NOVEL WEB 5-The Power Play
Ronan entered the company building, his steps echoing through the halls. He had been silent ever since the assassination attempt, his mind focused on the task at hand. As he walked into the shareholder meeting, a sense of both anticipation and unease washed over him. Despite being millions of years old, Ronan appeared no older than 20. His youthful appearance often invited skepticism and even disdain, and today would be no different.
Taking his place at the chairman's seat, the shareholders exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of distrust and confusion. One of the shareholders, an older man, leaned forward and spoke with a sneer.
"Young man, are you sure you're in the right place?" he scoffed. "This is a shareholders' meeting, not some kind of children's play."
Another added, "What does someone your age know about running a company like this?"
A third, more brazenly, remarked, "Is this a joke? A boy in a chairman's seat? Why should we trust the future of this company to someone who looks like he hasn't even begun shaving?"
Ronan remained calm; his eyes cold. He let each comment roll off him without a hint of emotion. His time spent in the celestial realms had long prepared him for such moments. He had seen much more than they could imagine. But instead of answering immediately, he allowed the negative remarks to linger.
Then, after a long, tense silence, Ronan finally spoke. "You all seem unhappy with my presence here. If you are so dissatisfied with me, then I propose a simple solution: give me your shares. I will buy them all."
The room fell silent, with a few shareholders exchanging incredulous looks.
"Like hell we'll sell you our shares," one of them snapped, his voice laced with anger.
Ronan's eyes narrowed. "Then how about I offer you three times the original price?"
The mood in the room shifted as they considered the offer, their expressions now a mix of greed and hesitation. The thought of selling their shares for such an inflated price was tempting, but some still held out.
Then a voice spoke up, young and hesitant. It was a boy, no older than 18, who sat quietly near the back. "I... I can't sell my shares. These are the shares my grandpa passed down to me. It's... it's all I have left of him."
Ronan turned to the boy and nodded. "You keep your shares. I have no intention of forcing anyone who doesn't want to sell."
Celia, who had been observing the scene closely, watched Ronan's calm decision with admiration. It was an act of kindness, showing Ronan's sense of honor and empathy despite his immense power and past betrayals. This moment struck Celia deeply, and her thoughts immediately turned to Ronan's larger plan, wondering what he was truly thinking beneath the surface. She had seen his changes since the assassination attempt. There was something darker in him, something that drove him beyond mere revenge. She could sense it, but she couldn't yet figure out what his endgame was.
With the young boy's shares safe, Ronan turned to the others. The tension in the room was palpable. He had no patience for this kind of arrogance.
"Now, as for the rest of you," Ronan said, his voice taking on a sharper tone. "I know your dirty secrets. Your financial misdeeds, your illicit dealings, and your shady business. I'm sure you wouldn't want those details to become public, would you?"
The shareholders, one by one, looked uneasy as Ronan's words cut through the room like a blade. Their expressions shifted from anger to fear as they realized what Ronan was implying. It wasn't a threat they could ignore. They had their skeletons in the closet, and Ronan knew them all.
"I'll give you a deal," Ronan continued, his voice low and menacing. "Sell me your shares, and I'll keep your secrets. If you refuse... well, let's just say your dirty laundry won't stay hidden for long."
The shareholders exchanged nervous glances; the fear now evident in their eyes. One by one, they reluctantly agreed to sell their shares, offering him 90% of the company. With the young boy's 10% still intact, Ronan now owned 90% of the company, effectively taking control.
Celia, still watching, was again struck by Ronan's methodical, cold approach. She had seen this side of him before, but now, after the assassination attempt, it felt different. There was something more ruthless in his actions, something deeper in his intent.
"Let's move on to the next step," Ronan said to Celia, after the final shareholder signed the papers. "Remember the file I gave you. Contact the leaders of Country A and let them know we've made significant advancements in weaponry. We want to negotiate."
As they made their way towards the negotiation site, Celia glanced over at Ronan, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"What are you planning?" she asked, her voice low but filled with genuine interest.
Ronan's eyes remained forward; his expression unreadable. After a moment, he responded, "Wait until I tell you."
The simplicity of his reply only deepened Celia's curiosity. She was used to his enigmatic nature, but something about the way he spoke now hinted at something bigger, something far more calculated than she had anticipated.
As the negotiations began, Ronan and Celia, along with the military representatives from Country A, prepared for their next steps at Country A's military base. The commander, seeing the young man standing before him, showed his distrust. He frowned, clearly skeptical about the presence of such a young figure at such serious negotiations.
"What makes you think we should trust your technology? It's unproven," the commander challenged, his tone dripping with suspicion.
Without wasting any time, Ronan passed the report to the commander. As the commander observed the document, his expression shifted from skepticism to shock.
"How is this possible?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief as he looked up from the report.
Ronan's cold, calculating eyes met his. "We've tested it already. If you want proof, we can demonstrate it for you."
The commander hesitated, but eventually agreed. When the weapons were tested, the results were undeniable. Advanced jets, naval warfare technologies, and weapons that could change the course of a battle. The commander was impressed, but reluctant to commit without further negotiations.
Ronan seized the moment. "I'm willing to reduce the price on one condition," he said coolly. "I want to fight against Country B alone."
The commander's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about? Why would you face them alone?"
Ronan's tone remained composed. "If I win, the weapons will be available to Country A at 70% of the original price. If I lose, the weapons are yours for free."
The commander's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're serious?"
Ronan's gaze remained steady. "Think about it. The world will know that Country A has access to the most advanced technology, and it will be a victory for both of us."
The commander, seeing the weight of Ronan's demand for conditions, called the president of Country A for guidance. The president, who had been in contact with the commander throughout the process, was misled by one of his trusted associates—a shareholder from Ronan's company. This associate had been feeding the president skewed information, painting Ronan as a threat rather than recognizing his tactical brilliance. Instead of acknowledging Ronan's strategic brilliance, the president foolishly saw this as an opportunity to eliminate Ronan and seize control of the company.
Blinded by greed, the president believed that if Ronan was eliminated, the company and its powerful technology would fall into his hands, giving him free access to the weapons.
But Ronan had already anticipated this. The president, blinded by his ambition, signed the deal without realizing that Ronan had already outmaneuvered him. The president had played directly into Ronan's hands.
With the deal now set in motion, Ronan turned to the commander. "Which direction is Country B?"
The commander pointed to the left.
"Z, bring in the drone for recording," Ronan said calmly. His business suit transformed instantly, shifting into his black combat suit, glowing faintly with blue lines as his small rod weapon appeared in his hand. He turned to the military personnel present and asked one to pilot a jet for him.
With a look of determination, Ronan took off, heading towards Country B, a small nation with a formidable military that had nuclear capabilities. This was only the beginning. The world would soon learn of Ronan's power, and his quest for revenge would continue.