The city sprawled below, its glittering lights mocking the silence in the office. Erick sat at his desk, a glass of whiskey resting before him. Across the room, Arlen stood by the window, his reflection a blur in the glass.
“You’ve been quiet all day,” Erick said, breaking the silence. His tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp, watching Arlen’s every move.
Arlen didn’t respond immediately. He stood motionless, his shoulders tense, his gaze fixed on the skyline. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and distant. “We’ve come a long way.”
Erick leaned back, frowning. “Yeah, we have—which is why you should stop brooding. Tonight’s a win, Arlen. Celebrate.”
Arlen turned, his face pale under the lights, showing a strange and hollow expression. “Celebrate,” he echoed, bitterness in his voice, his eyes flicking toward the whiskey glass.
The shift in the air was subtle but unmistakable. Erick’s instincts sharpened, his fingers twitching as unease crept in.
“What’s going on, Arlen?” he asked, his voice low.
Arlen took a slow step forward. “The board,” he said softly, “doesn’t trust you anymore. They think you’re… an inconvenience. A liability.”
Erick stiffened, his jaw tightening. “A liability? After everything I’ve done for this company?”
“They’re afraid you’ll take everything down with you when things don’t go your way.” Arlen’s voice cracked—a mix of guilt and frustration. “They gave me a choice, Erick. Convince you to step aside quietly, or…”
“Or what, Arlen?” Erick demanded, his eyes narrowing.
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Arlen hesitated, then looked directly at him, his gaze heavy with regret. “Or ensure you don’t get the chance to fight back.”
The meaning hit like a sledgehammer. Erick’s gaze dropped to the glass of whiskey, realization dawning. The amber liquid shimmered innocently under the light, but the truth was now fully clear.
“You poisoned me,” Erick said, his voice cold.
Arlen didn’t deny it, his silence confirmation enough.
“You made your choice before I even walked in,” Erick continued, his fury simmering beneath the surface. “All this talk, this act of remorse—it’s meaningless.”
“I didn’t want it to be this way,” Arlen said, his voice barely a whisper. “But you left me no choice. I’m trying to save what we built.”
“Save it?” Erick snorted, rising to his feet. “You think stabbing me in the back will save anything? You’re nothing but a coward.”
Arlen flinched but didn’t move. “I’m sorry, Erick. This is the only way.”
A wave of searing pain surged through Erick’s chest, cutting off his retort. He staggered, gripping the edge of the desk for support as the poison spread like wildfire through his veins. His vision blurred, the world tilting as his legs gave out beneath him.
Arlen rushed forward but stopped short, his face stricken with guilt. “I didn’t want this,” he said, his voice trembling.
Erick’s lips curled into a bitter smile as he sank to his knees. “You’ll regret this,” he rasped, his voice laced with venom.
The room grew darker, the edges of Arlen’s face fading into shadow. The last thing Erick saw was his best friend, frozen in silent anguish, before blackness swallowed him whole.