Across Town. Damian's Office.
Damian sat at his desk, reviewing the day's results.
The file corruption: successful.
The board meeting humiliation: successful.
The anonymous email: sent.
Phase One of the professional sabotage was complete.
Asher Quinn-Park was now seen as incompetent by the board. Defended only by Kael's personal attachment. Promoted despite failure, reinforcing the nepotism narrative.
Perfect.
His phone buzzed. Encrypted message from Vanessa.
V: Heard about the board meeting. Excellent work. Kael defended him aggressively. Made himself look defensive. Board questioning his judgment.
D: As planned. Continuing Phase Two next week. Will escalate pressure.
V: Good. He's cracking. I can see it. Just need to push a little harder.
Damian smiled.
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
In a few more weeks, Asher would be so isolated, so humiliated, so broken, that taking him would be easy.
"Soon," Damian whispered to himself. "Very soon."
