Chapter 3 - The Boardroom and the Blueprint
Three days later, high above the glittering financial district on the forty-fifth floor of a sleek glass-and-steel skyscraper, Antoine sat at the head of a massive mahogany conference table.
Wearing a tailored charcoal suit that cost more than Ethan’s entire wardrobe combined, Antoine was reviewing quarterly venture capital allocations with his executive team. Across from him sat Marcus, his chief legal counsel, sliding a thick manila folder across the polished wood surface.
"By the way, Antoine," Marcus said with a faint, amused smirk, "that little parking lot incident from the other day? It made its rounds online. Some digital investigator traced the kid's social media handles. His name is Ethan Miller. He runs a micro-influencer page, mostly promoting low-tier streetwear and drop-shipped accessories."
Antoine didn't look up from his tablet. He simply tapped the screen to refresh a financial spreadsheet. "Does he work for anyone in our portfolio?"
"Not directly," Marcus replied, leaning back in his ergonomic leather chair. "Though he did apply for a junior marketing coordinator position at Aura Media, one of our subsidiary advertising agencies, just last week. His resume claimed he graduated top of his class in business administration from the state university."
Antoine finally raised his head, his sharp dark eyes locking onto Marcus. A subtle, dangerous smile touched the corners of his mouth. "Did he?"
"Records show he dropped out sophomore year," Marcus chuckled. "Standard resume inflation. Given what we saw in the parking lot, lying about credentials seems to be his primary operating procedure."
Antoine closed his tablet with a soft click. He stood up, walking over to the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the sprawling metropolis below. The morning fog was slowly burning off, revealing the bustling streets where thousands of people hustled, worked, and built genuine lives of substance.
"Let's see how well Mr. Miller handles a real corporate environment," Antoine said softly, his voice calm yet unyielding. "Approve his application for an initial interview at Aura Media."
Marcus blinked in surprise, sitting up straight. "An interview? Antoine, why would you reward a fraud with a corporate interview? He lied to your face and tried to bet ten grand he didn't have."
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"I'm not rewarding him, Marcus," Antoine replied, turning around with a cool, calculating gaze. "I'm giving him enough rope to hang himself. Let’s see if his arrogant mouth can survive a real boardroom when he realizes who’s actually holding the keys."
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