The audit meeting ended abruptly. The VPs thanked Leo for his "clarity and thoroughness" with a pointed professionalism that was colder than any reprimand. David Chen was asked to stay behind for a "private follow-up." He looked like a man walking to his own execution.
No one spoke a word as the team filed out of the boardroom. The atmosphere in the office was thick with a mixture of fear, shock, and a strange, electric excitement. The established hierarchy had been shattered in the span of five minutes.
Leo returned to his desk and began methodically archiving the files from his presentation. He felt the gazes of his colleagues on him, but he ignored them. Anna was pale, avoiding eye contact at all costs. Ben, however, walked over, a look of profound, almost grudging admiration on his face.
"Kid," he said, his voice low. "I've been in this business for twenty years. I've seen backstabbing, I've seen power plays… but I have never seen a public execution that clean." He shook his head. "You didn't just beat him. You made him beat himself."
Leo simply gave a slight, noncommittal nod. His Calm Mind (Lv. 2) was still active, processing the fallout as pure data.
An hour later, an email from HR was sent to the entire department. David Chen was "pursuing other opportunities, effective immediately." It was the corporate equivalent of being thrown into an unmarked van.
Five minutes after that, Leo received a summons. Not to a sterile meeting room, but to the corner office of Maria Liu, the VP who had asked the killing question. Her office was on the 45th floor, a realm of quiet luxury and sweeping city views he had never seen before.
Maria was direct. "Your manager's position is now vacant," she said, gesturing for him to sit. "Normally, we'd conduct a lengthy search. But TitanCorp values two things above all else: results and the courage to present them honestly. Your performance in that meeting was… illuminating."
She looked at him, her gaze sharp and analytical. "You showed exceptional competence in your work and an even more exceptional level of strategic patience. That's a rare combination. We need a new Senior Associate to lead the Project Nightingale data team. The position is yours, if you want it."
It wasn't a question. It was a coronation.
"I accept," Leo said, his voice steady.
"Good," she replied. "Your official promotion and new compensation package will be processed by end of day. Don't disappoint me, Mr. Zhang."
As Leo walked out of her office and into the elevator, his phone, which had been silent for the past hour, began to vibrate uncontrollably.
[Long-term quest "The Credit Thief" has been COMPLETED.] [Objective: Expose the manager's actions at the most opportune moment... COMPLETE.] [Bonus Objective: Achieve victory using only factual data, forcing the target to self-incriminate... COMPLETE.] [Performance Grade: SSS+ (Flawless Execution)]
[Calculating Massive Rewards…]
[You have leveled up! Level 25 → Level 26] [All stats increased!]
[New Skill Acquired: Efficiency Demon (Lv. 1)] [Effect: All tasks related to data processing, analysis, and system optimization are now performed at 150% speed. Your mind instinctively identifies the most efficient path to any solution.]
[Legendary Item Acquired: Super Calorie Bar] [Description: A deceptively plain-looking energy bar. Consuming one bar completely restores all mental and physical stamina, eliminating the effects of fatigue for 24 hours. A tool for impossible deadlines. (Quantity: 3)]
[PROMOTION CONFIRMED: Junior Associate → Senior Associate]
The elevator doors opened onto the 34th floor. He stepped out. The office, his office, looked different. The game board had changed once again. He had defeated the second boss and cleared the second level. But as he looked at the faces of his new subordinates—faces filled with a new and potent mixture of fear and respect—he knew the next level would be even harder.