Whatfuckerslike Marco didn't understand was that I hadn't been this long in business or thriving at it because I let people walk all over me. I was only able to pull this empire together with blood, sweat, and the ability to do what needed to be done without letting emotions call the shots.
I was a master planner who believed that you could never have too many backup plans. He was stupid enough not to take my reputation as a feared, unpredictable businessman into consideration. I knew men like him. Greedy, pompous men who could never be trusted. Hence, I had made provisions for a situation like this.
"You see, that's the problem with greedy, shallow fuckers like you." I leaned lazily into my seat, catching a flash of anger in his eyes.
"Don't talk to me like that!" he snapped.
I beckoned one of my men, who approached him with a file and dropped it before him.
"What is this?" He glanced back and forth between me and the file.
My lips twitched. "Open it."
He glared at me, rustling to pry the file open. It was so liberating to watch the life drain off his face. He gasped, swinging his gaze toward me.
"H-how do you have this?" he stammered.
"How did I find out that you are a lying, cheating bastard who has been having an affair with your secretary?" I squinted my eyes at him. "Do you have any idea what this would look like to your wife or the press? I'm sure they'll be waiting to gobble this all up."
"You are a monster!" he yelled.
"No." I shook my head. "I tried to be rational, but clearly, you respond to a show of force."
His eyes tinged with fear, fear of what would happen if it got out. He had so much to lose. But also anger. He was angry that I was blackmailing him.
"Fine. I'll take it."
I chuckled. "Here's where it gets tricky. I have a new deal filed because I knew you would pull this stunt. You are going to walk out of this room and take half of the deal I offered with a smile on your goddamn face."
His eyes widened. "That's not fair!"
"Life's not fair, Marco. But most of all, what's not fair is you trying to get greedy and have it all."
"I-I won't sign it."
They slid another file to him, tossing a pen atop it.
"Yes, you will." I was never the type to shy away from getting my hands dirty. I'd roll in the mud and pull a trigger to get what I wanted if the situation called for it.
That was why, as a businessman in the ruthless corporate world, understanding that emotions would never get youanywhere should be ingrained in your mind. People are pawns. Use them to get what you want.
He practically had fumes coming out from his ears and nostrils, but he knew he was outmatched. I was more than willing to play this game, but he got too cocky.
He picked up his pen and angrily scribbled his signature onto the paper.
"You'll regret this!" He rose to his feet, marching toward the door.
I don't have regrets. I never will.
"Marco?" He turned to look at me over his shoulder.
"Threaten me again and I'll make sure they never find your body."
He swallowed thickly, then walked out.
I spun around in my seat, taking in the picturesque view of the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Do you need anything else, boss?" Roman, my bodyguard, inquired.
