“We appreciate Ms. Sharp’s good intentions. Let’s have a few drinks after this corporate battle is over. That’s enough for today.”
“Brandon is right. It’s rare for all of us to gather, and we would like to discuss potential collaborations,” said another.
“There are many gifts piled at the front desk; it must be time for the raffle. It’s already 9 PM, Ms. Sharp should hurry and conduct the draw. It’s getting late for the employees,” Flynn suggested.
Hearing this, everyone quickly urged Ms. Sharp along.
Glancing at the time, Rose realized it indeed was time for the raffle. With an apologetic few words, she left the private room.
“Boss, I heard that the three-family alliance is pooling funds to short the Sharp’s Group.”
“They’re desperate now,” Orion said excitedly.
This corporate war had engulfed more than twenty powerful families by now.
It was a battle between Niarak’s local magnates and foreign capital.
Orion and others were backing Rose.
The Hussain, Swanson, and Woods families were among the outsiders.
Once the battle commenced, it would affect dozens of families and involve hundreds of billions of dollars.
Victory would bring a rain of money; defeat would mean ruin.
With Flynn firmly in control, the Sharp’s Group was poised to win the corporate war without doubt.
His investment of one hundred million was expected to multiply by seven or eight times!
Flynn was practically getting something for nothing and might even use the opportunity to acquire several large companies.
Orion was eagerly anticipating this day.
How could he not be thrilled?
“You don’t need to worry about these things. Have you found any leads on the man I asked you to look for?” Flynn asked without looking up.
The corporate war, thrilling as it sounded, was merely a routine affair for Flynn.
The opposition could only resort to petty annoyances that hardly affected the outcome.
What really concerned him was his mother’s issue.
Every day they didn’t find the man with the black dragon tattoo, Flynn grew more anxious.
Seeing Flynn bring this up, Orion replied helplessly, “I’ve sent many men, but they haven’t found anything useful.”
“We have only Pelens’ top circles left to check, but we can’t get in.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Pelens was the capital of Shipmeda State, whose elite carried a sense of superiority.
They looked down on city-level tycoons.
Despite Orion’s dominance in Niarak, he was scorned in Pelens’ elite circles.
They considered city dwellers to be country bumpkins, wealthy or not.
Flynn nodded.
He hadn’t considered this barrier, so he didn’t blame anyone further.
Orion continued, “Boss, give me some time. Once I’m done with Orco Real Estate, I’ll go to Pelens myself.”
“I’ll get in touch with the Jewelry King and tap into the top circles of Pelens!”
“Orco Real Estate?” Flynn frowned.
Edwin then spoke, “Yes, Mr. Clark, Miss Wong approached us yesterday.”
“She wants to partner with us to develop the Ponocord Bay area.”
Flynn understood.
Orion, Edwin, and their peers started in real estate and owned their construction companies.
Being insiders, they naturally wouldn’t look far for other companies.
“That’s fine. Let me know if there’s any trouble, I’ll handle it,” Flynn said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
He was embarrassed to learn about his own company’s partnerships from others.
This was not how he wanted to be a boss.
Orion thought for a moment and said, “There is one issue. We’ve settled the sand and other raw materials, but there’s a problem with the steel and cement.”
“The largest supplier in Shipmeda State, Terrapin Company, wants to collaborate, but their prices are ten times the market rate.”
“If we don’t agree, they assure us no other company will dare to work with us.”
Flynn’s eyes narrowed sharply:
“Orco Real Estate is just a small company; how did they come to approach us?”
What’s the difference between hiking up prices tenfold and robbery?
When building a villa, the most crucial materials are undoubtedly cement, sand, lime, and rebar.
Terrapin Company raised the price of rebar cement by ten times.
If Orco Real Estate agrees to this, they’d essentially be working for Terrapin Company, hardly making any profit.
Orion said, “For the Ponocord Bay resort development, Terrapin Company secured the supply rights for cement and rebar.”
“Our land is right next to the resort, and they approached us to develop it together.”
“As for why they are charging ten times the price, I think it has something to do with the Stewart family.”
“The Stewart family? River?” Flynn was startled, a chill flashing across his face.
Orion nodded, “Exactly, River had a stroke after losing a golf match to you.”
“The Stewart family blames you for it and has harbored resentment ever since.”
“Now that River’s sister has married the boss of Terrapin Company, the Stewart family is taking this opportunity to strike.”
Flynn, understanding the situation, couldn’t help but laugh.
River had a family history of hypertension, was not overweight, but his smoking and drinking made his blood vessels too fragile.
His own overconfidence led him to compete with Flynn, resulting in a stroke, and yet he directed his resentment at him.
“Terrapin Company, based in Ipholn, is a provincial supplier with formidable connections. They aren’t afraid of offending us, and I fear they won’t be willing to negotiate,” Orion expressed his concerns.
Edwin nodded, adding:
“I spoke to Jasper Jenson, the boss at Terrapin Company, this afternoon. He was quite inflexible and didn’t show any courtesy.”
Flynn thought for a moment and said calmly, “Leave this matter to me; I’ll visit the Stewart family tomorrow.”
With that topic concluded, everyone took turns toasting Flynn, and the conversation turned casual.
Leander was stunned by what he saw.
A group of men in their forties and fifties, all powerful figures from Niarak, showing utmost respect to a man not yet thirty.
During the toasts, they almost seemed ready to kneel.
Leander couldn’t believe his eyes.
Meanwhile.
In the Northern Territory, Bingford military district.
A man in military uniform sat upright in a chair, intently reading a document.
His epaulets bore golden foliage with two stars, and his broad shoulders and distinctive features exuded an air of authority.
This man was Cruz, dealing with issues from Niarak while stationed in the Northern Territory.
Suddenly,
“Damn!” He slammed the document on the desk.
“That bastard Braiden, framing me with all these charges!”
“When I get back to Niarak, I’m going to smash his damn face!”
Four days ago, the military received a ten-page letter accusing him of using his power for personal gain, particularly involving Ponocord Bay, elaborately fabricating the rise of Rose and implicating Travis.
The accusations claimed the two conspired to buy thousands of acres of land at a low price, aiming for billions in profit.
It took four days for the military to clear Cruz’s name.
But the slander had taken its toll, disgusting even after being cleaned.
These four days were like years to Cruz.
His fiancee berated him fiercely, nearly breaking off their engagement.
His family called to inquire.
Rumors also spread within the troops.
Cruz, known for his fiery temper, was hardly able to contain his frustration.
Now that the investigation was concluded, the military presented over thirty pages of evidence proving his innocence.
But this affair was far from over.
Cruz intended to have a serious talk with Braiden!
He wanted to see if Braiden could still spout nonsense.
“Prepare a military plane for me tomorrow, notify the air traffic control along the way to clear the passage; I’m returning to Niarak tomorrow!”
“And, notify General Yves Yancey, the Westhollow Heavenly King of the Nation, he seeks Mr. Clark and will accompany me tomorrow!”