?Chapter 1207:


    His stare locked on Howe—steady, unreadable, almost predatory.


    A tremor of unease rippled through Howe as he said, “Mr. Carter, since when do the affairs of Briggs Group concern you? Surely you’re joking.”


    Lance didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he opened his folder, pulled out a neatly bound document, and ced it on the table with quiet precision.


    “Mr. Briggs,” he said, his tone deceptively calm, “take a look at this.”


    …


    The documents trembled faintly in Howe’s grasp as he flipped through them, his eyes darting from line to line. When the official seals of the military and Briggs Group came into view, a sharp flicker of disbelief crossed his face.


    He shot to his feet, his chair screeching across the polished floor. “General Carter, what is the meaning of this?”


    His voice was low at first, but each word carried growing fury. “Are you saying you intend to take away Briggs Group’s projects?”


    Across the table, Lance remained calmposed, unmoved, his military posture unshaken.


    “Mr. Howe Briggs,” he said evenly, “the agreement you’re referring to was signed directly between the military and Mr. William Briggs. It explicitly covers all ssified technological coborations initiated under his direct supervision.”


    Howe frowned, irritation mixing with confusion. “And what does that mean, exactly?”


    Lance’s tone remained patient, but there was cold steel beneath it. “It means that in the event these projects can no longer be advanced due to unforeseen circumstances, their leadership, assets, and all core data are to be temporarily ced under my department’s custody—to ensure the protection of national interests and technological security.”


    A murmur rippled through the conference room.


    In other words, unless William himself returned, no one—not Howe, not the board, not even the acting directors—could touch those projects. They would be locked downpletely.


    Lance gestured to an officer behind him. The man stepped forward and opened a ck case with crisp precision, pulling out a thick document andying it at the center of the table.


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    Another officer activated a small device, and the text of the agreement shed across therge screen at the front of the room. There it was, in ck and white—every use, every signature, every stamp. The proof was irrefutable.


    The room erupted. Executives exchanged anxious whispers, voices ovepping in disbelief. These were thepany’s crown jewels—the heart of Briggs Group’s innovation and its most profitable ventures. Losing them, even temporarily, would gut thepany’s financial core.


    Howe’s face drained of color. He stalked toward the projection screen, jaw clenched tight, the veins in his hands standing out.


    “This is outrageous!” he snapped, hisposure unraveling. “William is only temporarily out of contact. The board of directors is managing thepany’s…”


    …affairs in his absence. The military has no authority to interfere in a private corporation’s internal operations!”


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