Chapter 147: Sealed

February 20th, 2026.

Michael was in the conference room with Bridget, Juliet, and Antoneitte. And on the projector board was the face of Brian Chow.

"Mr. Chow, the new faces you see on your screen are the investors of my company. And on behalf of them, I'd like to announce that we are interested in going forward with the plan to commission the construction of the new SolaraTech headquarters as we discussed."

Brian Chow's face on the screen brightened with enthusiasm. "That's fantastic news, Mr. Reyes! I am thrilled that you and your investors are ready to embark on this journey with us. We are fully committed to creating a building that not only meets but exceeds SolaraTech's needs and expectations."

"Then, walk me through the process from step 1 to the final step, how is it going to be built?"

Brian Chow leaned in. "Very well, Mr. Reyes. "Using the design already agreed upon, we move to the pre-construction phase. This involves securing all necessary permits and approvals from the local authorities, finalizing the budget, and establishing a detailed construction timeline. Coordination with local agencies is crucial to ensure compliance with all regulations."

The construction phase is where the actual building process begins. My firm, a leading construction company in China, specializes in high-rise construction. We use the latest technology and materials to ensure efficiency and quality. Advanced construction methods like modular construction and prefabrication will be employed to streamline the process and minimize on-site risks.

Throughout the construction, continuous monitoring and quality control are paramount to adhere to the planned specifications and timelines. We implement rigorous safety protocols and conduct regular audits to ensure the project progresses as planned.

After the construction is completed, we enter the post-construction phase, which includes thorough inspections, interior finishing, and the installation of technological systems. This phase ensures the building is fully operational and meets all operational needs."

Michael absorbed all those words and then asked. "How long would it take? If it's going to take long, can it be rushed? Because I want to have that building completed as soon as possible while still meeting the quality standards we need."

"Typically, a project of this scale would take around 18 to 24 months to complete. However, given the need for expedited completion, we can aim to finish the construction within ten months. This accelerated timeline would require a significant increase in manpower, round-the-clock construction activities, and the use of advanced building techniques to ensure we don't compromise on quality."

"But you must be aware, that accelerating the construction process will incur additional costs. We're looking at an approximate increase of 20% on the initial budget estimate, which would bring the total investment to around 600 million dollars."

Michael considered this, his gaze shifting between the investors present. "Hold on a moment, I'll put you on mute or have a brief discussion with my team."

Michael muted the microphone and turned to Bridget, Juliet, and Antoneitte.

But once it's ready, please review it carefully."

Brian continued, "The contract will detail everything from the construction phases to payment schedules, and from liability clauses to the delivery date. We want to make sure everything is transparent and agreed upon to avoid any misunderstandings later."

"Perfect," Michael acknowledged. "I'll be on the lookout for that email, and we'll review it thoroughly. Once we're all set, we can start immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Reyes," Brian said. "And once we receive your signed contract, we'll initiate the project officially. Our team is already prepared to start the groundwork as soon as we get the green light from you."

"Excellent," Michael replied. "I appreciate your efficiency, Mr. Chow. We're looking forward to a successful partnership."

With that, the meeting concluded.

***

Three days later, the date was February 23rd, 2026. Michael was at his desk, going through his daily emails when he received the anticipated message from Brian Chow.

The subject line read, "SolaraTech Headquarters Construction Agreement - Accelerated Timeline." He opened the email and found the attached contract, a comprehensive document detailing every aspect of the construction project for the new SolaraTech headquarters.

The contract covered the scope of work, from the architectural design to the final touches of the interior. It specified the use of advanced construction methodologies that Brian had mentioned, which would allow for the accelerated completion timeline. Payment schedules were laid out clearly, with milestones and corresponding financial commitments.

Legal obligations, including liability and insurance requirements, were also meticulously detailed to ensure both parties were adequately protected.

Of course, Michael knew better than to sign a contract that hadn't been vetted by their legal team, so he called Juliet and ordered her to bring the contract to their legal department for a thorough review.

"Juliet, I need our legal team to go over this with a fine-tooth comb. We can't afford any surprises down the line," he instructed, forwarding the email to her.

The vetting took a week to complete, and when the legal team gave the all-clear, confirming that the contract was sound and in SolaraTech's best interests, Michael signed the contract.