Dragon Empire Group planned to march into the cosmetic industry. They tried before but they didn't really invest much. But since the Group had the lion's share of the market, the only way they could go now is to uncharted territory and that included cosmetics.
Ding dong!
the doorbell rang. Eric frowned a bit with no idea who the visitor might be. He stood up, looked through the peephole, then opened the door. "Uncle Richie," he called.
"Umm," Richie stepped in. Eric closed the door and stared at Richie nervously. He was a bit afraid of him if he were being honest. Richie threw a look at him and Eric put on a robe out of embarrassment. "Uncle Richie, it's so late. What are you doing still up?" he said easily.
"I was dealing with some business," Richie said as he sat on the sofa.
Eric poured Richie a glass of wine, and sat in front of him, "And what brings you here?"
"How are things with the parliament?" Richie took a sip and said, "This year was different. Frank was supposed to step down, and you're the only one in the Long family who's in the National Congress. If you mess this up, the whole country's going to blow up into pieces."
"People against our family have been mobilizing for a while—it worked for a while but I still don't think they can turn things around," Eric said earnestly.
"It's good to be confident," Richie looked detached, his eyes sharp and twinkling, "But don't underestimate your opponents."
"I understand," Eric was certainly aware what would happen if the succession went wrong and he wasn't the next ruler. Even if the Long family didn't lose all control, it would still affect their power, and that would make things difficult for them. This was exactly why Brian, instead of going to Las Vegas, went to QY Island. After all, the market there was huge. If it was ever undermined, his company would suffer great losses.
Richie nodded. Now that Brian took over XK Intelligence Agency, he certainly wouldn't be coming back to Dragon Island. Besides, he was too free-loving to being bound by the National Congress, thus making Eric the only possible successor. Every party involved wanted to take a chance and overthrow the leadership.
"It's late. Get some rest," Richie put down the glass and stood up.
"Good night," Eric said.
Eric was relieved when Richie left. Even before his father, he didn't feel this stressed but Richie was too daunting. Every time Richie talked to him, Eric was always uneasy because Richie liked to do things his way.
Long nights always caused one to overthink especially if you're alone.
The same could be said about both Eric and Edgar.
Maybe it was the wine and Edgar spent his entire night zoning in and out. After he got home to his villa, he collapsed on the chair in the garden—legs crossed, one arm nestled under one leg, and another on the chair back. He looked at the distance as his mind wandered off.
He thought back to his past.
"Edgar, didn't you say that you weren't going to join the army?" the little girl asked timidly.
The boy looked at the girl, then answered, "Well, I want to do it now."
"But why?"
"Why?" the boy murmured, "Not everything you do has to have a reason."
The little girl went silent. She lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers. After a while, she choked, "But, I don't want you to go."
"I've made up my mind," the boy's tone was final and determined.
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