Maple Corporation & Yu Lei International

Hours passed by as Hermes' workers installed the platform where the conference would take place, meanwhile, the crowd outside stood like the most adept of soldiers, only looking, without making a single noise!

The newcomers, apprehended by the seemingly nefarious atmosphere, followed suit in keeping their mouths shut and waiting for the Chairman and the CEO to give their conference.

The moment Alucard and Ma Guanhui hopped on the finished platform, all cameras focused on them, taking pictures and whatnot.

The two sat together with the production department head and the advertisement department head.

"The conference is open, you can start asking questions..." Hermes' CEO said through the microphone and thus, whatever restrain there was compressed on the spectators, reporters and government officers was lost!

"What are your company's aspirations!?"

'To become the number one liquor company in China, and eventually, the world'.

"What do you expect to achieve by acquiring this company, Mr Tepes!?"

'Money, I already have... I only hope this world will know the true profoundness of liquor~'

"Where do you come from Mr Tepes? why would you be interested in the Chinese market!?"

'I hail from Romania, the Chinese liquor market seemed rather lacklustre, so I decided to begin my conquest in this continent through China'.

"Is it true that your products can rejuvenate people!? Aren't you afraid of being proven wrong!?"

'It is indeed the truth, I can tell you that with complete assurance, once you're drunk with our wine your wife will look ten years younger!'

"Are you single, Mr Tepes?"

"That's not your concern, but I might be willing to share it with that lady over there over a cup of coffee~"

"KYAA!"

"Could you tell us where the money fund to acquire this company came from!?"

"That's also none of your concern, the money is mine. Where it comes from is for me to know and for you to research."

"Mr Tepes, What is your relationship with Clan Head Yuan Hewei?"

"None whatsoever."

"CEO Ma, what can you tell us about this company's future, why are there so many investors!? We can't even see a proper logo at this conference stand!"

Ma Guanhui was about to answer when Alucard stepped forth with a smile, "The company logo shall be me until we manage to resolve this issue, you will excuse me for the fact that this fame got us unprepared and hand-tied, but it will be solved very quickly."

"Chairman Tepes, Maple Corporation has yet to publish a statement regarding their position within the market against your dark horse Hermes, many economists suggest that Hermes might be a threat to Maple in the long term just like Yu Lei International due to its sudden sky ricochet and media exposure. Would you be willing to antagonise Maple Corporation? Or are you going to join forces with them!?" This question was very important for Chinese businessmen to know.

"Hermes' is willing to work together with any corporation that shares our beliefs and is willing to establish an equity deal within our premises, but Hermes is also capable to go on a market war against those that wish and threaten our continuous growth just as much! The CEO of Maple Corporation herself should answer this question for you." He answered with a snicker, stunning everyone present, including his fellow CEO and department heads just similar.

**

**

Unbeknownst to Alucard, the CEO of Maple Corporation herself was looking at this conference through her office in the Zhonghai Branch, but she didn't pay attention to his words at all...

In the middle of a massive white and green office, a beautiful mature auburn-haired woman looked at the television with a gape!

'Chairman of Hermes' Bird Brewings! It's you! It's you that helped me back then! I found you!' She stood up with a smile and hurriedly called one of her secretaries!

She needed to establish a healthy relationship with Hermes' Brewings as fast as possible!

Upon remembering that they were currently in Zhonghai, she couldn't help but think about the other Titan that was located here.

'That woman will surely contact him as well... I must do it faster!'

And she wasn't wrong.

**

**

Not too far away from the centre of the city in Zhonghai.

Another massive blue building held the main headquarters of another corporation titan belonging to this province.

Yu Lei International, a multi-purpose corporation focused on women's products and entertainment, the Dark Horse of China, believed to be able to reach heights at the stage of Maple Corporation within the next thirty years.

And also Maple Corporation's CEO's biggest rival on a personal level.

*BANG!!*

"Ruoxi! How come you're not seeing Hermes' conference? It's all over the news!" A beautiful and slender woman with a business suit, burst the CEO's door open surprising the woman inside.

"I'm doing something more important now Qianni, has Athena Corporation managed to get any stocks out of them?" A raven-haired woman so beautiful it was simply outrageous, sat with her legs crossed in front of a desk, a white business suit covered her noteworthy curves, but bags under her eyes could be seen even though they were neatly covered with makeup...

Yu Lei's Vice President, Mo Qianni presented a report to the CEO, "They're holding them tightly Ruoxi, what we managed to buy is not even enough to make a decent profit..."

The beauty bit her lips slightly... "I want you to send a letter to the Chairman of Hermes or his secretary, signed by me. Ask to schedule a meeting to discuss possible partnerships between Yu Lei and Hermes... That woman must be doing the same right now, we have to get it faster!"

"Are you sure Ruoxi? It's just a small company..." The Vice President asked with a frown.

"Look at the news, the media, radio, abroad... all the channels, everywhere... that man is not simple Qianni, he managed to manipulate every single major Chinese broadcast channel to his favour, he's a wonderful ally and a fearful enemy! and I'd prefer him as my ally and that hag's enemy if possible!" Yu Lei's CEO spoke with determination!

The Vice President nodded and got to work as the CEO continued her own business.

**

**

Questions after questions, some nice, some merciless, some with the purpose of slandering, some with curiosity.

The group was barraged with so many questions that Ma Guanhui and the other head departments were left breathless as Alucard answered whatever question was thrown at them, making sure to hype Hermes to the eyes of the public a hundred times more than Cyberpunk 2077. An hour later, the conference finished, and Alucard had successfully become Hermes' Logo.

No one would ever speak of that company, without his name resurfacing together in the conversation.

Now within his office, his thoughts were full of ideas.

In a week the company would literally explode as they were not able to produce enough liquor to meet the incoming demand, they didn't know the exact number, but estimations told them the truth, their infrastructure wasn't near enough...

He needed those professionals from Europe to arrive quickly.

The faster, the better.

Let alone there was also their new star product, coming straight from Alucard's mind.

The new brewing of Hermes, La Faux Mort. This new wine would assure their current position in the market and pave the path of Hermes' exponential growth.