A higher-dimensional incarnation, starting by leveraging the stars.

Chapter 72 Takeover and Inquiry

West Eagle, Golden Bull Street, headquarters of Markdo Investment Company.

The heavy walnut doors of the top-floor conference room were tightly shut, and soundproofing materials completely blocked out the noise from the corridor. Around the long conference table, seven directors sat or stood, the air filled with the pungent smell of cigars mixed with the tense smell of sweat.

"It's been forty-eight hours." The speaker was Chief Operating Officer Richard Stone, a middle-aged man with meticulously combed hair and gold-rimmed glasses. He tapped a report on the gleaming desk with his fingertips. "We haven't heard from Mr. Ledger at all; even his private security team can't reach him. Tomorrow is the quarterly settlement date, and our futures positions in Singapore require his personal authorization to close, involving a risk of 1.7 billion US dollars!"

"What did the police say?" asked the woman sitting to the left of the head of the table. She was Elizabeth Winter, one of the company's co-founders, in her sixties, with her gray hair neatly styled in a bun and her dark blue suit without a single wrinkle.

"They said that since Mr. Ledger is an adult and has been missing for less than 72 hours, the police will not file a case," Richard sneered.

"Refusing to file a case?!" Winter frowned. "Are they crazy?!"

The police in Xiying are just dogs of the powerful. Whether it's Mark Doe Investment or Ledger, they are both powerful figures. The company has already reported the case, but they dare not file a case. Who gave them the guts?

"Inspector Layton told me privately that this matter was covered up."

"Being suppressed? Who?!"

"I don't know." Richard smiled wryly. "As you all know, Mr. Ledger has a very strong financial background, many influential friends, and many obscure relationships."

A brief silence fell over the meeting room. Most of those present had heard rumors about Rashid Ledger.

This guy came from an ordinary background, but he was incredibly talented. Right after graduating from university, he started working on Golden Bull Street with the help of some influential people. He quickly founded Markdo Investment. Although they were directors of the company, they were brought in after Markdo was established to expand its scale and acquire shares in the company. They didn't know much about the source of Markdo's original funds or the connections behind Ledger.

Of course, they didn't want to know either.

Ledger's investment portfolio always included some projects that seemed illogical but consistently generated amazing returns. These projects were all based in the Golden Bull Market, and it was necessary to maintain a proper distance. Behind these projects, there were definitely more than one big player, and perhaps even some dark secrets. If they didn't know, there was no risk; if they did know, it would be even worse.

"The most urgent task is to stabilize the company," Elizabeth said slowly, her gaze sweeping over everyone present. "According to the company's bylaws, if the chairman is unable to perform his duties for more than 24 hours due to unforeseen circumstances, the board of directors may vote to elect a temporary chairman to act in his stead until—"

She stopped abruptly before she could finish speaking.

The conference room door slid open silently at that moment.

There was no knocking, no warning.

Two men dressed in black suits, with burly builds resembling rugby linebackers, entered first and stood on either side of the door.

Then, a man strolled in.

Vic La!

President of Snowman Investment Company.

Someone recognized him; after all, they were both from Golden Bull Street, and Markdo Company and Snowman Company had several collaborative projects.

He was wearing a well-tailored charcoal gray suit, no tie, and the top button of his shirt collar was casually undone. His black hair was neatly combed back, revealing his full forehead, and he was holding a thin leather folder in his hand.

Richard frowned, about to speak, but Vic spoke first.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Vic began, his voice not loud, yet strangely suppressing the sudden astonishment and gasps that rose in the conference room, "I apologize for interrupting your...urgent consultation."

"Mr. Vic, what's wrong with you...?" Richard stepped forward and asked.

Vic ignored him and went straight to the empty head seat at the conference table, which originally belonged to Ledger. He gently placed the folder on the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone's faces, and said, "From now on, on behalf of Mr. Rashid Ledger, I will take full control of all affairs of Markdo Investment Company."

"Ridiculous!" a young director blurted out. "What qualifications do you have?"

Vic didn't answer, but simply pushed the folder towards Richard with his fingertips.

Richard grabbed the document, opened it, and the first line of text made him pause: "Irrevocable Trust Transfer Agreement for Equity".

A few minutes later, he said in a slightly trembling voice, "This...this is impossible! How could Mr. Ledger transfer all his shares, along with his voting rights, to...the 'Prophet Foundation'? And the effective date was...yesterday?"

"The agreement was notarized by the law firm of Hudson and filed with the Las Vegas Secretary of State's office," Vic said calmly. "I am the sole executive director of the Prophet Foundation. Therefore, I own 42 percent of the shares and corresponding voting rights in Markdo Investments. According to the company's bylaws, this is sufficient to appoint an acting chairman in the absence of the chairman."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over every face—shocked, doubtful, excited, even angry—before continuing, "And I designate myself."

"This is plunder!" An elderly director who hadn't spoken until now pointed a trembling finger at Vic. "Where is Ledger? We want to see him! We want to hear it from him!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ledger..." Vic said slowly, each word clear and distinct, "Due to a sudden health issue, he is no longer able to participate in the company's operations. But that's alright, I'll take over. As for what Mr. Thomas said..."

He fixed his gaze on the elderly director, then suddenly smiled. "Where do you think Ledger got the money to start his company? Who helped him wield such power on Golden Bull Street? Who brought him so many high-quality projects? Who helped him stabilize the situation during this financial crisis? Was it you?"

For a moment, everyone was speechless.

Some were surprised, while others looked on with understanding...

"Just be good directors and don't covet things you shouldn't."

Half an hour later, the board meeting ended peacefully, and power at Markdo Investment Company officially changed hands. The process was calm, and as for Ledger, the directors no longer knew who he was when they left the meeting room.

After everyone left, Vic went directly to Ledger's former office, looked him up and down, and naturally sat down in Ledger's seat. He knocked on the table and said, "Let Alan Shaw in."

Alan Shaw was Rashid Ledger's personal assistant, a handsome young man in his late twenties with blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a well-fitting light-colored suit and possessed a refined, even somewhat effeminate, air. When he entered the office, he noticed Vic sitting in Ledger's seat, his face showing obvious unease, his fingers unconsciously twisting together.

"Close the door, Allen." Vic sat in the main seat, his hands folded on the table.

Allen did as he was told, and then stood awkwardly a few meters away from the table.

Vic didn't speak immediately, he just looked at him. The air in the office seemed to freeze, with only the central air conditioning humming softly.

"Mr. Ledger... what happened to him?" Allen finally couldn't help but ask, his voice becoming dry.

"That's exactly what I wanted to ask you." Vic leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense. "Who was the last person he saw before he disappeared? Where did he go? What did he do?"

Allen's eyes flickered: "Mr. Ledger's schedule is largely confidential, I..."

"Allen," Vic interrupted him, his calm voice carrying a hint of coldness that sent a chill down Allen's spine. "You've worked for him for five years. From organizing files to arranging those special appointments, you know a lot, including things you shouldn't know, and I know you do. So, now, tell me, who did he see before he disappeared?"

Allen froze, swallowed hard, and uttered a name.

Martin Frost!

"Martin Frost? Who's that?"

"A screenwriter who previously worked with Mr. Ledger on Stargate..."

"Okay, I got it!"

In an instant, Vic seemed to understand something, and waved his hand, "You can leave now."

Allen felt like he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly left the office, closing the door behind him.

After Allen left, leaving only Vic in the office, Vic's calm face turned ferocious. He turned his gaze and stared intently at the photo of Ledger on his desk. With a sudden wave of his hand, he swept the photo and a large pile of office supplies to the ground.

"Ledger, you bastard, you bastard..." he hissed in a low voice, his eyes gleaming yellow!