Shareholders' Meeting

After avoiding company matters for two days, Ryan finally could no longer hide.

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

The huge room was filled with people seated around the oval table in the center, quietly conversing.

If one listened closely, they would find that they were discussing 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 that should have been distributed to them 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, and they were willing to use any means necessary.

Top floor of Haulers Building, chairman's office.

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

After checking the watch on her wrist, Ashe spoke up to remind him.

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

Dressed casually and seated in his office chair, Ryan waved dismissively, his attention entirely focused on the computer.

Unable to do anything else, Ashe could only sigh and wait beside him.

Even as Ryan's closest subordinate, she honestly could not figure out what he had been thinking lately.

"Fuck!"

Nearly half an hour later, GAME OVER appeared on the screen. Ryan cursed under his breath and closed it.

"Let's go see those bastards." Ryan slightly rolled his neck and headed outside.

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

"No, I'm wearing this," Ryan replied, narrowing his eyes.

They quickly reached the floor two levels below. 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 displeasure.

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

"But recently, the company's interests have suffered severe damage. Spending massive amounts of money to acquire inferior businesses operating at a loss is not bringing the company benefits as you claim." A middle-aged man beside him calmly took over.

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

"You all know that the company has reached a bottleneck in its development. To keep expanding, we need to enter other industries. Besides, acquiring these businesses can be considered helping relieve the country's burden. After all, I'm a patriot myself!"

"But the company isn't a charity! What you're doing is harming our interests!" someone finally snapped.

"What does that have to do with me?" Ryan glanced up at the man, his tone suddenly turning cold. "This is my company! I hold the controlling shares, and operational control is in my hands. Do I need to report to you on how I run it?"

"We also hold shares," a middle-aged man said calmly.

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

This was his company. Without his approval, no one could dream of sticking 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 method that harms both sides?

You need to understand that we don't have only your company, while you only have this one!" With Ryan holding controlling interest and serving as chairman, it was extremely difficult to oust him from the Haulers Group. Therefore, as long as there was even the slightest possibility, they did not want things to remain deadlocked. After all, this was their money being wasted—at least a hundred million dollars every year.

"I'm the one causing trouble? Old Morgan, do you really think I'm causing trouble?" Ryan's gaze turned icy, and the entire room instantly became oppressive. "Look at the result 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 it?"

"Are you idiots, or do you think I'm an idiot?"

"As for money?"

"The Haulers Group's dividends over the years are enough to let me live the richest possible life in this life, the next, and even the one after that. No matter how much more I earn, it's just a number. I'd rather throw money into the water now—at least then I'd hear a splash!"

As Ryan spoke, he glanced toward Roxxon's representatives.

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.

Other than Hydra, only Roxxon, the major energy corporation whose reach spanned the globe, possessed such concealment capabilities. Their cooperation with Hydra was also exceptionally close.

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

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

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

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

"Yes, there is no room at all." Ryan calmly looked at everyone as he answered.

"Very well. Then good luck." Old Morgan sighed. After looking at Ryan as though he were already dead, he rose and headed outside.

He had actually thought highly of Ryan. After all, regardless of what methods he had used, a young man who had built such a large fortune from nothing could certainly be called outstanding!

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

Hundreds of billions of dollars in annual profit would be wasted for nothing. No one present could tolerate that.

Capital sought profit, and profits on such a scale were already enough for them to break the rules and use underhanded methods. Moreover, 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 silently rose and departed as well.

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

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

"BOSS!"

Ashe, who had been recording everything beside him, could not help calling out.

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

"Yes, BOSS."

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