143 143. “Revolutionizing Business: The Rise of Neo Humans”
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“Pha!”
The sound of a slap filled the room, followed by a crash as a man fell to the ground, shattering the glass table beneath him.
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“What is this? What’s happening around me? Can you explain why we are losing our assets on a daily basis?” The old man’s anger was palpable as he glared at the rows of lackeys standing before him, heads bowed in shame. One of the unfortunate few lay on the broken glass, the victim of his wrath.
“Why are you all so incompetent? Why am I wasting my support and resources on you if you can’t produce results?” His voice rose as he spoke, his fury made even greater by the lack of excuses and explanations.
“Leave! Get out of my sight and find the person responsible for this mess, or else you’ll have to answer to me with your heads!” The old man roared, his rage sending tremors of fear through the room.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed as the lackeys hastily vacated the premises, their fate left to hang in the air.
All the lackeys left while carrying the injured person with them in a hurry. Feeling they might lose their life if they stay in the room any longer.
“Hahahaha! You should have seen your face in the mirror, hahahaha!” Another old man present in the room who was seated on the sofa at the side laughed after the lackeys left, finding the expression on the old man was very funny.
“Ha, ha!” Mr. Dorelo chortled a harsh sound that echoed around the room, bouncing off the decrepit walls. “Laugh all you want old man, it’s not like either of us are in a much better situation!” Mr. Buffel scowled, his dour expression only deepening as he glared at Mr. Dorelo.
“What? I can’t even enjoy a good joke?” Mr. Dorelo mocked, a sly smile playing on his lips.
“Not when the joke’s on me,” Mr. Buffel snarled, his voice harsh. “Now, let’s have a civil conversation, shall we? I’m in no mood for jokes.” Despite the grim words, Mr. Dorelo couldn’t completely wipe the smirk off his face.
“Okay…okay, Chill Mr. Buffel! It’s not like you have lost everything and wasn’t it just a small mid-tier city that you lost then what’s all the fash is about!” Mr. Dorelo put away his carefree attitude and asked, feeling confused seeing Mr. Buffel’s expression which hasn’t eased at all from his humorous words.
“Mr. Dorelo, do you think I would react like this if it was only about a small mid-tier city. I have not only lost that city but also three other cities besides that one!” Mr. Buffel said looking like he had eaten shit, remembering the report his lackeys gave him earlier.
Mr. Dorelo let out a loud gasp, his carefree attitude replaced with shock. “Four cities?! You must be joking. Surely you didn’t lose four cities at once!”
Mr. Buffel shook his head solemnly. “I wish I was, but it’s true. I’ve lost four cities in one day, and my loyal lackeys could do nothing to stop it.”
Mr. Dorelo couldn’t believe his ears. “Four cities in one day? That’s an impressive feat. It takes a special kind of person to fumble that badly.”
Mr. Buffel scowled. “It’s not funny, Dorelo. I’m still trying to figure out what went wrong. I’m sure there’s a lesson in all of this, but I just don’t know what it is yet.”
Mr. Buffel’s temper was now on the verge of boiling over. “I am not the only one to lose, if I got the correct reports then you also have lost two cities under you, Dorelo!” He growled, emphasising the old man’s name.
“Well, you are right about that.” Dorelo replied nonchalantly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “I did lose two cities under me, but one was mid-tier and the other one was nothing more than a run-down, backwater village. Not worth mentioning, really.” He shrugged, eliciting an audible groan from Mr. Buffel. “So, as you can see, I haven’t lost anything that I would actually care about.”
Mr. Buffel was livid. How could someone be so nonchalant about losing two cities? He had done enough research to know just how impactful these losses were, yet here was Mr. Dorelo, acting as if it were no big deal. He gritted his teeth and tried to remain calm, but his anger was palpable.
Mr. Dorelo looked at Mr. Buffel, who was seething with rage. It was as if he had lost a limb. Mr. Dorelo knew that this was not the right time to try and take advantage of his rival, so he decided to move away from his lighthearted attitude.
“Okay, okay, no more jokes. I’m here to give you some fabulous news so that you can forget this little rift immediately!” Mr. Dorelo declared in a serious tone, making Mr. Buffel’s attention pique.
“Well, I’m listening. But if it’s just another jest, I’m gonna give your paunch a stab with this knife here!” Mr. Buffel warned, producing a blade out of nowhere and waggling it in front of Mr. Dorelo’s face. It was clear that he was not messing around and would be ready to brawl if Mr. Dorelo messed with him again.
Mr. Buffel looked disbelieving at Mr. Dorelo and began to laugh maniacally as he imagined the potential of their joint venture. He had completely forgotten about the small matter he had initially brought up. “Once we have those ‘Neo Humans’ in our control, we can take over a continent, or more! Buhahabuhahaba!” he exclaimed, his excitement palpable.
Mr. Dorelo regarded his partner with a smile, knowing that they were on the verge of revolutionising their business. The complete product would be ready soon, and when it was, the profits would be unprecedented. He could scarcely contain his own enthusiasm.
The two men stood there in the middle of the room, a silent understanding between them, both aware of the great power they were about to possess. The tension was thick, and as the moment lingered, the suspense grew. Then, just as it seemed that the silence would never be broken, a voice echoed through the room, shattering the stillness.
“Gentlemen, our time is nigh.”
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