The days blurred together in a whirlwind of calls, meetings, and careful negotiations. Every conversation Darren had with the minority shareholders felt like walking a tightrope — one wrong word could lose their trust or alert Victor Kane.
One late afternoon, Darren sat in a cramped office with Ms. Fernandez, a small-time investor who controlled 12% of Ironclad's shares. She was cautious but intrigued by Darren's vision.
"I want more than just money," she said thoughtfully. "I want security. This city's business game is ruthless."
Darren nodded, feeling the weight of her words.
"I'm offering you a partnership — not just dividends, but a voice in decisions to protect us all."
Ms. Fernandez studied him carefully, then extended her hand.
"You have yourself a deal."
With that handshake, Darren secured a vital foothold in Ironclad.
The system immediately chimed:
[Expenditure Multiplier Activated: 350x]
[Bonus Credit: +£1,050,000]
[New System Feature Unlocked: Asset Management — Improved control over acquired businesses.]
The breakthrough energized Darren. It proved that with patience and strategy, the mountain was climbable.
Over the following weeks, Darren continued acquiring shares quietly, leveraging rebates and reinvesting profits.
Victor Kane's grip on Ironclad weakened, and whispers of his frustration reached Darren through the grapevine.
But Darren remained cautious, aware that Kane would not surrender easily.
Back home, his mother smiled proudly.
"You're making a difference, Darren. Not just for us, but for everyone counting on you."
That night, Darren stared at the glowing cityscape, a newfound fire burning inside him.
The war was far from over — but the tide was turning.