Chapter 661: Invitation for Cooperation
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Atlanta Business District.
Nestled in the heart of Atlanta is a bustling hub for high-tech firms. While it may not outshine Silicon Valley in sheer opulence, it remains Atlanta’s most profitable sector—a nexus for innovation and cutting-edge industries.
Dominating the skyline is a skyscraper unapologetically named “Cosmic Tower.” The name may come across as grandiose, but no one in Atlanta bats an eye. Only one individual in the city possesses the influence to both construct such a marvel and christen it so audaciously.
cosmic ‘l’ower’s Pinnacle.
Maria, the General Manager of Cosmic Tower, sipped her coffee as she pored over the latest financial statements. This quarter’s revenue had shown a modest uptick, but it fell short of her aspirations. With a crucial board meeting looming, the weight of expectations bore down on her.
She was acutely aware that they’ve missed their quarterly goals, and she anticipated a rigorous grilling from the board of directors. Further complicating matters, she’s torn about setting the targets for the next quarter —aim too ambitiously and risk another shortfall, or set the bar low and risk the board’s disapproval.
Just as Maria was mulling over her dilemma, her phone rang. It was Mike, a dependable client known for throwing the company a lifeline when it mattered most. His orders may not be colossal, but they arrive like clockwork—just in the nick of time.
“Mr. Mike, how can I assist you today?” Maria answered.
Mike hesitated briefly before asking, “You’re still in the business of antiques and artifacts, correct?”
“Yes,” Maria confirmed, “It’s a challenging market, but the profit margins are too tempting to ignore. We’ve consistently invested in that area.”
“Good to hear,” Mike says. “A rather audacious young man has just made off with a valuable antique from my collection. Given its murky provenance, I have no plans to chase it. But if you’re interested, recovering it could be a profitable venture for Cosmic Tower.”
Intrigued yet skeptical, Maria inquires, “Our corporation is quite large, so it’s hard to imagine any single artifact making a substantial difference to our bottom line. What are we discussing here?”
“Ever heard of Jing Ke’s assassination attempt on the King of Qin?” Mike replies. “The stolen artifact is the dagger he used. It’s millennia old and in pristine condition. I estimate it could command a starting auction price of around a hundred million.”
Maria was visibly taken aback. If Mike’s claim holds water, this could be a game-changer. Oddly enough, Mike did not seem keen on reclaiming it himself, leading Maria to suspect that the thief must be extraordinarily skilled —someone who could even intimidate Mike.
“In Atlanta, though, there’s no adversary formidable enough to challenge Cosmic Tower,” Maria thinks. “Thanks for the tip, Mike.”
After hanging up, Mike texts Maria all the details he has on the thief—a man named Luo Feng. Maria is once again struck by the thief’s apparent competence.
“It seems we’re the only force capable of retrieving that dagger,” she reflects, picking up her phone for another call. “Get the CEO of National Transport on the line. I have a substantial business proposal to discuss.”
Meanwhile, back on Luo Feng’s end.
Luo Feng was thrilled with his new acquisition, but he was left puzzled. Why would an artifact of such historical import surface in the United States? Baffled but undeterred, he shelved the question for later.
His immediate concern is delivering the dagger to Mr. Wu. He handed it off to Liu Jian, who was tasked with conveying it to their intermediary for eventual delivery to Mr. Wu.
Scarcely has Luo Feng finalized these arrangements when his phone rings. It was a call from Cosmic Tower, extending an invitation for a business collaboration.
Before founding his own enterprise, National Transport, Luo Feng had studied Atlanta’s corporate landscape. He knew that Cosmic Tower was the juggernaut in the field. The notion that such a behemoth would seek a collaboration is almost beyond belief.
Yet, since they’ve made the first move, Luo Feng sees no reason to turn them
down..
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