"What's going on? Why are the CEO Alex and the shareholders arguing?" One of the employees asked as they looked at the meeting room.

"Yeah, aren't they supposed to be on the same side?" Another one asked in confusion.

"I heard that the CEO is planning to buy out their shares. He wants to own the company outright." One of them spoked likely treating it as a rumour and thought of telling them.

"Seriously? That's ruthless! He's taking everything for himself?" Another employee jabbed at the previous statement.

Whispers and speculation spread among the crowd as more employees gathered to watch the drama unfold.

One of the shareholders, Eric, stepped forward. As the second-largest shareholder in the company, he felt obligated to defend himself and the other shareholders.

"Alex, don't you think you're going too far?" Eric said, his tone stern but cautious.

"We've been with this company since the beginning. This move of yours will leave everyone feeling betrayed!"

Alex turned to him, his expression shifting to one of mild amusement.

"Eric, I almost forgot about you. Your contract has a special clause in it. Why don't you come over and take a look?" He handed a specific document to Eric, his smile deepening as he did so.

Hearing this, Eric felt a flicker of hope.

'Could it be that he isn't planning to kick me out? Maybe this is only targeting the smaller shareholders?' The thought filled him with relief. He glanced at the other shareholders, who were starting to look worried.

However, Eric's relief was short-lived.

As his eyes scanned the document, his expression froze, then twisted into pure rage.

"What the hell is this, Alex?" he shouted, his voice trembling with anger.

"Ten dollars?! You're offering ten dollars for my shares?ARE YOU FUCKING PLAYING WITH ME?"

Eric's fury was palpable. If there hadn't been people around, he might have lunged at Alex right then and there.

His shares represented 15% of the company. Based on the current market valuation, they were worth in billions.

And yet, Alex had the audacity to offer him ten dollars.

Not in billions or millions but in mere Ten Dollars… you can imagine the anger Eric is feeling right now.

"Are you insane? Why don't you just rob me outright?! Ten dollars? This isn't a buyout—it's outright robbery!" Eric stated with anger and fury in his eyes kike he could kill Alex right now if he can.

"He's blatantly toying with us!" The shareholders erupted into fury, their voices rising in outrage.

Some clenched their fists tightly, while others exchanged sharp glances, as though seeking unity in their anger. Their faces flushed red with frustration, and a wave of irritation and anger spread through the group.

"Eric, why are you so worked up?" Alex's voice was calm, almost unnervingly so.

He leaned back slightly, exhaling a faint puff of smoke, his posture utterly relaxed as if he were merely observing a minor inconvenience.

"At least finish reading the entire document. Who knows? There might be a surprise waiting for you on the next page."

Eric froze mid-retort, his anger momentarily caught in his throat. His instinct was to argue back, but something about Alex's gaze made him hesitate.

It wasn't just confidence—it was something colder, sharper, as if Alex were already in complete control of the situation.

His fingers tightened around the paper as he hesitated, his mind racing. After a tense pause, he reluctantly flipped to the second page.

The moment Eric's eyes landed on the contents of the next page, his breath hitched. His face paled several shades, and the hand holding the document trembled as if it suddenly weighed a ton.

"A… Al… Alex… what… is the meaning of this?" Eric stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"I've worked hard for this company for so many years. Even if I haven't done anything extraordinary, I've at least put in my fair share of effort…" His voice grew louder as he spoke, desperation leaking into every word.

"So what if I used the company's name to make some extra money on the side? Do you really need to go this far against me?" His outburst echoed through the room, his frustration spilling over as he looked at Alex with a mix of fear and indignation.

"You're asking me if this is necessary?" Alex murmured, his tone casual yet deliberate.

He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with a calm, almost practiced ease. Taking a long drag, he exhaled slowly, the faint trail of smoke curling lazily in the air. His calm demeanor was in stark contrast to Eric's rising panic.

"Of course, it's necessary," Alex continued, his voice steady and cold. "Sure, the money you've made isn't a small amount compared to your shares…" He glanced at the trembling Eric, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"But if I report you for embezzling billions from the company…" Alex leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as though sharing a secret. "That's enough to land you in rotten prison for the rest of your life, isn't it?"

Eric staggered back a step, his legs nearly giving out beneath him. The blood drained from his face, and his breathing became shallow as the weight of Alex's words settled on him.

"And that's not all," Alex added, his tone growing darker. "If you push me to that point… when you're locked up, what happens to your wife and kids without your protection?"

The words were like daggers, cutting deep into Eric's chest. His hands shook violently, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

"Do you think their lives will be any easier?" Alex's voice softened, but the underlying threat was unmistakable.

Eric's heart pounded in his chest as a cold chill ran down his spine. His imagination ran wild, conjuring images of his family's suffering, and he instinctively raised his hands as if to shield himself from the words.

Cold sweat dripped down Eric's face as his lips quivered.

"This… this…" His voice cracked, unable to form a coherent response.

He had always prided himself on his ability to profit behind the scenes from other prying eyes… secretly and stealthily, but now those very actions had become a noose tightening around his neck.

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Bonus Chapters on: 300, 500, 700 Power Stones.

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(A/N: Next Chapter Soon! Some Golden tickets guys!!!)

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