Paul had already arrived in the European region and was currently reaching out to his circle of friends.
He even managed to bring back his former Chinese assistant.
No special reason—just out of habit.
Paul’s “recovery” amazed many of his friends. After some inquiries, they learned it was thanks to the mysterious Eastern medical techniques.
Truly extraordinary.
Paul had now gained a bit of weight, looked stronger, and his complexion had improved significantly.
Sitting in his temporary office, Paul browsed through online news and asked, “June 22nd? What kind of holiday is that?”
He knew that his current boss, Young Master Cao, was a man who valued ceremony and symbolism.
There was no way he’d pick a date at random.
Just like the spring product launch—it was held on a great day, and Paul still remembered that holiday: Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects)!
So,
this year’s June 22nd had to be another auspicious day.
The assistant replied, “It should be the Summer Solstice.”
Paul wore an expression of “I knew it,” proudly saying, “I just knew it was a good day. No wonder the boss picked it—it’s a great date! Summer Solstice—it sounds nice, and it’s a solar term… but, is there any special meaning behind it?”
The assistant rolled his eyes.
Seriously, you don’t know, but you want to flatter me for ages?
Still,
the assistant understood Paul’s bottom line: whoever he worked for, he’d fully commit and love the job!
Back when he was on the opposing side with Cao Cheng, he had used plenty of schemes and tricks.
Now that he had switched sides—well, defected and turned over a new leaf—of course he had to flatter and praise with all his might.
The assistant explained, “The Summer Solstice is the day with the longest daylight and the shortest night of the year. It symbolizes the victory of light and warmth.”
*Clap!*
Paul slapped his hands together, excited: “What a great meaning! Light and victory—fantastic, fantastic! No wonder the boss has such great people around him. No, maybe the boss himself is a great man.”
The assistant was speechless but also felt he had a lot to learn.
After all, Paul had been in the game for half his life and could still flatter with such passion—most people just couldn’t pull it off.
Like himself.
In his thirties, he was already quite steady and rarely flattered anyone. It always felt embarrassing.
That’s why the boss was the boss!
The assistant adjusted his mood and continued, “The Summer Solstice also represents the sun’s highest position in the sky, symbolizing the peak of vitality and energy.”
“Vitality!”
Paul took a deep breath, thrilled: “Vitality is great—stronger vitality is better! I’ve come close to death once; I know how important vitality is. No matter how much money you make, it’s useless if you don’t have life to spend it. No wonder the boss chose such an auspicious day.”
“…”
The assistant glanced sideways, trying to pump himself up: “Mr. Paul, you’re absolutely right. Vitality is the foundation of both a person and a company. With you here, the European region will surely thrive with tenacious vitality. Your brilliance will illuminate the entire West.”
“Ah~~” Paul was pleased but waved his hand modestly: “The boss is the real expert. We’re just… riding on his coattails. Yes, we’re just along for the ride.”
“Yes, yes,” the assistant nodded vigorously.
The two began to flatter each other.
They completely lost track of time.
Half an hour later, the assistant had sung the praises of the Summer Solstice to the skies.
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to keep flattering each other, but a guest had arrived.
Paul looked up at the old man who had come in.
He stood and greeted him in the local dialect.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, my friend!” Paul said, pulling him into an enthusiastic hug before turning to his assistant. “Go ahead, pour Mr. Fran a cup of American coffee—his favorite.”
“Thank you,” Fran smiled.
After the assistant served the coffee and left, the office door closed behind him.
Fran said, “Paul, it seems you have no intention of retiring, huh?”
Paul chuckled softly. “Not yet. You know me—I can’t sit still. Besides, I’m not ready to give up. You should understand how much I’ve sacrificed for Olay. But after I got sick, what did I get in return?”
Fran shook his head. “Your health can’t handle the strain anymore. It’s for your own good. It was the board’s decision.”
“To hell with ‘for my own good,’” Paul snapped, suddenly standing like a lion ready to pounce, his eyes blazing fiercely at Fran. “Listen, Fran, I had no choice before. But today, you don’t have one.”
Fran instinctively leaned back.
He wasn’t used to this new, assertive Paul.
And he felt the intense ‘killer instinct’ radiating off him.
Fran said, “You called me here in secret. What exactly do you want? Surely it’s not just to threaten me?”
Paul gave a cold, forced smile and spun the computer screen around.
“Take a good look before you answer.”
Fran stared at the screen for a few moments.
“The new product launch from Miracle Cosmetics—the new X Essence?” Fran frowned deeply. “Just a gimmick!”
Paul shook his head. “Whether it’s a gimmick or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that if it’s real, Olay will face utter ruin. You’ll lose every high-end, elite customer. Those damn consumers will choose with their feet—they won’t hesitate to buy Miracle Cosmetics’ products. Meanwhile, Olay and you can only cling on, gasping for breath, until you finally go bankrupt.”
“...”
Fran knew Paul was right.
Business is no place for loyalty.
Only profit lasts forever.
Especially consumers.
If Miracle Cosmetics’ news is true and they really have the X Essence, the tide will turn.
Before, Olay and companies like it blocked Miracle Cosmetics.
From now on, Miracle Cosmetics will do the same to Olay and other big players.
As for those consumers, sure, some may remain ‘loyal.’
But how many? And for how long?
Fran himself had no loyalty.
He was just a shareholder.
He was in it for the money.
If Olay was going to collapse, they’d bail out quickly before the fall, maybe even short the stock to kick Olay while it’s down.
That’s business.
...
Fran’s voice lowered. “So, what exactly do you want from me today? What’s your plan?”
Paul slowly sat back down on the sofa, lifting his coffee cup. He was in no hurry.
Fran raised his cup as well.
They each took a sip, then lit cigars, exhaling smoke in a cloud.
Two minutes passed in silence.
Finally, Paul spoke slowly, “I want to acquire Olay.”
“...”
Fran nearly dropped his cigar, his hand trembling as he looked at Paul in disbelief.
He couldn’t wrap his head around it.
Olay’s current situation isn’t looking good, even though last year’s and the first half of this year’s financial reports were impressive.
But everyone knows that after losing the essence of the X serum, if it’s not replenished promptly, the company will gradually weaken.
This year will be its last moment of glory.
And you want to acquire Olay now?
Besides, do you even have the money?
Paul noticed Fran’s doubt and smiled, raising his cigar:
“You should know that I’ve been in the East District for over a decade. I have many friends, an extensive network. I’m on good terms with General Manager Li, and also with Mr. Cao from Miracle Cosmetics.”
“As long as the X serum really exists, I can get my hands on it.”
“What?” Fran was shocked.
From what Paul said, it was clear he had confirmed that Miracle Cosmetics held the formula and the serum.
Paul continued, “But I don’t want to work for Olay anymore, Fran. I need your support, and I also need your help spreading unfavorable news about Olay internally. I want to seize the opportunity to acquire shares in Olay.”
“I want to kick out that damn group on the board.”
Fran pondered.
Weighing the pros and cons.
After a moment,
Fran looked at Paul suspiciously: “You’ve sided with Miracle Cosmetics?”
Paul gave a sarcastic smile, “I’ve sided with money. Who would go against money? Would you?”
Fran was left speechless.
Paul extended his hand, “I hope we have a pleasant cooperation.”
Fran sighed, “I need to think it over.”
“Of course.”
Paul didn’t retract his hand, holding it out as he said, “But I’ll be inviting Fernando soon. You won’t have much time to decide.”
Fran immediately reached out and shook Paul’s hand, “Pleasure working with you!”
“Hahaha, pleasure working with you.”
Within Olay Group, there were many factions, but no matter which one, it was essentially a family business.
The matriarch would leave the assets to her daughter, who was also the future Mrs. Olay.
So,
Paul’s only real opponent was the Bei family.
However, this seemingly lone widow’s family was backed by Tengchu Capital.
Of course,
Behind many global beauty empires, Tengchu Capital had its hand in the game.
……
Before they knew it, it was June 22nd.
The invitees were all competitors or wealthy businessmen. Although there was no formal capital verification, most of those invited were well-known names.
This was also the first time the Miracle Eco Park was opening its doors.
“??”
“Is this a business park?”
“What the hell is this… a palace?”
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Wasn’t this supposed to be a commercial eco-park?
Where were the factories?
The office buildings?
The conference halls?
The product exhibition centers?
Looking around, there were ornate beams and painted rafters, rockeries and fountains, courtyards and pavilions… Was this some kind of Grand View Garden?
You could easily mistake it for a restored imperial garden.
They sold you a plot of land for commercial use.
And you turned it into this mess?
Classic move, old Sixth.
But,
you have to admit, many of the wealthy businessmen immediately saw through it.
They cursed themselves for being so stupid.
The rule says you can’t build villas on commercial land.
Fine, I won’t build villas.
But damn it, can I build a landscaped palace instead? As long as I designate a large area inside for offices, that counts as commercial use, right?
Can’t everyone have a little leisure time after work?
Who says the company’s environment and conditions aren’t great?
Right?
Amazing!
The greenery here covers a vast area, and the air seems to carry a sweet, fragrant scent that instantly lifts the spirit.
Truly a wonderful place to live.
…
While everyone marveled at this garden-style commercial park, no one realized just how overwhelmingly many smart devices were hidden inside.
Young Master Cao had specially acquired a large batch of intelligent products.
While setting up the R&D department to study and further develop these products, the smart wiring was already being installed during the renovation.
Now, the entire park is dotted with cameras, drones, robots, robotic dogs…
All cleverly concealed.
With just one command from Young Master Cao, every smart system and device in the park can be activated.
This place is a fusion of the ancient and the modern.
The technology of the future will only grow more abundant and mysterious.
…
At exactly 8 p.m.,
the elegant garden venue dimmed its lights.
The chatter and small talk that had filled the exhibition hall instantly fell silent.
“Distinguished guests, esteemed CEOs, we’re delighted to welcome you here for a rendezvous with the timeless beauty of ancient-inspired cosmetics…”
The host on stage stepped forward with the sound of her voice.
Dressed in a long, embroidered cheongsam adorned with peonies, the woman’s smile was warm and approachable. Her voice was clear and melodious, gentle as a babbling brook flowing through the heart, naturally drawing everyone’s full attention.
An indescribable aura of Eastern beauty made many seasoned connoisseurs’ eyes light up.
And it wasn’t just the CEOs.
The livestream chat was flooding with messages.
“Is it lagging a bit?”
“Totally frozen…”
“I’m fine here—wow, this beauty… stunning! That cheongsam… perfect! Her aura… flawless! Those legs… incredible!”
“Wow~~~”
“Who is this actress? Never seen her before.”
“Such a gorgeous lady, it’s a shame she’s just hosting. So jealous of Young Master Cao’s every day—he’s truly lucky!”
“Yeah, really blessed.”
“??”
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
ive and Ruthless] Before his transmigration, Ye Xuan was playing a game called "Severing Emotions to Attain the Dao." The game's core wasn't about leveling up by fighting monsters, but about conquering various "bad women" with wicked personalities and cold, fickle natures. There was only one method to conquer them: stay unwaveringly by their side, then die at a critical moment, driving them to madness after losing the protagonist. The higher their level of regret, the higher the player's score. To dominate the server, Ye Xuan conquered all the bad women. In the early stages, he showered them with boundless tenderness, only to choose to sacrifice himself for them later, making them weep bitterly and drown in regret. Among them were: Xia Lengyue, the unfaithful immortal wife who chased after powerful men and discarded her husband like trash. Ye Qingcheng, the Demonic Venerable of the Joyous Union Sect, who appeared pure and innocent but was, in reality, promiscuous. Wu Lingxiao, the Empress of the Great Xia Dynasty, who lusted after men and loved maintaining a harem. Bai Qiangu of the Endless Demonic Sect: a bloodthirsty mass murderer. However, when the protagonist transmigrated into the game world, he made a horrifying discovery. Eight hundred years had already passed. The bad women he had conquered had now each become deities and revered ancestors. Faced with the endless stream of toxic women coming for him, Ye Xuan could only rely on his god-tier acting skills to carve a path of survival through this world of treacherous women.
ut it can buy an entire year of absolutely perfect training results! Su Yu stared at his empty wallet and decisively opened up various online loan platforms. “Borrow a thousand bucks! Recharge my vitality!” Boom! His vitality broke a hundred points, shattering the limits of the human body! “Borrow ten thousand bucks! Recharge my combat skills!” Boom! A basic punching technique so common it was everywhere instantly maxed out, revealing the ultimate assassination technique of Five Elements Unity—Inner Force! When a rich kid hired assassins for a midnight ambush, aiming to break both of his legs, they instead ran headfirst into a monster—a human-shaped tyrannosaur, brimming with dragon-like vitality. With just two fingers, Su Yu snapped a steel staff reinforced with alloy. Staring at the killer’s stash of stolen cash—a staggering quarter-million dollars—he showed a corporate-sincere smile: “Thanks for the pre-exam gift pack, Mr. Zhao! I’m gonna go re-invest this!” Three days later, at the National Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, while everyone else struggled just to reach the passing line, Su Yu threw a single punch—and more than a thousand vitality points literally detonated the entire arena!
ng to die together with you." Lin Xuan is dead, his body thrown into the river by his scumbag lover and her accomplice. She, the president of the Su Group, is decisive, ruthless, and ice-cold. For three days and three nights, she had his body fished out of the river, and without hesitation, she kissed the bloated corpse of Lin Xuan. She laid down beside him in a cold coffin, their fingers intertwined, a smile lingering on her lips as she closed her eyes. The noble and cold-hearted woman, only bending for one man—Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan, with his golden finger, is reborn and returns to the day of his wedding to the treacherous woman. Su Qiang comes to steal the bride. Lin Xuan's eyes light up, eager to pledge his loyalty on the spot, but instead, her kiss transfers a glass of drugged wine into his mouth, causing him to pass out... 【Male Protagonist with Single Female Lead】【Yandere Tycoon】【Action-Packed】【True vs. Fake Heir】
