Chapter 2 - The Setup
I put my phone back into my pocket without changing my expression.
Chad was still holding his phone inches from my face.
He was live-streaming to millions of aggressive followers.
"Are you mute, buddy?" Chad taunted.
"Or did you just realize you're going to be in debt for the rest of your miserable life?"
The crowd in the plaza had started to circle us, whispering and taking out their own phones.
The young woman who had dropped her coffees was trembling by the curb.
I finally spoke, keeping my voice low and dangerously calm.
"You hit a parked car, Chad."
His arrogant smile faltered for a fraction of a second.
"How do you know my name, white-collar drone?"
"Everyone knows the guy who buys followers with his daddy's money," I replied.
The crowd let out a collective gasp.
Chad's face turned violently red.
He ended his live stream and shoved his phone into his pocket.
"You have no idea who you are messing with," he hissed.
He snapped his fingers, and a massive black SUV pulled up onto the curb.
Four large men in tactical suits stepped out and surrounded me.
"My security team is going to hold you here until the police arrive," Chad sneered.
"And by the time they get here, I'll have three witnesses saying you threw yourself at my car."
I looked at the four armed men blocking my path.
They looked like ex-military mercenaries hired for corporate intimidation.
The lead guard stepped forward and reached out to grab my shoulder.
"Put your hands behind your back," the guard commanded.
As he grabbed my wrist, his eyes fell on the heavy silver ring on my right index finger.
It was a custom insignia ring given only to the founding board members of TechNova.
The guard's face drained of all color, and his hand began to shake uncontrollably.
May you like
"Sir," the guard whispered, slowly backing away from me in absolute terror.
"I am so sorry, I didn't know it was you."
