Jay's POV
Byte JC's top floor always felt like a chessboard in the sky. Glass walls. Long black table. Screens glowing with numbers that could make or break people's futures.
Hex sat beside me, silent but sharp as ever. Carlos leaned back slightly, reviewing the digital proposal on his tablet. Miguel stood near the window, arms folded.
Across from us sat Mr. Laurent, smiling too much.
I don't trust men who smile like they're rehearsing for a funeral.
The presentation went smoothly.
"Byte JC's expansion into Southeast Asia would benefit from our logistics chain," Mr. Laurent said smoothly. "We offer exclusive distribution rights."
Hex tilted his head. "Exclusive usually means expensive."
Mr. Laurent chuckled. "Quality has a price."
I was about to respond when—
Knock.
I didn't even look at the door.
"Hannah," I said calmly, eyes still on Laurent, "didn't I say no disturbance?"
She stepped in slightly. "I'll deal with it."
She left.
Meeting resumed.
Numbers. Contracts. Future projections. Profit margins.
A few minutes later—
Knock again.
My eyebrow twitched.
Hannah entered, walked close, and leaned toward me.
"Keifer and the Section E boys are outside."
Of course they are.
"Let them wait in my office."
She nodded and left.
Hex smirked faintly. "Your fan club?"
I ignored him.
The proposal wrapped up. It was good. Not perfect, but good enough to consider.
A worker entered with a tray.
"Coffee, ma'am. And juice."
He placed a cup before me. Another before Mr. Laurent. Hex got mango juice.
Hex stared at the glass like it offended him.
"I always drink apple juice," he said flatly. "What is this? Please take it away."
The man froze slightly. "S-sorry sir."
Hex pushed it aside.
I picked up my coffee.
And paused.
The smell.
Subtle. But wrong.
Not strong enough to scream poison. Just… off. Like a lie hiding behind perfume.
I stood up slowly.
Before anyone processed what I was doing, I pulled the small blade from under the table and pressed it lightly against the worker's neck.
The room froze.
"Who sent you?"
The man's eyes widened. "Ma'am—what's happening?"
"If nothing is wrong," I said calmly, "drink the coffee."
Silence.
His hands shook.
"I—I didn't do anything! I was just sent to bring you and Night Byte these drinks!"
"By who?"
His finger trembled as he pointed.
At Mr. Laurent.
The air shifted.
I lowered the knife slightly and stepped back.
"This is your first warning," I told the worker.
He ran out like the building was on fire.
I turned to Mr. Laurent.
"You thought you could kill me?"
Before he could respond—
Hex picked up his untouched mango juice and threw the glass.
It smashed against the wall beside Laurent's face.
An inch away.
He flinched hard.
The smile disappeared.
I looked at everyone else at the table.
"If you have no business to discuss, leave."
Chairs scraped. Papers shuffled. Fear does that to people.
They packed up and exited quickly.
Now it was just us.
Me. Hex. Carlos. Miguel.
And Mr. Laurent.
He straightened his suit. "You can't do anything to me. My men are here."
Hex leaned back casually. "Your men are outside."
He tapped the table lightly.
"And we're inside. With you."
Marco stepped forward and grabbed Laurent's wrist, pinning it to the table.
Carlos picked up the coffee cup.
I smiled faintly. "I see you're thirsty. Why don't you drink something?"
Miguel didn't wait.
He forced the cup to Laurent's mouth.
The man struggled, choking as the coffee spilled into him.
They let him fall to the floor.
Hex kicked him lightly. "Careful. Don't die too early."
Laurent coughed violently. "You'll pay for this!"
I crouched slightly, meeting his eyes.
"You should survive the poison first."
His face went pale.
Carlos pressed the security button.
Moments later, guards rushed in.
They dragged him out, but even while being pulled away, he fought and shouted threats.
The glass doors closed.
Silence.
I exhaled and sank into my chair.
Hex stretched. "I'm going to the IT department for something."
"Sure."
He left with Carlos.
Miguel stayed a moment.
"Jay, I'll handle Mr. Laurent."
"Make sure it disappears quietly."
He nodded.
Then paused.
"Hannah said Keifer and the others are still waiting in your office."
Right.
The children.
"I'm going."
We stepped out of the meeting room.
Halfway down the hall, a worker hurried over with documents.
"Ma'am, these need your signature—"
"I'm tired," I said. "Give the rest to Hannah."
I took only one file from his hand and continued walking.
When I opened my office door—
Chaos.
Section E boys everywhere.
One near the bookshelf. One adjusting the smart screen. One spinning slowly in the visitor chair.
The TV was on.
And Keifer?
Sitting in my chair.
Feet on my desk.
They all looked up at the same time.
Silence.
I removed my mask.
Immediate noise explosion.
"Whoa."
"That outfit is crazy."
"Is that custom fabric?"
"Your office is huge!"
"You actually work here?!"
"Is that a built-in hologram system?!"
"Keifer, get off her chair before she kills you."
Keifer grinned lazily but didn't move.
"You're late."
I walked past him calmly.
He finally stood up.
I didn't sit in the main chair.
Instead, I walked to the couch and dropped into it.
"Enjoy the tour?"
They exchanged looks.
One of them whispered, "This place feels like a movie."
The boys started talking all at once.
"Who was that guy?"
"Why does your security look like secret agents?"
"Is this building bulletproof?"
"Can we work here?"
I leaned back, watching them.
For a moment, the tension from earlier melted.
Just noise. Just friends. Just stupid commentary.
But Byte JC never stays calm for long.
And neither does my life.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Weekend.
What a joke.
End of Chapter.