Warma had only recently been given a full tour of the headquarters himself, guided personally by Nesa. Thanks to his sharp memory and eye for detail, he now repeated much of the information to Sheri as he led her through the building. His calm, steady voice echoed in the halls as he described the work in progress and the ambitious future that Max had in mind for the Billion Bloodline Group.
He explained that many of the departments were still in transition. Several of the former Fortis floors were being stripped down and remodeled, while others were in the process of being combined or expanded to support the group’s new identity as a venture capital firm. Sheri noticed construction workers in suits of protective gear carrying out panels, the sound of drilling and hammering faintly resonating through the walls. It gave the entire place the sense of a hive still in motion, a fortress evolving into something far grander.
One matter Warma emphasized was the Chairman’s insistence on building an in-house legal department. Most firms of their size would rely on external law offices to draft contracts and manage litigation, but Max had made it clear that he didn’t trust outside firms.
"From his perspective," Warma explained as they passed a conference room filled with sleek black chairs, "any external firm could already be compromised, influenced by powerful groups with deeper connections. You’ve seen what happened with Dipter, haven’t you? He shielded himself by employing a legal entity that was too expensive and too deeply entrenched in the system for anyone to break through. The Chairman has no interest in giving others that same sort of leverage over us."
Sheri nodded, impressed by the caution. She had to admit she hadn’t expected such forethought.
"It sounds difficult to manage," she said, her voice tinged with curiosity. "But... it also sounds like the kind of precaution that would make this company harder to bring down."
"It is difficult," Warma admitted, "but it’s exactly the kind of difficulty the Chairman thrives on. He would rather struggle now than pay for a mistake later."
The two continued their walk, and Sheri began to relax enough to ask questions of her own. She was fascinated by the scope of the changes. The polished floors and tall ceilings reflected the Billion Bloodline’s emblem, proudly mounted in nearly every room they passed. What struck her as most unusual were the training facilities.
The Fortis group’s legacy as a security outfit had been retained rather than stripped away. Gyms, sparring rooms, and even weapons lockers had simply been rebranded with the Bloodline name. Sheri had never seen anything like it in her limited exposure to venture firms. The place felt more like a hybrid between a financial powerhouse and a paramilitary base.
"Oh... so there really is a chance that I could become an intern here?" Sheri asked at one point, half-joking but half-hopeful.
"There is," Warma replied with a smile. "We’ll probably have several open positions once the structure is complete. Though it would be unusual, I admit, to have the daughter of a company we’re invested in working here. But perhaps we could make an exception."
Sheri’s cheeks warmed at his words. She knew her mother would be thrilled at even the hint of that possibility.
Eventually, their tour reached the top floor, the area reserved for the Chairman himself. The corridor here was quiet, the noise of the lower floors falling away until only the faint hum of air conditioning remained. Sheri could feel her heart hammering against her ribs as they approached the double doors at the end of the hall. This was the moment she had prepared for, the moment she had both dreaded and anticipated. She straightened her back, smoothed her dress, and took a deep breath.
Warma pushed open the door and gestured for her to follow. Sheri stepped inside cautiously, expecting to be greeted by a powerful, imposing figure.
But the office was empty.
"No one is here?" she asked, startled.
"Unfortunately," Warma replied, walking calmly toward the Chairman’s desk, "he had important business to attend to. He sends his condolences, as he knows you must have been expecting to see him. But he did not want to decline your visit outright. Allowing you to come here shows the value he places on you and your family."
Sheri shook her head quickly, her hands fluttering in front of her. "Oh, no, please! I understand completely. I’m sure he must be an extremely busy man. And truthfully, the matter I came to discuss isn’t anything that significant in the grand scheme of things."
Warma studied her with a small smile. She was, he thought, far more genuine and soft-hearted than most of the wealthy heirs and heiresses he had encountered. He adjusted himself in the Chairman’s seat and gestured for her to sit opposite.
"Please," he said, "go ahead and present the proposal you came here with. I’ve been given the authority to make the decision. However, I should warn you: someone from the Stable family has already been here. A man named Anton Stable arrived unannounced, without prior arrangement. He was informed never to set foot here again."
Sheri’s eyes widened, and her stomach dropped.
What? she screamed inwardly. Anton had insisted to her mother that he had never approached the Bloodline Group. Her mother, Sanna, would never have risked their family’s standing by trying to push through a second attempt if she had known he had already been refused. Now, thanks to Anton’s deception, the blame for this disaster might land squarely on Sheri’s shoulders.
I knew Anton was a fool, but to lie so brazenly? And if they’ve already rejected him once, what are the chances they won’t reject him again? This entire fiasco is going to be pinned on me!
Worst of all, she wasn’t even meeting the Chairman directly. She had no chance to salvage things with her own words.
"It seems," Warma observed gently, "that you were not aware of this development."
Sheri swallowed hard, unable to find the words.
"I reviewed the proposal before you arrived," Warma continued. "Honestly, it is fair. A solid investment. The Stable family has been doing well recently, and I can see how the arrangement benefits your family too. If it strengthens the Curts family, it strengthens us as well. But tell me, Sheri, why were you sent here personally? What makes this deal matter to you?"
Sheri hesitated. She thought of her mother’s urging, of the responsibility suddenly placed on her shoulders. Then she lifted her chin and spoke quietly but firmly. She explained that her mother valued family above all else, that this deal was important to her, and that she wanted to honor her wishes. She added, however, that if the Billion Bloodline Group truly believed the deal would not benefit them, then they should not take it. She did not want her mother to put them in a compromising position, and she would never want to force something unfair upon them.
Her words carried sincerity, the kind that was difficult to fake.
"I see," Warma said after a pause. Then, discreetly, he pulled out his phone beneath the desk. The device had been connected to a call the entire time, and now the call ended with a single text message flashing across the screen.
You can sign the deal. If we need to, we can just buy the Stable family out later.
Another message followed almost immediately:
It seems you are softer-hearted than I expected... or perhaps you simply have more money than you know what to do with.
Warma smiled faintly as he slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"We’ll sign it," he said simply.
Sheri blinked in surprise, and then her face broke into a wide, relieved smile.
"Don’t thank me," Warma added. "The Chairman himself approved it just now. It seems you have someone looking out for you, Sheri."
Her smile brightened even more, though she still had no idea just who that mysterious Chairman truly was.