542: Chapter 537 I hate it when people touch my things

It was the deep-rooted arrogance and desire for control inherent in a century-old family.

Arthur Vance's lips pressed into a straight line.

He had anticipated this scene.

But he had still underestimated the family's tyranny.

Just then,

The main screen in the conference room suddenly lit up.

A video call request popped up.

The name of the initiator made everyone freeze for a moment.

Shen Yan.

Desmond frowned.

He certainly knew that name.

That young man who had recently become famous in Country H with ruthless methods.

"Put it through," Desmond signaled the secretary.

He wanted to see what tricks this person from Country H was trying to pull.

The video connected.

Shen Yan's face appeared on the screen.

He was sitting in a bright office, with a clean floor-to-ceiling window as the background, showing an unfamiliar city skyline outside.

He didn't look at Desmond; his gaze landed directly on Arthur.

"Arthur, have all the procedures been completed?"

His tone suggested he was asking about the most ordinary small matter.

"They are being processed," Arthur replied.

"Mmm."

Shen Yan nodded.

Then, his gaze slowly shifted to the main seat at the conference table, landing on Desmond's face.

"Mr. Desmond, hello."

"Mr. Shen," Desmond responded with a forced smile.

"I wonder what guidance Mr. Shen has for suddenly connecting to our Board of Directors?"

"Guidance is hardly the word," Shen Yan's tone was light.

"I am just here to confirm one thing."

"Mr. Arthur Vance, and his laboratory, are my people starting today."

He uttered the words "my people" casually, yet they carried an unquestionable declaration.

Desmond's pupils contracted sharply.

The other directors in the conference room also changed their expressions.

"Mr. Shen, what is the meaning of this?" Desmond's voice turned cold.

"It doesn't seem to be the place of an outsider to meddle in the internal affairs of our Vance family, does it?"

"Internal affairs?" Shen Yan's lips seemed to curve into an almost imperceptible arc.

"When you attempt to use the Group's resources to stifle an independent legal entity, it ceases to be an internal affair."

"This is commercial bullying."

"And I hate it the most when others touch my things."

Shen Yan leaned back in his chair, his hands folded on the table in front of him.

"Mr. Desmond just said he would ensure no supplier in Country M dares to provide for 'Dawn'."

"Coincidentally,"

"The world's largest superconducting material supplier, 'Ring Matrix,' was wholly acquired by one of my foundations last month."

"The first batch of equipment custom-made for the 'Dawn' laboratory has already been shipped from the port of Zurich last night."

Desmond's expression instantly changed.

"You also said no venture capital firm would dare to follow up on the investment."

"Kevin Hossen's ten million was just the angel round."

"I have already persuaded Guojin Capital to prepare a total of four billion for the Series A financing."

"As long as Mr. Arthur can walk out of this building successfully today, the financing agreement will be signed tomorrow morning."

A sound of sharp intakes of breath echoed in the conference room.

Four billion!

This figure far exceeded the scope of a 'hobby' project.

Fine beads of sweat began to emerge on Desmond's forehead.

He realized that the industry blockade he prided himself on was like a joke in front of this person.

The other party hadn't intended to play by the rules of the Country M table.

He had simply flipped the table and set up his own game.

"Finally," Shen Yan's voice was like the final judgment.

"I know you are preparing to use a non-compete agreement to restrict Arthur."

"My legal team has studied it."

"The scope of application for that agreement is limited only to the 'Energy and Heavy Industry' sector."

"The Quantum Chip belongs to cutting-edge technology."

"Legally, it has nothing to do with the main business of your Vance Group."

"If you insist on suing, my team of lawyers will be happy to accompany you."

"However..." Shen Yan paused.

"The reporters from 'Wall Street Prism' seem very interested in stories about 'Century-old Elite Suppressing Young Genius and Obstructing Technological Progress.'"

"I imagine the stock price of the Vance Group probably cannot withstand such negative news, right?"

When the words fell,

The entire conference room fell silent.

Desmond's face turned from blue to white, and then from white to red.

He was like a wild beast trapped in a cage—furious, yet utterly powerless.

Every move Shen Yan made was calculated flawlessly.

Law, capital, public opinion.

He had blocked every possible path.

Only two paths remained for the Vance Group.

One was to tear off the facade, fight until both sides were ruined, and ultimately become the laughingstock of the entire financial circle.

The other was to let go gracefully, treating it as shedding a burden.

Desmond slumped back in his chair.

He knew he had lost.

He had lost completely.

He hadn't even seen his opponent's face.

Shen Yan stopped looking at him.

His gaze returned to Arthur.

"I'll wait for you in Country H."

After saying that, the video call was abruptly cut off.

The screen went dark.

As if the man who had just masterfully orchestrated everything had never appeared.

Arthur straightened up and gathered his belongings.

He didn't look at anyone else in the conference room again.

He walked straight toward the door.

This time, no one dared to stop him.

When he pushed open that heavy oak door and stepped out into the sunlight,

He felt as if he had truly learned how to breathe for the first time.

Three days later.

Country H, Metropolis.

Company Headquarters Building.

In the top-floor President's Office,

Shen Yan stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching a taxi pull up below.

Arthur Vance got out of the car.

He wore a simple backpack and a plaid shirt, with a hint of curiosity and restraint about the new environment on his face.

He looked up at the futuristic skyscraper,

Like a devotee coming to pay homage.

The office door was knocked.

"Come in," Shen Yan said.

Chen Guangke pushed the door open.

"Yan Zi, the person has arrived."

"Mmm," Shen Yan turned around.

"Take him to meet Xia Xue and the others."

"As for the lab, tell him that everything he requested has been added, and the equipment is already on its way."

"Got it!" Chen Guangke grinned.

"I find this kid quite likable. He has that air of a bookworm, much better than those slick, polished guys."

Shen Yan said nothing.

A moment later, Wu Ya also walked in and handed over a document.

"Boss, Ms. Evelyn Reed's entry procedures are complete. She is expected to arrive tomorrow."

"Ben Carter and Leo Chen's visas have also been approved. They can report next week."

"Understood." Shen Yan took the document and began to review it.

Wu Ya remained where she was, not leaving immediately.

She looked at Shen Yan's profile, her eyes somewhat complex.

In just a few short days,

He had managed to poach an entire core team of cutting-edge technology from a world-class century-old family, completely unscathed.

Where did this man's limits lie?