The following morning, Orion Holdings buzzed with unusual energy.Employees hurried through the gleaming marble lobby carrying folders and laptops, but their attention was elsewhere. Conversations stopped whenever someone walked by, only to resume in hushed whispers seconds later.The challenge had spread through the company overnight.Everyone knew.The CEO's mysterious strategist had publicly challenged Director Daniel Whitmore over the East River Motors project—a negotiation that had defeated Orion's best people for eight long months.Some admired his courage.Most thought he was a fool.Adrian sat alone on a sofa near the lobby windows, the thick East River file resting across his lap. His eyes calmly moved from page to page, occasionally marking a paragraph with a pen before turning to the next report.The noise around him seemed not to exist.Then the sound of expensive engines rolled to a stop outside.One after another.A Bentley, nother Bentley, Rolls-Royce. Finally, a black

Marcus stared through the narrow opening in the conference room door.His face stiffened.Inside, Chairman Richard Sterling of East River Motors stood with a warm smile as he shook Adrian's hand.Not a perfunctory handshake. Not the kind exchanged between strangers.It was the kind of greeting reserved for someone worthy of respect.Marcus blinked twice. "This..." Peter hurriedly looked again. "No. That can't be right."Daniel stepped forward. "Move."His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.Marcus reluctantly stepped aside.Daniel glanced through the opening. Inside, Chairman Sterling personally pulled out a chair for Adrian.The two men sat opposite each other.No assistants, No lawyers.No executives. Just the two of them.Daniel's expression darkened. Chairman Sterling was known throughout the industry.He was famously arrogant.Countless CEOs had waited months just for a ten-minute meeting with him.Yet today. He had personally welcomed Adrian.That made no s

The conference room remained eerily quiet after Daniel's assistant was dragged out.The echoes of his desperate cries lingered in everyone's ears.No one spoke and no one moved. They all looked at him. Daniel slowly adjusted his cuffs before looking back at Adrian.His expression had already returned to normal."I apologize.""I've always believed in taking responsibility for my subordinates.""If my assistant spread those rumors. Then I bear part of the blame." His voice sounded sincere.Several directors immediately nodded."Director Whitmore is truly magnanimous.""That's what a leader looks like.""He even apologized personally."Peter folded his arms and looked at Adrian."Now then.""Director Whitmore has apologized.""What more do you want?"Martin sneered."Surely you aren't petty enough to keep pursuing the matter."Several board members murmured in agreement.Emilia frowned slightly.She knew exactly what they were doing.They wanted to bury the matter before Adrian could c

By the time Adrian stepped out of Orion Holdings, the sky had already darkened.The city lights glittered across the skyline like stars scattered over glass.Waiting at the entrance was a black Rolls-Royce Phantom.Its polished body reflected the neon lights surrounding the building.The chauffeur stood beside the rear door with both hands folded respectfully before him.As soon as Adrian approached, the chauffeur bowed."Good evening, Mr. Andre.""The chairman has been waiting for you."Without another word, he opened the rear door.Several Orion employees who had just finished work stopped in their tracks.One of them rubbed his eyes."Isn't that East River Motors' chairman's personal car?""It is.""I've seen it in business magazines.""Why is it here?"Another employee frowned. "Who's it picking up?"Their eyes followed Adrian as he calmly entered the luxurious vehicle.Silence swept through the crowd. Then whispers erupted."Chairman Sterling actually sent his own car?""No way..

He laughed. Not politely or reservedly. It was the loud laughter of a man who had just found something unexpectedly valuable.He walked back toward the table. Extended his hand. "Mr. Andre."Adrian stood and shook it. William smiled."I think..." "...this dinner has just become the best investment I've made all year."Richard chuckled. "I told you he was worth meeting."William nodded. "You undersold him."He looked at Adrian. "From today onward. My door will always be open to you."Richard raised his wine glass. "To new friendships."William raised his. "To visionary partnerships."Adrian smiled and raised his glass. Just as the three glasses gently clinked together. William's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the caller ID and his smile faded.Richard immediately noticed. "What is it?"William answered the call His expression changed almost instantly."What?" He stood abruptly."What did you just say?"His face darkened. "When did this happen?"The room fell silent.After several t