Foundation The Architect

Episode 5

When are you going to realize that the man you’ve called a parasite for the last five years is actually the person who built every single foundation of your success?"

"Don't listen to him, Mr. Yudha!" Marcus shouted, trying to snatch the card from Mr. Yudha's hand. "That has to be a fake card! Henry Collins is a nobody who lives off our CEO's charity!"

I pulled the card back before Marcus could touch it. "One more move, Marcus, and I'll ensure your name is on the blacklist of every financial institution on this continent within five minutes."

Marcus froze, his hand suspended in mid-air. There was something in my voice that made him realize I wasn't bluffing. Something drastically different from the Henry he was used to pushing around.

"Mr. Yudha," I said, switching back to a professional tone. "Do you have the sales contract draft? We can finalize this right now. I don't like wasting time."

"Y-yes, Sir. I have the draft right here," Mr. Yudha said, fumbling to pull the document from his briefcase.

Clara stepped forward, slamming her hand down on the table. "Wait! Mr. Yudha, we can match that offer! We'll give you... sixty-one million!"

I let out a small laugh. "Cash, Clara? Does Dione Infra actually have sixty-one million dollars in cash liquidity right now? Or would you have to borrow from the bank again and wait two weeks for board approval?"

Clara's face flushed deep red. She knew I was right. Dione Infra was in a liquidity crisis, which was exactly why they were trying to pressure Mr. Yudha into accepting the lowest possible price.

"I'll find it!" Clara exclaimed in desperation. "Mr. Yudha, don't give him that land! He just wants revenge on me! He'll destroy the project!"

"On the contrary, Mr. Yudha," I said, brushing aside Clara's outburst. "I have an integrated infrastructure development plan that will increase property values around this port by four hundred percent within three years. You and the consortium members will retain a five percent equity stake in the development project. Clara's offer didn't include shares, did it?"

Mr. Yudha looked at Clara with an accusing glance. "Miss Dione said they would take full ownership, with no residuals left for us."

"Of course," I said cynically. "Because she only cares about exploitation, not collaboration."

Mr. Yudha nodded firmly. He picked up the pen that had fallen and signed the document. "Mr. Collins, the Nexus Gateway land officially belongs to you. I prefer dealing with someone who values our hard work over those who only know how to threaten."

"A wise decision, Mr. Yudha," I said, standing up and shaking his hand. "My financial team will send proof of transfer to the consortium's account within ten minutes."

I took the signed document, slipped it into the thin briefcase I carried. I turned to leave, but Clara stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

Her eyes were watery, but not with sadness—they were tears of pure rage. "You think you've won, Henry? You blew all that money—stolen from God knows where—just for one small piece of land? This won't save you. I'll still destroy you. I have Marcus, I have the board of directors, I have media power!"

I looked at her with genuine pity. "You still don't understand, do you, Clara? You said I didn't have the guts to lead. But here you are, shouting in an old office lobby because you lost an asset you desperately needed."

"You're just begging someone for help!" Clara screamed, her voice echoing throughout the lobby, causing several office staff to emerge from their rooms to see what was happening. "Who's behind you, Henry? Who helped you? You couldn't possibly do this alone! You don't have the capacity for this!"

I stepped closer, whispering something in her ear so Marcus couldn't overhear. "The real foundation is never visible to eyes blinded by gold, Clara. You just watched one brick fall toward you. Prepare for the rest."

I moved away from her, giving a stiff smile to Marcus who remained frozen solid. "See you in the market, Marcus. Try not to go bankrupt before next month."

I walked out toward the glass lobby door. Behind me, I could hear Clara exploding in rage.

"Henry Collins! Get back here! Do you hear me? You'll be begging me for your job back! You're nothing but a parasite! A lucky parasite!"

I didn't turn around. I pushed open the glass door, letting the fresh air greet me outside. Victor was already standing next to the car door, opening it respectfully for me.

"Did we get it, Master H?" Victor asked as I settled into the luxurious rear cabin.

"The Nexus Gateway is ours, Victor," I replied, leaning back into the plush leather seat. "And Clara just put on quite a show in there."

Victor closed the door and quickly drove the car away from the old building. From the rear window, I watched Clara and Marcus step onto the sidewalk, staring at our car with indescribable expressions. Clara looked to be frantically calling someone, while Marcus kicked their own car's tire in anger.

"What's the next step?" Victor asked.

"Activate phase two," I said, opening the digital tablet in front of me. "I want a list of all Dione Infra's major investors. I need to know who is most dissatisfied with Clara's current leadership. If she wants a media war and board influence, I'll hit her from the inside."

"I've prepared it, Sir. There's one name that caught my attention: Michael, a seasoned real estate investor. He's at the golf club this afternoon," Victor explained.

I smiled. "Good. Let's go meet Michael. I want to find out if he values Clara's money more than my intelligence."

My phone vibrated. A message came in from an unknown number.

Don't get ahead of yourself, Architect. Buying the land is one thing. Defending it from Chimera is another. Elias won't let you play around in his backyard for long.

I stared at the message, expressionless. Elias Kane. My old mentor seemed to be making his move. He must realize that activating Level Five wasn't just about personal revenge; it was about retaking full control of The Vanguard Group, which he had corrupted.

"Victor," I said.

"Yes, Master H?"

"Tighten security around Mr. Yudha and the consortium members. Elias will likely try to approach them now that they have a remaining stake in our project."

"I'll take care of it immediately."

The car cut through the growing city traffic. I watched the reflections of tall buildings in the window, realizing that every one of those structures was part of the system I had helped build. All this time I've been a shadow, a foundation whose existence was never acknowledged. But now, that shadow was lengthening, engulfing everything that tried to step on it.

Clara Dione thought she had destroyed me. She didn't know that by kicking me out, she had just released the chain holding back a monster capable of devouring her entire industry.

Sixty million dollars was just an opening salvo. A public 'slap in the face' that I deliberately created so she would start to feel fear. Because fear is the best fuel for causing fatal mistakes. And I'll be there to collect every piece of her destruction.

"Mr. Henry," Victor called, breaking my concentration.

"Yes?"

"There's an incoming call on the encrypted line. Someone claiming to be Selena Vance."

I frowned. Selena Vance? The primary heir of Vance Corp?