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
Robert reached for his phone aand stepped away to make a call, his back turned to the visitors. In reality, there was no boss to contact.After a few minutes of this staged phone conversation, Robert returned to his seat and put his phone down, wearing a contemplative expression. "I spoke to my boss, and he's intrigued by your cause. However, he has a counter offer for you.""Counter offer?" Ryan was puzzled, but given their circumstances and Robert's apparent regard for his boss, it seemed worthwhile to give the man a hearing.Robert's face broke into a sly smile as he continued, "My boss is willing to offer his assistance in eliminating President Trey. With this support, your group can carry out the mission without the loss of a single member. However, in return, there is a condition. You and your entire group must relocate to Chia and pledge loyalty to my boss. You see, my boss has grand plans to establish an entirely new city in some region."Ryan and his companion were visibly ta
Three days had come and gone since Edward's arrival in the bustling city of Grey, and in this relatively short period, the prospective residence he had in mind had undergone a series of remarkable transformations. It was because workforce of around 30 people had expanded to more than 400 individuals. Amid the hustle and bustle of these developments, every morning and evening, Brenda and Adele made it a ritual to engage in video calls with Edward. While these virtual connections were enjoyable and provided a semblance of closeness, they fell far short of assuaging their profound longing for his physical presence.As for the matter concerning PetroCorp Industries and the top echelons of Titan Energy, their response had been nothing short of rapid and resolute. Edward's colossal $5 trillion investment had proven to be the linchpin that greased the wheels of their efforts to secure coveted drilling rights in one of Chia's most fiercely contested regions. And this morning, like every mor
President Bill, still visibly surprised by Edward's direct approach, hesitated for a moment. He looked at Eva, who had vouched for Edward's trustworthiness, and took a deep breath. It was evident that he carried a heavy burden, and the weight of his position had taken a toll on him.After a moment of contemplation, President Bill began to speak. "Mr. Edward, you must understand the situation I find myself in. I hold a position of power, but it's a facade. I have no real authority. I'm beholden to a group of wealthy oligarchs who pull the strings behind the scenes. They control my every move, and I'm merely a puppet following their orders."He continued, his tone heavy with the weight of his confession. "I want to step down from this role, but my own party won't allow it. They've made it clear that if I try to defy them, they'll harm my family. I'm trapped, Mr. Edward, and I don't see a way out."As President Bill spoke, there was a profound sense of vulnerability. It was clear that he