WebNovels

Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: The Apex Predator

New York City, United States

The crisp, midday air of Manhattan buzzed with the frantic, calculated energy of global finance. A sleek, obsidian Rolls-Royce Phantom glided silently to a halt outside the monolithic glass and steel headquarters of Vanquish Global Holdings.

The silence of the luxury vehicle was instantly replaced by the hushed movements of highly paid staff. A young, impeccable valet held the door, but it was unnecessary. The back door was pushed open with a decisive, commanding force by the man inside.

Mr. Vijay Sharma, Rajat's father, emerged.

A man who had built an empire not on luck, but on absolute control, Vijay Sharma was less an entrepreneur and more an apex predator in a tailored suit. He was tall, his features sharp and unforgiving, and his salt-and-pepper hair was perfectly slicked back. The second his Italian leather shoes touched the pavement, a wave of subservience rippled through the gathered employees.

"Good morning, Mr. Sharma," his personal assistant, a fiercely efficient woman named Ms. Evelyn Reed, murmured, falling into step beside him.

"Morning, sir," chorused a line of mid-level executives, their voices barely audible above the city's roar.

Vijay offered them no greeting, only a sharp, assessing glance as he moved, a living example of the Minimum Drag Principle that Aarav admired—only applied to ruthlessness. He entered the colossal lobby, the group of subordinates scattering respectfully behind him like small fish traili

The next hour was a blur of high-stakes decisions in a soundproof boardroom overlooking Central Park. Vijay, seated at the head of a massive mahogany table, spoke little, but when he did, his words were mandates. Stocks, acquisitions, and hostile takeovers—the fate of entire companies were decided with a flick of his pen.

Later, in his private office—a space of minimalist design and maximum power—Vijay leaned back in his leather chair, a glass of water untouched on the polished rosewood desk. Evelyn entered quietly, holding a secure data tablet.

"The meeting with the Seoul directors has been moved to tomorrow, 7:00 AM, sir. I have cleared your evening for the charity gala," she reported, her tone purely professional.

Vijay nodded, his eyes half-closed. "And the project? The one Dr. Sinha signed off on last week."

Evelyn's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. This was the one item Vijay always spoke about in a low, expectant tone.

"Ah, the 'Phoenix Project,' sir," she confirmed. "Dr. Sinha's team has finalized the clinical trials. The results are… astounding. It is everything you predicted. A true, ground-breaking development in regenerative medicine. The potential to treat congenital heart disease and accelerate tissue healing at a cellular level is unlike anything we have ever seen. It will not just shake the industry, sir; it will reorganize the entire field of medicine."

Vijay's expression remained glacial, yet a dark spark ignited in his eyes. "Good. See that the legal team has the final acquisition papers ready. I want the intellectual property locked down before the end of thefiile

Evelyn prepared to leave, taking a step back toward the door.

"Evelyn," Vijay's voice cut the silence, stopping her mid-turn.

"Sir?"

"Has Rajat called? My son."

Evelyn paused, turning fully to face her boss. Her features softened slightly—she had served the family for years and felt a distant fondness for the spoiled heir.

"Rajat is well, sir. He is excelling in his studies in India, focusing on his MBA. He's been handling a few… personal rivalries, but nothing he can't manage. He has not called this week."

Vijay dismissed this with a negligible wave of his hand. "He is a boy. See to it that I have a full report on his activities by Monday."

"Of course, sir." Evelyn left, the heavy mahogany door clicking shut behind her.

Alone, Vijay Sharma shifted his gaze to the massive cityscape framed by his window. The world seemed to lay at his feet, and he was already planning his next conquest. He thought of the Phoenix Project and the genius who had invented it—a genius whose name would soon be erased.

A slow, chilling smile spread across his face, devoid of warmth or humour. He didn't speak the words, but the thought was a silent contract with the devil.

"Your hard work is now mine. Your brand will be my brand, and it will shine only in the name of Vanquish Global Holdings."

He inhaled, the victory tasting like cool steel. The world's richest man had just secured his next empire.

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