4.
The city pulsed beneath him — lights blinking like stars caught in traffic, endless and artificial. But inside the tower, the silence was sharper than glass.
On the top floor of the Aurellian Group Headquarters, the air was colder than the central air ever made it. Not because of the temperature — but because of him.
Theodore Aurellian sat behind a sleek black desk, fingers tapping slowly against a thick folder of printed documents. Not a sound came from him. Not a word.
The office worker standing before him looked ready to crumble.
He kept his head bowed, jaw clenched, knuckles white at his sides. A single drop of sweat slid down his temple, disappearing into his collar.
Across the room, standing by the window with tablet in hand, Dimitry — Theodore's longtime secretary — gave the faintest shake of his head, barely perceptible.
Still, Theodore said nothing.
His eyes — slate-grey and unreadable — remained fixed on the final page of the report, his hand resting on it like a predator testing the pulse of its prey.
And then—
A quiet exhale.
A sharp thud as he shut the folder.
The office worker flinched.
Theodore leaned back in his chair, gaze never lifting.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
Tell me, Mr. Smith.
His voice was low. Measured. Controlled.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
Is this the level of detail you’re proud to present on a quarterly projection for a billion-dollar merger?
Mr. Smith opened his mouth, but the sound stuck in his throat.
Theodore's gaze narrowed.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
I’ve seen interns do better market diagnostics with three hours and a coffee machine.
Mr. Smith
I—I’m terribly sorry, sir. I’ll revise it immediately.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
No.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
You’ll leave it as is, and bring it to my father.
He continued, eyes like ice.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
Let him see the kind of employees this company breeds when it’s too generous with second chances.
Mr. Smith looked up, stunned
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
I don't repeat myself.
The worker nearly stumbled back, bowing so fast it looked like a collapse. Dimitri stepped forward and opened the door without a word. Mr. Smith scurried out, shame clinging to his shoulders like static.
Only then did Theodore sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Dimitri remained quiet for a moment before speaking.
Dimitri Sutton (ML's Secretary, A)
Another one bites the dust.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
They come in with inflated titles and empty brains.
Theodore muttered, flipping open a new document.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
I don’t have time to babysit.
Dimitri Sutton (ML's Secretary, A)
You’re not wrong.
Dimitri said, tapping his tablet.
Dimitri Sutton (ML's Secretary, A)
But you’re not exactly famous for encouragement either.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
I’m not here to be liked.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
Dimitri's lips twitched.
Dimitri Sutton (ML's Secretary, A)
Oh, I know. You’re everyone’s favorite prayer — they pray you trip. They just want to be around when you fall.
Theodore Aurellian (ML, DA)
Then let them keep waiting.
The room stayed quiet after that, the city buzzing far below.
He should’ve felt powerful.
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