"You mean, Umbrella's people have already taken the bait, they can't help but contact me, right?" Zhou Yi asked a strange woman in his study.
This was a very charming woman.
Her slightly reddish long hair was neatly coiled at the back of her head, revealing a smooth forehead and brown eyes that seemed to speak.
Her full, plump lips had a captivating allure, and her highly defined nose made her entire facial features appear deep and charming.
Of course, her figure was also excellent.
She was even comparable to cover models.
Especially when she wore an OL uniform, it always made people think of many strange things.
However, it had to be admitted that this only made her more attractive.
It could be said that in terms of charm and beauty alone, she surpassed most of the women Zhou Yi knew.
Besides Serana and the stunningly beautiful Charisse after makeup, only Susan, whom he had met a few times, could compare to her.
In fact, if temperament was also considered, even they would have to concede defeat.
Because this woman possessed a unique temperament, one like mellow wine, or like a beautiful flower with poisonous thorns.
This temperament made her even more alluring, like a fascinating story enticing people to explore further.
However, Zhou Yi hoped to maintain a safe distance from such a woman.
Because her identity was simply too special, a top Agent, someone whose thoughts you would never know.
The closer you got to her, the deeper you might get hurt.
Therefore, Zhou Yi, who had just experienced emotional turmoil, maintained a respectful distance from her.
This was a wise choice, but it might not necessarily be effective.
The woman pushed up her glasses, a gesture that filled her with intellectual beauty.
Even Serana, standing behind Zhou Yi, couldn't help but show a hint of envy.
This alone proved that her beauty was universally appealing to both men and women.
"Yes, sir.
Umbrella's CEO has extended an invitation to you through his Deputy, hoping to discuss investment issues.
However, I have already declined on your behalf, stating that Umbrella's return on investment does not match the risk you would take.
If they want your investment, they must offer something substantial."
"Then, Young Miss Romanoff, can you tell me what the substantial return I'm asking for in your plan is?"
"Just call me Natasha.
From now on, I am your personal secretary.
I think we should use more intimate terms so as not to attract Umbrella's attention.
Their security is quite tight, and we'd best not give ourselves away over such minor issues."
Natasha Romanoff said, while pulling out a deed from the folder she was holding and placing it in front of Zhou Yi.
"This is an abandoned town in the western region.
Due to natural disasters, all residents have evacuated.
Currently, this town and its surrounding land are temporarily under your name.
The closest city to it is Raccoon City."
"And the excuse we found for you is that you are very interested in Raccoon City's operational methods, and the reason you purchased this land is to build your own city here.
Therefore, you wish to inspect Raccoon City's core institutions and build a new city in imitation of Raccoon City."
"If Raccoon City's structure satisfies you, you will, through investment, request Umbrella to utilize all of Raccoon City's resources to assist you in building this new city, and also arrange for the transfer of some residents and facilities, which is also part of the plan."
Hearing this plan, even Zhou Yi felt that S.H.I.E.L.D. was practically joking.
Because the things involved in this plan were not just a little bit.
To build a city, that was no longer a problem that simple funds could solve.
If converted, billions could potentially be thrown away.
Although this was just a superficial illusion, this illusion was too grand, so grand that people had to believe it.
Even if you told someone to their face that it was fake, some people wouldn't believe it.
Because his initial investment was already astonishingly huge.
Holding the deed, Zhou Yi waved it in front of his eyes and asked.
"Do you have such great confidence in taking down this big guy in one go?
You know, if something goes wrong, your losses will be enormous.
Although I have mobilized funds, I certainly won't invest them like this.
The shortfall will definitely still have to be filled by yourselves."
Natasha smiled and took the deed back.
"We have estimated all possibilities.
Umbrella will have no hope.
Once its research results are exposed, no one, no force in this World, can protect them.
This massive enterprise will face compulsory dismantling in an instant, and once its core is dismantled, our so-called investment will become completely unnecessary, won't it?"
"You cannot risk being condemned by the media and even all of humanity to build a city like Raccoon City.
This reason will not be doubted by anyone.
Moreover, with a huge, ready-made cake in front of you, as a qualified businessman, why would you abandon the fundamental for the trivial?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh.
He knew his little tricks had been seen through by these professional Agents.
However, they were allies to begin with, so being seen through was nothing.
He just wagged his finger, putting on an appearance of denying everything.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Natasha.
I'm just responding to your request, mobilizing the funds I have as much as possible."
Of course, Natasha wouldn't let him get away with it so easily.
She flipped through the documents in her hand, pointing at the information on them as she spoke to Zhou Yi.
"Sir, in the past few days, you have almost misappropriated all the funds you can use, and even borrowed from banks using many stocks, real estate, and some industries under your name.
As of now, you hold nearly one hundred billion in liquid funds.
This money is enough to cause a huge and terrible impact in any country, in any region.
Don't tell me you just want to use this money to cooperate with us in creating an illusion."
"Umbrella is on the verge of collapse.
You're just trying to take advantage of this time to acquire it.
Don't take us for fools, sir.
We are much smarter than you think."
As she said this, her eyes were filled with amusement.
She was eagerly looking forward to seeing how this guy with a dual identity would continue to spin his lies.
However, he clearly underestimated Zhou Yi's thick skin.
Since he dared to openly gather such a massive amount of funds, Zhou Yi would not be afraid of being discovered by others.
Especially S.H.I.E.L.D., his partner, and those standing behind it.
Because, just as Natasha said, the funds he held were simply terrifyingly huge.
They even possessed the capital to shake a country, so to speak.
In this regard, he had almost already gained the greatest advantage.
The moment Umbrella crashed, he could use this money to instantly make Umbrella change hands.
So fast that others wouldn't even have a chance to react.
And this simply could not be stopped by anyone, nor could anyone take advantage of it.
Their plan was secret and thorough.
Those who knew about this plan would not have such a massive amount of funds as he did, and those who had such a massive amount of funds would not know about this plan.
It could be said that this plan was simply prepared for him.
What Heaven gives, if not taken, will be held against you.
Zhou Yi was not an idiot, so naturally, he wouldn't let such a good opportunity slip away.
However, he naturally wouldn't say that to the representative of his ally.
"Natasha, you know I'm still a businessman, and a businessman should pursue profit.
Cooperating with you to mobilize funds will also incur losses.
Since that's the case, I might as well make some big moves directly.
But I can guarantee that I absolutely had no intention of targeting Umbrella at first.
I was just planning to acquire Blizzard Entertainment."
Natasha almost completely surrendered to this man who was lying through his teeth.
She felt her intelligence was being insulted.
And it was the blatant, undisguised kind.
She almost used her nose to make sounds, expressing her dissatisfaction.
"Do you think I'll believe your reason, raising tens of billions for a game studio?"
"Let me think, what reason should I come up with next?" Zhou Yi pretended to stroke his chin, continuing to joke around.
"Oh, right, I've always wanted to enter Hollywood, so I plan to acquire Disney in one go.
Now that I think about it, this money still seems a bit insufficient."
Natasha's full chest began to heave violently, which meant she was desperately suppressing the anger in her heart.
She had already realized that her scheme was of no use, but being put in such an awkward position by Zhou Yi's methods truly made her feel inexplicably angry.
From the beginning, Natasha had no intention of stopping or interfering with Zhou Yi's actions.
Because, just as Zhou Yi thought, this was an overt scheme, impossible to stop.
So she brought it up for only one reason: to give Zhou Yi the illusion that his acquisition was happening with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s tacit approval.
Through this, Zhou Yi would recognize the value and authority of S.H.I.E.L.D. in his heart.
But she hadn't expected Zhou Yi to be like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, preferring to deny everything rather than play along with her.
Her idea of setting a trap through words was completely useless.
Instead, it only made her angry.
However, she was, after all, an Agent by profession, and suppressing her emotions had almost become her instinct.
Soon, she recovered her composure, handling Zhou Yi's business documents like a normal personal secretary.
Seeing her like this, Zhou Yi also lost interest in continuing.
Waving his hand at Serana, who stood in the Shadow behind him, he began to prepare to drive out.
Today was Airesha's first day of school.
As her father, he had to personally pick her up and drop her off, no matter what.
Perhaps he might not have such free time in the future, but today he had to make time.
Because this was a father's duty.
(To be honest, I've read all the comments in the book review section.
Actually, I just want to say that this book is basically impossible to get a contract, so how it's written is entirely up to personal preference.
Some people keep talking about it, and I can only say, read it or don't.