Chapter 2 - The Unexpected Alliance
The older man in the heavy black coat stopped directly beside the blonde influencer, his steady gaze refusing to break away from her illuminated smartphone screen. The soft chime of the front door still hung in the heavy, tense air of the downtown cafe, but the ambient noise had vanished completely, leaving only the sound of collective breathing.
“Put the phone down, young lady,” the older man said, his voice carrying an effortless, gravelly authority that commanded immediate attention without raising a single decibel.
The influencer, whose social media handle was already flashing in bold neon letters across the corner of her live-streamed broadcast, scoffed loudly and turned her head. She looked the distinguished gentleman up and down, taking in his polished leather shoes, his classic wool coat, and the dark wooden cane he used to steady his posture. Her lips curled into a sarcastic, dismissive smile designed to entertain the thousands of digital spectators currently watching her feed from behind their screens.
“And who do you think you are, grandpa?” she sneered, holding the camera higher so that the older man’s face filled the frame alongside her own. “Are you her grandfather? Did you come here to defend her complete lack of professional competence? Because if you did, you’re just as pathetic as she is. I’m broadcasting live to over half a million people, and right now, everyone is seeing firsthand how low-class this establishment really is.”
Mia remained behind the marble counter, her rag resting quietly in her hand as she watched the exchange unfold with the same restrained composure she had maintained since the coffee spill. She knew the man standing before her better than anyone else in the room, yet she kept her expression tightly controlled, offering no hints and no warnings to the woman currently digging her own professional grave.
The older man did not flinch, nor did he blink under the harsh glare of the digital lens. Instead, a faint, cold smile touched the corners of his mouth. He slowly lifted his hand, adjusting the collar of his black coat with deliberate, unhurried grace, as if he had all the time in the world.
“You mentioned your followers, didn't you?” the older man asked smoothly, his eyes narrowing as he stared directly into the camera lens. “You seem exceptionally proud of your audience. Tell me, do your followers know where your funding comes from?”
The blonde influencer’s mocking smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a flicker of genuine confusion crossing her features before she quickly masked it with aggressive defiance.
“What are you talking about, you crazy old man?” she hissed, stepping back slightly as his commanding presence filled her personal space. “My brand partnerships are completely legitimate! I earn every single cent through my hard work and influence! You’re just a bitter old dinosaur trying to ruin my reputation on camera!”
“Hard work?” the older man chuckled darkly, taking another slow step forward, his cane tapping rhythmically against the polished tile floor. “Let’s test that theory right now, shall we?”
May you like
He reached into the inner pocket of his heavy wool coat, pulled out a sleek black leather wallet, and withdrew a simple, minimalist business card embossed in silver lettering. He held it out between two fingers, waiting to see if she would take it.
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