Chapter 466: There Must Be a Scheme Behind It

(To thank ChestnutXRoastedPork, Ah Big Bad Wolf, Aigis of Xuanjian Sect, and Drunken Dog for their support and love, an extra chapter is added today!)
***
Su Hao had long heard of Microsoft's notorious reputation in these kinds of mergers and acquisitions, and he was initially worried about a fierce battle.
Unexpectedly, the other party voluntarily backed down.
"Well done. Now, give me the internal organizational structure and executive list of Stormy Rain.
This time, we're going to have a complete overhaul."
Now that they'd acquired Stormy Rain, there was much more work to be done.
First, they needed to conduct a top-down purge, sweeping out all the complacent "old hands" and unambitious management, completely overturning the company's operating model, and getting game development back on track.
Furthermore, they needed to integrate "Fanghuan Coin" and "GPT" artificial intelligence technology, which meant a massive amount of development work awaited them.
"Chairman Su, cultivating talent in this area from scratch within Stormy is too slow.
I suggest we directly acquire several promising, technologically advanced startups. That would be much more efficient."
"That's a good suggestion. Have someone do some research and see what suitable targets are available on the market."
"Yes, Chairman Su."
After Li Huilin left, Su Hao's gaze returned to the window.
What's that old saying?
When game operations are terrible, someone always says, "If you're so good, why don't you do it yourself?"
Fine.
Then we'll take the stage ourselves and teach them what real "game operations" really are!
***
M Country, Oval Office.
"...Because the House and Senate failed to reach an agreement on the reduction plan, the likelihood of the bill passing is extremely low. Some are even preparing to launch a 'lengthy debate' to buy time."
"..."
To the new Secretary General, Celine's report, Aiden remained silent, his eyes blankly staring at a point in the void.
Celine cautiously observed Aiden's expression.
How to describe it?
Aiden's eyes were cloudy and empty, as if… he'd lost his connection.
Recently, Aiden's "out-of-line" state had become increasingly frequent, and a terrifying speculation had begun to circulate within the white building:
Mr. Aiden, could he be suffering from dementia?
Even Celine herself, after experiencing several such bizarre scenes, felt this reasonable suspicion growing stronger.
To regain Aiden's attention, she changed the subject:
"Mr. Aiden, there's one more thing.
Fang Huan Investment has completed the minimum shareholding acquisition of 'Rainstorm' Company and officially taken over its management."
"...What?"
Aiden, who had been seemingly sleepwalking, suddenly opened his half-closed, lifeless eyes upon hearing the name "Fang Huan," a glint of light flashing within them!
"Fang Huan... acquired Rainstorm? Isn't that a game company?"
"Yes, Mr. Aiden."
"Why would they suddenly acquire a game company?"
"The specific reasons are still unclear. But it's widely speculated that, given Fang Huan's control over social media and media, they are likely preparing for a full-scale entry into the game industry."
"It's said that as soon as they acquired the operating rights, they immediately conducted a large-scale personnel purge and are aggressively acquiring related startups in the market."
Fang Huan is entering the gaming industry?
Thinking about it carefully, this seems logical.
"Wall Street is extremely nervous about this."
"Wall Street? What are they nervous about?"
"Because many people suspect that Fang Huan's acquisition of 'Storm Rain' is just a smokescreen, and there must be a bigger scheme behind it."
"What scheme?"
"It's still unknown, but everyone believes that behind every unusual move by Fang Huan, there must be a hidden plan capable of causing a massive upheaval."
That makes sense.
Looking back at every seemingly "unconventional" move Fang Huan has made in the past, it has always proven to be a far-reaching scheme with terrifying destructive power!
“Rainstorm isn’t a small company. Fang Huan’s reach is so extensive, hasn’t anyone tried to stop them?”
“Fang Huan seems to realize this too. They’ve recently sent people to contact many political figures, actively lobbying and communicating.”
“I remember, last time it was their chairman, surnamed Huang, who came personally. Is it him again this time?”
“No, this time it’s someone else, a senior advisor to Fang Huan’s headquarters, currently meeting intensively with various figures in Washington.”
“Who is this person?”
Hearing this question, Celine’s expression suddenly became hesitant and troubled.
“What’s wrong? Just say it. Someone Fang Huan sends as a lobbyist must be someone with extensive connections here, right?”
“Yes… Mr. Aiden. But, but this person…”
Celine licked her dry lips, uttering a name with difficulty.
“It’s you… your former secretary-general, Mr. John…”
"...What did you say?"
For a moment, Aiden thought he'd misheard.
"You...you say it again, who is it?"
"It's John Blaine, your former secretary-general."
"!?!"
The words had barely left his lips when Aiden felt dizzy, his legs went weak, and all his strength seemed to drain away in an instant. He uncontrollably fell backward!
"Mr. Aiden!!"
If Celine hadn't caught him quickly, he probably would have collapsed to the ground.
"John...he...he really...sided with Fang Huan?"
"Yes, Mr. Aiden..."
With a "buzz—", it felt like a bomb had exploded in Aiden's mind.
In that instant, all the mysteries, all the confusion, suddenly became clear!
Why were all the classified information leaked time and again?
Why did Fang Huan seem to be able to foresee every major decision, always one step ahead, precisely thwarting all his plans?
"John, you...you've been...betraying me all along!"
His lifelong friend,
his most trusted partner,
his closest comrade-in-arms,
the person closest to his heart!
It turns out, from the very beginning, Fang Huan was the one who planted
the deepest, most poisonous thorn in his side!