“Mr. Barnett, what does that mean?” The shareholder who spoke a couple of minutes ago looked up furiously, “I was just being practical, and all I considered was the benefits of the company. We’re at least ten years behind Linford Bradley. We all knew how intelligent that man was. If we dive into the war stupidly, we will get nothing and lose our dignity. Linford Bradley won’t spare us!”
Diego’s face fell at the mention of the 10-year gap between the two companies, “You probably shouldn’t take the risk if you’re this toxic. Why are you even bothering to stay on board?”
“You… Fine!” The shareholder slammed the folder in his hands onto the table and walked out of the meeting room.
Other people in the meeting room exchanged secret glances, not daring to say anything.
“Anyone still holds different opinions? It would be best if you spoke up right now because this is your last chance to walk away with some money. I can’t tolerate traitors, but you guys all know that I’m a generous man. I won’t let you walk away with nothing after working so many years for the company,” Diego skimmed across the room coldly.
The whole room fell silent.
Diego laughed coldly, “No one wants to leave now? Good. Then go back to your fucking position and work. I don’t want to hear any cowardly opinions again.”
Diego and Sam were the only ones left after the roomful of people cleared.
“Diego, what the heck are you thinking?” Sam hissed after making sure no one was listening.
Diego shrugged, “Haven’t I made myself clear? I want to keep fighting for the market and attacking Linford Bradley.”
Sam shook his head disapprovingly, “Son, you don’t know your limit. It’s time to stop.”
“You also don’t believe me, Dad?” Diego was annoyed by his father’s remark suddenly.
“This is not about me trusting you or not… You have to have solid power to compete with Linford Bradley. They are right. We’re not powerful enough to stand up against the Bradley family yet. We can’t afford to take the risk further.” Sam was pretty calm as he said that. He knew he couldn’t say this in front of the board.
He must keep his son’s dignity as the company leader.
Diego’s eyes were full of disappointment. Even his father didn’t trust him this time.
He turned around and was ready to leave the room.
“Diego!” Sam snapped, “If you’re doing this for that woman, you’d better stop right now. She was Linford Bradley’s woman already.”
Hearing unfavorable words, Diego was enraged as he turned around to look at his dad, “Am I an idiot to you, Dad?”
Sam sighed, shaking his head, “Your old man is getting vulnerable as he ages. The company really can’t afford to lose any battles again, son.”
“What if I tell you that this is not me being wayward?” Diego insisted, “What if I tell you that I have a plan?”
Sam went silent, “Are you so sure about the new game? What if you fail this time?”
“Dad, I tested that game probably a thousand times. It will take over the market!” Diego’s eyes were bloodshot as he clenched his teeth.
Diego was a genius when it came to game planning. Besides, even Sam tried to deny it, and this was indeed their last chance to win. If they missed this out, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.
Sam only hesitated a moment before he sighed, “Alright… I trust you.”
Diego finally got his father’s approval. He thus became even more confident about his plan.
****
Three days later, the game Diego’s company launched started to become popular among gamers. All the famous streamers on Youtube and Twitch also began to stream the game.
The Barnett House stock price rose high and fast. As a result, many people purchased their stocks, dreaming of becoming millionaires overnight.
The situation of the Barnett was quite positive. The Daicom Corporation, however, stayed relatively quiet.
****
“Linford, are you serious? That Diego Barnett just spat you on your face. Are you gonna do nothing at all?” Drew gulped down the third cup of wine. He sounded so pissed off, “People are saying that you’ve lost all your talents after going through the event last time. They said you lost your balls? Where’s your anger? I don’t see your anger any more!”
Linford was sitting beside his desk, making a blue castle figure for his daughter, “Why should I be angry ?”
“Fine! Remain calm, then. You will regret this one day,” Drew shook his head. And then, he suddenly remembered something, “Did that attacker we caught last time say something?”
Linford didn’t even bother to look up, “He said his client found his team on the DarkNet. The trace is not easy to find.”
“No trace?” Drew was gonna have a heart attack, “Seriously? You’ve known it was Jasper Johnson! Why don’t you just go and throw him in jail?”
“We need evidence, Drew,” Linford sounded so composed.
Drew was about to say something. However, Cody suddenly walked in at the moment.
Drew shut up instantly. But Linford cast him a glance, telling him that he could continue their conversation without worrying Cody.
Drew felt weird, but he still continued, “The news about you going to rescue Cody and Enzo was spread like fire the moment you walked out of your house that night. Our men would never leak the information. The person who tried to harm Cody and Enzo must be the same person who hired those attackers. Jasper’s assistant sold the news about horse racing once. Don’t you think these tricks look quite familiar?”
Cody frowned the moment he heard what Drew had spilled out.
“Again, Drew,” Linford was putting a small brick of the castle in place, “We need evidence. Things won’t work if we can’t find any evidence. You need to be patient.”
Drew spat, “Maybe you’ve become a coward after the rescue, just like what those people said, Linford Bradley.”
Linford shook his head as he pressed a button on the blue castle. The small led lights on the castle suddenly started to beam, and the music also started to play, “You can’t get rushing, Drew. The more anxious you are, the slower the pace will become. Just go back to your hospital and try to make Cindy feel better. You know she can’t spend the rest of her life like that.”
“Why did the conversation suddenly change about Cindy?” Drew frowned, looking more upset.
“Honestly speaking, you like that woman, don’t you? I’m just giving helpful suggestions as a friend,” Linford smiled calmly, luring Drew to make a move.