noveldrama
Chapter 171: He's Building an Alliance
Chapter 171: He's Building an Alliance
The conference room atop the Steele Complex was bathed in morning light, the skyline of Los Alverez shimmering through the glass walls.
In his office, Olivia Sinclair sat across from Darren Steele. She had a poised posture, considering everything that had led up until this point. However, she manages to remain calm.
She had her signature green hair tied back in a low, businesslike knot and wore a silver suit that kissed her body tightly.
In front of her and Darren lay the contract: ten pages of carefully revised agreements, equity shares, long-term options, and a mutual understanding of vision.
Perfectly brought together by none other than the efficient Rachel Teschmacher.
Darren didn't rush. He read every line, and Olivia waited, her fingers tapping once, twice, before Darren finally looked up. "Olivia," he called her. "You understand what you're signing?"
"I do," she replied, her voice level. "And I accept all the terms."
Darren nodded. "Full autonomy in content creation, but fiscal oversight on major product launches. Branding merges only if needed. 28% equity share in Olive Run Capital, with a five-year growth clause."
Olivia smiled faintly. "I know, Darren. I agreed to it. All of it. And I know what I get in return. Steele Investments will act as lead partner for all data-driven campaigns and incubator monetization. Lead partner means that you have a big role to play. You're the engine behind the scale."
"Alright then. Let's sign it."
They signed.
It was done.
?Ding!?
?You've gained a new ally!?
?Ally: Olivia Sinclair
Rating: A?
And with it, Darren had sealed his third major alliance within a month.
Charles Nelson had been the first.
Their meeting had taken place inside the newly revitalized Castle Cottage Restaurant, a strategic power move by Darren.
Then, the atmosphere had been warm and nostalgic, but the minds at the table were anything but soft.
Charles, heir to the Nelson financial empire and president of Nelson Bank, wanted two things: an early equity stake in Steele Investments and for Nelson Bank to be the company's official financial partner.
Darren, sensing leverage, had smiled and proposed a blend.
The summary of the deal was this:
"You want early shares? Let's tie that into an exclusive liquidity deal. Every dollar invested must stay within Nelson Bank for one year. In return, you get first-round rights— before we go public."
Charles followed. "And if I commit to a deeper round later on?"
"Then you'll be grandfathered into every expansion we make. From crypto to real estate."
They had signed that deal with smiles on all their faces. Even the sumo-type security guard seemed happy.
Next was Grant Hayes.
The young heir of the Golden Hay Empire had met Darren under far more chaotic circumstances.
A shy nineteen-year-old caught in the web of his late father's empire, surrounded by greedy board members and a fake friend pushing him toward a wealth management group aligned with their interests.
Darren had seen the vulnerability and acted quickly.
When Grant had called and arranged a meeting with Darren, they also met at the lounge in Castle Cottage.
There, Darren made his pitch:
"I'll offer you an alliance," Darren had said. "My legal team will vet every clause in their proposed agreement."
Jonathan Vance and Daisy Chen were also present and they worked with Darren and Grant to draft out a solid plan to stop the lawyers from trying anything.
This also included the possibility of a law case.
"In return, when the Golden Hay Empire regains stability under your leadership, you become the official ally company where our clients who invest in our business can spend free business trips in your hotels. Including a monetary alliance in situations of emergency."
Grant had hesitated, then accepted.
Then there was Tamara Johnstone.
It had begun as a rivalry. Tamara, interim CEO of Horizon Strategies, had tried to poach the software Darren created with NeuraNest. Her attempt had failed, and her internal feud with Ryan Anders had left her stand in the company weakened.
She came to Darren in desperation.
Darren didn't hold back.
"7% stake," he'd said. "Three million in deferred investment. Ally status. And your CEO seat must be secured within two months. I'll help you— but the price is control."
Tamara, torn but determined, agreed. It was either pride, or survival. She chose the latter.
Now, the news was everywhere.
Inside the busy newsroom of Business Everyday, cameras clicked, reporters typed with fury, and breaking headlines scrolled across LED panels:
BREAKING: Olivia Sinclair, heiress of the Sinclair Family, signs partnership with Darren Steele's Steele Investments.
The young multimillionaire investor continues meteoric rise, following earlier deals with Charles Nelson of Nelson Bank, Grant Hayes of Golden Hay Empire, and Tamara Johnstone of Horizon Strategies.
Starting from just a cryptocurrency enthusiast, and still being one, this young man has spread his webs to numerous routes that new companies already dream of.
What next can we expect from the....
The sound of the television died down and the office it was broadcasting to, revealed itself.
It was Richard Morrison's.
He was lounged like a king.
The lighting was low, jazz music drifted from hidden speakers, and a beautiful woman massaged his shoulders while he sipped aged bourbon.
Across from him, Ryan Anders stood beside a glowing monitor, eyes glued to the news ticker.
"Who is this boy?" Richard asked lazily. "He interests me."
Ryan's lip curled distastefully. "He's a nobody."
Richard's brow furrowed. He repeated the name slowly, tasting it. "Darren Steele… Why does that name sound so familiar? Darren Steele."
"Ah!" It clicked. "Isn't that the boy who partnered with Leonard?"
"Holloway?" Ryan asked, then nodded in realization. "Your business rival."
Richard gave a slow smirk. "Rival is generous. I've surpassed Holloway."
Ryan's voice grew cautious. "He released two world-breaking cures in two months. You can't pretend that Leonard Holloway isn't a threat.
Richard sighed, the smirk fading. "That's true."
Ryan stared at the TV, fingers tapping against his own arm. Then something clicked in his mind.
"That bastard," he muttered.
The screen showed Darren walking confidently alongside Olivia.
"Bastard? I swear the last time you spoke about him, he was your soulmate."
Ryan cussed, and then his eyes widened.
"He's building a wall," he whispered.
He walked closer to the TV, everything rushing into his head. "A wall of powerful people. Leonard Holloway, owner of the second most powerful hospital in the state, an ally of Steele Investments. Charles Nelson, son of the powerful Nelson Family, heir to their empire. Tamara Johnstone, daughter of the Johnstone Family, interim CEO of Horizon Strategies. Grant Hayes, heir of the Golden Hay Empire. Olivia Sinclair, daughter of the Sinclair family, Sinclair Group is an Empire Company as well. They're all now allies of Steele Investments."
He turned toward Richard, his expression grim.
"And don't forget… Cheyenne Lamb. She was at the launch party."
Richard lifted a brow. "You think she's an ally?"
"I'm not sure," Ryan admitted. "But if she isn't then she's certainly a potential ally…"
His voice dropped.
"It's all been intentional. All of it. Darren Steele has allied himself with five of the most powerful corporations in the state… and perhaps six. And he's done it right under our noses."