Chapter 224 - Was it Worth It?

The stocks of the Duval Transport Group plunged drastically after the news of Project Zero. The shareholders were now the ones desperately asking the Davies Group of Companies to buy their shares. For those who were happy to have arranged with Alfred days before, they were lucky to have been paid generously. 

Since Bertrand Duval was in question, the company's Vice President called for a meeting with the board. Before they even began identifying solutions, the members were ranting their misfortunes. 

"We should have sold our shares when we had the chance!"

"I should have known that Bertrand was up to no good. He was always missing a few days without telling his exact location. Apparently, he was venturing into making lab rats out of humans!"

"Everyone, please!" It was Mr. Brodeur who called their attention. "We may have not lost hope. The Davies Group of Companies reached out to me further expressing their interest in taking over our Transport company."

"Considering our current state, how are they still willing to buy shares from us?" One of the board members asked. 

"I don't know, but let's ask their representative. I have already called him over," replied Mr. Brodeur. 

Lu Fang arrived after being called. He had already been waiting at the company lobby waiting for Mr. Brodeur's call. The moment he stepped inside their meeting room, the board members questioned his capacity to take over the company. 

"Ladies and gentlemen," the man addressed them before adding, "As for running a business, I'm sure you well know of the influence the Davies Group of Companies have in the Europe market. I can assure you, we can bring this corporation to new heights, but I need your cooperation."

The man stared into everyone's eyes and reminded them of the situation, "We can vote out Bertrand from being the president due to his anomalous involvement in the recent scandal, but the truth remains; he is a major stockholder of the company… I need your help in buying his shares on my behalf, but without him knowing."

"Mr. Lu, despite the situation of our company, why are you still willing to invest?" Asked one other board member. 

Lu Fang was standing in front of them in the middle of a long table. He glanced at the floor and placed both his hands inside his pockets before looking up to them again. He gave them a satisfactory explanation, "I won't give you all the cheesy details but know this; Bertrand has offended my family to the core. We, the Lus of China and the Davieses of the UK, our primary goal is to leave him penniless to the point that he could not buy a pair of shoes."

Some of them gave the man petrified stare while others gulped in shock. 

"I had a hand in exposing his scandalous project and knew your stocks would plummet. This was the reason we tried to purchase your shares beforehand. We have been trying to tell you that the man was evil, but I understand why you refused to believe, or at least for most of you."

Alfred was only able to secure shares from Mr. Brodeur and two other shareholders. The rest refused to give way due to Bertrand's warning while some felt the offer was not generous enough. 

"Finally, because we know that you are innocent from Bertrand's crimes, we came here willingly to help you… So who would like to help me buy out Mr. Duval's shares?" Lu Fang asked. 

"I am willing!"

"So do I?"

Hands came raising offering their aid and others also offered to sell their shares completely. 

Before ending the meeting, Lu Fang gave them a reminder, "Since we will be business partners moving forward, I would like to give everyone a fair notice. Go against me and my family - crossed that line and you will suffer the same consequences as Bertrand."

His words could not be any clearer and from that day onwards, word spread across Europe about the ruthless businessman named Lu Fang. Those who had ill intentions towards Lu-Wei Enterprises and the Davies Group of Companies suddenly had amnesia. 

Those who were involved in Project Zero fled the continent thinking they would escape their fate, but they were wrong. Lu Fang, Yeong, and Li Wen took them down one by one. They may have tried to escape judgment, but Lu Fang took the law into his own hands. Even Pamela York, Nancy's sister did not slip away from the man's wrath. 

Lu Fang and Andrea's siblings had held their anger for a while now but patiently waited for the right time while gathering more evidence. Since Andrea was already safe, it was time to collect debts. 

Eventually, the French government seized The Neptune Trader and rescued its prisoners. They put all the employees who did not escape behind bars. Those who evaded the authorities were hunted down by Alfred's men. The captain? He never got his Mercedes-Benz Maybach Exelero. 

Bertrand was captured and secured in the most dangerous prison in France and by his request, his wife was placed the same facility. 

Lu Fang considered Bertrand forever a threat to his wife and his family. He would not rest until he was completely out of the way. Thus, he came to visit him one day. 

"How did you do it?" Bertrand asked. "How did you find and use such a very skillful hacker? If it were not for that White Angel, you would have failed for sure."

Lu Fang was sitting behind the glass window inside the prison's visiting room. Hearing Bertrand's words, he smiled at him and responded, "The gods are behind me and they sent me the White Angel as my aid."

"You talk shit!" Bertrand protested. 

The man chuckled sarcastically and asked, "Was it worth it? Ruining the lives of others. Was it worth exchanging your life for it?"

"What are you even doing here?! You want to mock me? Go ahead! The moment I come out of this prison, I will hunt you down!"

Bertrand smashed his hands against the glass window, going ballistic at Lu Fang. He kept cursing at the man until his attention was called by the prison guard. 

Just before he was taken away, Lu Fang said to him, "Thank you. I was hoping you'd say that."

Days following Lu Fang's visit, Bertrand was found lifeless in his prison cell. The doctors confirmed that he had a heart attack, causing his death. 

It took nearly a month for Lu Fang to eradicate their enemies and any possible rivals, all related to Project Zero. It was now time to reunite with his wife and children.