<h4>Chapter 14 - Conquest</h4>


    In the evening, while Eleanor was reading a bedtime story to Freya, Ethan''s secretary, Jack Brown, arrived to deliver the information regarding the fourpanies. She let her daughter continue ying in her room and went downstairs to meet Jack.


    Jack was tall and broad-shouldered, with a strong presence that made him look more like a bodyguard than a secretary. As soon as Eleanor entered the living room, he stood up and greeted her with a respectful nod.


    Eleanor epted the folder from him and said, "I might need some help from you. My secretary, Teresa, recently returned from the States, and herwork here is still insufficient for my uing ns. I hope you''ll assist her and provide some guidance. I''ll send your number to herter, and she''ll call you."


    Jack inclined his head slightly. "Understood, Ms. Raynor."


    After sending him off, Eleanor went to her study to review the documents on the fourpanies. For the next half-hour, she meticulously read through the information, taking notes and formting strategies for each acquisition.


    Once satisfied, she picked up her phone and called Teresa. "I''m sending you some photos of the chairman of Sage Enterprise. Apparently, he''s having an extramarital affair with another director''s wife. By tomorrow morning, as soon as the stock market opens, I want his scandal to be on every news headline. Prepare our buyers... we need to purchase all avable shares when the stock price plummets."


    She paused momentarily before continuing, "Check your mobile. I''ve sent you Jack''s number. He''s Ethan''s assistant, and I just spoke with him. If you need any assistance, he''ll help."


    Teresa''s voice was firm. "Understood. I''m on it."


    "One more thing," Eleanor added. "Contact Fortune Tech and inform them that I want to have lunch with their chairman tomorrow. If they don''t agree, mention that I wish to discuss the matter of Annabel Miller. That should get their attention. Set the meeting at a restaurant near Heimdall Tower so that I can join easily from my office."


    After finishing the call, Eleanor sent Ethan a short message: "Thank You."


    She then returned to Freya''s room, where the little girl was still immersed in her activities. Smiling, Eleanor joined her for some ytime, momentarily setting aside the ruthless world of business.


    Meanwhile, across town, Ethan was attending a high-profile banquet, his usual stoic expression firmly in ce. When his phone vibrated in his pocket, he nced at the screen and saw Eleanor''s message. For a brief moment, a rare smile yed on his lips before it quickly disappeared. A few attendees who had caught the fleeting expression on his face wondered if they had imagined it.


    ***


    The following morning, after breakfast, Eleanor entrusted Freya''s care to a new nanny from the nc n. Linda nc was a woman in her forties, slightly plump, with a warm and dependable demeanor. After a brief conversation, Eleanor found herself liking her.


    Freya, however, didn''t particrly need a nanny. Whenever her mother was working, she busied herself with games, books, or her favorite hobby... programming. She had shown remarkable aptitude in coding, and Eleanor asionally taught her advanced techniques.


    Thus, Linda''s primary responsibility was to ensure that Freya ate and slept on time.


    Eleanor had already enhanced the vi''s security the previous day. Thetest AI-powered surveince system, developed by her ownpany, now monitored the household. Any security breach or anomaly would be reported to her instantly.


    After finalizing household matters and giving staff instructions, Eleanor left for the Hyatt Hotel, where the acquisition process was set to take ce.


    ***


    In the Executive Boardroom of the hotel, Teresa was waiting alongside severalwyers. While no one knew the true identity of the newpany or its owners, Teresa was recognized as its representative.


    Outside the room, the representatives of the eight ITpanies gathered, exchanging hushed spections. They were all seasoned professionals in the same industry, but none of them could fathom just how much capital this mysteriouspany had to attempt acquiring all of them at once.


    As curiosity and tension thickened the air, Teresa finally stepped out and invited them inside. Once everyone was seated, she addressed them calmly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have called you here today to finalize and sign our previously agreed-upon contracts. Since my boss is upied with other matters, I decided to conduct all signings simultaneously. Please review the final contract and inform us if there are any discrepancies."


    Awyer from her side handed each representative a pre-written contract. While they were carefully going through the documents, a convoy of five ck Range Rovers pulled up in front of the hotel. The doors of the front and rear vehicles opened first, and several bodyguards stepped out, positioning themselves strategically.


    Then, from the middle car, a striking woman emerged, wearing an impably tailored purple business suit. She walked into the hotel with an air of effortless authority, her every movement exuding confidence and control. The bodyguards followed her closely, their gazes scanning the surroundings with practiced vignce.


    Inside the Boardroom, thepany representatives were still discussing the contract when the doors suddenly swung open. A hush fell over the room as the breathtakingly beautiful woman entered.


    Teresa and her entourage immediately stood up in deference, prompting the rest of the room to follow suit. Even those who had never met her instinctively recognized her as the boss.


    Eleanor walked to the head of the long conference table and took her seat, her expression calm and unreadable. "Everyone, please be seated," she said in an even tone.


    As the attendees settled back into their chairs, she continued, "I am Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor, Chairman of Heimdall Technologies Limited. If any of you have second thoughts or objections, now is the time to voice them. Otherwise, let''s not waste any more time. Let''s sign the contracts."


    There were no objections. One by one, the representatives signed the agreements, while Teresa affixed thepany seal to each document. Awyer then distributed copies to the respective signatories. Since the terms remained unchanged from their earlier negotiations, none of them hesitated before signing.


    Once thest contract was collected, Eleanor addressed the room again. "Teresa will now proceed with transferring the agreed-upon funds to your respective ounts. I expect all of yourpanies to relocate to Heimdall Tower by the end of today. From this moment forward, every employee, file, and asset under yourpanies belongs to me. Any attempt to sabotage or withholdpany property will result in legal consequences."


    She gave them a moment to process her words before adding, "My personnel are already stationed outside yourpany premises. Please inform your offices to cooperate. Anyone who refuses toply will be terminated without hesitation."


    Panic flickered across a few faces, and within moments, everyone was hastily calling their offices, ensuring smooth transitions.


    When themotion subsided, Eleanor leaned back slightly and continued, "Additionally, I invite all directors of the eightpanies to join Heimdall Technologies. I acquired your businesses because I recognize your expertise and contributions to the industry. If you choose to stay, you will receive a 1% stake in thepany. Your roles within Heimdall will be decidedter. Those interested should contact Teresa by the end of today."


    She turned to Teresa and asked, "Is everything ready for the show?"


    Teresa nodded. "All set."


    Eleanor''s lips curved ever so slightly. "Then let it begin."


    Teresa picked up her phone and sent a confirmation text. A few secondster, she looked up. "It has begun."


    Eleanor rose from her seat. "Ladies and gentlemen, it''s been a pleasure doing business with you. As a parting gift, I''ve prepared a little show for you. Open the stock market app and enjoy."


    With that, she strode out of the room, her demeanor asposed as ever.


    As soon as she left, everyone scrambled to check their stock market apps. For a few seconds, nothing changed. Then, the stock price of Sage Enterprise plummeted. Within minutes, it hit the circuit breaker, leaving everyone in stunned silence.