Ocean Lords: Start Harvesting Double from Dice Rolls Chapter 681 - 339: Essence Feast Corporation, Illusion_2

Fang Yu's stillness lasted only a moment before a helpless, almost tearful yet amused expression dawned on his face.

Damn it all...

These people would resort to such underhanded tactics just to acquire resources beyond their allocated limit?

This put him in quite a bind, as Fang Yu wasn't some charlatan brandishing the South Island military's name to swindle resources.

He was the genuine article...

Despite his hesitation, Fang Yu found himself unable to refrain from speaking.

However, the two security guards standing before him, perceiving Fang Yu's continued refusal to depart, knitted their brows. With a cold snort, they extended their hands, intending to forcibly escort him out, much like the other young men.

Precisely at this juncture, a commanding voice resonated through the lobby: "Stop! Do not lay a hand on our esteemed guest!"

Upon hearing this, the two guards flinched, immediately retracting their hands. They then turned in unison, addressing the newcomer with deference, "Director!"

The individual who had arrived was clad in a sharp, impeccably tailored suit. Around forty years of age, he wore gold-rimmed spectacles, yet his demeanor lacked any semblance of scholarly gentleness, instead projecting an aura akin to a ruthless crime lord.

Witnessing this man, the two security guards exhibited a flicker of apprehension, their gazes shifting hastily towards the middle-aged man with profound respect.

Yet, the middle-aged man paid them no mind, continuing his direct approach towards Fang Yu. Offering a genial smile, he spoke,

"You must be Mr. Fang Yu, surely? My deepest apologies... our company's security personnel were unfamiliar with you and must have mistaken you."

"Please, come this way!"

The words from the middle-aged man sent a shockwave through the two security guards. They were privy to the fact that, despite being "merely" a company director, this man had a history of ruthless actions and decisive, cruel deeds in his earlier years.

And now, the director was extending such courtesy to this young man.

Could this young man possibly be...?

A collective sharp intake of breath could be heard from the two guards. They felt an overwhelming sense of relief that they hadn't physically engaged the youth just moments before, as such an action would undoubtedly have led to their immediate dismissal by the director.

One had to consider that the remuneration offered by Essence Feast was exceptionally substantial... No one, not even a security guard, wished to face termination from Essence Feast...

...

"And you might be?"

Fang Yu, accompanying the middle-aged man, moved through the lobby and into the interior of the Essence Feast company.

"Here is my business card. My name is Li Min, and I serve as the Marketing Director for Essence Feast!"

The middle-aged man extended his card with a smile, his tone exuding friendliness. "In truth, the company was aware of Mr. Fang Yu's impending arrival to finalize the contract, so I have been awaiting you in the lobby for some time."

"However, after a considerable wait without your appearance, I stepped away to use the facilities, and regrettably, nearly precipitated a misunderstanding."

Li Min's expression portrayed a carefully cultivated warmth. This contrasted sharply with the authoritative tone he had adopted when reprimanding the guards, making him seem like an entirely different individual.

Internally, Fang Yu's brow furrowed slightly; he found himself disliking the man's mannerisms. He harbored a persistent feeling that Li Min's friendly and accommodating demeanor was merely a facade, a mask adjusted for their conversation.

Perhaps... this was simply the professional habit of an experienced marketing director.

Nonetheless, his sole purpose here was to sign the contract. Once that was accomplished, he would depart immediately and submit his report.

There was no compelling reason for extensive interaction with this Li Min.

"It is quite alright. I am not an unreasonable individual. Regarding my purpose here, I presume Director Li is already aware, correct?"

"Indeed, indeed!"

Li Min beamed, his countenance reflecting the very essence of "harmony breeds prosperity." He addressed Fang Yu, "However, this contract holds such significance that an individual of my standing hesitates to approve it unilaterally. It would be best for us to proceed to the highest authority to seek their final decision."

Hearing this, Fang Yu's brow furrowed subtly, a sense of unease settling in.

Contrast this with his experience at Sky Dome Technology, where the head executive had practically signed the contract the moment it was presented, returning it with both hands.

Here at Essence Feast, Li Min was apparently aware of his impending contract signing and had been anticipating his arrival.

If their boss possessed the same promptness as Sky Dome's, Li Min should have received authorization to sign the contract already. Why then this unnecessary detour?

Fang Yu gave a mental shake of his head, making a discreet mental note.

"Please, Mr. Fang Yu, the president's office is just ahead. My superior awaits within."

"Very well!"

Fang Yu inclined his head and was on the verge of moving forward.

But at that precise instant, his muscles became taut, and in the following second, reacting purely on instinct without a moment's hesitation, he sharply recoiled backward.

Simultaneously with Fang Yu's retreat, an invisible force streaked through the very space he had occupied moments before.

This force was exceptionally insidious and potent, imbued with an incredibly sharp aura, its origin entirely indiscernible.

Had Fang Yu not sensed the anomaly in that precise moment, he would have undoubtedly suffered a grievous injury from that attack, immediately finding himself in a disadvantageous situation.

"Huh? How did you manage to sense that..."

Just then, a chilling, malevolent voice echoed from the wall to Fang Yu's left.

Fang Yu's pupils constricted. To his left stood merely a wall – nothing else. Furthermore, when he extended his senses in that direction, he detected absolutely nothing.

It was just a wall.

Subconsciously, Fang Yu glanced toward Li Min, who stood before him. However, as his gaze fell upon Li Min, the figure suddenly flickered and began to turn transparent, dissolving into the air like smoke, growing fainter and fainter until it completely disappeared.

"Swish!"

Another icy, sinister aura lunged at him from the side.

Both the speed and the abruptness of this assault caught Fang Yu entirely off guard.