Crimson Inheritance

Chapter 4: The Mindsmith Gambit

As Arthur Remington strolled through the expansive gardens of his grand estate, a trace of melancholy colored his voice. "Sometimes, Simon, I find myself missing them," he mused, his gaze sweeping over the meticulously manicured grounds. The garden was a masterpiece of horticultural art, adorned with exotic flowers and rare plants, each one a testament to nature's beauty. Bushes were trimmed with precision, forming elegant shapes that seemed to dance in the soft breeze, while the vibrant colors of the flora stood in stark contrast to the stately mansion behind them.

Simon, ever the dutiful secretary, glanced at Arthur with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Why do you tell me this, Sir?" he inquired respectfully.

Arthur's expression remained unreadable, yet there was a weight to his words as he replied, "Are you forgetting that I'm getting old? Age has a way of stripping away one's vigor, no matter how hard we try to hold on to it."

Simon quickly interjected, his tone laced with earnestness. "I understand, Sir, but that doesn't seem to be the case with you. You've never shown the slightest hint of weakness."

Arthur chuckled softly, a sound that carried both mirth and a tinge of irony. "Let's just say it's a talent of mine."

Shifting the conversation, Arthur bent down to inhale the delicate fragrance of a white rose, its petals pristine and pure. "So, what's on the agenda for today?" he asked, straightening up and turning his attention back to Simon.

"The board meeting is in an hour," Simon began, his voice steady as he delivered the day's schedule. "Mr. Peterson called again, seeking to negotiate the acquisition of his company—"

Arthur cut him off, a sharp edge to his voice now. "Didn't I make it clear in our last meeting that I have no interest in negotiations?" His words hung in the air, as sharp and precise as the neatly trimmed hedges that surrounded them.

"I did inform him, Sir," Simon continued, his tone measured. "But he insists he doesn't truly want to sell the company and believes that perhaps another conversation with you might sway your decision."

Arthur let out a dry, mocking laugh that echoed through the tranquil garden. "Poor lad still doesn't know who he's dealing with. What makes him think a second conversation will change anything? Keep him at bay. What else?"

"Ms. Molly called," Simon replied, shifting to the next matter with practiced efficiency. "She wants to schedule a meeting with you and the other legal members of her team regarding our ongoing cases."

Arthur's lips curled into a disdainful smile. "People must be envious, challenging me in court as if they stand a chance. I conduct my business quite meticulously, wouldn't you agree, Simon?"

Simon, knowing full well the weight of Arthur's words, responded with a nearly imperceptible nod. Yet, it was enough to draw Arthur's piercing gaze, his eyes narrowing with an intensity that made the air around them seem to thicken.

"You're getting bold, Simon," Arthur said, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper, the chill in his tone unmistakable. "If it weren't for your loyalty over the years, you'd be in for quite a difficult time." His words dripped with a blend of sarcasm and quiet malevolence, a stark reminder of the consequences of stepping out of line.

Simon quickly bowed his head, a gesture of submission that did little to ease the tension but was necessary in the face of Arthur's chilling demeanor.

"Schedule Molly for next week," Arthur instructed with a wave of his hand. "Anything else?"

"Rest I will send you in office, but Sir, there is something you should be aware of." Simon hesitated slightly before continuing, "Mindsmith, the company we're planning to acquire in Welenova—"

"Hmm?" Arthur prompted, his interest piqued.

"There's a rumor circulating in the market," Simon said, maintaining his composure, "that Beaumont Corporation is planning to buy it before we do."

"Rubbish," Arthur snapped, his eyes flashing with indignation. "Hasn't it's owner heard my name? That alone should have been enough to deter him. But if he knows and still dares to go against me, he's more foolish than I thought." Arthur's voice dripped with contempt. "They must be forgetting that no one moves faster than I do in this business. Isn't that right, Simon?" He smirked, his confidence palpable.

Simon nodded in agreement, but Arthur's expression quickly shifted to one of calculation. "Still, I can't afford to let my guard down. Accelerate the process. Contact Mindsmith's CEO and arrange a meeting. I want this deal finalized by the end of the month. Understood?"

"Very well, Sir," Simon responded promptly, recognizing the urgency in Arthur's voice.

"Now, go and send Julia in. I need to prepare for the board meeting."

With a respectful little nod, Simon departed, leaving Arthur alone in the garden.

*** 

Simon returned to his office within the opulent Remington Group headquarters, a towering structure that dominated the heart of Mavenshire. The view from his cabin was breathtaking, but today, it did little to ease the tension knotted in his chest. He sank into his leather chair, the familiar comfort doing little to quell his unease.

Arthur was growing scarier, he thought, his mind replaying their conversation in the garden. Not that Simon was a stranger to Arthur's darker tendencies—he had long understood that a certain level of ruthlessness was necessary in the cutthroat world of business. But this time, there was something different, something that felt dangerously close to spiraling out of control. It was a shift that Simon could sense, though he couldn't quite articulate it, an intangible edge that seemed to cut deeper than before.

He had been by Arthur's side for many years, far more than just a secretary; he was a confidant, perhaps the only person in Arthur's orbit whom the man spoke to with any degree of candor. Simon understood Arthur better than anyone else did, and Arthur, in turn, allowed him that privilege because of one simple, unwavering truth: Simon was loyal.

It didn't matter how harsh or biting Arthur's words became, nor how cold and calculated his actions. Simon's loyalty had never wavered, a quality Arthur valued above all else. That loyalty had earned him a place close to the most powerful man in Mavenshire, and with it, a knowledge of Arthur's inner workings that no one else possessed. Yet, as Simon sat in his cabin, he couldn't shake the feeling that the man he had served for so long was changing in ways that might one day push even him to his limits.

***

Simon switched on the massive television that dominated the wall opposite his desk, the sleek black screen coming to life with the latest news. His eyes widened as the headlines blazed across the screen in bold letters: 

In a surprising turn of events, Mindsmith, the ever booming tech giant rumored to be the prime acquisition interest for the prestigious Remington Group, has been acquired by Beaumont Corporation.

The anchor's voice was steady, yet the underlying tone was one of barely concealed astonishment. 

Established just five years ago, this Welenovian company, under the shrewd leadership of Nicholas Beaumont, has quickly proven its dominance with record-breaking market performance. Its presence in Welenova is formidable, but is Beaumont Corporation now setting its sights on an international stage?

Simon's heart raced as the report continued, the words searing into his mind. 

Or is this acquisition a direct challenge to Remington Group? Has Arthur Remington, the once undisputed king of the business world, finally met his match? For the first time, he has lost a deal to a company a mere five years old. Will this high-stakes drama go unnoticed by Arthur Remington, or will he retaliate with a force even greater? One thing is certain—Beaumont Corporation is ready to play in the big leagues. The question now is, what will Remington Group's next move be? Stay tuned, we'll keep you updated—

Simon couldn't bear to hear any more. His hand, trembling ever so slightly, reached out and switched off the TV, plunging the room back into an unsettling silence. The cold, creeping dread that washed over him was unlike anything he had felt before. His mind whirled, grasping for clarity, but all he could think was one terrifying thought: He will go mad.