nodded. "Good. Then let's start by freezing all subcontractor payments pending review."
His smile flickered.
"That would disrupt ongoing operations."
"That's the point," I replied.
He hesitated—just long enough.
The system flashed red.
[Emotional Spike Detected: Anger][Advisory: Do NOT escalate verbally]
I ignored it.
"Or is that beyond your authority?" I asked coolly.
Ethan's jaw tightened. "I'll inform finance."
He turned to leave.
And that was when the system intervened.
[WARNING][Host Emotional Deviation Detected][Penalty Initiated]
Pain wasn't the right word.
It was pressure—like a vice tightening behind my eyes.
I stiffened, gripping the edge of the desk.
[Reason:]▶ Unnecessary provocation▶ Ego-driven escalation detected▶ System efficiency compromised
My vision blurred for half a second.
Then it stopped.
[Penalty Resolved][Lesson Logged]
I straightened slowly.
So that was the price.
The system didn't punish mistakes.
It punished emotion.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Control wasn't optional.
It was currency.
Two hours later, I adjusted my approach.
No confrontations.No ultimatums.
Only precision.
I called three vendors directly—not to threaten, but to listen.
By the fourth call, the pattern was clear.
One intermediary company sat between every inflated contract.
Shell structure. Political backing.
Victor's blind spot.
[Critical Vulnerability Identified][Recommended Action:]▶ Bypass influence chain▶ Leverage regulatory pressure▶ Offer silent exit
I drafted a single email.
Not aggressive.Not defensive.
Informational.
By sunset, the intermediary requested an "urgent private discussion."
I declined.
By midnight, they withdrew their contracts.
No noise.
No scandal.
Just disappearance.
[Operational Efficiency Increased: +18%][System Sync Level Improved]
I leaned back in the chair, exhaustion settling into my bones.
Power wasn't loud.
It was surgical.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Victor Han.
What did you do?
I typed back calmly.
I removed friction.
Three dots appeared. Disappeared.
Then:
The board wants to meet you.
I looked out at the city lights again.
Somewhere across the river, another boardroom waited.
This time, I wouldn't be standing at the end of the table.