Chapter 217: The Inspection

April 27th, 2027.

Michael visited the site of the Golden Topper, the skyscraper building office that he had commissioned to serve as the main office of his corporation. The construction started around February 2026. The agreement was that the skyscraper must be completed within 10 months because he paid extra for the expedited process.

However, looking out from his window of the Toyota Alphard, he could see that the construction wasn't finished as there was still construction equipment, heavy machinery, and workers buzzing around the site. Frustration began to simmer as he observed the incomplete structure against the backdrop of a bustling cityscape.

The vehicle came to a halt, and Michael stepped out, his gaze fixed on the towering skeleton of the Golden Topper.

The project manager, clad in a hard hat and a reflective vest, approached him with a wary expression.

"Mr. Reyes, we were expecting you later in the afternoon," the project manager said, extending a hand, which Michael briefly shook.

"Why isn't the building finished?" Michael asked bluntly, cutting to the chase, and not even minding to shake his hand.

"Sir, we've encountered multiple challenges," the project manager began, hesitantly.

"Honestly, I don't want to hear from you. Where is Mr. Chow? I believe he is here."

"Mr. Chow is at a meeting with subcontractors across the site to address the electrical and plumbing systems, but he should be back shortly," the project manager replied, sensing Michael's growing impatience.

"I don't care. Get him on the phone now," Michael demanded sternly, his voice echoing slightly in the vast, unfinished lobby. He watched as the project manager hurriedly pulled out his phone to comply.

Moments later, Mr. Chow arrived breathlessly at the site. His expression was one of concern as he approached Michael, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Mr. Reyes, I apologize for the delay. We're doing everything we can to speed up completion," Mr. Chow started, trying to placate the situation.

Michael cut him off sharply, "I was promised a ten-month completion. We're well past that. What's the exact problem? And don't give me vague excuses about weather and supply issues."

Mr. Chow, now fully aware of the severity of the situation, explained, "The main issues are with the custom glass panels for the facade. There was a flaw in the batch we received, compromising the building's aesthetic and safety standards. We had to reorder and await the new shipment, which has just arrived."

"And why wasn't I informed about this immediately?" Michael's voice raised slightly, drawing the attention of some nearby workers.

"We hoped to resolve it quickly and minimize delays, but unfortunately, it set us back more than anticipated," Mr. Chow admitted.

Michael paced briefly, then stopped, fixing his gaze back on Mr. Chow. "This is your responsibility. I expect daily updates from you directly, not through anyone else. If there's another delay, even a minor one, I want to know immediately."

Michael gave a curt nod, signaling the end of their conversation. He turned and walked back to his Toyota Alphard and Brian there just watched him hopped aboard and his vehicle drove away from the construction site.

The tension from the meeting still hung heavily in the air as Brian stood watching the car disappear into the distance.

Turning around to head back to his temporary on-site office, Brian was approached by his assistant, a young woman with a concerned look etched on her face.

"Mr. Chow, what should we do now?" she asked anxiously.

Brian exhaled deeply. "We need to convene an emergency meeting with the board and our key subcontractors," he said decisively. "Gather everyone in the conference room in 20 minutes."

The assistant nodded as she pulled out her phone to start making calls. "I'll inform everyone immediately."

***

Five hours later.

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was tense as subcontractors and board members gathered, awaiting Brian's arrival. The room buzzed with low conversations about the day's confrontation and the serious tone of Michael's demands.

When Brian entered, the room fell silent. He quickly outlined the situation, detailing Michael's visit, his dissatisfaction with the progress, and his demands for compensation.

"We have to assess our current resource allocation, identify any possible efficiencies, and perhaps even renegotiate some terms with our suppliers. Most importantly, we need to develop a plan that convincingly outlines how we intend to accelerate the project while maintaining the high standards expected," Brian directed the group.

The finance director spoke up, "We'll need to crunch some numbers on the cost implications of waiving the expedited fee and reducing the final payment. We have to balance this with the potential penalties for further delays."

The head of construction added, "I'll coordinate with the teams on the ground to push for maximum efficiency. We might also need to bring in additional crews or work in shifts around the clock."

Brian nodded, appreciating the proactive responses. "We also need to enhance our communication with Mr. Reyes. He's made it clear he wants updates directly from me, so let's ensure there's a daily report ready that I can review and forward to him."

The meeting continued with each department head discussing their specific action items. Plans were made, schedules were adjusted, and everyone understood the gravity of meeting the new timelines.

"That would be all, thank you for attending the meeting," Brian concluded. "We have our directions, let's move forward with urgency. Remember, the credibility and future of our company could depend on how we handle this situation."

As the meeting room emptied, Brian stayed behind, sifting through the action items and ensuring everything was set for an immediate start. He knew that effective management and constant oversight were crucial now more than ever. The next two months would not only test the capabilities of his team but also define his leadership during one of the most challenging projects of his career.

Resolved to turn the situation around, Brian left the conference room and started working.