Building The Strongest Family-Chapter 123: Truth

After Lucas wrapped up his reports, the heads of various industries under the Osborn Family eagerly took their turns to share their updates.

For the past three hours, Edward, Ashley, George, and others stood up one by one, detailing their progress.

At the head of the table sat Arthur, intently listening to each report. A smile crept across his face, he was genuinely thrilled with how far they had come.

In just eight to eleven months, these industries were already generating impressive revenue!

As the final division head concluded their presentation, a hush fell over the boardroom of Osborn Holdings.

The holographic screens that had been floating around the table flickered out, leaving an air of anticipation hanging in the room.

All eyes turned to Arthur.

With a nod of acknowledgment, he glanced at his first aunt Margaret. She beamed at everyone before rising to address them all.

"It’s hard to believe it’s been just eight to eleven months since Osborn Holdings was established," she began with a calm authority that commanded attention.

"In this short time, we’ve made remarkable strides across our selected industries and achieved a notable foothold in the market."

Margaret tapped on the table and summoned holographic screens filled with dazzling financial data that illuminated the room like fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

"Together," she announced proudly, "our industries have amassed a staggering total consolidated revenue of 3 quadrillion Unicreds!"

Gasps echoed through the boardroom as shock washed over everyone present, even Arthur raised his eyebrows in disbelief; he hadn’t anticipated such astronomical figures!

With a warm smile that radiated confidence, Margaret continued, "After transferring 90% to Holdings as required, we have 300 billion Unicreds remaining for subsidiary operations. This will be allocated as follows..."

Her gaze swept across the room, lingering on each person as she began, "Alright everyone, let’s dive into the budget for next year’s development across all the industries you oversee.

But before we get into the details, I need to make something crystal clear: if the funds allocated to you fall short during your projects and you decide to request additional support from our holdings, there will be a 2% interest fee.

Just a heads-up, the repayment will be deducted during our annual meeting! "

Margaret scanned the room again, noticing how her words resonated across the conference room.

A mix of anticipation and nerves flickered in their eyes as they awaited news about their allocations. Who wouldn’t feel a bit anxious when it comes to funding?

"This is next year’s budget:

1.Osborn Pharmaceutical and Biotech Group – 60 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus:* Accelerate Phoenix Protocol human trials

Secondary: Expand AMHP-9 production scale and dominate skin reconstructive markets.

2.Osborn Technology – 50 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus: Boost Spectra S2 smartphone production and capture half of Aurelian Federation’s market.

3.Osborn Real Estate & Construction – 40 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus: Complete Grand Blue Pearl Plaza and tackle government projects.

4.Osborn Restaurant Group – 10 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus: Open more restaurant branches nationally and expand into two new countries.

5. Osborn Capital – 30 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus:Elite client asset management; invest in unicorn companies.

6.Osborn Security – 25 Billion Unicreds**

Primary Focus: Strengthening operations in the Eastern Dominion.

Secondary: Advancing private military research and development.

7. Osborn Mining & Resources – 20 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus: Boosting mining production by 20% compared to last quarter. Secondary: Securing drilling rights in the Arctic Circle.

8.Osborn Heavy Industries – 15 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus:Constructing state-of-the-art naval shipyards.

Secondary: Expanding our 4S Stores nationwide.

9.Osborn Supply Chain – 15 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus: Implementing AI logistics automation for efficiency.

Secondary: Developing distribution hubs in the Arctic region.

10. Osborn Intercontinental Hotels – 10 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus:Building ten luxury resorts in the Aurelian Federation. Secondary: Establishing a hundred five-star hotels across the country.

11. Osborn Food & Beverages – 10 Billion

Primary Focus:Launching Ignition X neuro-enhancements to elevate our offerings.

Secondary: Scaling up existing production capabilities.

12.Osborn Hospital Group – 10 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus:Constructing twenty general hospitals to enhance healthcare access.

Secondary: Establishing ten specialized hospitals for advanced care.

13.Osborn Fashion & Cosmetics – 5 Billion Unicreds

Primary Focus: Continuing to expand flagship stores while enhancing brand image.

The room was filled with a palpable tension as everyone listened to Margret, as sh allocated the budget for the upcoming year and outline the development direction.

With a clear focus on growth, she explained that the fund that each industry received is specifically aligned with its stated goals.

"If anyone wishes to pursue additional projects," she added thoughtfully, "that’s entirely up to you, as long as the funds are used wisely!"

Margret scanned the room, her gaze inviting participation. "Are there any questions?" she asked, her voice steady. A sea of heads shook in unison; it seemed everyone was satisfied with the plan laid out before them.

"Alright then, that wraps things up for now!" Margret concluded as she settled back into her chair, a sense of accomplishment radiating from her.

Arthur took a moment to look around at his colleagues before breaking into a warm smile. "I just want to say how much I appreciate all your hard work over these past months. Your efforts truly won’t go unnoticed."

And with that heartfelt sentiment, he declared, "The first annual meeting of the Osborn Empire has officially come to an end!"

---------------

The dim glow of enchanted lanterns flickered like fireflies, casting dancing shadows across the ancient stone walls of the hidden chamber beneath the Osborn mansion.

At the head of the obsidian table sat Arthur, fingers steepled and expression inscrutable. The weight of his impending revelation hung heavily in the air, thick with tension.

Around him, family elders exchanged hushed whispers, their curiosity crackling like static electricity.

"Arthur," Julian, his first uncle, leaned forward, breaking the silence with a voice as deep and gravelly as a distant thunderstorm. "You’ve summoned us here in the dead of night, no formal invitation or warning. What’s so urgent that it couldn’t wait for dawn?"

Nathaniel tapped impatiently on the table, frustration brewing just beneath the surface. "The last time we gathered like this was after your father’s passing. If this is about those Campbells again,..."

"It’s not about the Campbells," Arthur interjected firmly, his voice steady yet tinged with an unsettling edge. "At least... not just them."

Margaret narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Then what? The industrial expansions are going smoothly; our trade routes are secure. If this is another one of your unconventional schemes, Arthur, we deserve to know before you drag us into it."

Arthur took a slow breath, scanning each face around him as if searching for understanding.

Emily crossed her arms defiantly. "Out with it already! The last time you wore that look was when you dropped news about the Sterling Family."

A fleeting smirk danced across Arthur’s lips before disappearing into seriousness once more. "This isn’t about business," he said quietly but emphatically. "It’s about survival."

The room fell silent, a heavy tension hanging in the air.

Richard, the third uncle, a reserved man with an affinity for books,adjusted his spectacles and broke the stillness. "Please, explain."

Arthur leaned back in his chair, its creaking echoing in the quiet. "How much do any of you really know about the Whitmore Family?"

Julian raised an eyebrow, confusion etched on his face. "The Whitmores? They’re one of the Ten Great Houses, but they’ve kept to themselves for ages. What’s your point?"

Arthur’s smile was devoid of warmth. "What if I told you they don’t just exist.within the Aurelian Federation... they rule it?"

A stunned silence enveloped them.

Nathaniel scoffed, breaking the tension with a bark of laughter. "That’s ridiculous! The Federation is a democracy, elected officials, a senate.."

"A façade," Arthur interjected sharply. "A carefully crafted illusion. The Whitmores pull all the strings behind the scenes. Every major policy, every war, every economic shift,it’s orchestrated by them."

Margaret’s complexion drained of color. "You can’t be serious."

"I wish I weren’t," Arthur replied without flinching as he slid a dossier across the table, documents filled with damning evidence revealing how deeply entrenched the Whitmore Family was in controlling the Aurelian Federation.

Emily snatched it up, her eyes racing over each page. "This... this can’t be real."

"It is," Arthur affirmed grimly. "And they aren’t alone; sixty percent of nations on this continent are secretly controlled by families like them. The Campbells? They rank fifth among these power players,and we’ve already made an enemy of them."

Julian clenched his fist tightly. "So you’re saying we’re ants in a den of dragons?"

"Worse," Arthur murmured thoughtfully. "We’re ants who’ve started building a hill right under their claws."

The room erupted into chaos.

Three hours later, after heated debates, denials, and reluctant acceptance,Arthur finally revealed his audacious plan.

"Varenya," he said decisively while pointing to a map of Noctis Continent, a land scarred by endless conflict and turmoil.

"A country steeped in chaos and ripe for conquest. I’ve already sent resources to support a warlord named General Dravik; with our backing, he can achieve victory, and when he does... we become the power behind his.throne."

Nathaniel’s lips curled into skepticism. "You want us to abandon everything here? Our factories? Our influence?"

"To avoid annihilation? Absolutely." Arthur’s voice was steady as he nodded, his expression grave.

"The moment the Whitmores, Campbells, or any other family decide we’re a nuisance, we’re erased without a second thought. But in Varenya, we’ll be the predators, not the prey."

Margaret leaned over the map, her brow furrowed. "It’s a gamble."

"The only one we’ve got," Arthur shot back firmly.

Emily flashed a smirk. "I’ve always been up for a good fight!"

Julian let out a deep breath before nodding in agreement. "Then we move. Quietly. Slowly. But we move."

Arthur’s shoulders relaxed just a fraction. "So it’s settled: by the end of next year, we must make our move."

The rest exchanged glances and nodded in tacit understanding.

Their faces were somber; what Arthur had revealed was shocking, far more than they had anticipated.

They had lived for decades and faced countless challenges, but this situation felt entirely different. freewebnσvel.cѳm

The waters in this world were indeed deeper than they ever imagined.