Chương 154: Chapter 152 – I’m Baaack!

The moment Mordak left, a warm surge of smug satisfaction filled Elios. I pulled it off. I actually pulled it off. The fear that had gripped him earlier evaporated as he rose from the little chair and circled the desk to the big one. He smoothed his hand across the leather. This is more like it. He smiled. It was infinitely better than that plastic excuse for a chair outside. The throne was is mine again. He had always known it was never about Hardscrabble being a better fit for the position.

Hardscrabble lacked the intelligence, the discipline, and the organizational skills required to manage anything beyond his own lunch schedule. He had not even been a competent scientist. He took shortcuts, manufactured conclusions from flawed data, and called it research. Science demanded precision. Results had to be replicated, not conjured. Anyone could have a theory; proving it was the real work. Mordak had only reinstated Hardscrabble to humiliate him.

His head injury had been dismissed as a fabrication, an inconvenience, and Mordak had seized the opportunity to make an example of him… to show everyone that Elios was replaceable and that Mordak's ego, not merit, decided who held power. It had never been about competence. It had been about control. He may have been temporarily dethroned, but he had proved to himself that not even Mordak could keep him down.

Now that his mind was clear and no usurper sat in his chair, he could move forward with the next phase of his plan. Employees who had been pretending to work now drifted past the office, stealing nervous glances inside. Elios offered a small, tight smile. They quickly looked away and hurried on. He could not blame them for being curious, especially after what had just happened with Hardscrabble. Speaking of Hardscrabble, where had the guards taken him? Mordak terminations were not always a matter of losing a job.

Ah, Hardscrabble. Let us see what you left behind. Elios sat and opened the top drawer. A light knock interrupted him. He looked up sharply.

"Yes." He began, then registered the visitor. Wentworth.

"Elios, I understand congratulations are in order." Wentworth said as he walked in without waiting for an invitation. How dare he stroll into my office like he owned it. Elios masked his irritation.

"So nice to see you, Doctor." His voice was pleasant; his eyes were not. You are next. You just do not know it yet, you son of a bitch. I will obliterate you just like you obliterated Trula, you sick …

"So I guess this means we will be working together again." Wentworth said, settling into the empty chair. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Yeah, I guess so. What exactly will we be working on?" Elios asked, feigning interest, shuffling one stack of papers to another. I don't know what you will be working on, but me… I will be working on taking you down, you certifiable piece of…

"Mordak has not filled you in, I take it." Wentworth said, examining his fingernails.

"No. There was not enough time for him to go over the open projects he and my predecessor were involved in. First I have to sort out the mess he left behind. Then I am sure Mordak will get me up to speed."

"Elios, you know there was no love lost between me and Hardscrabble." Wentworth leaned forward, meeting his eyes.

"I thought he was an arrogant, incompetent twit. But let it serve as a lesson. One you should pay attention to." For a moment, Elios almost believed Wentworth was genuinely trying to look out for him.

"What lesson is that, Franklin? That incompetence gets you fired?" Elios asked. Wentworth scoffed.

"Jethro was not fired. He was terminated. You do understand the difference, right, Elios?"

"No, Franklin. Why don't you explain it to me." Elios replied, dripping sarcasm. Wentworth gave him a reproachful look.

"Elios, I don't think I need to elaborate on the fine workings of this establishment, you know full well what goes on around here. Just watch yourself."

"Whatever do you mean, Doctor? Is that a threat?" Elios asked, rising from his seat.

"No. It is a warning. Or one day you could find yourself being escorted out by a guard on each arm."

"I am aware, Franklin. Why do you not take your own advice. You should be…"

"Oh trust me, Elios. I know exactly how fine a line each of us walks around here. And I have no intention of walking that tightrope without a safety net."

"Well, thank you for the congratulations, Franklin, but I have a lot to do. I have all that mail Hardscrabble ignored for starters." Elios sighed.

"That alone will keep me busy. Then I need to get his shit out of my desk and into a box so it can be delivered to him…" He paused.

"Or his next of kin. Whichever the case may be." Wentworth shook his head and stood.

"Elios, I used to think you were one of the sheep. But I am realizing you are a wolf trying to run with the pack. Just be careful the alpha does not cast you out." He turned toward the door.

"Call me after you and Mordak talk so we can get the project headed in the right direction." He called over his shoulder as he left. That is where you are wrong, Franklin. I have no intention of running with the pack. I will be the one leading it. Elios sat back down. What a mess. Hardscrabble's belongings were scattered across the desk with no direction, no purpose. Just like the man. Elios rolled up his sleeves and got to work, the satisfaction of reclaiming control washing over him.

He sorted through papers, tossing out anything useless and stacking the rest neatly. He found a small framed photograph of Hardscrabble with a woman and two children. A flicker of pity crossed his face. It vanished just as quickly. Sentiment had no place here. He slipped the photograph into the box with the rest of Hardscrabble's personal effects. As he packed the trinkets and papers, relief settled over him. It was done. It worked. He was back where he belonged, and perhaps even better off than before.

He looked around the office, imagining everything restored to its proper place. Hardscrabble had left chaos. Elios needed order. He needed organization. He needed control.