Chapter 11: Corporate Situation and Olivia
In the northern wing of Cornelius Holdings, Vincent’s corner office commanded a view of both the executive gardens and the freight yards beyond. He sat behind his mahogany desk, savoring Darjeeling tea infused with stabilizer root—a blend that sharpened focus while maintaining the appearance of leisurely sophistication.
The koi in his private garden had been swimming in perfect clockwise patterns for four consecutive days. Traditional cultivators would call it an auspicious sign of gathering qi. Vincent saw it as confirmation that even nature recognized the shifting currents of power.
Across from him, Olivia worked with characteristic efficiency, her fingers dancing across holographic displays as she sorted through quarterly transport reports. Translucent cargo manifests and route optimization charts flickered in the air between them like three-dimensional chess pieces.
"The sector tensions are escalating," she said without looking up from her data streams. "Annapurna’s publicly blaming Meridian for project delays, citing substandard material quality. Meridian’s retaliating by questioning Annapurna’s construction protocols. The rhetoric is getting sharper."
Vincent turned a page of his morning briefings, his expression unchanged. "Excellent. Let them tear strips off each other. As long as our freight lines remain essential to both parties, they can’t afford to make us an enemy."
"They’re also making quiet moves against our logistic monopoly," Olivia continued, highlighting a red-coded section of her display. "Trying to pressure the other sectors into opening alternate routing contracts."
"Let them try." Vincent’s smile was predatory. "The more desperate they become, the more predictable their moves."
He paused at an article in the financial section:
Cornelius Freight Shares Surge Following Academy Charity Initiative
The headline carried delicious irony. Public sympathy was such a useful currency, especially when it cost so little to manufacture.
"The media’s bought into your carefully crafted image," Olivia observed, noticing his focus. "They see you as the reluctant heir with a conscience. All philanthropy, no ruthless ambition."
"Perfect," Vincent replied, setting the paper aside. "A comfortable lie is worth more than an uncomfortable truth. Let them sleep soundly while we work."