Andy was preparing to start his day in the office when Jacob pushed the door open without even knocking.Andy frowned. Before Jacob could voice out, Andy, clearly displeased, said, "Jacob, hasn't anyone taught you to knock before entering a room?"Jacob smiled, saying, "Andy, we're family! Do we really need to keep things formal between us?""I am the CEO, and you are an employee in the company. Who doesn't knock before coming in here? Don't you understand basic courtesy? Would you enter without knocking if I wasn't sitting here today?"It was only natural for Andy to educate Jacob. At the same time, he was also teaching Jacob some things in the workplace. What if Jacob complained about the low salary at the Innova Group and quit in the future? Although the probability was low, Jacob had to be made aware of what he needed to know.Jacob scratched his head. "I'll definitely pay attention next time!"Andy nodded and glanced at Jacob. "Tell me, what do you want to see me about?"
The Innova Group had a lot of dividend shares and Andy held less than 5% of the total dividend shares.Eric, Sylvia, and Michael owned similar proportions while the rest were distributed among their executives, Innova Tech, and every Innova employee. After Sylvia stepped down as the CEO, the dividend shares automatically reverted to the company. However, these shares were reserved and would be given to Sylvia when she returned. "How much am I getting?"Jacob was anxious to know how much money he could get from the Innova Group's dividends.Andy glanced at him. "You've only been with the company for a few days and already thinking about dividends? None of our employees have received any dividends so far, so stop dreaming."Neglecting your work and only thinking about making money from the company? Is the company a cash cow for you?"What's the use of giving you shares? You won't get a single penny!"Jacob was stunned. He intended to sell the shares when he was short of money whi
After picking up Cody and Max, Andy returned home to find that Elly had already prepared dinner.Now that the two children had grown up, Elly didn't need to spend too much energy caring for them, so she managed the household even more efficiently.Seeing Andy's expression, Elly knew his mood wasn't good. "What's wrong? Did something bad happen?"Andy hung his clothes on the rack and sighed. "Jacob, that brat, actually asked me for shares today! Who does he think he is?"He actually had the audacity to demand 1% of shares! Does he even understand what 1% of the Innova Group means? With the company's future development, 1% of shares could easily make him a millionaire!"I have no idea what the hell he is thinking!"I refused to give him the shares, and he called home to pressure me. It's ridiculous."After saying all that, he felt a lot better. Elly smiled. "Just don't give it to him. After all, he's your younger brother. Why get so angry with him? No one is closer than siblings
Andy thought Elly was great, but his family didn't share the same sentiment. He was now the CEO of a company with an annual salary of millions.In fact, what might take several generations for other families to accumulate in wealth, Andy had achieved in his generation alone because of his luck, fortune, and courage. Without any of these factors, he wouldn't have reached this level.At this point, being unable to control his affairs made Andy feel somewhat stifled.After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Eric, I remember Connor mentioned that you have some kind of remedy to influence the gender of a child?"After our wedding ceremony, Elly and I must have a child. Then, my family won't dare to say anything anymore."He had made up his mind. He and Elly must have a child, regardless of gender. It was best to get it done while Elly was still relatively young. In private, Sylvia had also told Elly that regardless of the circumstances, she must give birth to a child for Andy.Many
Early the next morning, Eric called Winston and asked him to help keep an eye out for the things he needed.Upon hearing the items, Winston knew what Eric was up to. After the pandemic, Winston was on a long vacation and wouldn't be bothered unless it was a matter of life and death. However, Eric's matter still needed to be taken care of. Anyway, it was just a matter of a few phone calls. He also possessed some of the things Eric needed, which were kept in good condition. The medicinal herbs Eric needed were not rare and precious, and he was more than happy to share his resources.Eric and Sylvia finished breakfast and discussed their plan to visit Elly at her shop. They intended to advise her to sell the business early if they wanted to start a family. Afterward, they planned to stop by the orphanage.However, their plans were interrupted when Sylvia received a call from Amelia."Mom, what's the matter?" Sylvia asked."Can't I call you if there's nothing wrong? You two haven't
Eric smiled. "Don't worry, Hol. Clarke has some of the things we need, just a few missing items. It will be ready once Hol. Clarke collects everything.""Thank you!" Andy grinned from ear to ear. Unfortunately, his smile didn't last long as his phone rang.Seeing it was Jacob calling, he answered. "What's up? Need more money again?"On Jacob's first day at work, Andy had given him some money, repeatedly reminding him to spend it sparingly until his next paycheck. But Jacob had already spent all the money."Where are you? Mom said she couldn't reach you on the phone. They have arrived in Salt City, and there's no one to pick them up. What's going on?"Andy felt a headache coming on. He had blocked his parents' number because he didn't want them meddling in his affairs. "Alright, I got it. I'll call her right away," Andy said.After hanging up, Andy called his mother and went to the train station to pick up his parents and Jacob.-Not only did Jacob come, but his girlfriend
Elly quietly took Cody and Max upstairs, and Sylvia followed suit. This was Andy's family matter, and it involved the Innova Group, so she didn't want to get involved.As Andy's best friend, Eric had every reason to stay there.After Elly and Sylvia went upstairs, Andy suddenly felt less pressured."Mom, distributing shares isn't as simple as just giving them away. With over 10,000 employees, if we give shares to Jacob, what about the rest of them? Will they still have any incentive to work?" Andy said."I don't care about your employees, but we are a family!"If you don't want to give shares, that's fine. In the past, when your father and I earned money from farming, we spent it together. Now that you're making money, we'll still spend it together!"No matter how much you earn, it will be divided into four shares among us!"Implicitly, she excluded Elly from the equation.Andy couldn't help but laugh. "Mom, you're right. You and Dad take two shares each, and Elly and I take on
Jacob came from a rural family, but Andy was a wealthy entrepreneur. Even though the parents favored Jacob, things still needed to be handled slowly. Jacob might end up with nothing if Andy was pushed too hard. After all, Jacob was not entitled to Andy's money and company. This was something Ava understood very well. Jacob was momentarily stunned. "We won't win?" Ava nodded. Jacob became anxious, crying out, "Mom, what do I do if I have no money?! I don't have a car or a house! And Ava's family also demands 80,000 dollars for dowry! How can I come up with so much money?"I… I might as well go die!" The two old folks quickly pulled Jacob back. Lily hugged Jacob and shouted, "Andy, is your heart made of stone? He's your brother! If he dies, we won't live either! Are our lives not even worth 10% of your company?" She was furious, thinking how selfish Andy was. Eric stepped forward and voiced out, "Mr. and Mrs. Bikman, shares can't just be given away. It involves a series of
In terms of innate talent, Eric was unparalleled, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts. With a single punch, he sent the 'God' flying."Good!" Stealthbane shouted with excitement.The ultimate enemy had finally been defeated, bringing peace to the world. Eric sighed in relief.However, in the next moment, the 'God' stood up again. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he revealed a bloodthirsty smile. "You have successfully enraged me!"Everyone braced for a potential massacre, but instead, the enemy turned and fled.Could Eric let him escape?"Chase him!" Stealthbane commanded.Allowing this foe to escape would spell endless trouble.A group of people pursued the enemy, who soon reappeared clad in iron armor."Not seen this before, have you?" The 'God' seemed to have recovered somewhat. "Did you think I only research viruses? Wrong! I control global resources and global wealth!"This is our newly developed Doomforge Exosuit which amplifies a person's battle prowess tenfol
The sturdy floor lay in utter disarray.In desperation, Ruth shouted, "Eric, don't give him any more chances! Finish him off swiftly, or we'll face endless trouble!"Eric was well aware of this logic. As he fought, he said, "He's incredibly strong. Taking him down quickly isn't possible! We must fight to the death!"Eric had never feared battle. Besides, this might very well be his final fight.Their fists clashed fiercely.The 'God' also noticed that Eric was growing more formidable as the battle progressed."How do you have so much strength? Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces to control the world? We could have anything we desire!"All the world's wealth, women, and resources would be ours to enjoy. Why won't you listen to reason?" he roared.Eric's momentum didn't falter. "I don't share your grand ambitions. I just want a simple life with a job that pays 1,000 dollars a month and a warm home with my wife and kids. But you, you've disturbed my peace!"The 'God' was fu
The 'God' grew more courageous as the battle raged on, causing Stealthbane to worry incessantly.In another high-stakes clash, Eric and his opponent both retreated. Eric sensed his opponent's growing strength, finding it rather peculiar.The 'God' clenched his fist. "I must thank you! My techniques were slightly incomplete, but I've managed to fill the gaps through this battle!"Eric marveled at his opponent's genius. To mend something incomplete was indeed a rare talent.Despite Eric training with the complete manual, he could only match the 'God' blow for blow. This person was terrifying!The opponent's confidence soared. Although Eric had trained with the full manual, the 'God' felt his innate talent far surpassed Eric's. If he could match Eric with an incomplete manual, now that he had perfected it, wouldn't he be unbeatable?"I thought you had potential and considered inviting you to share this world with me," the 'God' said, his tone turning icy. "But now, I see it's unnece
Stealthbane even felt that Eric might not be a match for the "God."The power was overwhelming.The terrifying aura was enough to crush everything. To an ordinary person, this was a real deity—the strength possessed had already transcended human limits.Eric made his move with a burst of speed. The clash of their fists created a thunderous explosion, and the sound was so intense that Stealthbane felt his eardrums might shatter.This was a battle of the highest caliber, one that even a legend like Stealthbane could not hope to join.Seeing the two evenly matched, Stealthbane sighed in relief. At least there was a chance that the strongest combatants were neutralizing each other. The outcome was still uncertain.Eric shook his aching fist, his expression grave. The opponent's strength was as he had anticipated. If the ultimate boss of the Luminous did not possess such combat power, it would be absurd.Clearly, this "God" had also gauged Eric's strength.He extended a hand toward
Stealthbane knew that the figure facing them must be the ultimate leader of the Luminous.Suddenly, he no longer wanted to die. If he could hold on just a little longer, it would all be over."Mr. Johnson, these people don't seem ordinary. Could that leader be the ultimate figure of the Luminous? Are we about to complete the game?" he whispered.To him, this mission to the Ark felt like a game: defeat the final boss, and victory is achieved."If I'm not mistaken, it should be. This person gives me... a sense of danger," Eric said.Upon hearing this, Stealthbane felt reassured.Just a sense? That meant the problem wasn't too grave!The leader on the opposite side turned to Eric. "I didn't expect you to make it this far. I underestimated your strength, believing my Ark was impregnable, that no enemy could breach it. But why are you so persistent? Why such determination?"He suddenly screamed in a fit of hysteria, "I have so many people! Such a grand scheme! It has all succeeded!
Brent shouted desperately, "After you get on your knees, they'll kill you all, and we won't survive either! Kill them! Kill them all!"He understood the situation with stark clarity. Kneeling meant certain death. If they had to die anyway, fighting back would be their only chance of survival.Eric sighed. "Mr. Rogers, in the end, it was we who implicated you. But this place must be eradicated, and the Luminous must be destroyed as well! Everyone, attack!"As the battle commenced, the masked man immediately struck Brent with a punch.Eric charged in. "Die!"He knew that Brent was unlikely to survive. This punch was his way of avenging Brent.The masked man spun around, trying to block Eric's punch. But the speed of the blow was too much—the gust of wind from the punch arrived before the fist did.It was an instant kill.The masked man had no time to react before Eric's punch collided with his chest. The terrifying force shattered the mask on the man's face, revealing an unfamili
Stealthbane was blinded by rage. He was killing anyone in sight, his fury unrelenting. They had ventured deep into enemy territory, where every encounter seemed to be with an adversary.Eric and his team from the Combat Department showed no mercy.Yet even Stealthbane's resolve was wearing thin."I can't kill them all! It feels like every master in the world is concentrated here!" he shouted in frustration.He felt the number of people he had brought was insufficient. If he had brought a few thousand more, he might have been able to overrun the place.Stealthbane was overwhelmed by the sheer horror of their situation. Fortunately, they had arrived. If anyone else had come, they would have met their end here.The numbers of the masters seemed endless."Damn it!" Stealthbane cursed angrily. "There are too many of them, and they're all exceptionally powerful. What kind of game is this?"He was tempted to retreat, but where could he go?Eric sent an enemy flying, pushing forward
"I was opposed to coming in from the start, but as you all know, the Rogers family is extremely complex. If we hadn't entered, I might have ended up dead. At least if the virus isn't a threat, that's something!" Brent poured himself a cup of coffee and continued. "These people are ruthless! They want to kill everyone outside the Ark and establish a new order, managed by a select few. It's insane!"You don't need to tell me—I know you're here to kill them."He then pulled a small token from his pocket. "This is our Rogers family's privilege here. It allows us to move freely between different levels. With this, you can go anywhere!"Stealthbane grabbed it eagerly. "Why didn't you mention this earlier? Things will go much smoother with this!"Brent sighed. "Once you've handled everything, could you take me out with you? I really don't want to stay in this dreadful place any longer.""Sure!" Eric nodded. "We'll definitely call you when we leave. For now, we're heading out."Brent e
Everything was ready, but they couldn't just walk in.Ruth instructed the Combat Department to conduct a three-day intensive training for everyone, focusing on coordinated combat.-After three days, the forces led by Stealthbane moved out, first dismantling the outer defenses of the Ark. This was their specialty!A large group of several hundred arrived in front of the Ark's entrance. At first glance, it resembled a mountain.Jack scratched his head and said, "Is this the gate? I don't see any door."The Holy Templar's people arrived as well. St. Pius said, "Everyone, don't rush. Wait for two minutes. Once the gate opens, we need to get in quickly. I have other plans inside, but once we're in, it's going to be a life-or-death battle! No one should show any mercy!"Stealthbane flexed his fists and replied, "Do I look like a good guy to you? Just watch me deal with them!"No sooner had he spoken than there was a tremendous roar. The ground shook, and the door of the Ark swung