NOVEL WEB Chapter 33: Rising Tensions
7:42 AM - Morning After Vincent's Planted Evidence
The Annapurna Guild's 3rd Engineering Division facility hummed with its usual morning efficiency until Senior Engineer Rajesh Patel made a discovery that would ripple through two corporate empires.
"What the hell is this?" Rajesh muttered, crouched beside a decommissioned structural stabilizer in Sub-Bay 7. His fingers traced the edges of a small device embedded in the housing—a resonance tag that definitely didn't belong there.
The tag was unmistakably Meridian-style, its angular design and copper-infused circuitry a stark contrast to Annapurna's curved, silver-threaded patterns. But more troubling than its presence was its purpose: this particular model was designed for deep Qi-flow analysis, the kind used to reverse-engineer proprietary cultivation patterns.
Rajesh straightened slowly, his mind racing through implications. This stabilizer had been part of a cross-sector project completed three weeks ago—a collaborative effort between Annapurna and Meridian teams. The tag could have been gathering data on Annapurna's techniques the entire time.
He didn't sound an alarm. Corporate protocol demanded discretion in matters of potential espionage. Instead, he photographed the device, carefully extracted it, and sent a priority message to his department supervisor with a single line: "Irregularities in shared equipment warrant immediate review."
8:15 AM - Meridian Enterprises, Forge Quarter
Thirty-three minutes later and across the city, Meridian's waste management systems processed their daily recycling load with mechanical precision. The Cornelius Holdings disposal drone—a routine contractor service—deposited its cargo in the standard sorting bay, but today's delivery contained an anomaly.
Recycling Coordinator Priya Sharma almost missed it entirely. The fragment of crystalline material looked like standard cultivation waste until she noticed the etchings along its surface—Qi blueprint patterns that made her pause. The glyph style was crude, distorted, but unmistakably Annapurna Guild's flowing script.
More disturbing was the pattern itself: a transport-aligned Qi structure that bore striking similarities to Meridian's classified Project Streamline. The fragment appeared to be a failed attempt at reverse-engineering—someone had tried to copy Meridian's work and botched it.
"Why would disposal waste from Cornelius Holdings contain Annapurna research fragments?" Priya whispered to herself, then immediately regretted speaking aloud in the monitoring-heavy facility.
She flagged the fragment for security review and sent a carefully worded memo to her supervisor: "Potential contamination in external waste stream requires protocol verification."
10:30 AM - Corporate Communications Traffic
The morning's discoveries triggered a cascade of carefully neutral inquiries across both corporations' internal networks.
In Annapurna's Mid-Tier Design Hall, Senior Supervisor Arjun Mehta found himself fielding increasingly pointed questions from his team leads.
"Three ambient engineers pulled from shared projects without transition protocols," reported Logistics Coordinator Robert Thompson, his voice carrying the kind of professional concern that masked deeper suspicions. "Meridian cited 'flow recalibration inconsistencies' but provided no technical justification."
"Timeline irregularities in their approval processes," added Project Manager Kavita Singh, scrolling through her tablet. "Sector 5 requisitions delayed twice in two weeks. The explanations don't match their standard operational patterns."
Arjun maintained his professional composure, but internally he was connecting dots that painted an uncomfortable picture. "Has anyone received clarification requests from their side?"
"That's the thing," Kavita continued, "they're not asking questions. They're making unilateral adjustments and expecting us to adapt. It's like they're testing our response protocols."
Meanwhile, in Meridian's engineering wing, Department Head James Mitchell was having remarkably similar conversations with his staff.
"Annapurna's scheduling department suggested a 'neutral review audit' for our joint cultivation projects," reported Communications Liaison Shreya Gupta. "The language is standard corporate diplomacy, but the timing is suspicious."
"They're also requesting detailed verification documentation for equipment used in shared facilities," added Security Coordinator Daniel Brooks. "Nothing that violates agreements, but significantly more thorough than previous interactions."
James leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Pattern recognition suggests they're either conducting due diligence or building a case for something. Either way, we should probably assume they know more than they're saying."
12:15 PM - The Cornelius Holdings Executive Floor
Vincent stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of his executive suite, watching the city's carefully orchestrated chaos unfold below. The morning's reports had exceeded his expectations—both corporations were reacting exactly as he'd predicted, their mutual paranoia feeding on carefully planted evidence.
His reflection in the glass looked different than it had a month ago. The same sharp features, the same predatory stillness, but something in his eyes had changed. Where the original Vincent had carried arrogance and barely contained violence, the current Vincent's expression held calculated patience and something deeper—acceptance.
I used to worry about becoming him, Vincent thought, watching a corporate transport glide between buildings in the distance. But I'm not becoming the original Vincent. I'm becoming something new entirely. Someone who uses precision instead of brutality, psychology instead of intimidation.
The realization should have troubled him. In his previous life, he'd never been manipulative, never orchestrated elaborate deceptions or played with people's fears. But standing here, watching his carefully laid plans unfold with surgical precision, he felt no guilt—only satisfaction.
Perhaps this is who I was always meant to be, he considered. The original Vincent was powerful but crude. I'm learning to be powerful and elegant. Why should I apologize for being better at this than he was?
His phone buzzed with an encrypted message from Olivia: "Both targets showing expected behavioral modifications. Proceeding to Phase Two on schedule."
Vincent smiled—not the cold, threatening expression the original Vincent would have worn, but something sharper, more refined. He wasn't fighting his nature anymore; he was embracing it.
2:00 PM - Executive Conference Room
The air in the executive conference room maintained its perfect temperature and lighting, but today Vincent had made subtle adjustments. The chairs for his department heads were positioned to create psychological comfort while keeping his own seat in a position of natural authority—not through intimidation, but through the kind of spatial psychology that made people want to defer to him.
At his right stood Olivia, tablet in hand, her professional composure intact but her eyes carrying the subtle tension of someone processing complex emotions. At his left sat Helena, who had arrived twenty minutes early and spent the time quietly reviewing economic projections on her tablet, her presence graceful and understated.
Vincent noticed the way Helena's attention lingered on him as he entered, the slight relaxation in her posture when he took his seat. He also noticed Olivia's almost imperceptible tightening of her jaw, the way her fingers pressed slightly harder against her tablet screen.
Interesting, he thought. I'll need to address this dynamic carefully. Both women are too valuable to lose to emotional complications.
"Status report," Vincent said, his voice carrying the kind of quiet authority that demanded attention without raising volume.
Gareth, from Logistics, nodded crisply. "Both target corporations have modified their operational postures. Meridian has instituted 'temporary holds' on shared Qi pattern research. Annapurna has reassigned personnel from cross-sector collaborative projects."
"No direct confrontations?" Vincent asked, though he already knew the answer.
"None reported. However, communication patterns suggest significant internal discussions about partnership protocols and security verification procedures."
Strategic Intelligence Director Anjali Reddy leaned forward. "Sir, we're detecting increased encrypted traffic between both corporations' security divisions. They're not just reviewing their own protocols—they're actively trying to determine if the other party has been acting in bad faith."
"Excellent. Any attempts at direct communication between the corporations?"
"Two," Olivia interjected. "One 'routine protocol clarification' request from Meridian to Annapurna, and one 'joint audit proposal' from Annapurna to Meridian. Both inquiries used standard diplomatic language, but neither corporation committed to actual meetings."
Vincent allowed himself a small smile. "They're afraid to ask the question they both want answered."
"Which is?" asked Helena, her voice carrying genuine curiosity rather than challenge.
"Did you try to steal from us?" Vincent replied. "And more importantly, are you planning to steal from us next?"
The room fell silent as the implications settled. Vincent's department heads were all intelligent people; they could see the psychological trap he'd constructed.
"Sir," said Corporate Communications Director Michael Davis, "if I may ask—how do you want us to manage internal speculation about our new... strategic methodologies?"
Vincent studied his face, recognizing the careful way he'd phrased the question. His transformation from the original Vincent's crude intimidation tactics to sophisticated psychological warfare hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Tell anyone who asks that I've been consulting with external strategic advisors specializing in corporate psychology," Vincent said smoothly. "This enhances our reputation for thorough preparation while maintaining operational security."
Actually, he thought, I've been consulting with memories of a previous life and whatever instincts this cultivation world has awakened in me. But that's not something I can explain to anyone.
"Understood, sir," Michael replied, his expression suggesting he found the explanation both plausible and impressive.
Vincent tapped twice on the table, and the screen behind him updated with a new proposal.
🔍 Phase Two: Controlled Disclosure
Objective: Position Cornelius Holdings as victim of corporate espionage
Public Message: "Security breach detected. Proprietary data potentially compromised. Independent investigation underway."
Strategic Purpose: Create narrative confusion while maintaining victim status
P.S.- I will give the sector wise info here if you don't remember. If you do you have a good brain like Vincent's so just ignore it.
Autumnvale Sector Overview
The city's eleven sectors each housed major corporate powers, but four formed the crucial economic cluster:
Annapurna Guild:
Type: Medium-Medium Corporation
Sector: 1 – Urban Design & Construction
Specialty:
Qi-reinforced mega structures
Civil engineering, spatial architecture
Conflict: High Tensions and suspicions towards Meridian Enterprises
Meridian Enterprises:
Type: Medium-Medium Corporation
Sector: 2 – Industrial Raw Materials & Precision Tools
Specialty:
Qi-infused alloys
Control over variety of raw materials
Known Traits: Militaristic structure, proud of their tech security
Conflict: High tensions and rivalry with Annapurna
Cornelius Holdings:
Leader: Vincent Cornelius
Type: Lower-Medium Corporation (but rising rapidly)
Sector: 3 – Freight, Logistics, Mobility
Specialty:
Qi-stabilized cargo transport systems
High-efficiency logistics routes
Advanced Qi pattern applications in freight systems
Allies: Several small corporations
Sector 4 – Martial Clans District:
Cultivators-for-hire, mercenaries, salvage ops
Often act as third-party contractors for corps like Meridian
Potential source of spies or rogue agents
Unnamed Small Corps
Act as info channels, rumor spreaders, or minor tech vendors