As the staff expounded, their thoughts wandered: No doubt some merchant prince or scion indulging in diplomatic niceties. Leaving a dignified exit route.Yet a tinge of disappointment lingered. They had rather hoped this youth would chastise the insolent Arab nobles – venting their resentments by proxy.A fleeting, "Alas."Just as they resigned themselves to this anticlimax, the youth spoke once more."Very well, I shall purchase all available tickets allowing transfer to Dubai today."His words detonated a thunderous roar throughout the boarding area."He's stranding those wretched Arabs in Elysia today?""Brilliant, simply brilliant!" "Just how much will that cost?"Amid the tumult, Evan leveled his gaze upon the Dubai prince. "My apologies, what happens elsewhere is beyond my concern. But at this airport, none of you are going anywhere!"The prince and his entourage glowered darkly at that youthful, excessively dashing countenance, their expressions already dribbling with rancor.
The prince's smug delight was palpable. He had expended considerable favors securing the aircraft from Elysian contacts, even abandoning his entourage and courtesans at White Cloud's customs to hasten his return alongside only his translator. Tracking Evan's party, he had cast aside his priceless mobile device and endured unimaginable toils - all to vent this lingering outrage."Oh, is that so? Then permit me to congratulate you on your homecoming." Evan's casual indifference, relayed through the translator, wiped the smirk from the prince's face as it contorted into thunderous resentment."Do you know whose soil this is? Believe I cannot have you ejected from this very establishment?"A wry grin tugged at Evan's lips as he appraised the prince's debased state. "My, how affluent you seem!" His derisive chuckle betrayed his lack of intimidation. "But I've yet to fear any amount of wealth!"Then, addressing the entire venue, Evan called out, "Is there anyone here who speaks Elysian?"
"No...stay back!"The royal heir crab-walked away, desperate to flee this unstoppable juggernaut who had so ruthlessly crushed his men within a minute's span. "No...please, I beg you, spare me!" But the prince's plaintive entreaties fell on deaf ears as Evan inexorably advanced, his mocking smile twisting into a sneer of contempt. "A prince, you say?""Pitiful."With a single, bone-crushing strike, oblivion swallowed the prince's whimpering cries. Retrieving his phone, Evan dialed. "Adam, see if Dubai has a second prince. Identify any corporations under his purview. Dubai likely lacks deep economic ties to Elysia, so acquire whatever businesses this lesser prince may own."His tone grew animated. "Dubai drowns in oil wealth, Adam. If this fool controls any petroleum assets, you could all earn fortunes in your sleep!"He paused momentarily. "Though if it involves oil, the acquisition would require immense capital. I saw reports that Elysian petroleum firms are valued beyond $500 bi
"Hah, just teasing. Shall we?"Evan cast his gaze upwards towards the towering edifice before following Adam inside the soaring lobby.Though it was already well past Tiktoc's typical closing hour, the CEO's arrival ensured everyone would be working overtime, lavishing him with the full "Jesse Smith" directorial treatment....Finally extricating himself from the fawning throngs, Evan retreated to the sanctuary of his spacious corner office. While seldom present, Adam had thoughtfully reserved the most expansive executive suite befitting Tiktoc's paramount leader.Settling into the plush leather throne, Adam promptly arrayed the sprawling stack of documents awaiting Evan's perusal and signature."Mr. Smith, here are the acquisition contracts for Parker and Rachel's former entertainment conglomerates - you'll need to authenticate these first..."Evan's gaze swept across the daunting reams of legalese, rendering him momentarily mute with resignation."Parker and Rachel's firms were hemo
"E-Excuse me?" She blinked owlishly, her frantic mind racing to process this non-sequitur. Evan plowed on undeterred, "I'll also need five more Bentleys - the five million dollar range is acceptable. Plus an Audi R8 while you're at it." His words landed with autocratic finality, rendering the salesgirl utterly stupefied as patrons throughout the showroom craned their necks towards the commotion.Only the Assistant Director, having witnessed previous such grandiloquent bravura, managed to maintain his decorum despite being similarly dumbstruck."Five additional Bentleys sir? I'll need to coordinate with our distributors immediately. We currently only have three coupés in stock, though the R8 is available. Will these be needed urgently, Mr. Smith?"Evan waved a dismissive hand. "Not desperately so. Process the paperwork for all six vehicles. Have them prepped and detailed optimally - I'll be calling for their delivery this Saturday evening to a specified location."With that, he exten
"That vacant Lakefront Road lot you haven't broken ground on yet - that's your project, correct?""Yes sir, but might I ask who's calling?""I'm the CEO of Tiktoc...""O-One moment please sir, let me transfer you to our manager!" Clearly a premium client enquiry - far too significant for their receptionist's minor pay grade.Momentarily, a bassier timbre resonated through the line. "Hello, this is Cody, general manager for Dragon Real Estate Development Company.""Cody, Adam Johnson - the CEO of Tiktoc.""Ah, Mr. Johnson! I've heard such esteemed accounts!" Adam waved off the pleasantries. "My company requires new headquarters facilities to accommodate our expansion."Those innocuous words made Cody's heart skip - so much for his earlier disingenuous grandilities about Adam's renown. His real estate concerns seldom intersected with celebrity reputations, least of all Tiktoc's. "Purchasing an entire high-rise outright? That's...not inexpensive." Adam dismissed his trepidation. "Mo
"Miss Roberts, I fear I may have affronted a prominent figure from Tiktoc..."Claire concisely apprised Miss Roberts of the situation."How could you be so foolish!"Miss Roberts admonished, her own trepidation mounting.This Tiktoc corporation, initially perceived as a mere livestreaming platform confined to the modest Lumina City, had unveiled itself as a veritable behemoth. Flush with wealth and influence, it had recently acquired two prominent entertainment agencies, solely to impose an outright ban upon the associated celebrities.The entire entertainment industry now regarded Tiktoc with a wary circumspection, deeming discretion the wisest course of action.Yet, should Tiktoc extend an offer of collaboration, they would undoubtedly embrace it wholeheartedly.For Tiktoc's reputation for magnanimity was well-established, as evidenced by the previous Billionaire Challenge event.And now, this golden opportunity lay before their company, only to be rebuffed by an ill-informed employ
Adam exhaled with relief, now awaiting the architectural renderings. Upon their receipt, he would seek Mr. Smith's appraisal, and if found wanting, revisions would ensue.The subsequent priority centered upon securing a venue for the celebratory gala.Adam's sights converged upon the Clark Hotel, situated in the heart of Lumina City – the unrivaled pinnacle of luxury, a gem so resplendent that even the grandest establishments throughout Elysia paled in comparison.Naturally, this establishment fell under the aegis of the illustrious Clark Group.Upon learning of the unassuming gentleman's identity as the CEO of Tiktoc, the lobby manager could scarce conceal his astonishment, his demeanor swiftly adopting a reverent tenor: "I had not anticipated Mr. Johnson's esteemed presence..."In their profession, they were well-versed in the intricacies of Lumina City's intricate web of power and influence.Adam basked in the lobby manager's deferential adulations, articulating his requirements wi