The white Rolls-Royce rolled away from Sterling Horizon Group.Neither man spoke yet.Richard sat quietly in the back seat, staring out the street.Marcus glanced at him through the rear-view mirror. "I'm sorry, man."Richard gave a faint smile."You have nothing to apologize for. As long as I have my little bean, everything will be fine."Marcus tightened his hands around the steering wheel. His expression quickly changed, his eyes locked onto the rear-view mirror."...Richard."Richard immediately noticed the change in his voice."What is it?"Marcus didn't answer right away. Instead, he pressed harder on the accelerator. A pair of bright headlights appeared behind them.He spoke quietly."We've got company."Richard turned to look through the back window.Three black SUVs. They weren't trying to overtake immediately; they were following."They've been behind us since we left."Marcus nodded."Seems so."Richard's expression remained calm. "They're not here to talk.""Certainly not.

[Two years later on…]A private jet touched down smoothly on a quiet runway just outside New York. Before its engines stopped, three black flashy Maybach rolled toward the aircraft.Several men and women in business suits stood waiting.The cabin door opened.A tall man stepped out.He wore a perfectly fitted navy blue suit. A silver watch rested neatly on his wrist. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes, while his calm expression revealed nothing.One by one, the waiting executives lowered their heads."Welcome back, Chairman Morgan."The man gave a small nod."It's good to be home."An elderly executive stepped forward with a tablet. "Chairman, your schedule is full today."Morgan accepted it. "Anything urgent?""Yes. The Sterling Horizon Group has requested an emergency investment meeting."Morgan's fingers paused for the briefest moment. Then he calmly handed the tablet back. "So soon?""They've been requesting this meeting for almost three weeks."Morgan smiled faintly. "I suppose they're

Daniel strode into the boardroom with uncertainty written on his face."Good morning, everyone."Before anyone could answer, the conference room doors burst open. A senior manager rushed inside, breathing hard."Mr. Thornton!"Daniel's forehead was knitted. "What is it?"The manager held out a report with trembling hands. "Our logistics partner has suspended all deliveries."The faces around the table went pale "What? They can't do that!”The manager nodded. “They apologized, but they said their company has been acquired."Everyone in the boardroom echoed. “Ah! Again!?”Daniel snatched the report and read it. His face slowly darkened.Victoria stood up, her knees buckled with fear and worry. "Who acquired them?"The manager swallowed hard."They wouldn't say."Silence filled the room.An elderly director leaned forward."First, our suppliers. Now our logistics partner. This is no coincidence."Daniel shook his head and slammed the report onto the table. "We'll find another company!"

Daniel placed the weekly business reports on the table. "Our share price keeps dropping another three percent."A shareholder sighed."We're losing confidence every day."Another added, "If this continues, investors will completely pull out."Victoria looked around the room. "We need something that restores public confidence."Then another shareholder spoke."Our annual Investors' Gala is next week."Several heads turned. He continued, "If we can make the event a success, perhaps the market will calm down."Daniel nodded slowly. "That's our opportunity."The fourth shareholder frowned. "But who will attend? Our biggest partners have already left. Our strongest supporters are gone."Victoria thought for a moment, then she quietly said,"What if we invite Chairman Morgan?"Gaps filled the space. One of the shareholders almost laughed."Chairman Morgan? After everything that's happened?""He'll never accept."Daniel looked at the table and slowly smiled."I'll invite him personally."The

Daniel Thornton slammed both hands onto the table. The sharp sound echoed through the room."Enough!"Every board member looked up."For months. We've done nothing but react to Chairman Morgan."His voice grew harder. "That ends today."He pointed toward the large screen."Our future begins with one project."The screen lit up. A futuristic skyline appeared; across the top were three bold words.[Skyline City]The board members leaned forward. Daniel's confidence slowly returned."This project combines smart infrastructure, renewable energy, and AI-driven city management.""If we launch first, Sterling Horizon Group will lead the market again!"One shareholder slowly smiled."The investors will love it."Another nodded eagerly. "This could restore our reputation."For the first time in weeks, hope returned to the boardroom. Daniel looked around proudly."We're finished playing defense. This time… Chairman Morgan will be the one chasing us."Within the hour, breaking news spread across