The confrontation

****

The office hummed with the familiar rhythm of a workday, a cocoon of productivity where Simon navigated the tasks at hand. But amidst the controlled chaos, the symphony of ringing phones and tapping keyboards, a disruptive note sounded—the insistent ring of his own phone.

"Yes, Elena, what do you want this time?" Simon's voice carried a touch of irritation, the interruption unwelcome in his focused environment.

"Sir, you have a guest waiting to meet with you," Elena's voice held a hint of formality, a note of anticipation for his response.

"A guest?" Simon's brow furrowed in confusion, his schedule devoid of any appointments for the day. "My schedule is free of meetings today. Who could it be?"

And then, the answer came a name that struck a chord deep within him.

"It's Mr. Richard, sir," Elena finally revealed.

The line went dead, the sudden silence mirroring the weight of the revelation. Richard—the figure from his past, the embodiment of rivalry and enmity. His presence was like