Shay smiled at Sylvester and said, "Sylvester, everyone knows you're the CEO of Williams Corp. Provide us with an asset inventory later, and we can discuss how to incorporate it into the Williams family's conglomerate, okay?"Responding to this tricky situation required careful consideration.After a moment of thought, Sylvester replied, "Over the years, my father, sister, and I have taken on the role of CEO at Williams Corp. It's important to note that Williams Corp. isn't owned by any individual. Even in Salt City, we have shareholders. I'm afraid this matter isn't within the purview of any one of us to decide."To integrate into the Williams family's conglomerate, Williams Corp. would need to convene a meeting among the shareholders, navigate the local authorities in Salt City, and go through various procedures. It's quite complicated."Sylvester adeptly avoided explicitly refusing to join the Williams family's conglomerate, showcasing his shrewdness.Henry silently nodded, ack
The rest of the Williams family fell into silence as the news of the Innova Group not going public sank in. Responding became challenging due to the absence of such demands. Even if there were, why would it be the Falcon branch's responsibility to address them?Sylvester's words regarding Williams Corp. effectively shut down any ongoing discussions. The process's intricate procedures and time-consuming nature rendered the Falcon branch's plan impractical, as they couldn't afford the wait.The Falcon branch urgently desired control over Williams Corp., yet they faced an uphill battle.Sylvia, alongside Sylvester, also obstructed their path."The Innova Group has a relatively simple structure, but you might not know that, aside from the founders, three major investors stand behind it. Consider them as shareholders of the Innova Group: us, the Sonnex family in Salt City, and the Montgomery family in King City."Any significant changes require their consent. This is no less troublesom
Early the next day, the commemorative service commenced, and it exuded grandeur.The positioning of the group at the forefront seemed deliberate, likely to emphasize the significance of Henry's family. Godrick received the same level of attention as several elderly men from the Falcon branch, including their leader.Around noon, the group gathered at the canteen for lunch.While Sylvia enjoyed her meal, Shay and several elderly men approached. Even the young members, led by Dickson, joined them, creating a suffocating atmosphere around Henry and the others.Shay said with a friendly smile, "Godrick, Henry, we haven't finished discussing yesterday's matter. We understand your difficulties and are willing to wait. Once you complete all the necessary procedures, let the two major companies merge into the Williams family, and let our family flourish!"He raised his glass with these words, but the sentiment did not align with the reality.Sylvester knocked on the table and asserted, "
The assets of the Falcon branch amounted to only around 1 billion dollars. Nevertheless, they harbored ambitions to merge two major companies, each with assets and values totaling several billion dollars. Such aspirations were undeniably fantastical.Sylvester had been clear-cut in his stance, which deeply offended the Falcon branch. They labeled him a family traitor, expressing the desire to expel him from the family. However, Sylvester had a strategy to handle the situation.Deliberately and gradually, he reached into his bag, retrieving a document that he then placed in front of the Williams. "Examine it and determine if our surname is truly Williams."The item in question was an identity card."If this fails to substantiate our identity, would you care to peruse our family's property deed? I happen to have it with me."Shay and the others' expressions darkened, and Seraphine couldn't help stifling a laugh.Evidently, this was the only effective way to deal with such individua
Shay addressed them in the same demanding tone.Seraphine grew impatient and retorted, "Sir, both Williams Corp. and the Innova Group have no intention of joining the so-called family conglomerate. Why can't you understand?"Seraphine's statement carried weight, and Henry and the others refrained from speaking out. Having Seraphine speak out for them was preferable. The remark resembled poking a hornet's nest, and all the Williams stared at her.Dickson sneered. "Seraphine, who gave you the right to speak here? Don't forget, you haven't even married into the Williams yet."In response, Sylvester frowned and rebuked, "Dickson, mind your choice of words!"Seraphine felt comforted when Sylvester stepped up for her. Despite his cold exterior, she knew Sylvester was genuinely kind.Dickson chuckled and added, "Do I have a problem with my choice of words? She wants to marry you because she's after your money!"Sylvester and the others remained silent. It seemed Dickson believed in wha
Eric nodded and said honestly, "Yes, I did."However, Dickson and the others didn't believe him.Dickson sneered. "You're a terrible liar, do you realize that? Although I've never been a soldier, I know soldiers can't just come and go as they please."Besides, you're still managing the Innova Group, yet you claim to have participated in the training in Salt City? Who would believe that? You should've crafted a better lie!"Eric simply shrugged.Observing Eric's nonchalant attitude, Dickson persisted, "Since you claim to have participated in the training, then you should know the names of the remaining 46 people, right? Chris, what's the name of the guy who participated in the training in your region? Let's hear it. Eric must know him!"Chris also harbored skepticism about Eric's claim. After all, only the elite among elites could qualify for such training, and he barely met the qualifications."He's called Ron Powett," Chris said.Dickson chuckled. "Eric, since you claim to hav
Eric likely knew why Chris had been disqualified. Firstly, he was incapable, and secondly, it might be because Chris was inquiring about information regarding him.Certain individuals had information that should remain untouched, and the Falcon branch couldn't figure it out, leading Henry to leave with his group.-Back at the hotel, Henry booked a flight back to Salt City for the next day.As Eric prepared to sleep, he received a call from Ruth."Are you in Falcon City?" Ruth asked.Thinking there might be trouble in Salt City, Eric replied, "We'll be back in Salt City tomorrow.""Don't come back for now," Ruth advised. "I'll be in Falcon City tonight. Is your family there?""Yes," Eric replied."Alright, I'll contact you when I get to Falcon City."Ruth hung up, leaving Eric puzzled. 'Why is Ruth coming to Falcon City? And why did she ask if everyone is in Falcon City? Something seemed off!' Eric thought."What's going on?" Sylvia asked."Ruth is coming to Falcon City ton
After conversing for a while, Henry and the others returned to their rooms to rest.Ruth harbored some confidential information she couldn't divulge to them. Sylvia, being Eric's wife, found herself privy to certain details after Eric joined the Combat Department."The matters involving the Falcon branch may be more serious than you thought," Ruth cautioned.Eric frowned and asked, "How serious can it be?"This unexpected revelation hinted at a potential plot by the Falcon branch against the Salt branch.Ruth glanced at Sylvia and explained, "They're consolidating resources and taking action for the Crimson Order's benefit. To put it bluntly, accusing them of illegal fundraising could implicate you guys in Salt City."At that moment, Sylvia grasped the gravity of the situation. If a single accusation could implicate the entire Salt branch, the implications of other charges became even more concerning.It dawned on her why Ruth's initial inquiry focused on the depth of their re
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