Chapter 6: The Shareholders' Circle
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing a gleaming marble corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly. Lin Hao adjusted his tie nervously, the weight of the Rolex on his wrist reminding him of the price he had paid yesterday. His polished shoes clicked against the marble, echoing louder than he would have liked.
Ahead, two attendants in tailored black suits stood beside a set of double doors engraved with the golden Lamborghini bull. As Lin Hao approached, one of them gave a respectful nod.
"Welcome, Mr. Lin Hao. The shareholder meeting is about to begin. Please, this way."
Lin Hao inclined his head, trying to look calm, though his palms were damp with sweat.
The doors opened, and the world inside almost stole his breath.
The conference hall was a masterpiece of wealth. A chandelier glittered overhead, its crystals scattering light across polished mahogany tables arranged in a grand oval. Seated around them were men and women dressed in impeccable suits and gowns, their every gesture exuding confidence born of generations of privilege.
At the far end of the room, a massive digital screen displayed the Lamborghini logo, soon replaced by a set of names and percentages.
Lin Hao's eyes flicked over the list, his heart racing.
Lamborghini Shareholding Structure
Volkswagen Group (Audi AG) – 35%
The Baresi Family (Italy) – 12%
The Conti Group (Switzerland) – 10%
The Marchesi di Rossi (Florence, Italy) – 8%
The Hohenberg Trust (Austria) – 6%
Santorini Holdings (Monaco) – 5%
Other European Investors – 23% combined
Lin Hao (China) – 1%
The sight made his chest tighten. Each name carried weight. Families and trusts whose wealth stretched back centuries. Banking dynasties, noble houses, aristocrats whose surnames were tied to palaces and vineyards.
And then there was him. Lin Hao (China) – 1%.
It looked absurd on the screen. Almost insulting. A lone line at the bottom, his stake dwarfed by the giants above.
He felt eyes on him. Several shareholders leaned subtly in his direction, their gazes assessing. Some curious, others skeptical. None welcoming.
Lin Hao forced himself to keep his expression calm, his back straight.
I belong here, he told himself fiercely. Even if they don't believe it yet.
The meeting began with routine matters—financial reports, market expansion strategies, production updates. Executives presented slides filled with numbers and charts.
Lin Hao tried to focus, but every so often, his eyes wandered to the people around him. The Conti representatives—silver-haired bankers with sharp eyes. The Marchesi di Rossi heirs, chatting quietly in accented Italian. The Hohenberg delegate, stiff and cold, his bearing noble but distant.
These were people born into circles he had never even glimpsed. To them, this was ordinary. To him, it was a world he had crashed into by miracle.
Still, he kept taking notes, nodding slightly, pretending to follow every detail. If anyone questioned him, he wanted to look competent, not lost.
Two hours later, the meeting ended. The chairman announced a recess before the private luncheon.
As the room shifted into quieter conversations, Lin Hao rose, intending to slip away toward the refreshments. But before he could, a tall man in his mid-forties stepped directly into his path.
He was elegant in a three-piece suit of deep gray, his salt-and-pepper hair swept back neatly. His eyes were sharp but not cold, carrying a flicker of curiosity.
"Mr. Lin Hao, yes?" the man said in smooth English, his tone warm.
Lin Hao blinked. "Yes. And you are?"
The man extended a hand with a faint smile. "Alfred Baresi. I represent the Baresi Family holdings. We own twelve percent of Lamborghini."
Lin Hao's eyes widened slightly. One of the names from the screen. A major shareholder.
He quickly took the hand. "A pleasure, Mr. Baresi."
"The pleasure is mine," Alfred said smoothly. "You've attracted quite a bit of attention, Mr. Lin. It isn't often that a new face enters this room. Especially not one from outside Europe."
Lin Hao forced a calm smile. "I suppose I'm fortunate."
Alfred's eyes studied him carefully, though his tone remained friendly. "Fortune is one word. Determination is another. Many are wondering who exactly Mr. Lin Hao is—and how he managed to secure his stake. I admit, I'm rather curious myself."
Lin Hao's chest tightened. How could he possibly explain the truth? That a system had handed him billions on a silver platter? Impossible. He gave a practiced answer instead.
"I prefer to keep my affairs private," Lin Hao said carefully. "But I believe in the value of this company. That's why I'm here."
Alfred's smile widened slightly, as though he appreciated the evasive reply. "Discretion. I respect that."
At that moment, a familiar ding echoed in Lin Hao's mind. His vision flickered for an instant, and a translucent screen appeared before his eyes—visible only to him.
[System Notification]
New Feature Unlocked: Trustworthiness & Favorability Detection
Target: Alfred Baresi
Trustworthiness: 82%
Favorability toward Host: +25 (Curious / Open)
Lin Hao's breath hitched. He almost missed Alfred's next words.
The system… was reading people. Showing him their real intentions.
It wasn't just about money anymore. It was about survival in a circle filled with hidden daggers.
He could use this feature for his future benefit.
He glanced at Alfred again, this time seeing him in a new light. Trustworthy. Curious. Open. Not hostile.
Relief spread through him. This man was genuine—at least for now.
As there are always those with hostile intentions.And now that he has money,though,system provided those with hostile intentions towards him will increase.
"I hope we can speak more, Mr. Lin," Alfred was saying. "China is a market of great importance for Lamborghini. Having a shareholder from there… it could mean opportunities. If you're open to it, I'd like to discuss possibilities of cooperation."
Lin Hao nodded, his lips curling into a faint but steady smile. "I would like that as well, Mr. Baresi."
Alfred chuckled softly. "Excellent. Then consider this the beginning of a new acquaintance."
The handshake they exchanged was firm, steady. For the first time that day, Lin Hao felt not like an outsider, but like a man standing on equal ground.
As Alfred moved away to speak with another delegate, Lin Hao's gaze lingered on the system screen still hovering faintly in his vision.
Trustworthiness. Favorability.
A new weapon. A new shield.
In this room filled with noble families, bankers, and old money, appearances could deceive. Smiles could hide knives. But now, he had a way to see through it all.
His lips curved into a quiet smile.
Let's see who's really friend… and who's foe.
And if any of tries to do anything funny with him in the future or now,he will make sure to bring them immeasurable consequences.
(As he has the system, he has the ground to be confident)
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