Shareholders' Meeting

After dodging company matters for two days, Ryan finally could no longer avoid them.

Haulers Building, 31st floor, round-table conference room.

The enormous room was filled with figures seated around the oval conference table in the center, talking quietly among themselves.

If one listened closely, they would find that all they discussed were the Haulers Group's recent moves.

Over the past two days, Ryan had spent enormous sums of company funds acquiring a large number of unprofitable businesses. More importantly, part of that money had belonged to them, money they should have received at the beginning of next year.

With over a hundred million dollars at stake, no one could remain indifferent. The primary purpose of today's shareholders' meeting was to stop Ryan Garcia from continuing his madness. To that end, they would not hesitate to use every means available.

Top floor of Haulers Building, chairman's office.

"BOSS, it's time for the meeting."

After glancing at the watch on her wrist, Ashe spoke to remind him.

"It's fine. Let them wait a while. I'll go after I finish this game!"

Ryan, dressed in casual clothes and seated in his office chair, waved dismissively, his attention entirely focused on the computer.

Helpless, Ashe could only sigh and wait nearby.

Even as Ryan's closest subordinate, she honestly had trouble understanding what Ryan had been thinking lately.

"Fuck!"

Nearly half an hour passed. Seeing GAME OVER appear on the screen, Ryan cursed under his breath and closed the game.

"Let's go. Let's see those bastards." Rolling his neck slightly, Ryan headed outside.

"You should change into formal attire," Ashe reminded him as she followed closely behind.

"No. I'm wearing this," Ryan replied with narrowed eyes.

They quickly arrived two floors down. When Ryan pushed open the conference room doors, he smiled and greeted the expressionless people inside one by one.

"You're late, Mr. Garcia," an elderly woman said with dissatisfaction.

"Am I? Then I truly apologize. You all know how much there is to handle every day when running such a large group. I've simply been too busy. After all, it's all for everyone's benefit. I'm sure you can understand being a little late!" Ryan said with a smile as he walked to his seat and sat down.

"But the company's interests have suffered greatly recently. Spending large sums to acquire unprofitable, low-quality businesses is not bringing benefits to the company as you claim," a middle-aged man beside him said flatly.

"Low-quality businesses?" Ryan feigned surprise, then shook his head. "No, no. In my view, every business the company has acquired has tremendous potential. They may appear unprofitable at present, but with sufficient investment, they can all become quality businesses."

"You all know the company has reached a bottleneck in its development. If we want to continue growing, we need to enter other industries. Besides, acquiring these businesses can also ease the country's burden. After all, I'm a patriotic man myself!"

"But the company isn't a charity! What you're doing is harming our interests!" someone could not help but snap.

"What does that have to do with me?" Ryan raised his head and glanced at the man, his tone abruptly turning cold. "This is my company! I hold the controlling stake, and the operating rights are in my hands. Do I need to report to you on whatever I choose to do!"

"We have shares as well," a middle-aged man said calmly.

"Of course, of course. You certainly have shares. But so what?" Ryan sneered, spreading his hands.

This was his company. Without his consent, no one would be allowed to stick their hands into it.

"There is no need to take things this far, little Ryan." An old man rubbed his brow and tried to persuade him. "We've already given you the explanation you wanted. Why resort to a mutually destructive method like this?

"You need to understand, we don't only have your company, but you only have this one!" With Ryan holding the controlling stake and serving as chairman himself, it was far too difficult to overthrow him from the Haulers Group. Therefore, as long as there was even a sliver of possibility, they did not want matters to remain deadlocked like this. After all, what was being wasted was their money—at least a hundred million dollars every year.

"I'm making trouble? Old Morgan, do you really think I'm making trouble?" Ryan's gaze turned cold, and the atmosphere in the entire hall instantly became oppressive. "Look at the conclusion you gave me. A company worth less than two hundred million dollars could deploy dozens of armed men in New York without any government discovering them?"

"Are you idiots, or do you take me for one!"

"As for the money?"

"The dividends from the Haulers Group over the years are enough for me to live the most lavish life this lifetime, my next lifetime, and even the one after that. No matter how much more I earn, it's just a number. If I feel like throwing money into the water now, at least I'll hear a splash!"

As Ryan spoke, he glanced toward the Roxxon Corporation representative.

Three days had passed. Even with the United States Government and various corporations conducting a joint search, they still had not found any substantive clues. Ryan, however, had already locked onto his target.

Aside from Hydra, only Roxxon, the massive energy conglomerate with tentacles spread across the globe, possessed such concealment capabilities. Moreover, its cooperation with Hydra was extremely close.

After Sebas and his people investigated over the past two days, they discovered that Roxxon Corporation had proposed what happened to Annie, while Hydra had provided the manpower. It could be said that both forces had been involved.

But it did not matter. Whether it was Hydra or Roxxon Corporation, both were his enemies.

Earth was too small. There could only be one force hidden behind the scenes manipulating everything, and that position could only belong to him!

"There is no room for negotiation?" Old Morgan asked one last time.

"Yes. There is no room at all," Ryan replied calmly as he looked at everyone.

"Very well. Then I wish you luck." Old Morgan sighed. After looking at Ryan as though he were already dead, he stood and walked out.

He had actually thought highly of Ryan. After all, regardless of what methods a young man used, anyone who could build such a vast fortune from nothing could be called exceptional.

But unfortunately, Ryan was seeking his own death out of spite.

Annual profits in excess of tens of billions of dollars were being wasted for nothing. Not a single person present could tolerate that.

Capital pursued profit, and profits on this scale were enough to make them break the rules and use some underhanded methods. Furthermore, no one would reach out to help him as they had before. He would face the hostility of the entire capitalist world.

Old Morgan left, and the others rose without a word and departed as well.

There was nothing they could do for someone determined to seek death.

Besides, they needed to consider how to take the biggest bite of this cake afterward.

"BOSS!"

Ashe, who had been recording everything at his side, could not help calling out.

"Don't worry, Ashe. I know what I'm doing. Nothing will happen." Ryan stood and comforted the frowning Ashe before walking out. "I'm going out with Sebas in a little while. If the company runs into any serious problems, call me."

"Yes, BOSS."

Watching Ryan act as though nothing had happened, Ashe sighed and nodded.