Chapter 286 Such a terrifying business arrangement
William drove the 13th Bureau's minivan to Silvergate Tower.
"Hello, please register," the security guard at the door said, seeing the vehicle and assuming William and his party were making a delivery. "What's in the van?"
William rolled down the window and replied, "I'm here to see someone!"
"To see someone? Sorry, but if it's not a company vehicle, you can't park here. You need to register at the front desk if you're looking for someone." The guard wasn't being disrespectful, but the parking lot was filled with luxury cars, and accidents could be costly.
Moreover, parking spaces were already tight. They couldn't just let any unfamiliar vehicle in.
Zoey suggested, "Then let's park on the roadside and walk in."
"Okay!" William, who had read many books about driving, could barely manage the minivan, but he was still unfamiliar with many new traffic rules. For instance, he had been driving while looking at his phone just now.
Hearing Zoey's suggestion to park on the side of the road, he casually pulled over.
Completely haphazard parking.
William and his colleagues walked into the lobby of Silvergate Tower, located in the heart of New York City, and immediately noticed many people sitting around, including some familiar faces.
"Hey, William, what brings you here?" Bella, a heiress from the Bell family, was the first to notice William and quickly came over to greet him. Her gaze shifted to Zoey beside William, and with a hint of curiosity, she asked with a smile, "Is she your girlfriend?"
"No, she's my boss, Zoey," William introduced.
Bella's smile carried a hint of slyness. Although William was just a freshman intern, his "boss" seemed to be more than just a professional acquaintance.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Bella, a friend of William's," Bella extended her hand to Zoey.
Zoey shook hands with Bella politely, then turned to William, "We should head upstairs."
Bella felt slightly awkward, sensing she was being somewhat overlooked.
William asked, "How do we get upstairs?"
Zoey replied as if it were obvious, "You call Evelyn and ask her to come down for us."
"I told you, I had a falling out with her."
Bella, listening on the side, was utterly confused, but she picked up on one thing: "You're here to see Evelyn?"
"Yes." William also noticed Lila on the ground floor; it seemed they were all here to see Evelyn.
It was unexpected how, in such a short time, Evelyn had seemingly become a major figure whom everyone wanted to meet.
The Bells and the Carters, considered to be among New York City's elite, were there too. Lila and Bella wanting to see her but having to queue on the ground floor was surprising.
"I've been here twice already and still haven't seen her," Bella scoffed. "Miss Taylor's airs are getting grander by the day. Meeting her is not easy."
Zoey, seemingly oblivious to their conversation, said to William, "Just go up!"
William roughly guessed what Zoey intended and could only say, "You lead the way."
Bella looked astonished. What did she mean by just going up?
Barging in?
Zoey wasted no more words and headed straight for the elevator.
There was an electronic security gate in front of the elevator, guarded by several sharp-looking bodyguards. However, Zoey simply bypassed the security gate.
Two guards quickly approached, trying to stop her: "Miss, please register at the front desk!"
Zoey moved swiftly, striking down one guard and punching another in the stomach.
"Someone's forcing their way in!"
Nearby guards were already notifying their colleagues via walkie-talkies.
Forcing entry into Silvergate Tower was like saying you didn't want to stay in New York anymore. And this young woman intended to just force her way up, which seemed like a fool's dream.
William smiled at Bella, then also leaped over the security gate.
There were eight security guards on the first floor, all real combat experts, but none could withstand even a single move from Zoey.
In less than ten seconds, Zoey had obtained a staff card and was leading William into the elevator.
The entire process was rough and aggressive.
"You've already resorted to violence, and you still want me to negotiate peacefully?" William didn't know what to say. Zoey's temper was really something...
Quite impressive, actually!
William didn't like waiting to be summoned either.
"I only know that negotiations must also be assertive," Zoey said. "If we can't come to an agreement, then we have to resort to fists."
William chuckled, what did she mean by 'if we can't come to an agreement, then we have to resort to fists'?
Just omit the first half of that sentence about 'if we can't come to an agreement.' You only know how to solve problems with fists,don't you!
Exiting the elevator, Zoey quickly knocked down a group of security guards.
Finally, they came face to face with Evelyn.
Evelyn was dressed simply. She disregarded her groaning subordinates on the ground and glanced indifferently at William and his party, saying, "Come with me."
Zoey said to William, "You talk first."
William understood her meaning; it was the same as her earlier statement:if we can't come to an agreement, then we have to resort to fists.
However, Evelyn's strength had grown incredibly. In such a short time, she had completely integrated William's drop of blood into herself, elevating her to the pinnacle of high-level Soulmancer, but the aura she emitted had undergone a drastic transformation.
William could even call her the strongest advanced Soulmancer of all time without exaggeration.
Zoey was strong, but she might not be a match for Evelyn anymore.
They followed Evelyn to her office.
Evelyn slowly sat in her chair and asked, "What brings you here?"
William was straightforward. He sent the file Zoey had given him directly to Evelyn via WhatsApp: "Take a look at this."
Evelyn opened the file and after merely glancing at it for three seconds, she casually tossed her phone onto the table and said coldly, "The 13th Bureau's analysis is correct. My primary goal is to become the wealthiest person in New York City. Then, using this as a base, influence the entire United States, even the world!"
"I abide by the rules of the Soulmancer community and will not misuse Soulmancer power domestically. However, my 'demigods' are not subject to these restrictions abroad." Evelyn smiled, "They create wealth overseas and then inject the funds into the domestic market. This is something you should be supporting."
Zoey seemed somewhat confused by Evelyn's words.
But William understood.
The Taylor family had once liquidated their global assets, and now Evelyn was using these vast funds to operate within a city. Even the Bell and Carter families would struggle to compete with her.
What was more terrifying was that she was letting those "demigods" create wealth overseas!
Laws and order abroad differed greatly from those at home, and these "demigods" were not business experts. Their so called wealth creation more closely resembled strong-arming and plunder.
The funds they obtained through forceful means were undoubtedly substantial. With such financial backing, which businessman in the world could compete with Evelyn?
More importantly, many domestic tycoons and international corporations had business dealings overseas. Evelyn could easily use the power of these "demigods" to influence these wealthy businessmen abroad.
lthough she pledged not to use the power of a Soulmancer domestically, her methods have already surpassed the control and jurisdiction capabilities of the number of personnel in the 13th Bureau.
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