Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 82  Closure & Finished Construction

Mr. Tan tilted his head to the side, wondering what Michael was muttering under his breath. "Are you saying something, Mich—Mr. Reyes?" Mr. Tan asked.

Michael shook his head. "If there is something else, please leave my office. As you can see on my desk, I have mountains of documents and work that need my attention. Unless you have concrete business proposals that align with SolaraTech's goals in renewable energy and technology, I see no reason for this meeting to continue."

Mr. Tan observed the cluttered desk, papers strewn about which seemed to contain the resumes of the applicants that applied for today.

"I understand you're busy, Mr. Reyes. My intention was not to disrupt your work," Mr. Tan said, his voice softening. "For that, I will take my leave. But before so, please accept this."

Mr. Tan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek, matte black business card, extending it towards Michael. "This is my contact information. I know today's meeting didn't go as I had hoped, but I want you to have it. Should you ever find it in your heart to discuss, or if you find any interest in exploring potential collaborations between SolaraTech and UniVida Pharmaceuticals, please don't hesitate to reach out."

Michael took the card with a hint of reluctance, glancing at it briefly before setting it on the edge of his desk, buried partially under a pile of documents. His expression remained neutral, giving away nothing of his thoughts on the unexpected offer.

"Is there anything else?" Michael asked flatly.

"No, that will be all, Mr. Reyes. Thank you for your time," Mr. Tan replied with a finality that suggested he understood the unlikelihood of a future meeting. He gave a small nod, a gesture of respect despite the clear tension between them, then turned and left the office without another word.

After Mr. Tan's departure, Michael sat back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the door for a moment longer before drifting down to the business card now lying amidst the chaos of his desk. He let out a long, measured breath, the weight of the encounter pressing down on him. It was one thing to know of Mr. Tan's existence, another entirely to be faced with the reality of it – the man who was his biological father, yet a stranger in every sense. Well, if he is planning to reconnect, then that's one thing Michael won't let happen easily. The complexities of their relationship, or lack thereof, were not something Michael was prepared to unravel at the moment. His focus had to remain on SolaraTech, on the groundbreaking work they were doing, and on the future he was building – a future that, until today, he had imagined without any interference from Alexander Tan. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

With a decisive motion, Michael pushed the business card to the side, burying it further under the paperwork. There was no room for distractions, not when so much was at stake. The meeting, if it could even be called that, had left him with more questions than answers, but those would have to wait. Right now, there were deadlines to meet, projects to oversee, and a team that depended on his leadership.

He turned his attention back to the work in front of him, determined to put the encounter out of his mind. However, the business card remained on his desk, a tangible reminder of a connection that, whether he liked it or not, existed. It was a link to a past Michael had long tried to distance himself from, but as he would soon find out, the past has a way of catching up, often when least expected.

***

Meanwhile, outside Michael's office.

"So, how did it go sir?" Carla asked.

"Inconclusive," Mr. Tan responded succinctly, his expression unreadable as they walked away from Michael's office. He seemed lost in thought, perhaps contemplating the brief and tense exchange. Despite Carla's curiosity, Mr. Tan offered no further explanation, keeping the details of their conversation private.

"It's a complex situation," he added after a moment as if to provide some context without delving into the specifics. "But let's not dwell on it now. Are you ready to leave?"

Carla nodded, understanding the boundary her boss had set. She knew better than to press for more information, especially when Mr. Tan chose to be reserved about his personal matters.

"Of course sir."

***

July 27th, 2024. From inside his RAM TRX 500, Michael's eyes took in the sight of the new factory. It was a large, modern structure with a flat roof that spanned a considerable area, indicative of a significant production capacity. The facade was a mix of metal and glass, with the latter forming large windows and an entrance that allowed natural light to permeate the building.

The exterior was painted a clean, industrial white, which stood out against the green landscaping that surrounded it. The parking lot was neatly arranged, with spaces marked for cars and a separate area for the loading docks that hinted at the factory's logistics operations. At last, his solar panels can start production next week with the construction being completed. Of course, he needed to see the inside. With that, Michael stepped out of the vehicle and headed towards the main entrance of the factory. The building's size was more imposing up close, the straight lines and geometric shapes of its architecture gave off an air of innovation and strength.

Passing through the automatic doors, he entered a spacious lobby. The interior followed the modern, minimalist design of the exterior with polished concrete floors, and the reception desk was a sleek, angular counter attended by a receptionist who looked up and greeted him with a professional smile.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Reyes. They're expecting you," she said, gesturing towards the hallway that led to the main production area.

Michael nodded his thanks and proceeded down the corridor. Fluorescent lights lined the ceiling, casting a bright white glow over the pristine walls. As he walked, the distant sounds of machinery began to fill the air.

Reaching the end of the hallway, he came to a set of double doors labeled 'Production Floor.' He pushed them open and stepped into the vast space where rows of new, high-tech solar panel assembly lines stood. Manufacturing machines that were in the Virtual World were there but in great numbers. He has to spend 10,000 System Points on it. The lead engineer of the project, Carlo Gomez, approached him with an extended hand.

"Mr. Reyes, good afternoon," Carlo said.

"Yeah…it's good afternoon indeed," Micheal said, glancing around. "So this is the finished product huh? I have to say, I'm impressed."

"Thank you, sir, we did everything under your specified guidelines," Carlo replied with a sense of pride in his voice. "Everything's been calibrated for optimal performance. The assembly lines are ready to begin test runs as soon as you give the go-ahead."

Michael surveyed the area, his eyes taking in the precision of the layout and the state-of-the-art equipment. The facility was a maze of conveyor belts and robotic arms, all silent now, but ready to spring into a dance of production at a moment's notice.

"No, the engineers that I hired six months ago weren't even here yet so we will have to wait because they will be the expert on that. Factory workers also aren't present." "Very well sir."