After Mr. Finch, a Caucasian, got out of his car, a formidable entourage of over a dozen bodyguards appeared immediately behind him. They were tall and burly, veterans from Achela’s elite military forces, resembling more than a dozen large polar bears, which starkly contrasted with Mr. Finch’s own stature.
Mr. Finch adjusted his appearance and strode forward. His bodyguards moved with him, their presence like mountains, exerting an immense pressure akin to that of a presidential procession. Wherever they passed, tourists quickly stepped aside with exclamations of surprise. The aura of the group was so imposing that it was clear these were no ordinary magnates.
“Tobias Turgenev!” Mr. Takada gasped, his eyebrows knitting in concern. This man was a top lieutenant under Mr. Rainier, the foremost oligarch of Achela from the Gurloff Family, overseeing all their affairs. After Gulowski was imprisoned, his son Mr. Rainier took over all the family’s enterprises.
By ostensibly reconciling with the president of Achela, Mr. Rainier used the opportunity to elevate the Gurloff Family’s enterprises to a higher level and even secured a collaboration with the Achela military. In Achela, no one disputed Mr. Rainier’s position as the top oligarch.
As the Gurloff Family’s chief representative in Great Omica, Mr. Finch’s appearance was as significant as Mr. Rainier’s presence himself. Why? Because Mr. Finch, a veteran of three regimes within the Gurloff Family, held an unmatched position of power: second only to one, above tens of thousands.
Especially after Gulowski’s imprisonment, when internal strife beset the family and the Achela government intervened, it was Mr. Finch who silenced the opposition to support Mr. Rainier’s ascendancy and eliminated some unnecessary troubles. Clearly, the relationship between Mr. Finch and Mr. Rainier was far more complex than that of a mere servant to his master.
Now, to see Tobias Turgenev in Niarak was incredibly low-key. What brought him here? Was there a new project he was discussing with the provincial government, having heard that Penelope was in Niarak and sought her out?
Mr. Takada’s mind reeled with thoughts, yet he never connected Tobias Turgenev with Flynn. Nor did anyone else; how could a young man possibly have ties with Achela’s most powerful oligarch who spoke for Ostrad?
Many powerful families in Ostrad sought to curry favor with Mr. Finch, who might not even acknowledge them. Even the head of Komatsu Conglomerate couldn’t consider himself an equal to Mr. Finch and dared not overstep.
Moreover, Mr. Takada had heard from his boss that for Komatsu Conglomerate to enter the Achela market, Mr. Rainier’s approval was necessary. Currently, Komatsu Conglomerate’s investments in certain sectors of Achela were facilitated through Mr. Finch’s introduction.
What merit did Flynn possess to command Tobias Turgenev? Furthermore, Flynn’s tone earlier, demanding his presence within ten minutes, was unmistakably authoritative; they couldn’t possibly link Mr. Finch with Flynn.
Penelope was also profoundly stirred; this man was indeed a financial deity. Mr. Rainier was known for his generous investments, starting from billions of dollars.
Could it be that Tobias Turgenev was representing Mr. Rainier to discuss a partnership with her?
Excellent!
This was wonderful!
“Tobias Turgenev!” Penelope hurried forward to greet him.
After his severe shock, Mr. Takada also quickly went forward to meet Tobias Turgenev, bowing deeply at ninety degrees and said with utmost sincerity:
“Tobias Turgenev, I truly did not know you were in Niarak.”
“If I had known, I would have come to see you the moment I disembarked from the plane.”
“Last time, it was thanks to your help that Komatsu Conglomerate’s investment in Achela went so smoothly.”
“Please allow me the opportunity on behalf of my boss to express our gratitude!”
His face was full of obsequiousness, and his ninety-degree bow lasted for more than ten seconds, showing just how much Mr. Takada valued and respected Mr. Finch.
It is no exaggeration to say that without Mr. Finch, the Komatsu Conglomerate might very well have lost Achela, an immensely promising market.
Given the ingrained fear of Achela among the Wakasa people, Mr. Takada’s attitude is entirely understandable.
Indeed, to the Wakasa, Achela is like a tiger’s overwhelming presence to a dog; the people of Wakasa are very subdued.
Decades ago, Achela captured hundreds of thousands of Wakasa’s troops, bringing them to a distant and bitterly cold plateau to serve as forced labor.
Throughout that period, they were treated as less than human and tens of thousands of prisoners of war were killed.
The Wakasa people respect power and have a natural fear of the people of Achela.
Tobias Turgenev ignored the two men he passed, quickly walking up to Flynn, bowing slightly with a smile:
“Mr. Clark, you said ten minutes, I didn’t exceed the time, did I?”
The bodyguards behind Tobias Turgenev also bowed in unison, their faces full of respect.
This person was a valued guest of Mr. Rainier, who had looked after Gulowski in prison, and was himself terrifyingly powerful, so much so that the major figures in Demon Island Prison called him the “King of the Underworld”!
Everyone naturally dared not show any disrespect.
Boom!
The whole venue exploded!
The entire scene fell silent.
What had they just witnessed?
Tobias Turgenev, with a smile on his face, bowing ninety degrees to Flynn?
Shocking!
Astonishing!
Incredible!
Unbelievable!
The people around nearly dropped their eyes in fear, staring in stunned disbelief, as if in a dream.
Flynn’s recent phone call had indeed been to Tobias Turgenev!
Given only ten minutes to arrive, and spoken to with commanding tones, if it had been someone else, Tobias Turgenev would have been furious long ago!
But here, Mr. Finch was as respectful as a servant, even smiling to ask Flynn if he was on time.
It was as if he was afraid of upsetting Flynn!
Molly’s mouth twitched, her eyes filled with an irrepressible shock, murmuring to herself:
“How can this beast have such power that even Tobias Turgenev shows him such respect?!”
Knowing Nathan and General Cruz, and having his uncle personally ask for help, was shocking enough.
This guy also had such strong connections in Achela!
Penelope was also taken aback, her mouth agape in shock.
He was at least the Governor’s secretary, representing Governor Rocco Spencer’s will, yet Tobias Turgenev ignored him, pandering to Flynn?
Mr. Takada suddenly leaned forward, frozen in place, his eyes blinking rapidly, his mind blank, a chill rising up his back.
The helper Flynn had brought was none other than the respected Mr. Tobias Turgenev!
Vivienne Osborn couldn’t help but shiver, not knowing what kind of powerhouse they had provoked.
Flynn, expressionless, nodded slightly: “Nine minutes, not late, well done!”
“Hehe, if Mr. Clark commands, the old man naturally does not dare to delay,” Tobias Turgenev laughed, then asked, “What do you need me for?”
Flynn didn’t beat around the bush, pointing directly at Mr. Takada: “I don’t like this little man, I want to slap him ten times!”
“Oh? Did he offend you?” Tobias Turgenev’s eyes narrowed immediately, a cold light flashing as he slowly turned to stare intently at Mr. Takada.
Molly suddenly realized Flynn’s strategy.
Mr. Takada wanted to appeal to the embassy, and it was tricky for the local big shots of Ostrad to get involved.
The simplest solution was to have a foreigner deal with another foreigner.
And this foreigner had to be someone who could intimidate Mr. Takada.
Clearly, Tobias Turgenev was just the man for the job.