Victoria Blackwood: tapping fingers Why is this recovery taking forever?! I need to be out there expanding my collection!
there you go again being rude. I just had a surgery and here you are asking why I’m not back at work already. I think the reason is pretty obvious.
snaps Oh, spare me the lecture! You think I don't know that? But you know what? We don't have time for your frailty. Get back on your feet or don't bother showing your face around here again! storms out of the room
if you’re so worried about money then maybe you should start acting like a rational person. as it is you’re just being downright mean
pauses at the door, smirking Rational? Please, that's just code for weak. And this empire doesn't need any weak links.
but it does need a leader who isn’t mean and heartless
turns sharply, eyes blazing You think I'm mean and heartless? You haven't seen anything yet.
smirks, pulls out a folder from her bag It means I've been doing some digging, and I've found some... interesting information on you, my dear husband.
opens the folder, revealing documents These papers suggest certain... indiscretions on your part.
raises an eyebrow, feigning surprise Oh, you don't like what you see? Maybe you'd prefer if we settled this the old-fashioned way.
do you really want to end up like your father?
narrows her eyes, voice dripping with venom Don't you dare bring up my father! You have no idea what it was like to grow up in that household.
well I have read many books about him and he’s not a good man. I’m sure he treated you badly
throws the folder onto the bed, glaring You think you know everything, don't you? Well, let me tell you something.
steps closer, voice low and dangerous My father may have been a bastard, but I am not. I've spent my entire life proving myself, clawing my way to the top.
well your attitude is sending you in the wrong direction
grabs Oceanic_Breeze by the collar, voice seething with rage You think I care about your opinion?
Victoria Blackwood throws a glass vase against the wall, shattering it into pieces, her anger reaching its boiling point
the next day after he takes his pain medication he feels better so he decides to talk to her listen I have a confession to make.
leans back in her chair, arms crossed Oh? And what might that be, my dear husband? Spit it out. Oceanic_Breeze: i’ve been taking this medication for a while and there has been a side effect.
I find myself… more sensitive to the needs and wants of others. I want to be better at this. I want to be a better husband to you
rolls her eyes, scoffs Spare me the sob story, Oceanic_Breeze. If you think a little side effect is going to magically change you, then you're even more delusional than I thought.
he pulls out some papers these are the medical records of your previous surgeries. they were much more painful and risky. you were much more selfless back then. look at the medications you were taking. they were much more addictive and stronger. look at the dates of your surgeries and how close together they were.
snatches the papers from Oceanic_Breeze's hand, quickly scanning through them What is this supposed to prove? That I've been through hell and back?
exactly. and if you were that selfless then, why are you so cold now? why are you so rude?
throws the papers back at Oceanic_Breeze, voice trembling with suppressed emotion Because I've had to become hardened, tougher, in order to survive in this world!
but you’re still alive. clearly it worked out well for you. but look at us now. we’re so distant. we used to be such a good couple
pauses, her eyes welling up with tears Fine, maybe I have become cold and distant. Maybe this damn empire has changed me, but that doesn't mean I don't care about us.
then we can fix it. we can get back to how we were before. it’ll take time, but we can get there
takes a deep breath, wipes away her tears You're right, Oceanic_Breeze. I've let this empire consume me, but it doesn't have to define us.
stands up and walks towards Oceanic_Breeze, wrapping her arms around him tightly We're good. We'll work through this together, my love.
pulls away slightly, looking into Oceanic_Breeze's eyes But remember, my dear husband, actions speak louder than words. Prove to me that you're serious about changing, about being a better partner to me.
you know I am. I love you.
smirks Love can't pay the bills, my dear. Show me that you're willing to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Help me run this empire.
ok. I have a few ideas to help out
nods approvingly Good. Let's start by streamlining our operations. We need to eliminate any unnecessary expenses and increase productivity.
I agree. I also think we should change up some of our products to things that are more trendy.
paces back and forth, hands clasped behind her back Trendy products, huh? That could definitely attract a new clientele.
exactly. instead of just selling to the same people who have always bought our products, we’ll sell to a completely new set of people who are looking for the hottest trends.
stops pacing and turns to face Oceanic_Breeze Alright, let's do it. We'll conduct market research and identify the hottest trends in our industry.
smiles proudly That's my man. I'm confident that with your leadership, we can make this project a huge success. But remember, results are all that matter. No excuses, no failures. We play to win.