People begun to whisper, Gold Country was about to hand total military control to Archman Group, this was a very big event.
People expected at least one of the great nations to make an appearance since this was such a major event.
Besides, the great nations should have opposed this agreement. The great nations weren't fans of private people owning too much power, especially military power.
But strangely, there wasn't a single sign of them, what was going on?
"Wow, Archman Group is actually soo powerful that, even the great nations don't dare to interfere with their business.
This was the Hallmark of ultimate power!" The crowd begun to discuss passionately.
On the other hand, the table made up of upper class families were of a different opinion.
Three families stood at the peak of power in the Gold Country, they were the Revenwoods, Sterlings and Hawthorns
This families stood above first class families and had a lot of influence in the Gold Country.
If Archman Group did not exist, they would have probably ruled the country.
In today's gathering all the family heads of the three powerful families were in attendance as they sat on the upper class seats.
Many people surrounded them, as they showered then with praises, they might not be as powerful as Archman Group, but that was only when you compared them against Archman Group.
Besides they were more easier to build relationships with than Luke.
"Ignorance is indeed bliss!" Richard Revenwood, the family head of the Revenwood said with a snicker.
Jerry Sterling and Mark Hawthorne all snickered along with Richard.
The three powerful men totally ignored everyone around them and began discussing on their own.
Richard Revenwood suddenly got up from his seat and raised his glass towards Luke,
Everyone in the hall held their breathes as they waited for Richard to speak. The three families were the top dogs until Luke's, Archman Group overthrew them and thwarted their power growth.
These two could be considered rivals, so of course everyone awaited the fated battle.
"A toast to you, Chairman Archman. I would like to congratulate you on amassing more power,
Though I must admit that I feel a bit salty because, I've just learned I was beaten by a teenager, but that's life.
Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose.
So cheers!" Richard emptied his wine glass after the speech.
Luke gave him a glance before ignoring him, but Richard wasn't done.
"Young chairman, if you would permit me, I would like to add something!" Richard said.
Luke casually nodded.
"Do you know the difference between a winner and loser?
The difference between both, is that a winner wins the game whiles the loser simply loses"
Luke raised an eyebrow, Richard hadn't really said anything, but then Richard continued.
"In our case, the loser is yet to be determined because I've not yet lost, I'm just playing the long game.
In the long game, those who last long, are the true winners!" Richard said in a confident voice.
Everyone was buzzing, the hype for this confrontation wasn't for nothing. Coming into this banquet, people expected this from the titans, and it was indeed leading up to their expectations.
Luke couldn't help but chuckle, "I know where your confidence is coming from, but believe me, I know how to play the long game more than anyone on this planet" Luke responded in a calm voice.
Though the voice used was calm, the confidence within those words were infectious.
Unbeknownst to them, Luke wasn't even joking or being figurative with his words. He truly meant it.
He was literally from a race of people who surpassed humans by more than a mile, he was basically immortal, so he knew a thing or two about long games,
he was was going to live longer than everyone in the hall, including Beatrice.
Thinking about it, a sense of fear overcame him as he looked at Beatrice. He couldn't help but grab her hand tightly.
"Very well then, we shall live to see!" Richard said as he took his seat.
The upper class families couldn't help but feel like something was amiss. The dialogue between the two sounded very strange, almost as if something major was about to happen.
Shawn and Linda were seated along with the Anderson family.
"Shawn, I've heard you've partnered up with Archman Group, is this news true?" Mr Anderson asked.
"Yes, father it's true. I indeed have a partnership with Archman Group, and didn't do it alone, my wife helped me, infact we did it together" Shawn said proudly as he held Linda's hand.
Linda couldn't help but return a smile, ever since their saga at the Crystal Palace, their relationship had developed more strongly.
"Break of the partnership with them, and cancel all contacts with them too!" Mr Anderson said emotionlessly.
The smile on the couples immediately disappears after hearing Mr Andersons command.
"But father.... Why?" Shawn asked in a shaky voice.
"You don't have to know the reason, all you need to know it's that it's for your own good!" Mr Anderson replied.
"For my own good?" Shawn laughed out loudly.
"Father I appreciate your concern, but I you shouldn't worry about me. I and my wife can take care of ourselves, and don't need your protection.
"Shawn!!" Mr Anderson said in a deep voice, "When did you begin to disobey my commands!?" He asked coldly.
"Father I've always followed your orders and commands since I could remember anything, You've controlled my life until this age, but now I think it's about time I stepped out of your shadows and learn to spread my wings.
I refuse to stay in your shadows, I want to carve a place for myself in this world, can you support me for once!
"Stop being foolish and naive, the world isn't all rainbows as you think, you should thank your stars that you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth.
Carve a place for yourself? Your place is as my successor, and until then you'll have to continue to stay under my shadows!" Mr Anderson said in a harsh tone.
At this point, everyone attention had been drawn towards their table.
"But I don't want to stay under your shadows and control anymore!" Shawn said defiantly.
He couldn't believe this was truly his father,
"If that's what you want, then you'll have to do it under a different Surname and identity, do you understand what I mean?" Mr Anderson asked.
He was literally threatening to diswon him, he would lose his status as a successor of the Anderson family.
Shawn looked at Linda and gritted his teeth, "Then so be it then!"
Mr Anderson was shocked, he couldn't believe his ears. Shawn has always wanted to be the heir of the Anderson family, but now he was ready to throw that ambition away without a second thought.
"It's you isn't it?" Mr Anderson glanced fiercely at Linda.
"Father this has nothing to do with anyone, this is between you and I!" Shawn defended Linda.
Very well then, have it your way, I don't ever want to see you at the estate. Mr Anderson said as he furiously got off the table and left.
His wife couldn't help but smile at their son before getting up to follow her husband, she was in support of her son, this was why she had remained silent through out the ordeal between father and son.
Luke who has seen and heard everything couldn't help but praises Shawn, "That boy has got guts!" Many people agreed with the statements.
Mr Richard couldn't help but muter, "Foolish boy!" He was clearly referring to Shawn.
The banquet proceeded smoothly,
It was time to finally sign the agreement between Archman Group and Gold Country, President Selena was the first person to assent her signature on the agreement.
All eyes where on this historical event, that would conclude the agreement.
Just as Luke pen touched the paper, the gates to the banquet hall was pushed open loudly drawing everyone's attention.
A sexy looking woman with a black stripeless top, with white pants, wearing sunglasses walked into the venue followed by several bodyguards.
All the men who saw her couldn't help but drool, at her sexy body, every movement of hers seemed to carry an inexplicable charm, even the women became charmed by her.
This woman qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other goddesses, but the only question remaining was, Who was she?
The upper class family heads on the other hand, couldn't help but frown upon seeing her.
Only the heads of the Revenwoods, Sterlings and Hawthorns were smiling mysteriously.
"Now the game begins!" Richard said with a chuckle!
"Father, whose that?" A yoon asked his father. "Father, who's she?
"She's..... She's the 'Merchant Of The Death!"
John appeared behind Luke, "I tried to stop her, but she seems to be a representative of the Great Nation" he silently informed Luke.
Luke raised an eyebrow, as he gazed at the sexy woman approaching him.
"Mr Chairman, How about we have a one on one talk before you sign that agreement" The sexy woman said smiling in a seductive voice.