Edward leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting from Brenda to Adele. He knew that explaining the source of his finances was a delicate matter, one that couldn't be fully revealed. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke cryptically yet earnestly, "I understand it's hard to grasp, but the source of my wealth isn't conventional. It comes from a highly sophisticated, decentralized system. It's a network of transactions and assets that even I can't fully explain or trace. I didn't create it. It's more like a digital anomaly that somehow benefits me."He paused for a moment, searching for words that could shed some light on the enigma. "Think of it as a hidden current in the vast ocean of digital finance. It's there, flowing beneath the surface, but its origin and mechanisms are beyond comprehension. All I know is that it's reliable, secure, and impossible for anyone to track back to me. It's my way of ensuring our safety."Brenda and Adele exchanged glances once more, this time fill
So, Edward and Robert boarded a private helicopter that was waiting for them. They had packed light, only bringing the essentials for their mission. They were heading to Grey City, a bustling metropolis that was home to one of the largest oil companies in Chia, Titan Energy.For Chia, Titan Energy seemed to have emerged out of thin air. In less than a week since its establishment, the company had managed to compete with several oil giants that had dominated the Chian market for decades.The secret behind this meteoric rise remained an enigma to the public and even within the corporate world. All anyone could speculate about was the mysterious CEO of Titan Energy, a man known simply as Robert, with no last name, and a reputation for ruthless decisiveness.Inside the helicopter, the conversation between Edward and Robert unfolded in a manner that reflected their unique dynamic. Edward, the enigmatic mastermind behind Titan Energy, leaned forward and asked about the company's progress in
Sarah's frustration was palpable as she exchanged incredulous glances with her fellow associates. This was no "minor hiccup" in their eyes, but a significant threat to the company's future."Mr. Robert," she turned to their CEO, "this is not a 'trifling matter.' We are facing a major problem, and our company's future is at stake. Your friend's cavalier attitude is deeply concerning."Mark Sullivan, the Vice President of Global Expansion, chimed in, echoing Sarah's sentiments. "I have to agree, Mr. Robert. While I respect your relationship with him, his behavior and comments are not appropriate for this critical situation."Rio Chen, the Head of Operations in Chia, nodded in agreement. "We need everyone in this room fully committed to finding a solution. Your friend's attitude is detrimental to our collective effort."Robert, to the surprise of many, did not immediately reprimand Edward or attempt to defuse the tension. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, seemingly unfazed by the mou
As the team continued to grapple with the audacity of Edward's financial statements, the dynamics in the room shifted subtly but significantly. The initial resistance they had harbored toward Edward's arrogance began to give way to a begrudging respect, tempered with a deep sense of realism about the world they inhabited.Edward's wealth was now undeniable proof that in the realm of business, money was the ultimate currency of power. It was a universal language spoken fluently by the world's titans, and Edward had just proven that he was fluent in its dialects.Sarah, the team's pragmatic voice, found herself privately admiring Edward's audacity. She recognized that, while money alone wouldn't secure their victory, it was a formidable tool. She began to see Edward as a catalyst for change, someone who could propel their ambitious goals forward.She leaned forward, his eyes alight with newfound determination. "Sir, with your resources, we can dream bigger than we ever thought possible.
Edward followed Robert into the residence, and as they entered, Robert explained some unique security measures that were in place."Boss, I must inform you that this residence is entirely offline. We're off the grid, so to speak. Even the security systems are isolated."Edward raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the extent of the precautions. "No internet at all? That's quite a commitment. I like that"Robert nodded. "Absolutely. We can't afford any leaks or electronic eavesdropping."Edward couldn't help but respect Robert's dedication to safeguarding their operations. He glanced around the tastefully decorated interior, which had an air of sophistication and elegance. "I see you've thought of everything."Robert led Edward to a comfortable sitting area. "And there's more, Boss. The staff here is well-trained. All security personnel have strict instructions to turn off their phones while on duty, and no one uses GPS in their vehicles while inside the premises. It's a closed environment."
Eva blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected reference to her past. It had been years since she had been known by that nickname, and she had never expected anyone to bring it up. Intrigued and somewhat bewildered, Eva's natural curiosity got the better of her. She couldn't help but asked, "How did you know that? Did you also attend the same school? Wait, that's impossible. Someone like you couldn't have possibly gone to Fairview High School."Edward's sudden laughter echoed in the room, breaking the tension in a way that no one anticipated. His demeanor shifted from stern and scrutinizing to surprisingly cheerful. "Believe it or not, I was actually a transfer student at Fairview High School for a brief period. So yes, I did attend the same school as you."Eva's eyes widened in astonishment. It was a revelation she hadn't seen coming. "You were a student at Fairview? That's... unexpected."Edward continued to wear a cheerful smile as he shared more about his past
Eva considered Edward's words carefully. This man wasn't just interested in profits. He wanted a seat at the table when it came to shaping the future of Chia. It was a bold request, and it left Eva wondering how far they were willing to go to secure Edward's support.She was well aware that granting such influence to a foreign company could have far-reaching consequences, so she took a moment to respond, choosing her words carefully. "What specific areas of influence are you interested in?"Edward leaned forward, emphasizing his intentions. "To be precise, I'm interested in involvement in policy-making discussions related to energy, infrastructure, and technology. But let me assure you that I have no intentions of undermining your country."Eva smiled. "Your interest in these strategic sectors is clear. However, you must understand that granting influence to a foreign entity in policy-making discussions is a complex matter."Edward nodded in acknowledgment. "I completely respect your
Eva noticed Edward's stunned expression as he processed the information about Cassius Drake. She could see that he was familiar with the name, and his reaction confirmed her suspicions. So she asked, "Do you have any prior dealings or knowledge about Cassius Drake?"Edward took a moment before responding, "I've heard of the Drake family in a broader context, but I didn't realize their influence extended here to Chia. This complicates matters significantly. But why did you show me this photo?"Eva leaned in, lowering her voice as she explained, "Cassius Drake has been Petrocorp's hidden partner and benefactor for years. His influence reaches into the highest levels of our government. He's the key reason Petrocorp operates with impunity and has become so dominant. If we want to tackle Petrocorp effectively and navigate these complex negotiations, we must consider the role of the Drake family."Edward's expression grew even more serious, and he didn't waste any time getting to the point