Chapter 178: Meeting
Chapter 178: Meeting
Dlamini’s arrival was merely a small part of things in the grand scheme.
Several days later, Brando and the others emerged from the isolation zone. With their proud and strong physique, there was very little chance of them contracting diseases such as tuberculosis in the first place.
After Brando came out, there was a call from the research center office, informing him that Chen Chen wanted to meet him.
Brando’s knowledge of Chen Chen was as much as anybody else’s, which was to say, not a lot. Chen Chen was an extremely peculiar individual.
One could say he was a businessman but he spent his days in the laboratory. Most of the business procedures were handled by other people while he pretty much took on a hands-off approach.
One could also say he was a researcher but he secretly colluded with Western financial groups, dealt with smuggled arms, formed illegal armed forces, and built underground secret bases among many other achievements. All of these did not seem like the job scope one would come to expect of a researcher.
There was even a period where Brando had an impression that Chen Chen was not trying to put together a biotechnology corporation but a terrorist organization instead...
Brando appraised Chen Chen as an ambitious man with a strong sense of individuality.
Though this current employer always made sure to keep a low profile, his previous employer, Dlamini, was almost as harmless as a little rabbit in comparison.
With these impressions in mind, Brando stepped into the office building and summoned the elevator.
The office building in the research center did not carry as much of a grave stature as the research building did, but it still possessed a prideful gravity that formal institutions should have. The walls were paved with speckless tiles, the snow-white ceiling accentuated by bright LED lights which were not harsh on the eyes.
This was the first time he had stepped foot into the office building. After all, he took on a military role in the company and this was a place for the administrative staff so it was no place for someone like him.
However, this time was an exception since it was Chen Chen who had specifically asked for him.
The doors of the elevator opened to the side with a “ring”. Brando stepped into the elevator and pressed the button on the fifth floor.
Before the elevators shut, a sudden flurry of footsteps coming from afar came rushing toward him. A slender hand promptly jammed itself between the elevator door to stop it from closing.
As the elevator doors were made to open again, it was revealed that the person standing behind the door was Sara, the team leader of team four in B.S.S.
“Sara, why are you here?” Brando asked in astonishment.
“I —”
The other person also did not expect to see a fellow leader in the elevator either. She darted her eyes all across the place and stumbled the words, “I was just walking around...”
Sara was the only female member of the band of mercenaries. Her makeup of choice was of a low eyebrow style, which coupled with her cold temperament, made her closely resemble the French actor Eva Green.
Contrary to the way that she usually dressed, Sara was now wearing a black low-cut dress and clouded herself in heavy makeup. She looked like she was preparing to attend a dinner party.
Upon witnessing this, Brando seemed to have joined the dots.
“Were you invited by Mr. Chen as well?”
“Yes, so you were invited too.”
Sara nodded and stepped into the elevator after a brief moment of hesitation. As the elevator door closed, the two of them stood still in awkward silence.
Fortunately, the office building was only five stories tall. The elevator doors opened themselves again after about ten seconds. Brando considered for a moment before deciding to be the first one to step out. He then looked over the rows of door signs.
In the end, the two of them arrived at the sign labeled “Chairman Office”.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
Brando gently knocked on the door and a voice came from the other end of the door. “It’s not locked, come in.”
After hearing the familiar voice, Brando gently opened the door and stepped inside with Sara following closely after.
Just as Brando expected, it was the best office in the building. Apart from how spacious it was, he also noted the lack of any form of decoration.
There were no exquisite paintings, Asian antiques, nor was there any grand presentation in the room. Everything was set up plainly but also well-coordinated.
Positioned right across the entrance was a large office table. Chen Chen sat behind the table on a sturdy chair, silently examining two thin sheets of documents.
From what Brando could tell, they appeared to be personal records.
“Take a seat, pour yourself a drink if you’d like.”
Chen Chen looked up and made an inviting gesture. When he noticed Sara’s get-up, he was caught by surprise. “Ms. Sara, you look beautiful today. Do you have a date lined up?”
“Oh no, I just...”
Sara awkwardly brushed her hair. “Just trying for a new look every once in a while.”
“Oh.”
Chen Chen nodded curiously and started. “I’ll make this short. I’m sure as both of you are aware, Mr. Dlamini was stricken with a terrible disease some time ago. As he’s unable to afford the medical bills, he mortgaged the shares of Tara Private Security to me.”
Brando and Sara were caught by surprise and exchanged a quick look between the two of them.
None of them believed that Dlamini could not be able to afford medical bills, but that was not the main point. The main point was the transfer of Tara Private Security.
Although Dlamini was only one of Tara Private Security’s shareholders, the truth was that he had held up eighty percent of the company’s shares and was also the one to call the shots. By all rights, one could assume that the company belonged to Dlamini.
The company was also a central part of Dlamini’s influence. To have Dlamini give up on the company was as difficult as slicing a chunk of flesh off of him.
Yet, Tara Private Security was transferred to the young man from the Mainland just like this?
The two of them were utterly shocked by this revelation down to their cores...
Chen Chen went on. “The reason I’ve invited you two is that the two of you are the most experienced and excellent employees of Tara Private Security. I’m sure you’re very informed of the structure of the company. I’d like you two to make a trip back to Rainbow Nation and get the remaining shareholders to sell their shares. We’ll match the price accordingly.”
“Mr. Chen...”
Brando quickly explained, “This won’t be easy. I’m sure that you’re aware that the Rainbow Nation has many political parties and a large number of private armed forces. The other shareholders may be slightly weaker than Dlamini, but their combined forces is a force to be reckoned with. It’ll be difficult for us to convince...”
“Of course, I’m well aware of this.”
Chen Chen smiled. “Don’t worry, we’ll coordinate with the plutocrats of the North American and European continent to pressure the Rainbow Nation. Meanwhile, you two will act as the negotiation team serving the company’s interest. Besides, who else could be more familiar with the ongoings over there than you two?”
After that, Chen Chen further supplemented. “Also, I’ll have Cheng Cao go with you two.”
Brando was finally at ease upon receiving the news. “Chief Cheng Cao is going as well? That makes things easier then.”
Chen Chen gave him a nod and switched the topic quickly as he suggested profoundly. “If you two can accomplish this task, I’ll give you a special choice.”
“A choice to completely become ‘one of us’...”