Rebirth Snatching Back My Stolen Luck novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

DEAN

After I returned to Agate Country, I threw myself into work, wrapping up backlogs and pushing forward with the plan to open a new branch in Emerald City.

The backlash from the board didn’t surprise me.

It never does. By now, it was almost routine.

I didn’t waste time or energy arguing with them. Instead, I ordered a feasibility evaluation to be done.

And today, it will be presented.

The air in the boardroom was stifling, heavy with the silence that followed hours of polite bickering disguised as “discussion.”

Finally, one of the older directors–cut from the same cloth as Raven’s Vaughn–rose to his feet.

“Mr. CEO, with all due respect, launching a branch in Emerald City is reckless. Not only are we unfamiliar with the market, but to rashly expand and stake everything on a female–oriented game

-” he gave a small, derisive laugh, “—is imprudent in the extreme. Sir.‘

〃

I leaned back in my chair and tapped one knuckle against the polished table, the sound abrupt in the stillness.

Then I spoke, my tone flat and cold. “Then you have two options. One, withdraw your investment. Two, keep your opinions to yourself.”

A ripple went through the table with a few faces stiffening.

The brows furrowed of the man who spoke furrowed, but in the end, he swallowed his words and sank back to his seat.

I let the silence stretch until it grew so thick a knife could cut through.

“Blake,” I said at last. “The report.”

At once, my assistant, Blake Shelby, stepped forward.

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Chapter 96

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In his mid–thirties, the man was always in a tailored suit, and despite being outwardly unassuming, beneath the surface was a razor–sharp mind. He was a man whose competence I trusted without question.

He dimmed the lights and the screen lit up.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Blake began smoothly, “as per the CEO’s orders, we conducted a full market analysis of Emerald City’s gaming sector. Results show significant growth potential, particularly in female–oriented games, which remain severely underdeveloped.”

He switched slides. “Furthermore, with the planned acquisition of Longing Bird, an IP with over one billion views and ten million followers across platforms, we secure a competitive advantage.”

“Raven Entertainment is already negotiating the acquisition of the animation and live–action rights to her most popular work–the one we also have our eye on. If it goes as planned and we collaborate with them for cross–promotion, we’ll cut marketing costs while expanding audience reach exponentially.”

Murmurs stirred around the table.

I even saw the smart ones among them nodding, their resistance already weakening.

Blake pressed on, his tone steady. “Projected revenue within the first fiscal year is estimated at thirty percent above baseline, even under conservative models.”

The report was airtight. More convincing than any argument I could have bothered to make.

I studied the faces around me as calculation replaced resistance, doubt giving way to reluctant

acceptance.

That was enough.

I rose to my feet. “Gentlemen, this is no gamble. It’s inevitability. You can either stay on board–or watch from the sidelines as I make it happen. Because regardless of your opinion, this is moving forward.”

Silence.

Eyes darted from one to another, but no one spoke to raise an objection.

The matter was settled.

After leaving the meeting. I headed straight for my office with Blake in tow.

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As soon as I took my seat, he spoke.

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“Sir, about the rights acquisition–should we negotiate with Longing Bird directly, or go through FeatherInk as an intermediary?”

I leaned back, clasping my fingers together. “FeatherInk only hosts her work. Their contract is non–exclusive, so the copyright is still hers.”

Blake nodded, making a note on the tablet he carried. “Then we’ll reach out to her directly.”

He glanced up again. “And the draft agreement for the cross–promotion with Raven Entertainment -should I move it forward for final review?”

“Yes.” I said without hesitation. “Have it finalized as soon as possible. I want it to be on their desk by the time both companies secure a deal with Longing Bird.”

“Understood.” He lowered his head and noted it down. Then, almost as an afterthought, he asked respectfully, “Anything else you’d like me to add?”

“That’s it for now.” I paused, then glanced at him. “Good work today.”

A flicker of a smile broke his usually composed expression. “Just doing my job, sir.”

With that, he excused himself, leaving me alone in the quiet office.

My gaze drifted to the phone in front of me, resting face down on the desk.

For a long moment I simply stared at it, before finally reaching for it with a defeated sigh.

The screen lit up to the last place I’d left it–my chat with Lilith.

Me: I’ve landed.

Lilith: Okay.

That was it. A week had passed since then.

No new messages. Not even a simple hello.

It made me question myself:

Was what I asked at the airport really that difficult?

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