Upper City District, Tasting Commerce Association Special District Administration Building.
As one car after another arrived at the administration building, the association staff all lowered their heads.
Manager after manager, dressed in tailcoats, stepped out of the cars.
These managers represented the authority and face of the Tasting Commerce Association across the entire Upper City District.
In addition to the four major managers excluding Ulat, they all convened at the administration building, with the general manager hosting the meeting. The five major managers attended together, and politically sensitive employees already sensed the gravity of the situation.
In the conference room.
Seated at the head was a man dressed in a Zhongshan suit, Tasting Commerce Association Ninth Special Zone General Manager Chang Yan’ang.
Among the other four managers in the conference room, three were Caucasian, and one was Latino.
Of course, this racial distinction is based on civilized world definitions.
On the Wasteland, distinctions are not so precise.
It is more about mutants and normal humans.
Chang Yan’ang tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and the atmosphere in the conference room was heavy.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear your thoughts on what comes next."
Ubirus surveyed the room and was the first to speak: "I’ve tried everything, but there’s no way to rescue Natasha from An Nishang’s hands. The time limit has reached its end, so I had to eliminate Natasha to prevent any future troubles."
The time limit referred to the maximum duration Natasha could withstand demonization.
Everyone present knew that once demonization ended, Natasha couldn’t keep the secret.
So they had set a time limit long ago.
It’s also the rescue window, and if Natasha couldn’t be rescued within this time, then she had to be permanently silenced.
"Once Natasha’s connection is cut off, if An Nishang wants to pursue the arms trade again, she’ll have to start from scratch, which time doesn’t allow. Bode is pressing her hard unless she gives up the fight for the director’s position.
But that’s putting the cart before the horse, and it’s highly unlikely.
An Nishang will very likely abandon this arms route."
The manager in charge of arms trade, Hassakis, spoke: "But losing Natasha, Pandora’s Kiss requires Natasha’s bodily fluids, and our heavily invested Pandora Project will declare failure."
"Regarding Natasha’s bodily fluids, we do have some stored up, enough to continue developing part of Pandora’s Kiss. Perhaps we can find a new covetous demon that can adapt.
But for that, the influence brought by Pandora’s Kiss must dissipate.
The plan for Pandora’s Kiss was exposed by that person named Chen Che, and this is currently our biggest problem," said the manager of mineral development, the Latino Amanda Juan.
This is the biggest and most difficult problem facing the Tasting Commerce Association now.
The attempt to control the minds of people both within the Ninth Special Zone and elsewhere, achieving control through drugs.
Not just the powerful and wealthy, even ordinary people wouldn’t be happy about it.
Various trade associations and other regions are demanding an explanation from the Tasting Commerce Association.
Even though everyone secretly harbors this idea, some people with unclean hands put it into action.
But as long as you keep your tail hidden, nobody can do anything to you.
But being exposed so openly, if others don’t come to bite you, do you really think they’re fools?
As Chen Che’s name became renowned throughout the Ninth Special Zone, the Tasting Commerce Association began to hate him to the core.
There was a moment of silence at the table.
Now, under pressure from all sides, they had to provide an explanation.
General Manager Chang Yan’ang, after a brief moment of silence, tapped the table and said, "According to the company manual, let’s proceed."
The remaining four managers sighed in unison.
They all knew what the general manager’s words meant.
To give everyone an answer, a scapegoat is needed, and this scapegoat cannot be someone of low status.
Otherwise, others can clearly see through the association’s perfunctory handling.
This will never be accepted, only causing more backlash.
Someone with enough status to bear the brunt must calm the others’ anger.
It can only be... Ulat.
The Horus Grand Casino was originally under his jurisdiction, and now that the casino has a problem, it’s appropriate for him to take the fall in every way.
Only by sacrificing Ulat can the current public outrage be appeased.
"I’ll personally inform Ulat... Let’s now address the aftermath of Horus Grand Casino. The casino is the most important asset of our branch, and we cannot abandon it there.
Find a way to eliminate the casino’s impact and let it regain its former glory."
Ubirus stroked his small mustache and said, "If Ulat takes responsibility, it will be easier to handle. Clean out the entire previous management department of the casino and replace it with a new team. As long as the casino stands, it will be a splendid landmark.
With meticulous management, initially, gambling activities can be halted. Purchase a batch of high-quality women to attract customers through nightclubs and brothels.
With the casino’s grand decor, many people will be willing to come, and after that, gradually resume gambling activities. In less than a year, the impact can be eliminated and the casino’s grandeur restored."
This demonstrates the strength of physical industries.
While the casino’s reputation is now mixed, nothing can obstruct this magnificent building, which still stands as the most luxurious decor in the entire Ninth Special Zone.
If guests don’t come to gamble, then stop running the casino; turn it directly into a brothel to attract large numbers of customers, and eventually, guests will feel tempted.
Gradually begin to entice guests to play a few rounds, as gambling always captivates more than prostitution.
Attract a new batch of customers to rebuild the casino’s splendor.
Making it as a manager means being shrewd, and Chang Yan’ang was pleased with Ubirus’s proposal.
Nodding, he said, "Then I’ll leave the casino’s reconstruction to you, Ubirus."
Ubirus rose and bowed, "Thank you for the general manager’s trust!"
The remaining managers exchanged thoughtful glances.
Each major manager oversees their respective duties, and the calculation of power and interests doesn’t differ significantly.
But now Ubirus has taken over Ulat’s business, effectively holding two positions for one person.
It’s only natural they have to think more deeply about it.
With the meeting at this stage, they made some additional discussions, and the general manager raised his glass, toasting to the assembled colleagues: "Everyone, this is just a setback, but in truth, we’ve come out ahead. Let’s all create Tasting’s glory together and forge ahead on the path of the future!"
The other managers raised their glasses as well.
As the fine wine rolled down his throat, Chang Yan’ang set down his glass and was about to adjourn the meeting when the communicator beeped.
Chang Yan’ang frowned slightly and picked up the communicator. Upon hearing the urgent message, his expression changed drastically.
The managers looked at Chang Yan’ang in confusion, not knowing what kind of news could cause such a fearful change in the general manager’s demeanor.
Moments later, Chang Yan’ang set down the communicator with a twitchy face, looked up at Ubirus, and said coldly: "Ubirus, just do your job, the grand casino doesn’t need anyone anymore."
"General Manager, what’s going on?" Ubirus’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked urgently.
"The grand casino is gone."