Upon hearing the counterpart's self-introduction, Chelsea couldn't help but draw a deep breath, taking quite some time to suppress her emotions.
Evidently, the last encounter mentioned by the counterpart was on the day when the chip was hijacked. And the individual who obliterated communications after seizing the chip is indeed Mr. Jonas Weyting.
Seemingly oblivious to Chelsea's emotions, Jonas continued speaking: "Although somewhat unexpected, I must express gratitude to Miss Chelsea for the gift she sent me a few days ago..."
—A gift...?
Chelsea was momentarily puzzled, then immediately grasped the meaning behind the counterpart's words. Suppressing her anger, she inquired, "What have you done to her?"
The counterpart reached her through Shi Yuliang's private communication link, and Shi Yuliang's current predicament can be easily surmised.
"Miss Shi Yuliang is presently well... you may rest assured," Jonas stated, pausing briefly before continuing: "Of course, for personal reasons, I may need to retain her with me for a period."
Upon hearing this, Chelsea could hardly ignore that Shi Yuliang had become one of the counterpart's pawns.
"You must contemplate your actions carefully; they are akin to playing with fire," Chelsea's tone carried a hint of menace, but unfortunately, Jonas was unmoved: "I am fully cognizant of my current actions."
Seemingly completely unconcerned with Chelsea's threats, Jonas's tone bore a hint of irony: "Perhaps it's you, Miss Chelsea, who hasn't truly comprehended the situation."
With those words, Chelsea couldn't help but clench her fists, then slowly released them.
Though begrudgingly, she had to acknowledge that the initiative was now firmly in the counterpart's hands.
Employing tactics beyond the negotiation table was originally her forte.
In situations where the identities of both parties were unequal, such tactics were unfailingly advantageous.
However, this time, facing an opponent seemingly flawless, not only did he neutralize her onslaughts, but he also utilized her methods to ensnare her in a passive predicament.
She calmed her emotions slightly, endeavoring to shield her judgment from influence.
Chelsea clasped her hands together, gazing at the communication interface before her.
Subsequently, she switched from voice mode to video mode.
The screen flickered, and a man clad in a black shirt appeared before her.
"It appears Miss Chelsea has had a change of heart."
Seemingly somewhat surprised, Jonas lifted his head, his tone tinged with a trace of amusement, as he too gazed at the communication screen.
"What do you desire?"
Without a doubt, the counterpart sought to gain benefits from her, the sole means being through negotiation.
Continuing in this manner was detrimental to both parties... especially considering Jonas could afford to prolong it, yet the Nathan Corporation couldn't ignore such substantial losses.
The only reason Chelsea could fathom for Jonas's actions was to secure a substantial amount of credits from the Nathan Corporation through the chip.
However, Jonas's demand completely exceeded Chelsea's expectations.
Upon seeing Jonas fall silent for a moment, then speak: "I wish to collaborate with you, Miss Chelsea..."
He paused briefly before adding: "In the development cooperation of the Nathan II Tactical Chip."
"?"
A question mark appeared above Chelsea's head, and after a while, she seemed somewhat amused and said, "What makes you think you can collaborate with me?"
"Of course, you are free to disregard my collaboration request; the decision lies in your hands," Jonas chuckled, then continued: "Currently, collaboration with your side is the choice that maximizes the interests of both parties... but we also have alternatives."
Upon hearing this, Chelsea furrowed her brow.
Alternatives..?
To be honest, Chelsea's initial reaction was that the counterpart was bluffing. Any corporation daring to cooperate in researching these second-generation tactical chips with the Nathan Corporation would undoubtedly face comprehensive countermeasures from them. In comparison, the struggle between them and Jonas was child's play. Therefore, she couldn't imagine any corporation daring to collaborate on the research of the Nathan II Tactical Chip at present.
However, Jonas's next sentence shattered her assumptions outright.
"Perhaps Miss Chelsea believes that the chip's intelligence was stolen by an agent of the Weyting Corporation embedded within the Nathan Corporation, but that's not the case..."
"Our intelligence was acquired from the Levy Corporation."
With this statement, Chelsea's pupils contracted, then she heard Jonas continue: "Let me elucidate something Miss Chelsea may be unaware of. On the day when the Wolf Gang members were attacked, our operatives discovered a pre-placed ambush by the Pyro Gang in the Stert District... and the chip's intelligence was obtained from the hands of the Pyro Gang."
"Clearly, I am not the only one eyeing the Nathan Corporation's research achievements. The Levy Corporation is also eyeing the Nathan II Tactical Chip."
"If I were to share the stolen chip intelligence with the Levy Corporation, Miss Chelsea, how likely do you think the Levy Corporation would be to collaborate with me?"
As Jonas's words slowly emerged, Chelsea was no longer as composed as before.
Undoubtedly, Jonas's threat firmly grasped Chelsea's lifeline.
Perhaps Jonas handing the chip over to the Levy Corporation wouldn't yield significant benefits to him, but it would undoubtedly cause immense trouble for the Nathan Corporation.
She took a deep breath and said, "The research results cannot be shared with you, but once mass production research is completed, I can ensure that the Weyting Corporation can procure an unlimited quantity of Nathan II Tactical Chips through a sole channel."
"Agreed, but my researchers must participate in the collaborative project," Jonas said calmly. "I will provide three million credits to support the research project.."
Chelsea furrowed her brow, not because the counterpart's conditions were overly stringent... but because they were exceedingly reasonable.
The counterpart clearly held the upper hand, yet was now surrendering it to her.
What could be the reason for this..?
Chelsea couldn't quite decipher Jonas's intentions, and it was at this moment that she heard the counterpart add:
"Additionally, I have another request..."
Jonas paused, looked at Chelsea, and said:
"During the collaboration period, Shi Yuliang must remain at the Weyting Corporation to work for me as a condition."