Chapter 639: Theft:

Awakened by the tender kiss of Elizabeth Olsen just as the dawn broke, Martin found himself at the company's doorstep earlier than usual, his morning exercise complete. Alice, the ever-reliable receptionist, had already opened the doors, her cheery demeanor a stark contrast to the unusual tension in the air.

As Martin greeted Alice with a nod, Bruce, his steadfast colleague, joined him for the ascent upstairs. The elevator whisked them swiftly to the fourth floor, but a peculiar odor greeted their senses. Martin wrinkled his nose, prompting Bruce to humorously blame it on a supposed culprit with smelly feet from the night before.

Approaching the office door, Martin's keen eyes caught a glint of something amiss—the brass handle tainted with oil, and faint scratches near the keyhole. Instinctively, he hesitated, withdrawing his hand. "Something's off," he muttered to Bruce, who wasted no time in preparing for potential trouble.

Without a word, Bruce armed them both, his actions speaking volumes of the seriousness of the situation. Assessing the lock, Bruce discerned its newness, ruling out the possibility of unauthorized entry. Martin, clutching his pistol tightly, suggested a strategic retreat, mindful of preserving any potential evidence.

As they regrouped near the elevator, Martin scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of intrusion. Finding none but their own footprints, they descended to the ground floor. Their armed presence startled Jessica and Emily, prompting puzzled inquiries about the unexpected display of weaponry in the workplace.

As Martin sought clarification from his team, Bruce discreetly stowed away his weapon, explaining the suspicion of a possible intruder. Taking charge, Martin instructed Alice to secure the entrance, while urging Bruce to contact the authorities.

With Bruce dialing the emergency number, activity buzzed around them. Alice diligently redirected employees, while Martin meticulously inspected the scene, interrogating Jessica and Emily for any insights.

Meanwhile, Bruce and Jessica delved into the surveillance footage, only to discover the system malfunctioning, its hard drive forcibly removed. Outside, patrol officers arrived, swiftly taking charge of the situation, their presence a reassuring beacon amidst the chaos.

After a tense wait, a detective from the Police Detective Bureau finally arrived, accompanied by a team of officers and skilled technicians. The staff dispersed, each tasked with gathering relevant information, their demeanor respectful and meticulous.

Inspector Geralt, recognizing Martin's significance as a key figure in the company, approached with a firm handshake, his expression grave with concern. "Martin," he began, "what have you discovered?"

Choosing his words carefully, Martin briefed Geralt, signaling to Bruce to lead the way to the monitoring room. Upon hearing Martin's account, Geralt wasted no time, mobilizing additional resources and dispatching teams to investigate further.

With the situation escalating, Martin made the difficult decision to grant most employees an impromptu day off, leaving only essential personnel like Jessica and Emily on site.

As Geralt ushered Martin upstairs, he relayed their findings. "Traces were found," he explained, "but minimal. The intruders were meticulous, wearing protective gear to avoid leaving any incriminating evidence."

Inspecting the office door, Geralt pointed out the telltale signs of a skilled lockpicker's handiwork, noting that even the safe had been breached effortlessly.

Martin's brow furrowed as he recalled the safe's contents. "Nothing valuable," he mused aloud, prompting Geralt to advise a thorough inventory check.

Examining the emptied safe, Martin's gaze fell on two scripts, untouched except for their disheveled appearance. "Just these," he confirmed to Geralt, who probed further, "Nothing else taken?"

After confirming no other losses with Bruce's assistance, Martin deduced that the intruders' true target was the safe itself, not its contents.

Engaging in a hushed conversation with Geralt, Martin acquiesced to the detective's request for confidentiality, entrusting the investigation to his capable team.

As the detectives continued their work, new leads surfaced: evidence of tampering with the building's distribution box, missing surveillance footage, and sightings of suspicious figures in nearby buildings.

With polite farewells, Geralt and his team withdrew, leaving Martin and Bruce alone in the office.

Bruce wasted no time in addressing the pressing question on both their minds. "Were they after the scripts?"

Martin retrieved the scripts, placing them before him with a heavy sigh. "Seventh Son" and "Transcendence," he mused, "I thought they'd be safe here. But it seems the thief had other plans..."

Concern etched on his face, Bruce pondered aloud, "Who else knew about them?"

Martin's response was grim. "After my departure from the company, those scripts weren't exactly under lock and key. Many knew of their existence..."

With a sinking feeling, they realized that even the most guarded secrets weren't safe from prying eyes in the digital age.

The inception of this initiative was to ignite the creativity of our employees, to foster a culture where innovation thrives," Martin reflected, his gaze drifting momentarily to the two scripts resting on his desk.

Bruce's curiosity piqued, he probed, "You seem rather reserved about these scripts. Are you not confident in them?"

Martin's response was measured. "Magic epics are a complex genre," he explained. "Not all projects hold the same allure."

Contemplating the potential motives behind the theft, Martin mused aloud, "What would they make of scripts I deemed valuable enough to safeguard?"

Recognizing Martin's keen foresight, Bruce suggested, "Perhaps it's time to engage Copyright. Whoever gains ownership may pour considerable resources into production."

Determined to turn the tables, Martin rose, dialing Jesse and Emily into action. "You're tasked with pursuing the acquisition of these scripts," he instructed, handing them the manuscripts. "Present yourselves as formidable contenders, but refrain from finalizing any deals."

Jessica's hesitance didn't escape Martin's notice, but he pressed on, "Appear resolute. Amplify the negotiations, but don't commit to purchasing the rights."

Emily sought clarification, "Are we poised to secure these scripts?"

Martin affirmed, "Yes, commence immediately."

With directives in motion, Jessica and Emily set out to contact the screenwriters, their contact details conveniently listed on the scripts.

Once alone, Bruce broached the topic of apprehending the culprit. Martin's focus, however, was on the larger picture. "If someone invests heavily in these scripts, they'll inevitably proceed with production," he reasoned, eyes drifting to the bustling Disney Studio opposite.

Pondering their next move, Martin strategized, "We'll expand our acquisitions discreetly. I'll consult with Harris to establish a shell company. Any projects of interest can be pursued through him."

Turning to Bruce, Martin concluded, "Despite the lack of valuables here, security measures must be heightened."

Bruce assured, "Consider it done."

As the morning unfolded, administrative tasks demanded attention, consuming their time until afternoon beckoned.

Venturing into Century City, Martin rendezvoused with Nokia's marketing director, Cross, at WMA.

Reflecting on their two-year partnership, Martin declined Nokia's lucrative renewal offer, citing personal reasons.

Perplexed by Martin's decision, Cross queried, "Our collaboration has been fruitful. Why the change of heart?"

Martin evaded, "Personal privacy concerns," leaving Cross baffled but ultimately resigned to Martin's enigmatic choice.