Chapter 004
1206 Words
“Your contract is terminated immediately!” Ellen said quickly, realizing that she had been keeping a parasite by her side all this time and now it was time to get rid of useless people.
David was pulled out. The door closed again. Ellen was still standing. Her hands were shaking slightly.
“You, fix the system,” she said. “How long will it take?”
“Fifteen minutes,” Marcus replied. “Including cleanup.”
Ellen looked at him, really looked at him this time. “You're not unemployed,” she said softly, trying to find out more about her contract husband.
“Never said I was,” Marcus replied indifferently. He stood up, took his tablet, and walked to the window.
Outside, the city moved as usual. No one knew that a small war had just been won.
Ellen stood behind him. “Who are those people?”
“Employees,” Marcus replied.
“What kind of employees?”
Marcus turned his head slightly. “The ones who aren't listed in your company structure.”
Ellen opened her mouth, then closed it again. She realized one thing very clearly. She had married someone who had just slapped her corporate world in the face without raising his voice. And she had no idea how far this man's reach extended.
***
“This is the cheapest one,” Ellen said as she placed a black suit on the bed. The cut was neat, but it was clearly not made by a famous fashion house. There were no flashy logos. No luxurious details.
Marcus picked up the suit, weighed it briefly. “It's fine.”
Ellen looked at him in the mirror. “I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
“For this,” she said. “For the way people will look at you tonight.”
Marcus put on the suit without rushing. “They've been looking at me that way from the beginning.”
The car stopped in front of the gala building. The lights reflected off the tall windows. The red carpet was full of guests in expensive dresses and suits.
As soon as Marcus got out, whispers began.
“That's CEO Wilson's husband.”
“The unemployed one?”
“Is he wearing a borrowed suit?”
Ellen pressed her arm against Marcus's. Not for the cameras, but out of reflex.
Daniel Pratama appeared with a broad smile and a glass of wine in his hand.
“Ellen,” he said loudly, loud enough to attract the attention of those around him. “I heard you got married.”
“Daniel,” Ellen replied briefly.
Daniel turned to Marcus. “And this is her husband. Wow. I thought the rumors were exaggerated. Turns out they weren't.”
Several people chuckled, feeling that Marcus was not as special as the rumors about him.
“You look simple,” Daniel continued, holding back his laughter. “Did the Wilson Group run out of funds that they had to recruit a street guy?” the man continued mockingly, but his face showed that he was not wrong.
Ellen tensed up. “Watch what you say!”
Daniel shrugged. “I'm just worried. Investors are sensitive about image.”
Someone approached from behind.
“Marcus?” said Jessica Victor. She was wearing an elegant dress, her smile cold. “I almost didn't recognize you.”
“You didn't need to,” Marcus replied calmly.
“Funny,” said Jessica. “You used to come with a big name. Now you come as an extra.”
“You know him?” Daniel laughed.
“My ex-fiancé,” Jessica replied without hesitation. “The one who failed.” A mocking smile graced the woman's face.
“You didn't say.” Ellen looked at Marcus.
“It's irrelevant to discuss,” Marcus replied, not wanting to take the insults Jessica and Daniel directed at him to heart.
“You really have interesting taste, Ellen.” Daniel leaned forward.
Ellen opened her mouth. “Enough.”
“It's okay.” Marcus lifted Ellen's small hand. He looked at Daniel. “You seem busy tonight.”
Daniel smiled. “Business never sleeps.”
Marcus heard the conversation behind Daniel. Two men were talking quietly, too quietly for most people.
“Once Wilson's shares are released, we're in.”
“Is the bank ready?”
Marcus took out his cell phone.
Ellen looked at him. “Are you leaving?”
“No,” Marcus replied. “I'm just taking a call.”
He put the phone to his ear. There was no ring tone.
“Felix,” he said softly. “The target is at the gala. Primus Bank. All the major assets.” He ended the call.
Daniel smirked. “Important call?”
“Spam,” Marcus replied.
Daniel laughed and turned away, raising his glass to other guests.
Several minutes passed.
Daniel's phone vibrated. His smile disappeared.
He read the screen. His face changed.
“What do you mean frozen?” he hissed into the phone. “This is impossible.”
Jessica looked at him. “Is there a problem?”
Daniel ended the call, his hands shaking. “The bank, my bank has frozen all my assets.”
Ellen quickly turned to Marcus. Marcus stood calmly, his expression unchanged.
Daniel looked at Marcus. “What are you doing?”
“Enjoy the gala.” Marcus just raised his glass of water slightly.
Around them, the music continued to play, laughter continued to be heard. But for Daniel Nock, the night had just changed.
Daniel ignored the jeers of those around him, he just stared at his phone screen again, as if hoping the words there would change if he read them again.
“It's a system error,” he said, more to himself than to anyone else. “I have a special line at Primus Bank.”
A small smile appeared at the corner of Marcus's lips. It was thin. Almost imperceptible. “That line closed ten minutes ago,” he said casually.
“What did you say?” Daniel looked up quickly.
“I said,” Marcus repeated softly, “your line is closed.”
Ellen turned to Marcus. “You know the details of the account.”
“No,” Marcus replied. “I know who holds the key.”
Jessica narrowed her eyes. “You think you're so smart, Marcus. Don't think that one coincidence means you—”
“Coincidence,” Marcus interrupted, “doesn't freeze four cross-border accounts at the same time.”
Daniel stepped closer, his face red. “You think this is funny?”
“No,” Marcus replied. “I think it's timely.”
Daniel laughed loudly, but his voice cracked. “I'm the majority shareholder in three energy companies. The bank wouldn't dare—”
Daniel's cell phone vibrated again. This time he didn't answer it right away. The name of another bank appeared.
Daniel swallowed hard, then answered the call. “Yes? What do you mean by temporary freeze? You're not joking! That's impossible, I'm at the gala right now. Alright, I'll do it right away.”
Daniel looked extremely panicked, cold sweat beginning to form on his face.
- Writer
