Chapter 15 - The New Client
Leo picked up the receiver with two hands, holding the heavy plastic to his ear.
""Speak,"" he said softly.
A voice came through the line—distorted, synthesized, and coming from deep within an uncharted maritime jurisdiction.
""Mr. Leo. We monitored your performance against Cross. Impeccable execution. Truly rare for an executive of your demographic.""
""Who is this?"" Leo asked, his brow furrowing as his childish fingers tightened around the receiver. Vance and Claire both stepped forward instantly, sensing the immediate shift in the room's atmosphere.
""We are the Kindergarten Syndicate,"" the voice replied, followed by the faint sound of a nursery chime box playing in the background. ""You broke Cross's system, but you created a power vacuum. The international monetary supply is now completely destabilized. We need an administrator who isn't burdened by adult conscience.""
""I'm retired,"" Leo said firmly. ""I'm focusing on my early childhood development.""
""You don't retire from liquidity, Mr. Leo,"" the voice chuckled darkly. ""Check your private feed. We just gave you your fifty-first follower.""
Leo’s smartphone screen flickered on. The screen bypassed every firewall, displaying a live satellite feed of his penthouse window. A red tracking dot moved steadily across the glass, stopping directly over the center of his chest.
""We'll be seeing you at recess, Boss.""
The line went dead with a loud, mechanical click.
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Leo slowly set the receiver down on its cradle. He reached into his desk drawer, pulled out a fresh, unblemished pacifier, popped it into his mouth, and looked up at Vance.
""Vance,"" Leo said around the pacifier, his eyes turning cold as slate. ""Get the chopper ready. Recess is canceled."""
