Chapter 16: Chapter 17: Power Plays
The morning sun filtered through the wide glass windows of Bianca's office, casting warm light across the mahogany desk and leather chairs. Elliot stood near the window, hands tucked into his pockets, while Bianca sat behind her desk, a steaming cup of coffee in her hand. The events of the previous night lingered in the air between them—unspoken, but palpable.
Bianca's sharp green eyes studied Elliot for a long moment before she spoke. "Aaron's becoming more aggressive. He's backed into a corner, and he's going to start making reckless moves."
Elliot nodded, his jaw tight. "He's dangerous now. He knows something's different about me, and he's not going to stop until he finds out what it is."
Bianca set her coffee cup down, leaning forward slightly. "We need to stay ahead of him, Elliot. If he gets the upper hand, he won't just take you down—he'll drag me down with you."
"Elliot," the Rizz God System whispered faintly, its voice smooth and sharp. "Bianca is fully invested now. Use this moment to solidify her loyalty. She's not just an ally; she's your shield."
Elliot took a deep breath. "I'll handle Aaron, Bianca. But I need your support—fully. No second-guessing, no hesitation."
Bianca's gaze didn't waver as she nodded. "You have it, Elliot. But don't underestimate him. Aaron's not just a snake; he's a snake with fangs."
Elliot smirked faintly. "I'm not afraid of snakes, Bianca."
---
Aaron's Web Tightens
The day passed in a haze of meetings, emails, and hushed conversations. Elliot noticed the way some coworkers glanced at him, whispering behind their hands. Aaron's influence was spreading like a poison, seeping into the cracks of office relationships.
By lunchtime, Elliot found himself in the break room, pouring coffee when Chloe, the IT specialist, walked in. Her hair was tied back in a messy bun, and her glasses slipped slightly down her nose as she stared at her tablet.
"Elliot," she said softly, glancing over at him. "Can I… can I talk to you about something?"
Elliot turned, offering her a faint smile. "Of course, Chloe. What's on your mind?"
She hesitated, fidgeting with the edge of her tablet. "There's been… unusual activity in the office servers. Emails, encrypted files, strange access logs. And… Aaron's name keeps coming up."
Elliot's heart rate spiked. "Are you sure?"
Chloe nodded. "I haven't reported it yet because… well, because I don't know who to trust. But I trust you, Elliot."
"She's valuable, Elliot," the system murmured. "Loyal, skilled, and already leaning toward you. Secure her trust and use her insight."
Elliot placed a hand gently on Chloe's shoulder. "You did the right thing coming to me. Keep monitoring it, but don't let anyone—especially Aaron—know what you've found. Can you do that for me?"
Chloe nodded quickly, her cheeks flushing faintly. "Y-Yes, I can do that."
As Chloe turned and hurried out of the break room, Elliot's mind raced. Aaron was digging deeper, and now the stakes were higher than ever.
---
The Trap is Set
That evening, Elliot found himself in Bianca's office again, both of them standing over a set of financial reports spread across her desk. The office was empty now, the rest of the staff having gone home.
"Elliot, look at this," Bianca said, pointing to a highlighted section of the documents. "Aaron's been funneling money into shell accounts disguised as consulting fees. It's all here."
Elliot leaned over, scanning the reports. "Chloe was right. He's covering his tracks, but not well enough. He's slipping."
Bianca sighed, rubbing her temples. "We have enough to corner him, but not enough to destroy him. If we confront him now, he'll squirm his way out of it."
"You need a smoking gun, Elliot," the system chimed in. "Something undeniable. Something that will bury him forever."
Bianca looked up at Elliot, her green eyes searching his face. "We need to catch him in the act. And I have an idea."
Elliot raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
---
The Gala Invitation
The next morning, an email arrived in Elliot's inbox: "Invitation to Corporate Gala – Hosted by the Board of Directors."
The gala was a prestigious annual event—an evening of schmoozing, backroom deals, and power plays dressed up in tuxedos and evening gowns. But this year, the stakes were different.
Bianca appeared at Elliot's desk, clutching her own printed invitation. "The gala is our chance, Elliot. Aaron will be there, and he'll be trying to secure his position with the board. But if we play this right, we can expose him in front of everyone."
Elliot nodded, his pulse quickening. "Then let's make sure we don't miss."
"The stage is set, Elliot," the system said softly. "A gala is the perfect hunting ground. But be prepared—Aaron won't play fair, and neither should you."
Bianca's voice lowered, her tone serious. "We'll need to work together on this, Elliot. No mistakes."
He met her gaze, his voice steady. "I won't let you down."
---
An Unexpected Invitation
That afternoon, as Elliot prepared to leave the office, his phone buzzed with an unexpected message from Elena, the high-profile client he had charmed weeks ago.
Elena: "Are you attending the gala, Elliot? I'd love to see you there."
Elliot stared at the message, a faint smirk crossing his lips.
"She's another piece on the board, Elliot," the system whispered. "Play your cards right, and she could become an invaluable ally—or something more."
Elliot replied: "I'll be there, Elena. Looking forward to seeing you."
---
The Calm Before the Storm
The night before the gala, Elliot found himself alone in his apartment, staring out at the city lights. The pieces were all in motion now: Bianca was ready, Chloe was monitoring the digital trail, and Elena was waiting in the wings.
But Aaron was still out there, somewhere in the shadows, planning his next move.
"Tomorrow is a turning point, Elliot," the system said softly. "Make it count."
Elliot poured himself a glass of whiskey, his reflection staring back at him in the window. The weight of the moment pressed down on him, but beneath it was something else—resolve.
Tomorrow, the stage would be set. And when the curtain rose, only one man would remain standing.
---
To Be Continued…