Corporate Villainy: Trampling Protagonists as a Business Dad

—4 A.M. MORNING—

While Vincent was fast asleep with Helena in his arms after an intense exercise, in another part of the city, Jin was wide awake. His hands gripped the steering wheel, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at the road, trying to keep his vision from blurring. His greasy hair stuck up in odd angles after pulling another all-nighter.

In the backseat of the car, an old man clutched a grocery bag like it contained the crown jewels.

"Young man, didn't I tell you to drive faster? My flight is in 15 minutes!"

Jin gave him a disturbing smile that almost made the old man jump in fear. "Old man, I am a law-abiding citizen. I can't overspeed just because you said it." He had already calculated that it would be impossible to reach the airport within 15 minutes, and that would surely get him a one-star review.

But there was no joy on Jin's face. Instead, his expression looked solemn, and he clutched the steering wheel tighter.

Ten minutes into the journey, the old man suddenly gasped, "Oh no! My coconuts!"

"Your what?" Jin's eye twitched as he suspiciously looked at the old man's crotch.

"Where are you looking, young man? I'm talking about the coconuts for my grandson!" the old man said as he closed his legs tightly and continued, "I just bought these, totally fresh ones, but I just remembered that you have to drill holes in them before flying or they explode from cabin pressure."

Before Jin could process the bullshit he just heard, the old man somehow pulled out a massive electric drill from his bag.

"Wait, what the fuck are you—"

Before he could finish, the old man triggered the drill to life in his backseat.

"Put that shit away! Now!"

"Just need to make some holes!" the old man shouted over the mechanical roar.

Coconut water sprayed everywhere like a car wash from hell. Then the drill slipped, punching through Jin's seat mere inches from his spine. Coconut water dripped from the ceiling, and Jin finally snapped.

"Get out! Get the fuck out of my car, you crazy old bastard!" Jin pulled over violently as the tires screeched against the road. "Take your grandson's damned coconuts and drill them on the sidewalk!"

The old man, still holding the dripping drill, looked at him with a frown. "Young man, I'm already late for my flight. Take me to—"

"FUCK OFF!"

"I've never seen such a rude driver in my life! Just you wait. After I'm done drilling my grandson's coconuts, I'll give you the worst review and file a complaint against you!"

Jin didn't say anything. There was no joy or sorrow on his face, just empty exhaustion. He started driving again while looking for another customer.

As he accepted another ride, he saw a review notification buzzing on his phone. He frantically opened it, then began smashing his phone against the dashboard like a madman.

***** 5 STARS

Driver went absolutely nuts when I pulled out my big equipment. When I accidentally sprayed it all over his taxi he got so worked up he practically exploded with anger. He made me drill on the road and now my back hurts.

"No! No, no, no! Why did I get 5 stars again? Didn't you swear you were going to give me a 1-star review?!"

Since being scammed out of his shares by Vincent, he had been driving like a maniac for the past two days to earn a chance for revenge, only stopping to eat and take a piss. This was supposed to be his 6th negative review, but somehow it still turned out to be a glowing 5-star rating.

Jin was stupid, but even he understood that something was seriously wrong by now. Either his system was glitching, there was a problem with the app, or someone was intentionally fucking with him. A certain bastard's face flashed in his mind. For a moment he believed it was definitely the latter. But he quickly suppressed that thought.

"No. That's impossible. He should not know about my system. Right?" Jin broke out in a cold sweat.

He spun his car around and sped toward the place where he'd dumped the old man. He needed to check this himself, and he would do it right now.

When he stopped at the drop-off spot, the old man was nowhere to be seen. So he drove toward the bridge and sure enough spotted the old geezer walking dejectedly, still carrying his coconuts toward the airport. Jin pulled over and got out.

The old man saw him and exclaimed in surprise, "You! Why are you here again? Come to make amends and drive me to the airport? Alright, but I'm not paying you a damn cent extra."

Jin gritted his teeth. "Shut up, old man. Take out your phone."

The old man's eyes widened in alarm. "You... you want to rob me? Don't be impulsive young friend, I-I'll not complain."

Jin didn't bother arguing. "Take your phone out and open it for me. Or don't blame me if your grandson never sees his grandfather again."

Seeing the dangerous look in Jin's bloodshot eyes, the old man didn't dare argue and quickly complied. As Jin checked the phone, he found the same comment but with a one-star review instead of five.

Jin's already bloodshot eyes turned even redder as he ground his teeth. "ARGHH, DAMN IT. It's actually a glitch. A fucking glitch."

Though he said that, his instincts screamed to him "It's him. It's definitely him. That bastard Vincent is behind this!" the more he tried not to believe it, the more it made sense.

The flat tyers every time he leaves the taxi, no electric and water supply at his luxurious mansion or run down apartment and the constant feeling of being watched all made him crazier and more paranoid.

Under the old man's horrified gaze, Jin smashed the phone against the concrete in fury and cursed for the next ten minutes straight. The old man sat there trembling, clutching the broken remains to his chest.

This trip to see his grandson had just become the most traumatic experience of his elderly life.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Vincent, who had just woken up and was cuddling with Helena, suddenly received a system notification.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Protagonist Jin is having a mental breakdown because of your actions.

Jin's LP: -300  Vincent LP: +300

VP: +600

Vincent was taken aback for a moment, then broke into a satisfied grin.

Helena, who was nestled against his chest with her arms around his neck, noticed his expression and couldn't help but ask, "What's gotten you so happy this early in the morning?"

Vincent's grin widened as he rolled over, pinning her beneath him. His hand traced along her bare skin as his voice dropped to a whisper. "Just thinking about how I want to celebrate this beautiful morning." His lips found her neck. "And you're going to help me do exactly that."

Helena giggled as Vincent's intentions became unmistakably clear, her cheeks flushing as he began demonstrating just what had put him in such an excellent mood.