Corporate Villainy: Trampling Protagonists as a Business Dad

The peaceful riverside scenery gradually gave way to something more refined as they approached their destination. Ancient willows draped their branches over stone pathways, their leaves creating natural curtains that filtered the morning sunlight into golden patches. A traditional arched bridge spanned a narrow canal, its reflection creating perfect symmetry in the still water below.

And there, nestled among the carefully manicured gardens like a jewel in a crown setting, stood the Golden Crane Tea House.

The structure was a masterpiece of Japanese inspired architecture, its dark wooden beams contrasting beautifully with white paper screens and clay-tiled roofs that curved upward at the corners. Multiple levels cascaded down toward the water's edge, each connected by covered walkways that seemed to float above meticulously raked gravel gardens. Stone lanterns lined the pathways, their presence adding to the serene morning atmosphere.

Vincent felt a moment of genuine appreciation as he took in the scene.

"Impressive choice," he murmured, already mentally noting the strategic advantages of the location. Private, elegant, and with multiple exit routes if things went sideways. Since the attack on their chairman, they have been very cautious.

As their car approached the entrance, Vincent could see clusters of well-dressed figures scattered around the tea house gardens. He recognized most of them. Around half of them were his allies while half were Annapurna's. Small corporation owners, construction suppliers, logistics coordinators, material distributors. These people alone were nothing but when combined, could indeed make a formidable force in the city's business landscape.

Vincent stepped out of the Rolls Royce, immediately switching into his diplomatic persona. Warm smile, confident bearing, the perfect image of a successful chairman ready for anything thrown at him.

People seeing Vincent were like moths to a flame. They flocked to him as he moved through the gathering with practiced ease, exchanging handshakes and pleasantries with familiar faces.

"Mr. Cornelius! Good to see you so soon," said Peters from Riverside Holdings, his handshake firm and his smile genuine. This was one of his allies. In this world if a low level corporation wanted to survive, they needed protection from a mid or high level corporation. These alliances were basically formed through long term trade agreements or in most cases inferior corporation giving a part of their shares to the superior corporation. Peters belonged to the latter.

"Good to see you too, though I see some faces I didn't expect." Vincent replied smoothly, his eyes locking on a group of people in the crowd who looked rather relaxed. Upon seeing him they gave him a nod, not bothering to come over.

Meridian's allies? Could it be…

"Looks like someone is really confident." Vincent said with a smile but his eyes were slightly cold.

Peters face showed a hint of anger as he also noticed them. A few nearby Annapurna's allies broke out in cold sweat seeing his eyes and started fidgeting in their place, didn't dare to make eye contact.

Meridian's allies here mean that they have defected or are planning to defect. But they won't just defect like that. They needed assurance. So Celia called them here.

Why call them here? Because Celia has almost already assumed that she can provoke him to take Annapurna's side and join the war or at least take some damage for them. Thereby giving them the confidence to change sides. So much so they didn't even consider him in their eyes.

Is that why she didn't even bother coming out to greet me? Miss Celia, are you overestimate your capabilities or underestimate me?

If it were the old Vincent maybe he would have fallen for whatever trap she was preparing but he was not so easy to deal with.

He excused himself from the conversation and began moving toward the tea house entrance, David and Raghu falling into step behind him with practiced precision.

As he approached the traditional wooden entrance, the atmosphere shifted. The business chatter of the outdoor crowd gave way to something silent and more dangerous. Vincent's senses picked up the subtle signs immediately.

Multiple gazes locking on him.

Then he saw them.

Scattered around the tea house's main entrance were roughly ten men who clearly didn't belong in the corporate world. They lounged with their casual confidence, some draped across traditional low sofas, others leaning against wooden railings, all of them watching the approaching businessmen with varying degrees of interest and disdain.

Vincent's mind cataloged them quickly. Three men slouched on a sofa near the entrance, their eyes bloodshot and their postures relaxed but their gazes remained sharp.

Smells like weed or something.

Two more sat on the wooden railing overlooking the garden, and Vincent could smell the alcohol on them. The rest were scattered throughout the space, their clothing disheveled, their hair unkempt, clearly not accustomed to dressing like bodyguards but even so, one could not underestimate them even if they wanted to, because all of them had that look in their eyes.

A look of a killer.

Their aura was strong and reeked of blood.

Vincent's bodyguards, though highly skilled and strong, were not a match for these people who had slaughtered like routine before. Vincent thought all this but he didn't let it show on his face.

He continued moving until he reached the entrance of the tea house. Then suddenly a hand came in front of his face.

"Stop! You are not allowed to enter without our permission," a tall burly mercenary with a big beard said, looking down on him.

"Do you not know how to talk properly? Or should I make you know your place?" said Raghu with an solemn look.

Seeing Raghu step forward, other bodyguards also started taking their positions. The mercenaries, seeing the aggressive tone of the party in front, also became vigilant and began to move. They all reached for their guns or started circulating their spiritual energy. The atmosphere became thick with tension, and other guests also noticed this.

They moved away and whispered among themselves as they observed from afar. Some openly disapproved of the mercenaries' behavior, some remained silent, while a few others looked at Vincent with mockery.

Vincent remained silent while all this happened, his cold blue eyes looking at the mercenary who had stopped him from start to finish. The mercenary under Vincent's gaze felt a bit of uneasiness in his heart, but his experience and strength were strong enough for him to not be deterred by just this.

Just as the situation felt like it was about to explode, the sound of shoes tapping against the floor came from inside. There came a handsome-looking man in a bodyguard outfit, looking at Vincent with a smile which almost looked like a smug.

"Mr. Vincent, we meet again." His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, and with a wave of his hand, he said, "What are you all doing? Are you trying to scare Mr. Cornelius? He is a valued guest of our chairwoman."

Marcus wanted to establish dominance with his strength and intimidate Vincent beforehand, but it seemed like the person in front of him was more man than he initially estimated, so he decided to intervene before things got out of control.

And as for why Marcus was doing that? Well, he just didn't like the other party and his instincts told him that that this guy in front of him was the reason behind his humiliation last time though he couldn't find any evidence. He has already asked him brothers to look into him so he can gain some leverage against him.

All the mercenaries lowered their guard upon hearing the command, though Vincent's bodyguards remained vigilant. Then Vincent finally spoke, his face and tone emotionless.

"What was your name again? I remember seeing your extraordinary... skills just two days ago."

A few 'pfft' sounds came from behind. Those who were present that day would never forget the scene so easily. They still giggle in the middle of the night just thinking about it.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

You have made fun of protagonist Marcus in front of others.

Marcus LP: -100 Vincent LP: +100

VP: +200

Marcus's smile twitched as he said, "My name is Marcus, the security team leader and Ms. Celia's 'personal' bodyguard." He emphasize that word as he continued. "Please come in, everyone. Ms. Celia is waiting."

As he said that, he turned his back and started walking inside.

Vincent didn't move. He glanced at the bearded mercenary who was looking at him with a hint of sneer on his face.

"Break his hand for me."

Immediately, Raghu complied as he closed the distance between him and the mercenary in the shortest time. The mercenary's sneer changed to shock as he almost didn't believe his ears, caught off guard, he didn't have time to defend as Raghu attacked with a fully spiritually charged punch. A sickening crunch followed as his arm bent sideways at the elbow, the joint warping grotesquely as bones tore through the skin and blood sprayed like a fountain.

Before anyone could react, "AARRGGHHHHH!" an agonizing voice sounded all over as the mercenary knelt on the ground, leaving the guests horrified and mercenaries shocked. They all got ready for battle as they took out their guns and weapons and started circulating spiritual energy.

Marcus had already returned to the door by now, and he looked at his comrade screaming in agony with utter disbelief.

"Since you can't train your dog, I'll train it for you." Vincent said as kicked the face kneeling in front of him spraying polished leather shoes with blood.

Marcus's first reaction was, of course, anger, but then he felt disbelief. He didn't expect Vincent to act so ruthlessly.

"How dare you, you bastard!" A mercenary couldn't hold back anymore as he charged forward.

Marcus snapped out of his trance as he suppressed his anger and quickly shouted, "No! Stop!" He didn't expect things to turn out like this. He naturally knew what today's meeting was about. He couldn't afford a full battle here, not with all the people present and definitely not with the person in front of him.

Hearing him, the mercenary running was momentarily confused and distracted, an advantage Vincent took thoroughly.

He tapped the two bodyguards in front of him, and they rushed forward, delivering one kick to the ribs and one kick to the stomach. The mercenary, who was running at high speed, could only defend his heart as his stomach got kicked and he flew back, spitting out blood.

"Last one was punishment, this one is self defense." Vincent said with his hands behind his back.

"YOU…" Marcus saw another one of his brothers flying and looked at Vincent with burning hatred. Vincent, on the other hand, was, of course, no pushover. He directly looked at Marcus with the same smirk Marcus gave him before with mocking eyes.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Protagonist Marcus hates you but can't do anything about it.

Marcus LP: -100 Vincent LP: +100

VP: +200

Before things could go further, a bewildered voice came from inside.

"Gasp! Just what is going on here?!?"

P.S.— Thank you @Sanvir and @Nilihity for the golden ticket.