However, the security on the fourth floor has become increasingly tight, and even people like Xiao Ping wearing ordinary guard uniforms have no right to approach. Those responsible for the security of the castle hall are all personal bodyguards of core members of the Nicholas family.
Of course, such troubles will not trouble Xiao Ping. He found an opportunity to enter a room on the fourth floor, quickly opened the grate of the ventilation duct, and then entered the castle hall through the ventilation duct.
Originally, there was absolutely no equipment such as ventilation ducts in a medieval castle like this. However, the Nicholas family has carried out large-scale modernization of the castle in recent years, and ventilation ducts were added at that time.
At the moment, Nicholas¡¯ family meeting has not yet been held, and the castle hall is very quiet, with no one around. Xiao Ping came out of the ventilation duct, found a hidden place near the high dome of the hall, and hid it carefully.
Xiao Ping waited patiently for more than half an hour, and finally someone entered the castle hall. A few bodyguards came in first. They checked for the last time and made sure there was nothing wrong in the hall before signaling outside that everything was normal.
The dome of the castle hall is three stories high, and there are complex statues carved around it, which is more than enough to hide a person. Even the most vigilant bodyguards could not imagine that someone could sneak into the heavily guarded castle and climb to such a high place to hide. So no one paid attention to the dome of the hall, and Xiao Ping passed the final level.
When the bodyguards signaled outside, more than a dozen well-dressed men of different ages walked in. Everyone's movements clearly show the aura of a superior person, and it seems that they should be the core members of the Nicholas family.
These people sat down at a long table and waited for all the bodyguards to exit. The old man sitting at one end of the long table said in an old voice: "This year's family meeting has officially begun. Anyone who has any questions can raise it now."
A guy with a mustache spoke first. It's about the family's investment in America. Other members expressed their opinions on this, and it didn't take long for a consensus to be reached. A solution was determined. Immediately afterwards, several people raised their own questions, which were successfully resolved after discussion by others.
These things are not of concern to Xiao Ping, but the people below have not mentioned the issues about the French branch, so he can only wait patiently.
Nearly two hours after the meeting, Xiao Ping¡¯s wait finally came to fruition. A man who looked to be in his thirties with a cunning expression said: "A few days ago, our allies in the east called again to ask us when we can fulfill our promises to them."
These words seemed to have something to do with the crisis in the French branch. Xiao Ping on the dome also perked up and listened carefully.
This man¡¯s words also attracted the attention of other members of the Nicholas family. The castle hall instantly became quiet, and many people exchanged glances with each other, looking a little nervous. It seems that the power of their "eastern allies" cannot be underestimated, otherwise the Nicholas family with a long history would not pay so much attention to it.
The old man who presided over the meeting spoke first, looked at the man and said slowly: "Harry, how did you answer them?"
"I can only ask them to wait patiently." Harry shrugged helplessly: "The progress on our side is too slow, and there is not even a little bit of exciting progress. I can only talk nonsense to appease them."
Harry's words angered the middle-aged man sitting opposite him. The man glared at him and said, "What do you mean? Are you accusing me of not doing things well?"
Harry sneered: "Dear Peake, I didn't say that. It's entirely because you are too worried. But your progress should indeed be faster, otherwise our allies will lose their patience. This will cause huge harm to the family. Loss."
The man named Pique said angrily: "I'm already trying my best, you have to give me some time."
Harry said calmly: "I think the family has given you enough time, but you have made no progress at all."
Pique said angrily: "Who said there is no progress? It's just that you haven't seen it!"
"Really?" Harry sneered and asked, "Is your so-called progress just sending those Italians to die in front of the opponent's winery? If this can be considered progress, I admit that we have achieved great results! "
As soon as Harry said these words. Pique was naturally furious immediately, while other members of the family nodded slightly. It seems that I quite agree with Harry's statement.
Seeing that everyone else supported Harry, Pique¡¯s expression changed drastically. He was about to speak for himself, but the old man presiding over the meeting had already said first: "Harry, Peake, please stop saying a few words!"
The old man has absolute authority in the familyAs soon as he opened his mouth, both Harry and Peake obediently shut their mouths. The old man's eyes swept over the two of them, and then he said calmly: "Although John and Hopkins in Italy are not direct descendants of the family, they can be regarded as our peripheral members. This time, the entire army was wiped out in France, which is a great blow to the family. It is indeed a big blow, I think everyone knows this."
Hearing what the old man said, Pic suddenly turned pale. He knew that the family already believed that this was his mistake, and punishment would be announced in the next few days.
As it turned out, the old man paused and said, "In view of this loss, Peake handed over all the shares in the Seton Company and temporarily handed them over to the family for management. As for who will ultimately take over the shares, that's all. Let¡¯s see who can successfully win the French Holy Pot Company, do you have any opinions?¡±
There was silence in the castle hall, and even Peake himself did not dare to express his objection. The old man nodded with satisfaction and said calmly: "Let's discuss how to make the Chinese surrender!"
When Xiao Ping, who was hiding on the dome, heard this, he couldn't help but thought to himself: "These guys are really evil. They still want to seize the company that my brothers have worked so hard to build. Fortunately, I sneaked into the castle this time and can know their next step." plan, you won¡¯t have to be so passive next time.¡±
But for Xiao Ping, the next step of the Nicholas family is important, but it is even more important to find out the identity of the "Eastern Allies" they call. From the words of these people, Xiao Ping had already heard that it was not the Nicholas family that wanted to deal with him the most, but their "Eastern Allies". So Xiao Ping must figure out the origins of these mysterious guys. Of course, all Xiao Ping can do now is to listen patiently and hope to gain something.
While Xiao Ping was secretly rejoicing, Harry below began to speak again. (To be continued)
ps: Thanks to book friend "tool53589" for the reward