MMORPG: Birth of the World's Luckiest Player

Chapter 497: Turning Down the Perfect Offer

Marcus smiled to himself. This was his opening. He would politely decline the CEO’s offer, head downstairs, and grab lunch with the gang like nothing had happened.

Before he could say a word, however, the woman across the desk continued, as if she had only just remembered something important. "I almost forgot to introduce myself properly. I’m Vivian Sterling, the new CEO of Mellory Financial. From now on, I’ll be overseeing all company operations."

’Vivian Sterling.’

The name clicked instantly. Now Marcus understood why Mark had said she had so much pull. Keystone Group was a family-run conglomerate, and the chairman’s surname was Sterling. Vivian was clearly one of the heirs, someone who had grown up inside the system and knew exactly how to wield authority. That alone explained how she had managed to clean house so thoroughly and so fast.

After introducing herself, Vivian looked directly at Marcus, her expression composed but sincere. "Marcus, on behalf of Mellory Financial, I want to apologize for what happened to you. It was a serious failure on our end, a mistake in personnel management. We intend to make it right."

Her tone carried no hint of pretense. Combined with her striking appearance and natural confidence, it would have been difficult for any man not to soften at least a little.

’Impressive,’ Marcus thought.

Before he could respond, she continued without pause. "Since I’ve taken over, we’re not just maintaining the skincare line. We’re launching a new women’s product. That means higher standards for advertising and promotion across the board."

She leaned back slightly, settling into a more businesslike rhythm. "Under the new structure, Mark will oversee the entire Marketing Department. We’re splitting it into two offices, each with its own assistant manager. One will handle General Marketing under Ray. The other will be Creative Advertising. For that position, we believe you’re the best candidate."

She smiled at him, calm and confident. "What do you think?"

Assistant manager. At one point in his life, that title would have made Marcus’s heart race. He had to admit it, Vivian knew exactly how to present an offer. The timing, the framing, the authority behind it, all of it was calculated.

But now, of all times, it was also the perfect moment to walk away.

"I’m honored, Ms. Sterling," Marcus said smoothly, keeping his tone polite and unruffled, "but I don’t think I’m qualified for the role. You’d be better off choosing someone else."

Vivian’s smile did not waver. If anything, it grew more knowing, as if she assumed he was still nursing resentment over his dismissal and grasping for excuses.

"Marcus, if you’re not qualified, then no one is," she replied lightly.

She stood, walked over to her desk, and picked up a neatly stacked file. Opening it, she began to read aloud, her voice clear and precise.

"Marcus graduated last July from Crestwood University with a degree in Advertising Design. He joined Mellory Financial’s Marketing Department immediately after graduation. Under his leadership and planning, working alongside newcomers Ray, Tyler, and Emily, the first-quarter advertising campaign resulted in a five percent profit increase within two months."

She flipped a page. "The second-quarter campaign produced two additional concepts, generating an eight percent profit increase over three months. In the third quarter, despite facing resistance from the previous department head, he still delivered one campaign that continued the growth trend."

Vivian looked up at him briefly, then continued. "As of one month ago, Marcus’s advertising efforts alone had increased product profitability by eleven percent. Based on our internal estimates, if his plans had not been suppressed and all proposed concepts had been implemented, that figure would have reached at least eighteen percent."

She closed the file and met his gaze. "Marcus, these numbers are accurate. Correct?"

As she watched him, Vivian felt a quiet sense of amazement. Results like these were rare, not just within Mellory, but across Keystone Group as a whole. When the data had first crossed her desk, she had ordered it verified multiple times, unwilling to believe it at face value.

Marcus, meanwhile, was genuinely stunned. He had known his campaigns were working, but the former department head had buried the real figures. He had never seen the complete data laid out so plainly.

Eleven percent. For a company Mellory’s size, that was enormous.

No wonder the man had tried so hard to push him out. With numbers like that, Marcus had been a direct threat to his position.

’So I really was that effective, huh?’

The thought amused him, but it did not change his resolve. Whatever he had achieved back then belonged to the past.

While he was still processing, Vivian mistook his silence for hesitation. "Marcus, do you still think you’re not qualified? I suspect you’re still upset about being let go. Don’t worry. We’ll compensate you."

She shifted seamlessly into recruitment mode. "Here’s what we’re offering. Assistant Manager of Creative Advertising, with full creative autonomy. Your annual salary would increase from one hundred twenty thousand to three hundred fifty thousand, with full corporate benefits. You’d also receive performance bonuses tied directly to your campaigns’ profit impact. On top of that, we’ll back-pay your salary for the months you were gone."

’Three hundred fifty thousand.’

Once upon a time, that number would have been impossible to ignore. It was more than Mark earned as department head, and with bonuses, even a modest one percent share of increased profits could easily add another three hundred fifty thousand on top.

’This woman doesn’t play small,’ Marcus thought.

A wicked idea flickered through his mind, gone almost as quickly as it came. ’Maybe she’s got a thing for me.’

More realistically, he knew he was simply worth the investment. Talent drove growth, and growth was everything. Still, he couldn’t help admiring her decisiveness. Leaders like Vivian were exactly how Keystone Group had clawed its way into the Fortune Global 500.

He glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was slipping by.

Deciding there was no point dragging this out, Marcus spoke plainly. "Ms. Sterling, I’ll be honest. I’m not coming back."

"Not coming back?"

Vivian stared at him, clearly thrown. This was not how the conversation was supposed to go. In fact, she looked genuinely shocked, as if rejection was something she rarely encountered.

"Why?" she asked, confusion coloring her voice.

"I don’t want to work anymore," Marcus replied calmly. "And I definitely don’t want to work for someone else."

He was about to take his leave when he caught the look on her face. Disappointment flickered there, brief but unmistakable, and for a moment, it softened something in him.

"So," he added, half joking, "because you’re the new CEO, working for you would make me want to give everything I’ve got. And that’s dangerous."

He laughed, deliberately easing the tension. "Ms. Sterling, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going."

He turned and headed for the door.

"Wait, Marcus."

He had taken only two steps before her voice stopped him. He paused and turned back.

"Take some time to think it over," Vivian said, her tone steadier now. "The offer stands for two weeks. If you have any conditions, you’re welcome to propose them."

Being valued like this, especially by someone like her, was harder to brush aside than he cared to admit.

"I’ll consider it," he said seriously, and turned again.

Two steps later, an idea struck him. He stopped, turned back once more.

Vivian, who had been watching his retreating figure with careful restraint, felt a spark of hope.

"Ms. Sterling," Marcus said, "you said I could propose conditions?"

"Yes," she replied, nodding.

He cleared his throat and walked back toward her. "Alright. Here’s mine. I’ll take the position, but I work on my own schedule. No fixed hours, no mandatory office presence. In return, I guarantee at least two top-tier campaigns per year. What do you think?"

The idea had come together in an instant. With the resources and exposure he had in Dominion, advertising there would be incredibly effective and far cheaper than traditional channels. On top of that, the role would give him a legitimate job title, sparing him awkward explanations to friends and former classmates about being between opportunities.

There were other considerations too. Vivian had mentioned a new product launch. Down the line, he could pitch in-game advertising through Dominion, maybe even via his Nightmare Auction House. The traffic alone made it a goldmine, and the era of in-game ads was inevitable.

And then there was Lily. Same major, Advertising Design, but still in grad school. She needed experience, not office politics. This arrangement would let her contribute creatively from home, turning work into something enjoyable instead of draining.

It was, all things considered, a very appealing setup.

"Work on your own schedule?" Vivian repeated, incredulous. "If you were in my position, would you agree to that?"

Marcus laughed, a little sheepish. "Given how well we know each other? Probably not. Forget I said anything."

He turned toward the door again.

"Wait."

Five steps from the exit, her voice stopped him once more, sharper this time, frustration slipping through her composure.

Inside, Vivian was seething. No one had ever treated her like this, brushing her off, negotiating on equal footing, testing her patience. Anyone else would have been scrambling to apologize by now.

But her gaze drifted back to the data on her desk. Numbers did not lie, and this man’s numbers were exceptional.

’Maybe he really is the only one who can help me.’

For the sake of her own plans, and perhaps her own peace of mind, she swallowed her pride.

She took a steadying breath. "Marcus, it’s not impossible. But can you guarantee confidentiality? And can you guarantee quality?"

"Yes," Marcus said without hesitation. "Both. No problem."

He meant it. And, he admitted to himself, disappointing someone like her was not something he wanted on his conscience.

"Fine," Vivian said decisively. "We’ll do it your way, under those conditions. You guarantee confidentiality and deliver at least two campaigns per year. No office hours. One-year contracts, renewable only by mutual agreement. Your salary will be two hundred thousand. Take it or leave it."

Marcus had to admire her resolve. Still, he shook his head.

"One-year contracts are fine," he said evenly. "But the salary stays at three hundred fifty thousand. Performance bonuses tied to profit impact stay too. No cuts."

He smiled, confident and unapologetic. "At that rate, you’re still getting a bargain."

"You..." Vivian felt her temper flare again, hotter than before. She had never been pushed this hard, never felt so close to losing control. For a fleeting moment, emotion threatened to overwhelm her.

Then she looked at the figures again. The proof was right there. She had already given ground, and she knew it.

In the end, she closed her eyes briefly and let it go. She would just have to live with it.