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Chapter 26: You're Hired
🕑 Added 2025-09-05 10:52:36 +0000 UTCTo rapidly complete Avatar's official dungeon development and launch additional projects, Stormwind Studios began an aggressive hiring campaign. Avatar's industry recognition had transformed the small startup into one of gaming's most desirable employers—their job postings attracted hundreds of qualified applicants within days.
Alex's hiring criteria were straightforward: exceptional professional skills combined with personality compatibility. He wanted people who could not only execute at the highest level but also contribute to a collaborative, optimistic team culture. Daily work was challenging enough without adding interpersonal friction.
The expansion went far beyond programmers and artists. Stormwind needed game designers, systems engineers, operations specialists, financial analysts, customer service representatives, administrative staff, and marketing professionals. Alex was building a company capable of competing with industry giants, which meant establishing every department necessary for sustained growth.
Most importantly, he needed an experienced senior manager—someone who could help him navigate corporate complexities while maintaining Stormwind's innovative culture.
Nathan Pierce sat in his car outside another office building, hands gripping the steering wheel as he watched people come and go through the glass lobby. Each face represented opportunities he no longer had access to, careers that continued while his had been destroyed.
"I'm sorry, but we can't offer you a position here. You should try looking elsewhere."
"There's nothing personal about this decision. You understand how these things work."
He'd lost count of how many times he'd heard variations of those words over the past six months. Today's rejection from TechVision Games had been particularly painful—he'd genuinely believed they might be different, might value talent over industry politics.
The traffic light in front of him cycled from red to green to red again while Nathan remained motionless, lost in memories that still felt like fresh wounds.
He could still see her clearly: Emily's bright smile during her first week at Titan Games, her enthusiasm for the project they'd been developing together, the way she'd light up when discussing innovative game mechanics. She'd been one of the most promising designers he'd ever worked with.
And then Brandon Sterling had noticed her.
The memory of finding Emily in the parking garage, her white dress stained with blood, her brilliant mind silenced forever, would haunt Nathan for the rest of his life. Such a talented, kind person destroyed by corporate predation and intimidation.
"Brandon Sterling," Nathan whispered, the name tasting like poison.
A knock on his passenger window startled him back to the present. A concerned driver was gesturing toward the green light, clearly wondering if Nathan was having some kind of medical emergency.
"Sorry," Nathan called out, finally moving forward. His Bluetooth headset chimed with an incoming call—another interview opportunity, this time with something called Stormwind Studios.
At this point, he had nothing left to lose.
Nathan hadn't expected Avatar's creator to be someone barely past college age, and he definitely hadn't anticipated finding the legendary Stormwind Studios operating out of a converted space above an automotive shop.
"I have to ask about your departure from Titan Games," Alex said after reviewing Nathan's impressive resume. "What happened there?"
"I made an enemy of Brandon Sterling by trying to hold him accountable for employee harassment," Nathan replied honestly. "Now I'm essentially blacklisted from the industry. I can't hide that fact, so I might as well be direct about it."
Alex nodded thoughtfully. Nathan's credentials were exceptional—advanced degrees, international experience, rapid career progression at multiple respected companies before joining Titan Games as their youngest senior manager. Under normal circumstances, someone with his track record would already be running his own studio.
David suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Alex, sorry to interrupt, but there's an urgent call."
"What's the issue?"
David approached and whispered urgently in Alex's ear: "Brandon Sterling just called personally. He warned us not to hire Nathan Pierce. Said it would make Titan Games our enemy."
Alex's expression darkened. So Nathan had been telling the truth about Sterling's vendetta. The man was apparently determined to ensure Nathan never worked in gaming again.
"Mr. Morrison, if you have concerns, just tell me directly," Nathan said quietly. "I'd rather hear it straight than wonder what's happening behind closed doors."
He'd clearly guessed that Sterling had just intervened. After six months of this pattern, Nathan recognized the signs immediately.
"You're hired," Alex said firmly.
Nathan blinked in surprise. "I'm... what?"
"You're hired. Welcome to Stormwind Studios."
"Aren't you worried about Titan Games retaliating?"
Alex's smile was cold as winter. "Other companies might be intimidated by Titan Games and the Sterling family influence, but I'm not Brandon Sterling's biggest fan either."
The truth was more complex than simple defiance. The Sterling and Morrison families had been business rivals for years, competing in multiple industries with barely concealed hostility. Brandon Sterling was arrogant and condescending—Alex had never liked him personally.
From a strategic perspective, Titan Games was already Stormwind's competitor. They'd been instrumental in the coordinated attacks that had damaged Avatar's user ratings, and they continued manufacturing negative publicity despite Avatar's championship victory.
Titan Games followed a predictable pattern: crush emerging studios through market manipulation, acquire useful assets at fire-sale prices, and eliminate anything that couldn't be profitably absorbed.
Most companies feared the Sterling family's influence and resources. But Alex represented the Morrison family's wealth and connections—he could fight back on equal terms.
Moreover, Sterling's desperate attempt to block Nathan's hiring had actually resolved Alex's biggest concern. He'd been worried that Nathan might be a corporate spy or susceptible to future bribes. Sterling's hostility proved that Nathan was genuinely toxic to Titan Games' interests.
"Follow my lead and work hard," Alex continued. "I guarantee your compensation and benefits will exceed anything you had before."
"Absolutely," Nathan replied, feeling genuine warmth for the first time in months. "Thank you, Mr. Morrison. You won't regret this decision."
"Get yourself settled and report tomorrow morning. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
After Nathan left, Alex asked Jake to investigate the situation between Nathan and Sterling. Within an hour, Jake called back with disturbing details.
"It's worse than corporate politics," Jake reported grimly. "Sterling apparently sexually harassed a new female employee named Emily Rodriguez. When she threatened to report him, he escalated to assault. The woman jumped from the Titan Games parking garage rather than endure continued harassment."
"Jesus. And Nathan was involved how?"
"He'd been mentoring Rodriguez and had screenshots of Sterling's inappropriate messages. Nathan provided evidence to prosecutors and agreed to testify against Sterling. But the Sterling family used their influence to pressure Rodriguez's family into dropping all charges. The whole thing was buried, and Nathan was fired for 'performance issues.'"
"Was Nathan romantically involved with her?"
"Hard to confirm, but he probably had feelings for her. You don't sacrifice your entire career for someone you barely know. Nathan threw away a seven-figure salary and industry reputation to seek justice for Rodriguez."
Alex felt relief mixed with anger. Relief that Nathan was clearly someone with strong moral principles, and anger that Sterling had gotten away with driving someone to suicide.
"I'm satisfied with the hire," Alex told Jake. "But keep an eye on Sterling. Someone that ruthless won't stop at phone calls."
"Already on it. By the way, need help finding new office space? I know commercial real estate people."
"Thanks, but I've already got agents working on it. Once we're through this expansion phase, let's get together for drinks. It's been too long."
"Looking forward to it."
