Financial Emperor: After I Rose From the Dead
Chapter 41: Red Tann Agreed

Chapter 41: Red Tann Agreed

Zaria tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "What do you mean it’s a good thing that Red Tann was invited?"

Rino didn’t give her an immediate answer. Instead, a faint smirk played at the corner of his lips as he gently tapped his fingers against the cool surface of his drink, and posed a question.

"So... did Red Tann turn down the invitation?"

"Not yet," Zaria shook her head. "The decision was just made within us, we are yet to officially respond. Kasper is supposed to give them the answer tomorrow."

"Then," Rino said, his smirk earlier stretching into a confident smile, and with a flick of his thumb against his middle finger, completed, "That’s the game."

He leaned forward on the table, the buzz of the café fading into the background as he sketched things on the glass table with a more intimate tone.

"You see, Zaria, it has always been better to be inside the room when decisions are being made than to be outside complaining about the outcome."

Zaria raised a brow, interested.

"Good thing you mentioned this invitation beforehand," Rino said calmly.

"What’s your point?" Zaria asked, after having waited for Rino to explain what connection the saying he just quoted had with the current happening.

"You don’t understand?" Rino asked, surprised.

"Okay, let’s look at it this way," Rino continued. "Red Tann being invited means that I now have a key to that bidding room, in as much as every other member."

"Whether or not anyone else takes it seriously, I’ve just been handed an access card other individuals would kill for. And that’s the main important deal."

"But, what will you do when other factors who need to approve your usage of this key decline?" Zaria asked.

Rino paused for a moment, figuring out the best answer to the question she just asked. Then, he replied with a smile.

"Zaria, when there’s a storm and everyone’s running away from the rain, the one who stays behind with a raincoat and an umbrella? That person gets to pick the treasure the wind carries in. Those who ran first saw the mess, while I see the opportunity."

Zaria blinked, her expression shifting as the meaning of his words sank in.

"So you’re saying... everyone else is running from Nova Nexus, but you’re about to claim it?"

Rino’s eyes gleamed with that bold, almost reckless glint of a man who’d already made up his mind.

"Not exactly everyone. Limit it to those who will decline my usage of the key for the bidding room."

"But—" Rino’s voice trailed off. "To give a clear answer to the question you asked, the only way to get the key in the situation is to plead their acceptance with reasons"

Zaria leaned back in her chair, slowly nodding, visibly impressed. "You’re either a genius... or absolutely mad."

"Madness is just the price of brilliance," Rino chuckled, reaching for the service bell. "Waiter?"

The staff came over, smiling politely. "Yes, sir?"

"Kindly bring the bill."

Within a few minutes, the waiter returned with a digital tab.

Rino looked up and saw it wasn’t the same waitress he had met the previous time he visited, and he had no card to use. So, he demanded their account details instead.

Once the girl brought the account details, she gave Rino the breakdown of the bill.

"$10,000, sir," she said.

Zaria nearly choked on her drink. "What?! For drinks?"

"Five thousand each," Rino said with a wink. "It’s not about the drink. It’s about the experience you get. Some of the days, you get to meet exclusive business tycoons here, you know."

Zaria didn’t respond. She used the opportunity of Rino transferring the payment to finish her drink.

"Thank you, sir," the waitress thanked and began to assemble the tumblers as Rino and Zaria stood and made their way out of the café.

Outside, the night had taken full control of the skies.

Rino walked Zaria to the car and opened the door for her like a gentleman.

As they drove toward the Greenhouse Estate, their conversation shifted to casual matters—music, streetlight politics, and neighborhood gossip.

When they pulled up to her gate, Zaria turned to him.

"Thanks for the ride."

"Can you help me fix a conference call tonight," Rino said politely, but with a serious tone.

"Consider it done," Zaria nodded.

***

By the time Rino reached Carter Mansion, it was already 10 P.M. The city had quieted down, leaving only the soft hum of distant traffic and the occasional barking of street dogs.

He parked his car and went into the building, straight to his room. Then, he dropped his car key on the small table beside his bed, pulled off his jacket and other of his clothing, and headed to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, he changed into something comfortable and settled on the edge of his bed.

He reached for his phone and opened the WeChat app that he hadn’t visited in a long while.

Almost instantly, dozens of messages flooded his screen. He had been added to the Red Tann Circle Forum.

As he scrolled through the threads, he saw it just like Zaria had said.

The bidding conversation had happened earlier. Kasper was the one acting as the bridge between the government and Red Tann, and he was supposed to respond on behalf of Red Tann the next day.

Suddenly, a new message popped up.

It was done.

Zaria had sent the message that there was going to be a conference call tonight. Malcolm had replied to know what the reason for the call was, while Amaka responded that they were waiting.

Then a DM followed.

~ Zaria: "Get ready. I’m pulling everyone on the call now."

A second later, the screen changed.

Call Starting... RED TANN CIRCLE (LIVE)

Rino accepted.

Within seconds, faces began to appear—Malcolm’s sharp eyes, Amaka’s red bonnet, Dalia’s unreadable stare, Kasper’s ever-smug look, and Zaria’s glowing skin.

Malcolm started things off, laughing. "Well, well, if it isn’t Mister Cat himself. What’s the occasion, Rino?"

"Let’s skip the jokes," Rino said calmly. "I called this meeting for something important."

The laughter died down as they all focused.

Rino took a breath. "Nova Nexus... the tower being put up for bid—"

Once he mentioned Nova Nexus Tower, all active participants in the live call muttered knowing words.

"Well, the company is mine. Or rather, it used to be my father’s. It’s my inheritance, and I don’t want to watch into reel into another family’s lineage or legacy."

There was a short pause.

Then Kasper burst out laughing. "So your old man left you a sinking ship? That’s brutal, bro."

Rino didn’t flinch. "Maybe. But it only sank because it was in the wrong hands. I believe I can fix it. I just need a chance to do that."

"Individuals aren’t allowed to bid," Dalia pointed out flatly. "Only agencies. You’re not an agency."

"That’s why I need Red Tann," Rino said. "I heard that Red Tann was invited to bid, but from the messages I read from our group chat, you all are planning to decline the invitation."

Kasper was the person to speak. "Of course, do you also think it’s wise to play a failing card? Luck is not always a given, Mister Luck."

"Like I said, it is in that situation because it fell into the wrong managing hands," Rino defended. "I can handle the funding—at least the bulk of it. All I’m asking is for Red Tann to submit my proposal in your name."

Dalia scoffed. "Do you even know how much agencies will be throwing around? Tens of millions, at the very least."

"I do," Rino said without blinking. "But here’s the thing—many agencies think Nova Nexus is a waste of money. They won’t throw big amounts, even if they were going to throw the tens of millions. That’s our advantage."

Zaria chimed in. "And the government isn’t just looking for the highest bid. They’re judging based on the proposal—on how well the bidder can revive the company. That’s the recruitment rule."

Now, Malcolm sat forward.

"If Red Tann was invited, then the Green Lords probably were too. We can’t let them take it. Not if they get control over a tower like Nova Nexus. That would shift power too far in their favor."

"I agree," Amaka said. "Rino’s plan might not be perfect, but at least he has skin in the game. It’s his father’s legacy."

Dalia folded her arms. "Alright. Then let’s get practical. Rino—do you have a proposal ready? And how much are you willing to bid?"

Rino glanced at the camera, seriousness filling his tone. "I’m working on the proposal already. I’ll need your input on fine-tuning it. As for the money, I’m ready to start with $15,000,000."

Everyone went quiet.

Malcolm finally nodded. "Then let’s make history for our brother."