Chapter 95: The Struggle Between Light and Shadow
Members of the Animals kept coming in, tossing the surviving captives from the building into the room.
Arthur looked at the pitiful, unconscious bodies sprawled across the floor and found himself missing his trusty rope.
Leaving the scene behind, the two wandered idly around the floor.
The top level was already well-finished.
Shiny ceramic tiles covered the floor, a thin layer of dust clinging to them. Each step swept some away, revealing the clean gloss beneath.
On the far side of the corridor stood a waist-high glass wall, and beyond it lay the ecological island.
It too was nearly complete—tropical plants had already taken root, their varied canopies swaying gently, creating a unique beauty.
Looking down, they saw a dense, layered canopy.
“Those idiots from the Animals... at least they managed to find themselves a little forest.”
Arthur’s raspy voice carried a sharp edge of sarcasm. Still, it really was a fine spot.
Maybe it was just in their heads, but even the air here felt fresher than outside.
A shame it was in the hands of the Animals.
“This eco-island isn’t finished. The trees won’t last long.”
Leaning on the railing, Jackie peered down, his voice tinged with regret.
“What a damn shame...”
Arthur came up beside him and gave his arm a hard slap, his words laced with amusement.
“Come on, even if it were perfect, the Animals would just chop it all down for firewood...
Still... it’s not bad. Maybe we could get a few trees ourselves, plant them at home.”
His tone was light, but Jackie snapped back irritably.
“Easy for you to say, brother.
These things aren’t easy to get, and if we planted one of those giants inside a house... how big would the place have to be?”
He gestured broadly, looking up and down at the massive tree stretching all the way from the ground floor.
“But hey, if that day ever comes, you’ll be set for life, brother...”
Grinning, Jackie slapped Arthur on the chest, teasing him.
“When that happens, don’t forget to save me a room.”
“Fine... I’ll stick you in there as a farmer...”
Arthur smirked, resting both hands on the railing as his gaze lingered on the marvel before them. He gave a half-hearted nod.
“I’d plant fruit trees for sure. If you steal from them, I’ll punish you by locking you inside for the night.”
“Then you’d better plant a lot of bananas. My favorite.”
“Me? Mangoes, I guess.”
...
For the next few days, the Animals stayed busy. Meanwhile, using their presence to cover them, Arthur and Jackie kept guard over the black box, quietly waiting as Daino had instructed.
City Center, Corporate Plaza.
Blazing sunlight poured down from the sky, coating everything in a blinding glare.
The plaza’s sky-blue dome shimmered above, surrounded by a silent ring of corporate towers.
The Militech complex stood across from Arasaka Tower. Unlike its slender rival, Militech’s headquarters was rigid, square—like an iron monument.
Sunlight poured over its surface like burning fire.
Inside a cluttered office, a deafening “BANG!” rang out as the door was kicked open.
“Damn it, Meredith! Do you even know what the hell you’re doing?
You bitch! Was it you who filed that investigation request?”
Two men barged in as the door flew wide.
Both were Black, the one in front so massive he nearly blocked the smaller man behind him.
“Get out!”
At the far end of the office, a figure rose slowly from behind the desk.
A woman planted her hands firmly on the tabletop, her expression fierce. Shoulder-length golden hair spilled down her back like a lion’s mane.
Though, of course, lionesses don’t grow manes.
“This is my office.”
“Your office? Hah.”
The intruder didn’t back down. He kicked a pile of junk nearby, scattering it across the floor with a sharp crash.
“You think I want to be in your pigsty?
Talk! Where is it? You know damn well! That bastard Daino was always sticking close to you!”
“Seems you’re in a hurry...”
Meredith withdrew her hands from the desk, studied her palms for a moment, then slowly crossed her arms over her chest.
“Too bad. I don’t know.”
“This is a fucking order!”
The hulking man stepped closer, his arms trembling.
His voice dropped low, harsh and guttural.
“You know he’s my son... my only one...”
Meredith paced to the floor-to-ceiling window, not even sparing him a glance. Her voice was cold, detached.
“Not my problem.”
“You... even if you die, I won’t let you rest easy.”
The man’s glare was so vicious it looked like he wanted to devour her alive.
Meredith gave him a once-over, frowning. Death? Things hadn’t gone that far.
The part in question was important and expensive, sure—but not worth a death sentence. At worst, it would mean a demotion.
This wasn’t just about losing something. It was more than that.
“Get out. Last warning.”
Her voice was icy, finger pointing at the door.
She had no intention of prolonging this standoff with her enemies. Her mind was already running through the possibilities.
If they were truly ready to fight to the death, her preparations weren’t nearly enough.
“Very good... Meredith... very good...”
The words hissed through his clenched lips—not with the arrogance from before, but like venom from a coiled snake.
From that moment, their feud was set—there would be no turning back.
He might have looked unhinged at first, but in truth, he knew exactly what he was doing.
He wanted their conflict out in the open, so the entire company would know.
A mistake? No—it was deliberate infighting.
Many in the company already resented Meredith. All he had to do was plant the illusion, and the rumors would spread on their own.
If she buckled under the pressure, perfect.
But things were already slipping out of control.
Rumors were still just that—baseless, a probing strike at best.
Now the real problem was the colossal mess his idiot son had caused.
His gaze darkened as he glanced back.
The frail figure behind him shuffled awkwardly, head down, fidgeting with his hands.
A mop of messy pink hair fell over his forehead, swaying with each hesitant step.
The man clenched his teeth and turned away with a scowl.
Huff—
He exhaled a long breath.
If he didn’t cut the loose ends, this whirlpool would swallow him whole.
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.