Chapter 618 A Significant Loss
At the Duncan Corporation, a high- level meeting was in progress, and Branden, who had maintained a constant expression throughout in the head seat, suddenly furrowed his brow.
The executives below were scared out of their wits and shivered, especially the manager who was reporting the situation.
He was already nervous. Seeing the change in Branden’s expression, he was now trembling in fear as if seized by an epileptic fit, unsure which part of his report had angered the big boss.
In that split second, Branden felt a chill down his spine, suspecting someone was cursing him behind his back. He could not help but furrow his brows.
Sensing the change in the atmosphere of the meeting room, the manager, who was reporting, paused in his narration. Branden waved his hand, gesturing for the other party to continue.
When the manager saw that Branden had no inclination to burst into anger, he carefully continued, “Based on the latest data summary from last week, as of the end of last week, our group has incurred a huge loss in the projects we are competing with the subsidiaries of the Breen Group.”
Hearing the financial report, everyone present turned ashen-faced.
Since Branden took charge of the Duncans, this was the first time they had suffered such a significant loss. However, facing the globally renowned Breens and entering into a battle with them, such losses were somewhat expected.
The manager stopped reporting after presenting the situation, waiting for Branden to speak.
Paxton handed the latest data to Branden. Branden glanced at it indifferently and said expressionlessly, “Continue.”
The high-level executives exchanged puzzled glances and thought, “Are we going to continue with such heavy losses? Is Mr. Duncan planning to compete head-on with the Breens to the end?”
This clearly wasn’t a wise decision. Regardless of whether they won or lost in this business battle, it wouldn’t bode well for the Duncans.
After all, Eskana was the Duncans’ stronghold. As long as they resisted, the Duncans had a good chance of winning. However, the Breens were formidable opponents. This business battle would undoubtedly severely damage the Duncans.
If the Breens lost, they could temporarily withdraw from Eskana or even just leave Loxton. After two years of recuperation, they could return, which was a routine strategy for the powerful Breens.
But it was different for the Duncans. Although the Duncans had vast influence and steadily developed year by year, Loxton had numerous powerful families, with several eyeing the Duncans.
Once the Duncans fell, these local forces would not hesitate to come forward to target them.
At that time, even if the Duncans defeated the Breens and returned to deal with these native forces, given the losses they had suffered previously, they might find themselves overwhelmed.
It might potentially cause severe consequences and drag down the entire Duncan Corporation.
But Branden’s words were not up for discussion. He was directly informing these people of his decision.
“Scatter!” Branden ordered, then stood up and left.
The high-level executives looked at each other, but no one dared to say anything publicly. Finally, all eyes turned to Paxton.
As Branden’s special assistant, he was the person who understood Branden’s thoughts the most. Everyone placed their hopes on him, and someone couldn’t help but boldly ask, “Mr. Paxton, what does Mr. Duncan mean?”
Paxton smiled faintly and said softly, ” You’ve all been at the Duncan Corporation for quite a while.
Following Mr. Duncan for so many years, you’ve witnessed numerous storms, big and small. When has Mr. Duncan ever made a wrong decision? If you still have doubts, feel free to seek other jobs later.”
With this simple statement, everyone immediately kept silent. Despite Paxton’s current smiling demeanor, the icy coldness in his eyes was terrifying. Scared, everyone quickly apologized and made excuses.
“Mr. Paxton, there’s a misunderstanding. We were just asking.
“Yes, just asking.”
Paxton had no intention of chatting with these hindrances; he had a lot of things to do. After collecting his things, he ignored the discussions in the room and followed Branden’s footsteps to leave.
Back in the president’s office, Paxton promptly handed over the collected intelligence to Branden. “Sir, this is Edson’s recent movements. He has been to Styre University three times but hasn’t seen Miss Swann. Miss Swann has been in the lab all this time, rarely leaving the campus.”
Engrossed in reading documents, Branden furrowed his brow upon hearing this. “In the lab all the time?” he asked.
“Yes.” Paxton nodded slightly. Knowing that Branden cared about Catherine, he quickly added, “We regularly arrange for food and desserts to be delivered to Styre University. Miss Swann accepts it as long as it’s sent in your name.”
A faint smile curved Branden’s lips when he heard that Catherine would accept it as long as it was sent in his name.
Those days, he had been busy with the deployment and hadn’t had time to go to Styre University. A surge of longing welled up within him at the mention of Catherine.
Branden then stood up and grabbed his coat. Seeing this, Paxton guessed that Branden was going to find Catherine.
Only Catherine could make him, the workaholic, put aside work. Paxton immediately informed his subordinates and arranged the car.
Half an hour later, a low-key black Bentley slowly stopped at the entrance of Styre University. Sitting in the front seat, Paxton asked in a low voice, “Sir, should we inform the school to open the gate?”
While other people’s cars couldn’t get into Styre University, it wasn’t hard for them.
“No need.” After Branden briefly replied, he pushed open the car door and got out. Catherine didn’t like being too high-profile, so he chose to walk in to find her.
Below the dormitory for girls, Catherine had just finished class with Amelia and came back. Amelia, exhausted, had drooping shoulders, looking utterly drained.
“Super Catherine, how can you not react at all? Don’t you find what the professor said in class just now as incomprehensible as a foreign language?” She had almost fallen asleep, barely holding on until the end of class. Catherine, on the other hand, seemed unfazed.
Today’s main course was indeed a bit challenging, but for Catherine, it was like elementary school-level questions. She didn’t bother to listen, so naturally, she wouldn’t be tired.
Seeing Catherine not responding, Amelia didn’t mind; she was already used to Catherine’s personality. Anything that made Super Catherine comment had to be a significant event.
Boredly walking forward, Amelia suddenly heard whispers around her. She looked toward the voices and excitedly tugged at Catherine’s sleeve. ” Super Catherine, look quickly, a handsome foreign guy!”
Catherine, disturbed by her sudden exclaim, couldn’t help but furrow her brows. She followed where Amelia was pointing.
Then, her brows furrowed even more intensely. Indeed, the man was as annoying as a fly, impossible to get rid of.
