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
Edward tried to reassure Brenda as he continued walking through the bustling streets of Chia. "Don't worry too much. Those trucks are delivering materials for our new home."Brenda's voice was filled with disbelief, "Materials for a home? Edward, there are more than 200 trucks out there! Are you building a palace?"Edward chuckled at Brenda's reaction. "Well, you could say that. Our new home is going to be the safest place in the world. It will make the Windsor residence look like child's play."Brenda laughed on the other end of the line, still finding it hard to believe. "You must be joking, right? But whatever. Just make sure it doesn't take forever to finish."Edward reassured her, "I promise it won't take forever. I'll explain everything in detail when I get back. Love you."Brenda's voice softened, "I love you too. Stay safe and don't get into too much trouble."After his call with Brenda, Edward made his way back to the residence, where he found Robert in the midst of signing a
The tension in the situation reached a boiling point as Robert conveyed Edward's demand to the Blake family. Minutes felt like hours as they awaited a response from the Blake family. When the message finally came in, Robert's eyes widened in disbelief."Boss," he said slowly, "the Blake family has responded. They're willing to proceed with the delivery in three days, but they're also making it clear that they have a longstanding relationship with the rebel group, and they can't guarantee what will happen after the transaction."Edward couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had been willing to compromise up to a point, but the Blake family's insistence on maintaining their relationship with the rebel group was pushing his patience to its limits. He knew he could source materials from other suppliers, but nothing compared to the quality and reliability of the Blake family's products.With a heavy sigh, he reluctantly agreed, "Okay, tell them we'll proceed with the delivery in three da