Chapter 300: Dialogue

In the spacious lounge of the Wiltonstein Building, Consulie Wiltonstein leisurely sipped black tea with a relaxed demeanor. Those familiar with Consulie knew that this was a sign of his excellent mood.

This, of course, included his assistant Diamond: "Then let me give you another piece of good news, Boss. Besides the cession of thirteen stores, I've additionally discovered changes in the equity structure of the Georgia Post. The major shareholder has changed to the Rising Sun Press, which now holds 53.5% of the Georgia Post's shares, making it the controlling shareholder of the newspaper."

"The Georgia Post? Elizabeth Isolt?"

Consulie raised his white eyebrows slightly, then said thoughtfully, "A 53.5% stake in the Georgia Post should be worth around 150 million, right?"

"The bank is willing to pay for you, Boss. Master Andre's financial situation is sound; the income from endorsements alone is enough to repay the loan. And this year, the Georgia Post's earnings have reached 19 million gold shields. Even from a purely commercial perspective, this is a very good deal."

Diamond said calmly, "Besides that, Master Andre seems to have hired Nanette Drew. I've noticed he's been meeting frequently with Ms. Drew these past few days and accompanying her on visits to the Georgia Post and the Rising Sun Press."

"Nanette Drew? If it's that woman, she can help him manage the newspaper well. Isolt found him a good helmsman. Diamond, how many people know about this now?"

Consulie also brewed a cup of black tea for his assistant, which made the usually expressionless Diamond feel flattered.

"They're still keeping it under wraps, but I estimate that in half a day, many of Atlanta's upper crust will know. After all, we're not the only ones keeping an eye on Master Andre's movements. I think in a day or two at most, this news will explode across all of Atlanta."

"Then how is the progress on security for the Rising Sun Company?"

"Still recruiting. I've had people keep a close watch to weed out unreliable individuals as much as possible. But Master Andre himself is also very careful in this regard, and the connections of those two retired commanders are not to be underestimated. Currently, the security department of the Rising Sun Company has added over a hundred magical energy professionals, all with average combat capabilities."

Diamond looked up, meeting Consulie's eyes: "Boss, he is gradually changing the balance of power between us. And there's Miss Hazel; her growth also needs time. Our assumptions were wrong. That little girl hasn't been eroded by the power of the Calamity Fire Dragon; she is continuously growing stronger. She has even awakened the bloodline of the Silent Magic Dragon. Therefore, I suggest we postpone our operation. The later we act, the more advantageous it is for us."

"I am considering it!"

A contemplative look appeared in Consulie Wiltonstein's eyes: "Then does the Rising Sun Company have a candidate for chief security officer? That Zhang Wei is not competent enough."

"Not yet. Master Andre's requirements are very high. The Red Sparrow Human Resources company has recommended several candidates, but none have satisfied him."

"It's good to aim high."

Consulie nodded slightly: "He's scouting for stores in Manhattan, isn't he? That child has vigorous ambition. But to support the Rising Sun Company's national expansion, he needs a quasi-legendary beside him—at least a 20S who doesn't rely on any sacred artifacts—and two or three assistants above level 17. I mean, those who can be put on the table."

"But if so, I'm afraid the Rising Sun Company will be overwhelmed. Even now, his financial pressure is already great. That's nine to ten 17S-level individuals."

Diamond evaluated without any emotion: "The Rising Sun Company's exorbitant profits won't last long. And just one 20S who doesn't rely on any sacred artifacts would require a salary of over 15 million gold shields."

He thought Li Mochen's private armed forces were somewhat excessive, but the Sunrise Company's visible military strength was indeed a bit lacking.

"The Sunrise Company is expanding; he can afford it. Speaking of finances, Li Chunchu probably left him something, but living off savings is no good. I heard that the deputy团长 of the Holy Blood Hunter Group is looking for partners everywhere? I saw him at the charity gala yesterday."

"The Holy Blood Hunter Group offers great benefits, and many are interested, but they fear the risks at sea. The key is that they don't want to be infiltrated and controlled, and they are very wary of the big consortiums."

Diamond sneered: "That deputy团长 also approached Young Master Andre. Recently, the young master's display of force has impressed everyone. Both the Holy Blood Hunter Group and the Cadia Hunter Group value the connections Li Chunchu left behind at sea. They see Young Master Andre as a safe partner, easy to use and control. But Young Master Andre is clever; two weeks ago, he met with Mr. Alexandra Candela, and it ended badly. Yet I believe this deputy团长 will come knocking again sooner or later."

Consigliere understood and knew he no longer needed to worry about this matter; he could just wait for the outcome.

Then he looked at the coffee table, where a photo of a woman in a maid's outfit lay.

"And this Blood-Eyed Angel, Robert Yvonne! Tell me about her. Is this woman still useful—"

"I think we can discuss Robert later. I just received another piece of news."

Diamond interrupted the old man: "I just got word that an hour ago, Michelle Medici boarded a private jet with his daughter. According to the FAA, the plane's destination is Atlanta."

Consigliere was stunned for a moment, then glared at his assistant. Such important news—this guy should have spoken up earlier.

"At this time? Is it for Andre?"

"I don't know."

A hint of curiosity even appeared on Diamond's face: "Personally, I'm very curious about his purpose. I think it's time he paid attention to his daughter's affairs."

…

In the city of Senario on the Antoria continent, Ike Benier was frantically fleeing through the corridors, his eyes filled with rage and panic. Though he was in his own mansion, it offered him no sense of safety.

Behind him, crisscrossing gunfire erupted; over a dozen Outlaw-level sharpshooters hidden in various corners were furiously firing at a swiftly darting black figure.

Most bullets were dodged, only a few hit. After all, this was within the coverage of a seventeenth-level magic array, and the Outlaws' firearms were extraordinarily powerful, some even possessing 16S-level marksmanship, yet none of it could stop the black figure.

The latter made no attempt to block, nor did it activate any magical artifacts; it simply withstood the bullets with its bare flesh. Most bullets were deflected by its skin, and even those that managed to penetrate were immediately expelled, the flesh quickly regenerating.

The figure even had remarkable discernment, avoiding all poisoned and explosive bullets without exception.

In contrast, the shooters hiding in the corners suffered: within a distance of less than thirty meters, four were killed by headshots.

The figure held a gun in one hand and an umbrella in the other, rarely firing, but whenever it pulled the trigger, even the Outlaw-level experts around could not effectively dodge.