WebNovels

Chapter 3 - The Shadows of BlueRise

The glass towers of BlueRise Investments rose in the financial district like a silent reminder of the Dumas family's fall.

Once, these offices had teemed with analysts, traders, confident voices. Now, the lights flickered half-heartedly, and the corridors smelled of resignation and fear.

Marc—or rather Marcus—entered without a word. The staff froze at his sight.

Some lowered their eyes. Others exchanged whispers he could hear perfectly:

> "It's him. The one responsible."

"How dare he come back here?"

He didn't need to hear more. Someone else's guilt clung to him like a second shadow.

---

The SYSTEM activated, discreet as a breath:

> [Mission: Observe before striking]

Status: In progress (Day 1/7)

Clue 1: "Numbers lie less than faces."

A translucent screen appeared in his field of vision. Figures passed by, each face glowing with a subtle hue: green, yellow, red.

Behavioral analysis activated.

Lies, fear, stress—all appeared as pulses around eyes, neck, lips.

A gift.

Or a curse.

---

In the CFO's office, Claire Mornet, tension was palpable.

A young woman with calculated coldness, rectangular glasses, and immaculate files.

"Mr. Dumas," she said without lifting her head, "I thought you were banned from setting foot here."

"I've received far worse than that," he replied calmly.

She finally looked up. Her voice remained steady, but her hands betrayed a subtle tension. The SYSTEM indicated: potential lie—67%.

"The accounts of BlueRise are under judicial control," she continued. "You won't find anything useful here."

"I'm not looking for numbers, Claire. I'm looking for the truth."

She raised an eyebrow, barely hiding her unease.

"The truth? You picked the wrong building for that."

Marc allowed a cold smile.

"Perhaps. But numbers lie less than faces."

She paled. For a moment, he thought he saw her jaw tighten before she replaced it with her professional mask. The SYSTEM pulsed lightly:

> [New clue detected]

"BlueRise accounts: transfer to Helix International – sealed file."

---

That evening, alone in Marcus's old office, he accessed the internal servers.

A series of blurred transactions appeared. Each access attempt was blocked by the IT system.

> Authorization code required: CL-MRN-07

Claire Mornet.

Marc drew a deep breath.

It all fit: Paul, Helix, Claire.

A chain of betrayals carefully woven.

The SYSTEM offered an alternative:

> Skill available: "Tactical Persuasion (Level 1)" – Cost: 10 energy points.

Activate?

He hesitated. Then pressed yes.

A shiver ran down his neck. His voice, posture, gaze… everything seemed calibrated to influence.

---

The next morning, he met Claire at the cafeteria.

"It seems you've been avoiding my calls," he said simply.

"I was busy."

"Busy with what? Transferring funds to Helix?"

The words fell like a blade. Silence followed, heavy.

His pupils narrowed; the SYSTEM confirmed: truthfulness—89%.

"How… how do you know that?" she stammered.

"Because I opened my eyes. And I intend to reclaim everything Marcus lost."

He stepped closer, calm, precise.

"You have two choices: cooperate, or fall with them."

She lowered her head.

Seconds later, she handed him a silver USB drive.

"You didn't see anything," she whispered.

---

That evening, he inserted the USB into his computer. The files opened: secret contracts, coded transactions, evidence of bribes… all leading to Paul Dumas and Helix International.

The SYSTEM validated:

> [Mission accomplished: "Observe before striking"]

Reward: Unlock skill "Strategic Negotiation (Level 1)"

New mission available: "Rule #2 — Loyalty is tested in silence."

Marc closed the files.

In the window, his reflection stared back: a man he no longer fully recognized.

Cold, methodical, calculating.

Perhaps this was what it meant to become the Supreme CEO: learning to detach from everything that still made one human.

He looked out at the sleeping city.

The countdown continued—362 days remaining.

---

If you want, I can now translate Chapter 4 in the same style so the first four chapters are all ready in consistent English. Do you want me to proceed?

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