Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55765 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55765 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“This will lose us millions,” Sebastian says. “Tens of millions. Maybe even hundreds.”
“We’re worth billions,” I snap. “This is real life, not dollar signs on a spreadsheet.”
“Can we at least discuss other options?”
I grind my teeth. There was a time when this wouldn’t even be a point of discussion for Seb. He’d understand immediately. He’d have the same “fuck the world” attitude as me, but lately, he only sees dollar signs. When did that happen? Maybe I should’ve paid closer attention.
Sitting down, I take out my phone and open my primary social media app, clicking the go live button.
“What are you doing?” Sebastian whispers.
I spin in my office chair, putting my phone into selfie mode. Sebastian’s a veteran of the game by this point. His demeanor changes. He forces a PR-friendly smile, not too smiley, but no longer grimacing. The view counter explodes from two to a hundred, then to a thousand, and then it keeps going up. Within a few seconds, it’s already at five thousand.
“Many of you have seen the reports about the sick things some sick bastards have been doing on our VR services. We gave our users the ability to create their own games because we wanted to encourage creativity. However, these absolute degenerates have been using it to feed the darkest parts of themselves.” I clench my jaw, glaring at the camera. “Let me tell you, if they were here, I’d smash their teeth on camera.”
Sebastian winces, but this is what makes me different from other CEOs. We have a PR department, which Sebastian insisted on, but I never listen to them. I think people deserve the truth, not some spin bull crap.
“I’ve already contacted the authorities. We’re trying our best to use existing laws to put these animals in cages where they belong. However, for the time being, I’m making an announcement. Until we can be one thousand percent sure this will never happen again, we are shutting down all VR services. Any games or currencies for games purchased within the last seven days will be refunded, either for credit or cash—your choice.”
“To all our honest, creative, engaged users… I’m sorry. I’m sorry the world’s such a twisted place sometimes. I’m sorry that a few have to ruin it for the rest of you. But I promise, when we’re back, we’ll be better and safer than ever.”
I end the live, then turn back to Seb, tossing my phone onto the desk. His face has changed completely from when I was recording. He stands up and places his fists on the desk.
“That’s it, then, Luke,” he snaps. “You get another fifteen minutes of fame.”
“Do you really think I did that for fame?”
“Another chance to play the hero and appear on more lists. Oh, I’m so relatable. I’m not a billionaire looking down on the peasants. I’m one of you.”
“Don’t get petty, Seb.”
“This is our company,” he says.
“And you wanted to let degenerates use it however they wanted.”
“Our company,” he snaps. “Not yours, Luke. Ours. You shouldn’t have done that without listening to my ideas first. Who do you think you are?”
“The only one willing to do the right thing, apparently.”
Suddenly, he grabs the chair, spins it, and tosses it across the room. It lands with a clang and slides across the floor, making a loud scraping noise. I stare in shock. I’ve never seen Seb like this before. He storms from the room, not stopping to look at me.
I keep staring as he slams the door, the whole office seeming to shake. Suddenly, uncertainty touches me. Did I rush into that too fast? Should I have listened to him first? I’ve known Seb for more than twenty years. We’ve always had each other’s backs.
What choice did I have, dammit? Money isn’t the only thing we have to think about. I meant what I said. I’d rather be broke than let something this unhinged happen.
I press the intercom button. “James,” I say.
My assistant answers. “Yes, sir?”
“I’m leaving the city for a couple of days. I’ll take my meetings remotely.”
“Of course, sir.”
I shake my head slowly. There’s no point telling him not to call me sir. Maybe Seb has a point. Sometimes, it’s hard to accept I’m a billionaire, not just another person. Everybody treats me differently—everybody.
I stand up, pushing those self-pitying thoughts away. I’m standing in an office with more square footage than most people’s apartments. I’ve got no right to complain.
CHAPTER 2
MACI
“Oh, baby,” Mom cries from across the other side of the apartment. You’d think having a relatively large place with three bedrooms would be enough for Mom to keep the volume down. “Mark, yes, yes!”
I groan and roll over, grabbing my pillow and wrapping it around my head, trying to block out the noises. When I can still hear it through the pillow, I quickly rush into the en-suite, blasting music on my phone as I shower. Finally, when I get out of the shower, the fun has stopped. I sit on my bed in my towel, checking my phone. I’ve got an email from my graphic design tutor. She’s come down with a bug. There will be no class for four days, but we have assignments to work on.