Chapter 75
Robert tilted his head slightly, giving her a gentle nod, but said nothing.
"You’re telling me," she continued slowly, her tone a mix of disbelief and careful inquiry, "that GSK, one of the most powerful firms in this entire sector, is willing to handle the infrastructure development of an entire Mega City, and all you’re asking for... is five percent?"
Her voice dropped slightly at the end, as if even saying it aloud made it more unbelievable.
Malisa couldn’t help but lean in, whispering just loud enough for both of them to hear, "It’s too low, Cora. Even smaller firms would demand more—much more."
But Cora kept her gaze on Robert. Her business instincts were sharper than ever now. She had dealt with men like him before—or so she thought. Usually, the ones who offered too little upfront came back later with hidden terms, unexpected leverage, or inflated demands. This didn’t feel like that... and that was what unsettled her the most.
"I’m sorry, Robert," she said, narrowing her eyes slightly, "but is this a joke? Is there something else I’m not seeing here? Because no one in your position would ask for just five percent—not for this level of involvement. Are you really telling me that’s all you want?"
At that moment, Robert leaned forward gently, resting his arms on the sleek surface of the table. His eyes, calm and unwavering, met Cora’s with a level of sincerity that was rarely seen in the boardroom. His voice, when he finally spoke, held no hint of arrogance—only calculated reasoning and quiet confidence.
"Cora," he began, "Everyone wants to be part of this project because it’s not just a city, it’s a legacy. It’s the kind of vision that turns history into something permanent. So, yes... we’re only asking for five percent."
He saw the flicker in her eyes, still confused, still cautious. So, he continued.
"I know what you’re thinking. Five percent sounds like charity. But if you really look at it for what it is, five percent of something this big isn’t small at all. The MegaCity project... it’s not just going to last for a year or five years. This isn’t a tech launch that might lose steam. This city is going to live, longer than us, longer than the companies involved. That five percent? It becomes generational wealth. It becomes consistent, growing revenue for decades."