Intertwined With The Billionaire

Video-Call Showdown

Levi McCormick, the CEO of Evolve Technologies, sat inside his brightly lit condominium unit in the upscale neighborhood of Hudson Yards, New York.

A digital clock ticked at his desk. He wore a plain pair of shorts and a t-shirt, while holding a hot cup of café noir in his hands.

When the clock ticked 7 pm, he put on his Bluetooth headset, reclined comfortably into his chair, and pressed enter in Zoom.

The corporate office headquarters of Matrix Systems was plain and unadorned, save for a cutting edge laptop and smartphone on Ferdinand's desk, in stark contrast to the vibrant, cheerfully lit room of Levi.

A devilish mocking grin spread across Levi's face as he noted the serious look on his rival's face, Ferdinand Darcey, the CEO of Matrix Systems.

He could sense Ferdinand's obvious tension just from the look on Ferdinand's face. Ferdinand wore a business suit, with a fiery look in his eyes that could paralyze the meek and the timid, and send them scrambling to obey Ferdinand's orders. But Levi was the exact opposite. Levi had a bold attitude, quick wits, a disarming charm, easy smiles, sharp jests that hid the cunning viper beneath.

" You honor me with an early call at night, Ferdinand. I daresay, your appearance is as bitter as this coffee.''

Levi grinned at Ferdinand, and took a sip of coffee.

" What made you do a video-call with me at this particular hour, Ferdinand? To make another sad sob tale of your supposed marriage that didn't push through? Or to brag about the lackluster software of yours that drew more cockroaches than investors? "

Levi laughed, with a sly grin that said," I know why your marriage got canceled. ''

Ferdinand's face grew flushed with anger at the bold mockery.

" I did not invite you onto this video-call for you to joke, Levi. Your company has to stop infringing.''

" Infringing, Ferdinand? Says the man who nearly got sued by Microsoft for copying their AI. "

Levi said, with a feigned seriousness in his tone.

" You look splendid in that suit, Ferdinand. Tell me, where did you buy it, some counterfeit store that sold Armani counterfeits? Or did you raid some mannequin for that suit? I suggest you switch to producing mannequins instead. "

" I'm not here to joke around, Levi. You're undermining my company's credibility, and "

" Oh. Credibility, Ferdinand? That's rich, coming from you. "

Levi fired back with a mocking nod.

" What was the tagline of Matrix Systems again, Ferdinand? Oh, I remember it now. We give you the best services available. If I had a dollar every time your product launches failed to impress your clients in Silicon Valley, I could fund my next venture. "

" I'm talking about my business, Levi. You will back off, right after this video call, or I'll escalate things even further. "

" Backing off, Ferdinand? I don't back off, and not even for the likes of such as you. "

Levi said for a moment with seriousness in his tone, his unblinking viper eyes staring straight at Ferdinand's fiery eyes. Then his easy feral grin returned.

" And escalate, Ferdinand? Oh, please, your escalation tactics are as predictable as, dare I say, your monthly and yearly profits and debt reports. The way you didn't use the same old threats as the last few months is surprising. Have you tried using a new script? Something that is more creative for a change.''

Levi swatted away Ferdinand's words with an air of nonchalance, as if he were swatting at a fly.

" Your company is copying my software, Levi.''

" Copying, Ferdinand? Why would my company copy the software of some lackluster company like yours that made the programmers sleep with boredom? Perhaps I should send you some strong coffee to help boost your sales.''

" Levi, I demand you to stop, or else,''

" Oh, blustering and making threats again, Ferdinand. Wonderful. I must say, each of your threats are lamer than the last. The more you bluster, the weaker you seem. I've seen kids in high school make better threats than yours. "

" You have been a thorn in my side since I entered this industry, Levi. "

" Thorns, Ferdinand? Did you prick your hand on some roses? Honestly, I don't recall what I did to prick you. "

Levi shot back with feigned innocence in his face.

" I may be a patient man, Levi, but don't you push me too far. Don't mistake my patience for weakness. You have to control your ambitions, or I'll be forced to take action. "

"Oh, action. I do love a bit of action. But what will you do about it, Ferdinand? Will you send another slew of threats and angry protests into my trash and spam folder that I don't even read? Your actions are as lame as your unread threats and unread protests. I dare say, it's like raindrops pattering against a tin roof. "

Ferdinand's frustration at being unable to control the video-call was evident, as his face grew flushed with annoyance again.

" This is not a game, Levi. I can easily destroy your company's reputation with a press release and media interview. "

" Destroy my company with a press release and a media interview, Ferdinand? Really? Oh, I'd love to read the headlines. It would say, Ferdinand Darcey the helpless CEO. Or perhaps, Matrix Systems, that crumbled under its own matrix. Your puns are as effective as a Stone Age man who tried to destroy a modern bunker with primitive tools. "

" You'll regret crossing me, Levi. You underestimated me. I'm not here for your entertainment.''

Ferdinand's face darkened yet again, and he leaned forward, practically shouting in anger.

" Regret? The only thing I regret right now is I hadn't thought about recording this video-call in advance. Honestly, it will make a fantastic reel on f*******:, i********: and elsewhere, with you as the not-so famous star. Oh, I can imagine the comments. Ferdinand, the CEO who got cornered by witty jokes. "

Levi just shrugged at Ferdinand's words, finished drinking the rest of his coffee, while scrolling at his smartphone with an air of indifference.

" This video–call is pointless. I'm ending this call now, Levi. "

As the screen on his laptop went blank, Levi laughed aloud. He had faced down Ferdinand, armed with nothing but quick wits, his bold attitude, and his sharp jests. Evolve Technologies is ready to face whatever Matrix Systems will throw at Levi.