The next morning, the team gathered in the conference room, the air tingling with anticipation. Daniel, the North American Real Estate Director, stood up, shoulders squared, eyes steady. He inhaled slowly, letting the weight of his words settle in his chest before he began.
"We've identified three promising real estate projects through our network of partner banks, industry insiders, and on-the-ground research," he said, his voice calm but firm. "They're located in Cedar City, Lowe City, and Cran Town."
He paused, and with a swift click, the Cedar City project lit up on the screen behind him. The image of glossy skyscrapers shone with a future that seemed just out of reach.
"Cedar City," he continued, pointing at the map, "right in the heart of the commercial district. It's a prime spot — highway on one side, metro hub on the other, and just a short walk to the tech park."
The slide shifted, revealing a sleek rendering of two colossal towers piercing the sky.
"Fifty stories each," Daniel said, his eyes glinting with ambition. "A mix of high-end offices, retail spaces, and luxury apartments. Total area: 250,000 square meters."
He leaned in, his voice dropping a note lower, carrying the weight of the opportunity — and the risk.
"The AI boom is fueling this city. Startups, research labs, innovation hubs — they're all flocking here. Demand for office space is set to jump 30% in the next five years. This place isn't just growing; it's transforming. Investors are watching. If we get this right, it won't just be a project — it'll be a landmark."
But the light in his eyes flickered as he swiped to the next slide. The words "Risks and Challenges" loomed like storm clouds.
"Global supply chains are a mess," he admitted. "Steel, cement — prices are swinging wildly thanks to the wars in Ukraine and Syria. Delays are a real threat."
He hesitated, a shadow crossing his face.
"Then there's the local government. The environmental regulations are… unforgiving. Permits are slow, the community is restless. And labor?" He shook his head. "Wages are rising faster than scaffolding."
The room held its breath. Daniel's jaw tightened.
"But," he pushed on, "if we move fast — if we get the permits before everything tightens — we're looking at a 25% annualized return. That's if everything falls into place."
As he spoke, Astra's fingers grazed the edge of her notebook, her eyes half-lidded. In her mind, two vivid scenes unfurled like visions from a dream.
The first was a shimmering skyline, towers reflecting the dawn, streets alive with the pulse of innovation. A bustling hive of success, of coffee-fueled mornings and deal-closing evenings. The scent of triumph in the air, rich and intoxicating.
But the second was darker — a construction graveyard, dust and rust choking the promise of what could have been. Supplies stranded at distant ports, workers abandoning the site, and Daniel's figure standing amid the wreckage, shoulders hunched under the weight of defeat.
Her gaze sharpened as she let her mind drift, a delicate thread of energy brushing against Daniel's thoughts. The tension there was palpable — a desperate whisper of survival.
"If this project fails, I'm done. They hinted at a 'special thank you'… Should I take it? Risk everything?"
Astra's brow furrowed in thought. Based on Daniel's mien — the subtle lines of his face, the energy flowing from his features — she could tell he wasn't a man consumed by greed. No, there was no trace of avarice etched into his presence. This was someone who thrived beyond the confines of his professional life. As she delved into the threads of the Akashic Records, visions unfolded: Daniel's deft hands guiding a paintbrush, his work displayed with quiet acclaim; the adrenaline rush of racing, tires gripping the track, bringing not just thrills but wealth.
Clearly, money wasn't his concern.
So why was he now teetering on such a dangerous edge? What force drove him to risk so much?
Just as Astra extended her awareness to dig deeper, a flash of blinding light snapped into place — a barrier woven of energies she couldn't breach. Her access was cut off, the secrets locked beyond her reach, for now.
She blinked, her eyes darting to Jiang Ting. His gaze was a blade, sharp and precise, slicing through Daniel's presentation with an insight that left nothing hidden. His lips curled, not quite a smile, not quite a frown. Controlled. Calculated.
Every movement of his was deliberate, Astra thought, a strange ache tightening in her chest. A masterpiece of cold elegance. A fleeting thought flickered — did someone already share his world, someone as perfectly poised? The notion curled around her heart, bitter and unwelcome.
Before she could spiral further, Milano Li, the Head of Forex, drew a steady breath and took the floor.
"We've locked onto two multinational giants for forex investments," he said, voice steady, eyes unwavering. "They're solid bets. The first — Haina Holdings International — dominates global logistics. Eighty percent of their business is settled in USD. Cash flow strong, profits steady. But…"
A shadow of doubt flickered in his eyes.
"…their growth is slowing. The gears aren't turning quite as fast anymore."
The room's energy shifted, a pulse of possibility and peril threading through the air.
Astra's fingers tightened around her pen. Every word, every glance, every breath in this room was a gamble. And somewhere, beneath the layers of logic and ambition, the truth simmered — raw, unspoken, and dangerously alive.