Chapter 70 - Deal!

Boss Wang waited only a few minutes when he received the response from the investigator that he just contacted. He was only requesting for a quick background check to see if the Chronos squad members would come as a potential threat to him to his company.

When Boss Wang opened the email response, he sighed in relief. The content said only couple of sentences. 

'One of them is the son of the prominent Zhang-Rosen family. The rest are mere students from Seventh District.'

"Zhang - Rosen family... Interesting! So there is no rival company directing this group! How can they request such unusual payment? Hmmm, is it that son from the Zhang?" Boss Wang propped his head on his elbow while staring at the screen window below his monitor. He immediately recognized the parents of Clark but he did not consider them as enemy. The family was well-respected in the entire district.

After a while, he dismissed all his suspicions he had on the group and focused on the show that he was watching.

He had been following the live broadcast of the FDS Press Company. But now that one of his employees got a hold of the Chronos squad, he was certain that something great is coming for his company.

~

Back in the public gym hallway, Jing Jing was smiling from ear to ear.

"Ma'am, I had a brief discussion with my boss and he accepted your requirement of the 25% share profit for all the exposure of your squad. But..." Jing Jing trailed and looked at Sofia cautiously.

As this two resumed their discussion, the third elimination round also started. The noises began to get louder as other contending squads were playing for their match.

"But what?" Sofia stifled a laugh seeing Jing Jing's guarded expression. 

"Uhm, my boss said that your squad needs to become a champion. If you don't win this tournament, our agreement would also be terminated," Jing Jing quickly conveyed. Somehow, she was hesitant to speak of the condition for it may distract the gameplay of the Chronos squad. The pressure may give a negative psychological effect on the group.

Jing Jing expected Sofia to argue but she only saw a calm composure on the young lady's face. Her lips slightly curled upwards as she nodded.

"Deal!" Sofia affirmed looking completely relaxed.

In reality, the matter of payment and winning, she had already made considerations with as well as the contract arrangement.

The moment she gave a piece of paper containing her contact information to Jing Jing, she was done formulating the necessary things needed for her squad.

The only thing she was waiting for was for Jing Jing to contact her.

For some experts in business world, Sofia's request might be a daring and risky move. They may even think that its too early for her to draw some sort of demands. Such demand sounded ridiculous even. Especially with the ultimatum. It could mean that great potential of losses might incur from their squad.

If the press company generated low income from them, their share would also low. If they failed to become champions of the tournament, they would not gain profit as well.

In such a case, it would be better if their squad would agree to get a fixed amount. Such an arrangement would be less hassle and stressful. All they need to do was to go in an interview and get the money. 

However, Sofia was not anxious about the negative possibilities of her decisions. 

She was confident that the value of the Chronos squad was more than just a fixed amount. With her specific 25% profit request, it only signified that their value was bound to multiply.

To say, it could be seen as an irony. She had set a specific value for her squad but the price was not fixed. 

"We are here to be the champion," Sofia playfully added in a more hushed tone. Jing Jing only giggled and typed something in her phone.

At this point, Sofia knew that with the performance that they have shown in the earlier games, it was already enough to secure a profit.

Their performances on the earlier matched had a purpose. It was not just to impress their viewers nor to show off their skills. There was more to it that only Sofia knew.

And with the ultimatum from Jing Jing's boss, it was already part of their goal. Even if the ultimatum does not exist, the Chronos squad still planned to conquer the championship.

"Great! Then, let's sign the contract," Jing Jing stated after she was done revising the file on her device.

"Right. Hmmm, for the signing of contracts, I'll have our two members as a representative," Sofia spoke.

"Representative?" Jing Jing raised her brow. Then she stared at the young face of Sofia.

At that moment, it just occurred to her that this teenager that she was negotiating with might still be underage to sign their documents!

Jing Jing shivered of the thought. She usually do her research about her scope but because of the betrayal of Drake, she failed to get all the information needed of the Chronos squad!

"Joey and Stephen will represent the Chronos squad in our contract. I'll introduce you to the rest of the Chronos teammates," Sofia replied with a clear voice. 

"Okay?" Jing Jing muttered but the end of her tone was in a form of a question.

Her suspicion was right. Sofia can only negotiate and examine a contract because of her previous life as the CEO of the Summers Holdings. But for her current age, she was just 17! She was not yet legal to sign any formal documents!

When they reached the booth, the four Chronos squad members stood from their seats and gave a customary bow to Jing Jing. 

They offered a friendly smile and waved their hands.

Sofia had told them before she left the booth earlier that she would meet the person that would handle their potential private press. And if she brings another person in, it meant their group had secured the matter about their publicity.

The group exchanged 'hellos' and a brief introduction was done by Sofia. After the formalities, the Chronos squad members eventually welcomed Jing Jing like a big sister.

"Here is the app... Just set your digital signature on," Jing Jing pointed a logo from her screen and showed it to Joey and Stephen.

Since their contract was only a soft copy, they would proceed to place their digital signature on it. One of the many convenient ways that technology had offered in the business industry.

Just as Stephen was about to create his digital signature, Sofia gestured for him to stop.

All of them looked at her curiously. Even Jing Jing became tensed by the sudden action of Sofia.

'Did she change her mind?' Jing Jing asked in her mind.

"What?" Stephen looked up at her and asked.

"Read the contract first before placing your signature," Sofia simply replied as she noticed that he did not even glance at the content of the contract.

He was ready to place his signature without knowing what he was agreeing to!

"But---" Stephen muttered. 'Didn't you review this contract before?' he wanted to add. However, he could only utter one word. It would not sound good if he voiced out the rest of his thoughts.