Chapter 130: Chapter 130
A short while later, Wil arrived at Aster Core’s office.
The office had changed since the early days.
There were more files and phones on the desks now. The place finally looked like a small company.
Kenji was standing near the inner office when Wil entered. Senju was there too.
Kiri stood beside the table with a few papers in his hand.
Sera and Davin were also inside the office. Both of them looked tense. The moment they saw Wil, their faces changed.
Kenji looked almost relieved.
"Wil," he said.
Senju’s shoulders loosened a little. Kiri also looked relieved.
Adam saw all of them through Wil’s face. He noticed the new people.
’They hired more staff.’ Adam thought.
That was a good thing. It meant Aster Core was growing properly.
Adam was not in a mood to feel happy about it.
His face looked calm. Inside, his anger was already hot.
He walked straight past the front room.
"Inside," he said.
No one argued.
Kenji followed him into the inner office. Senju and Kiri came behind him. Davin also came in after a short hesitation because the matter included the meetings he had handled.
Sera stayed outside to watch the front desk.
Adam shut the inner office door.
The moment the door closed, he turned around.
"Why did you tell me this so late?" he asked.
His voice was not loud, and that made Kenji freeze.
He had seen Wil serious before. He had never seen him angry like this.
Kenji stepped forward at once.
"It was my fault," he said.
Adam looked at him.
Kenji did not move back.
"I stopped them," Kenji said. "Senju wanted to tell you earlier. I said we should handle it first."
Adam’s jaw tightened.
For a second, the anger rose again.
’After this much happened, they are telling me now?’ Adam thought. ’If they had told me earlier, I could have moved earlier.’
His hand closed slowly.
Then another thought hit him.
’No.’ Adam thought. ’This is fear. I am angry because John moved while I was away.’
His breathing slowed a little.
Even if they had told him earlier, how much could he really have done from another country?
Government pressure was different.
’John involved his father.’ Adam thought.
That thought made his eyes colder.
In the future, Adam had learned enough about John’s father. Victor Gray loved his son too much. If John pointed at someone, Victor would not ask many questions.
’If Aster Core is in Victor’s sight now, the pressure will not stop easily.’ Adam thought.
Adam looked at Kenji again.
He pulled a chair back and sat down.
"Fine," Adam said. "Tell me everything properly."
Kenji let out a slow breath.
He sat across from him and opened the file.
"Four new meetings were arranged," Kenji said.
Adam looked at him without speaking.
Kenji continued, "Two companies refused directly. They said they do not want to deal with us right now."
Davin stepped forward slightly.
"The other two canceled before the meeting," he said.
Adam looked at him.
Davin swallowed once, then continued.
"And from their tone, sir, it does not look like only those two are backing away."
Adam’s eyes sharpened.
Davin spoke more carefully now.
"The people I spoke with were hesitant. Not normal hesitant. More like they were told not to get close to us."
Adam stayed silent.
’Someone pressured them from outside.’ Adam thought. ’They were warned not to deal with Aster Core.’
Four meetings falling at once was not fear. It was pressure.
Senju opened another file.
She did not want to speak at first. Adam had already been carrying too much. Hiding it now would be worse.
"There is more," Senju said.
Adam turned toward her.
Senju placed the papers on the table.
"We also received three notices from government agencies."
The room became heavier.
Adam looked at the papers. He did not touch them at once. His eyes stayed on the top page.
"Three?" he asked.
Senju nodded.
"One notice is about market manipulation," she said. "One is about tax. The last one is about supply transactions."
Adam slowly picked up the first paper.
He read a few lines. His expression did not change. Inside, his worry became sharper.
’I can handle private players,’ Adam thought. ’Government agencies are not that simple.’
He placed the paper back on the table.
Then he stood up.
"Listen carefully," he said.
Everyone looked at him.
"Cancel every meeting for now."
Kenji blinked. "Every meeting?"
"For one or two days," Adam said. "Do not set new meetings or chase the companies."
Davin nodded quickly.
Adam looked at Kenji and Senju.
"Your only work right now is the government side," he said. "Handle every paper and every response from them. Keep your focus there."
Senju nodded.
Adam continued, "The private side is mine."
Kiri looked at him.
Adam’s voice stayed calm now.
"The companies backing away from us are my problem now."
Kenji looked worried.
"Can we keep orders running?" he asked.
Adam looked at him.
"Your orders will not stop," he said.
The words were simple. They landed heavily in the room.
For the first time since Wil had arrived, Kenji’s face loosened a little.
Adam picked up the government papers once more and looked at them.
"For the government side, give me time," he said. "I will think."
Adam placed the papers down.
"For now, handle the notices. I will fix the private pressure first."
He turned toward the door.
Kenji stood up and said, "Wil..."
Adam stopped without turning fully.
Kenji lowered his head slightly.
"I should have told you earlier," he said.
Adam stayed silent for a moment.
Then he said, "Next time, tell me before the fire reaches the door."
Kenji nodded.
Adam opened the door and walked out of the inner office.
The front room became quiet as he passed through it.
Sera stood from her desk. Adam only gave a small nod and continued walking.
He stepped outside the office and moved toward the side of the building.
Adam took out his phone.
There were many things he could not touch yet.
The private pressure could be answered.
Adam opened the contact list.
His thumb stopped on one name.
Gonda.
Adam pressed call.
