Chapter 7: Shadows in the Luncheon
The heavy double doors swung open, leading Lin Hao into a dining hall that radiated understated opulence. Unlike the grand conference chamber, this room was warmer in tone—golden chandeliers hung lower, their light reflecting off crystal goblets and silver cutlery arranged with military precision.
A long oval dining table dominated the space, each place marked by a name card and a folded linen napkin. At the far end, a magnificent centerpiece of fresh orchids stood tall, their fragrance mingling with the faint scent of vintage wine.
Lin Hao followed the attendant's gesture and made his way to his seat—toward the far end of the table, between two men he didn't yet know. He tried not to fidget as he sat, smoothing the sleeves of his tailored jacket.
For a fleeting moment, he let himself breathe. He had made it through the meeting without embarrassment. He had even found a potential ally in Alfred Baresi. Perhaps this luncheon would be no different.
But the thought didn't last long.
As the shareholders settled in, low conversations hummed around him. Italian, French, German, English—languages blended like a river of wealth and history. The waiter poured a pale golden wine into his glass, its scent sharp and fruity.
Lin Hao lifted it politely, though he hardly drank. His attention shifted to the man on his left—a broad-shouldered gentleman with a thick beard peppered gray, his accent German as he introduced himself.
"Johann Kruger. Hohenberg Trust."
Lin Hao nodded politely. "Lin Hao. A pleasure."
Kruger's lips twitched into what could barely be called a smile. "So, you are the newcomer."
"Yes."
The man's eyes lingered on him, measuring. "Interesting. I had thought Lamborghini's shares were… inaccessible. Yet here you are. From China, no less."
His tone wasn't openly hostile, but the undertone was sharp. Lin Hao recognized it instantly—it wasn't curiosity. It was suspicion.
He gave a calm smile. "Fortune favors the bold, I suppose."
Kruger didn't respond, merely sipping his wine.
Just then, the familiar ding echoed in Lin Hao's mind. A translucent screen flickered into being.
[System Scan Active]
Target: Johann Kruger
Trustworthiness: 41%
Favorability toward Host: -35 (Distrust / Prejudice)
Lin Hao's fingers tightened on the stem of his glass. So that's how it is.
It wasn't just a feeling. It was confirmed.
Johann didn't trust him—and disliked him outright.
Lin Hao's smile remained steady, but inside his chest, the tension thickened.
On his right sat another figure, a younger man with aristocratic features, his dark hair slicked back, a golden crest pin on his lapel.
"Giovanni di Rossi," he said smoothly, his Italian accent rolling like velvet. "Marchesi di Rossi family. And you must be Mr. Lin Hao, the surprise of the year."
Lin Hao inclined his head. "It's an honor to meet you."
Giovanni chuckled softly, sipping his wine. "Honor? No, no. The honor is ours. To think—a man from the Far East now sits among us. It makes for quite the story, doesn't it?"
The words were light, but Lin Hao caught the faint edge beneath them. A story. A novelty. Not an equal.
Again, the system flared.
[System Scan Active]
Target: Giovanni di Rossi
Trustworthiness: 63%
Favorability toward Host: -10 (Skeptical / Amused)
Lin Hao's eyes narrowed slightly. Giovanni wasn't openly hostile. But he didn't respect him, either. He saw him as entertainment, not a peer.
The luncheon began, dishes served in sequence—delicate antipasti, roasted meats, handmade pasta infused with truffle. The flavors were exquisite, yet Lin Hao found himself unable to truly taste them. Every bite was clouded by the weight of the system's revelations.
Some here were curious. Some dismissive. And some, outright hostile.
It was a silent battlefield, fought not with weapons but with glances, tones, and carefully chosen words.
And Lin Hao had just been dropped into the center of it.
Halfway through the meal, Alfred Baresi rose from his seat at the opposite side of the table and raised his glass.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me a brief word." His voice carried easily, polished and commanding. "Today we welcome a new shareholder among us. Mr. Lin Hao. Though young, he represents a new era for Lamborghini, and for our collective future. May his presence strengthen us all."
The room gave a polite round of applause, though Lin Hao noticed how some hands clapped more softly than others.
Still, he stood and gave a respectful nod. "Thank you, Mr. Baresi. I look forward to learning from all of you, and contributing to the company's future."
His words were met with polite smiles, some genuine, others not. But Alfred's toast had given him a shield, however temporary.
The system chimed again, pulling Lin Hao's eyes back to Alfred.
[System Scan Active]
Target: Alfred Baresi
Trustworthiness: 82%
Favorability toward Host: +35 (Supportive / Interested)
The number had risen since earlier. Alfred was becoming not just curious, but supportive.
Lin Hao's heart steadied. In this sea of sharks, he had at least one ally.
As dessert was served—tiny chocolate soufflés dusted with powdered sugar—Lin Hao leaned back slightly, letting the hum of conversation wash over him.
The system interface hovered faintly in his vision, scanning automatically. Favorability scores flickered in the corners of his mind, attached to faces around the table.
Conti banker, Switzerland: Trustworthiness 59% | Favorability +5 (Neutral)
Santorini Holdings delegate: Trustworthiness 48% | Favorability -20 (Dismissive)
Austrian noble, Hohenberg: Trustworthiness 41% | Favorability -35 (Distrust)
The numbers painted a clear picture. This was no welcoming circle. It was an arena of politics, alliances, and grudges.
And he was the outsider.
As the luncheon drew to a close, Giovanni leaned toward him with a faint smile.
"You surely have snatched the pie of someone else."He said.
"What do you mean?"Lin Hao asked curiously.
"Well,You will understand soon."He said while secretly looking at Johann Kruger.
He also didn't think much of it as when one person wins the other must lose.
As the shareholders rose and began filtering out, Lin Hao lingered at the table, gathering his thoughts.
The luncheon had taught him two things.
First: he was surrounded by people who would not hesitate to crush him if he showed weakness.
Second: he had a tool they didn't. The system. A way to see through the smiles and the masks.
And with that weapon, he could carve his place here—not as a novelty, not as a joke, but as an equal.
He adjusted his cufflinks, straightened his tie, and walked out of the hall with steady steps.
For the first time, he felt not just like a billionaire by chance—but like a man preparing for battle.
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