The story begins with the scent of morning dew still lingering on the car's glass windows, and the chill piercing the skin in the early hours of this day.
The roar of a black car's engine echoed loudly along the streets of Jakarta. For some reason, this morning felt unusually quiet, with no traffic jams slowing the roads to a crawl.
The car came to a stop in front of a towering skyscraper. The building's security guard hurriedly opened the door. "Good morning, Mr. Director," he greeted with a wide smile.
"Morning, Mr. Hans," the man replied as he stepped out of his black car. "Here are the keys."
Hans accepted the keys with his right hand. "Very well, Mr. Director. Have a pleasant day," he said, giving a salute.
The man promptly left Hans behind and strode calmly toward the entrance of the tall building ahead.
Hans watched the man's retreating back. "The CEO of XQO Holdings is truly exceptional. He built XQO from the ground up to the success it enjoys today," Hans remarked before sliding back into the car.
He started the engine. "Time to head to your spot, old friend." Calmly, Hans drove the car toward the XQO building's parking area.
At the entrance, a woman in a black blazer was already waiting for the man. "Morning, Mr. Director," she greeted with a gentle, warm smile.
"Morning, Secretary Tysa," the man replied evenly, his gaze steady. "Why are you out here?"
Tysa handed him a folder. "The monthly report you requested, sir."
"Yes, but why deliver it here of all places, Miss Tysa?" the man asked, accepting the folder from her.
Tysa let out a soft laugh. "For some reason, today I just felt like giving it to you right here, Mr. Director," she replied, unable to hide her amusement.
"You and your whims. Alright, I'll take the report," the man said. "But don't make a habit of handing over files out here, understood, Miss Tysa?"
Tysa nodded lightly. "My apologies, sir. Please, go on in."
"Right, no harm done. In that case, I'll head inside first," the man said. "Have a wonderful day, Miss Tysa."
"You too, Mr. Director."
The man entered the building, leaving Tysa standing alone.
As he walked through the lobby, every employee who spotted him bowed in respect.
He then headed to the building's private elevator and pressed the button for the 165th floor.
The elevator doors closed, and the machinery hummed to life, carrying him upward to the topmost level.
A soft ding announced his arrival. The man stepped out and walked toward his office at the far end of the hall.
He opened the door and made his way to his desk chair, where a stack of documents awaited.
Not even a few minutes had passed since he sat down when the phone nearby rang. "Hello, this is the CEO speaking. What is it?"
"Good morning, Mr. Director. Miss Lyna would like to meet with you," the building's operator replied.
The man tapped lightly on the glass desk, producing a faint rhythmic sound. "Bring her up," he answered calmly.
"Right away, Mr. Director," the operator confirmed.
The man hung up the phone, his eyes drifting to the view outside. Towering buildings adorned the Jakarta skyline.
Moments later, a knock sounded at the door. "It's me, Mr. Director," a voice said softly.
"Come in," the man replied curtly.
A woman opened the door, and a small child darted inside, rushing toward the man. "Papa!" she cried out.
"Lyna, what are you doing here?" the man asked. "Aren't you supposed to be heading to school today?"
Lyna threw her arms around her adoptive father in a tight hug. "I wanted to see you before I go," she replied with an innocent smile.
"Alright, if that's what you want," the man said, lifting his little girl's body into his arms. "Now, off you go."
The woman nodded in agreement. "Very well, Mr. Director."
Lyna Taksaka, a young girl from the Kasih Sayang orphanage, had been adopted and raised by the CEO of XQO Holdings, taking on the family name Taksaka.
Lyna sniffled softly in her adoptive father's embrace. "Why does Papa always leave before I wake up?" she whispered, tears trickling onto his black shirt.
"Forgive me, my princess," he said, carrying her out of the office. "Your father has duties he can't neglect, and you know that."
The child continued to sob quietly in his arms. "I understand, Papa."
The two now descended in the building's private elevator, where several employees greeted them warmly.
The man exited the building toward a white car waiting out front. An elderly man approached. "Morning, sir. Allow me to carry the young miss."
"No need, Mr. Aris. She's just missing her father," the man replied, then walked toward the car.
Aris opened the white car's door with his right hand. "After you, sir," he said.
"Thank you, Mr. Aris." The man gently placed Lyna in the seat. "Listen to your teacher at school, alright?"
Lyna nodded, though tears still streamed down her face. "Yes, Papa," she said with a sob.
"My little one, no more tears, okay?" he said, wiping the droplets from her cheeks.
Lyna touched her adoptive father's hand tenderly. "I understand, Papa."
The man softly closed the car door. "Drive carefully, Mr. Aris."
"Of course, sir. I won't let any harm come to the young miss," Aris assured him firmly.
The man nodded. Aris climbed into the car, and Lyna gave a small wave to her adoptive father.
The white car pulled away from the XQO building, and the man returned upstairs to his office.
The sun had risen to a nine-degree angle, and the midday heat was beginning to build.
"Tysa, come to my office immediately."
"Right away, Mr. Director," Tysa replied succinctly.
Soon after, a knock echoed at the door. "Come in."
"What do you need, Mr. Director?" Tysa asked, meeting her boss's gaze.
The man looked into Tysa's golden eyes. "What's my schedule for this afternoon, Miss Tysa?"
"Your afternoon agenda includes the routine meeting with the Head of Information, the CFO, and one board member of XQO Holdings," Tysa replied confidently.
The man nodded. "Very well," he said briefly but clearly.
"Is there anything else you require from me, Mr. Director?" Tysa asked to confirm.
The man shook his head lightly. "No, Miss Tysa."
Tysa nodded. "In that case, I'll take my leave, Mr. Director."
"Carry on, Miss Tysa."
Tysa bowed respectfully and left the room.
Silence once again filled the office as the man's phone rang softly. He picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hello, what about the acquisition of Anihc Corporation?" his interlocutor asked directly.
The man glanced at the documents he had already signed. "I'm still considering it, Mr. Malaka."
"Ah, come on, sir," Malaka huffed. "The company I mentioned is on the brink of bankruptcy."
The man sighed deeply. "I'll give you an update tonight."
"Fine, sir," Malaka said in a high-pitched tone. "But don't blame me if someone else swoops in and takes it over."
"Yes, Mr. Malaka. I understand."
The call ended abruptly once their conversation concluded.
Malaka, a trusted broker and informant among Indonesia's elite, was now in an abandoned warehouse. "Damn you, CEO of XQO Holdings," he muttered, hurling his phone against the wall.
"What now, sir?" asked a man with a circular scar on his hand.
Malaka sighed. "Contact the CEO of Vylare Limited. Tell him if he's interested in acquiring Anihc Corporation, Nuel."
"Understood, sir. I'll handle it," replied Immanuel, who hurried off to the communication area.
Malaka stared as Immanuel gradually disappeared from view. "We'll see who gets their hands on that company first, the one that was once part of the Nine Dragons empire."
The wind shifted, carrying the story back to the CEO of XQO Holdings, who was now heading to the routine meeting room.
He traversed the company's corridors, where employees who saw him offered sincere bows.
The meeting room door swung open. Several key figures from XQO Holdings had arrived early and rose to their feet as the CEO entered.
"How are you today, Mr. Director?" asked a woman elegantly, dressed in a white blouse and short black skirt.
The CEO regarded her with a flowing gaze. "I feel today is my best yet, Miss CFO. And how are you, Miss Elizabeth?" he countered.
"I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Director. I'm in top form myself today," Elizabeth replied with unwavering poise.
The CEO nodded, then turned to the Head of Information. "How about you, Mr. Raka? Any updates on Malaka?"
"Nothing yet, Mr. Director," Raka replied, shaking his head lightly. "I haven't been able to trace the origins of the person you mentioned."
The CEO nodded in acknowledgment and greeted the sole board member present.
"Very well, let's begin today's routine meeting. Present your reports, starting with Raka," he said, eyeing the Head of Information.
Raka nodded and stood tall. "Thank you, Mr. Director, for your time."
Raka walked to the presentation area, where a large screen behind him displayed stock prices from companies across Indonesia.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Director, board members, and colleagues," the Head of Information began. "I'll present the performance report for XQO's stocks in the last quarter."
He displayed a graph of stock fluctuations on the screen, drawing the room's focused attention.
"As of today, XQO shares stand at IDR 8,920 per share, up 3.7% from last week's close and 12% since the quarter's start."
"This rise is largely driven by the minority stake acquisition from ArchaTech Limited and the strengthening of our digital energy sector portfolio."
He clicked to the next slide, showing global stock charts.
"However, note the volatility in Southeast Asian markets this week due to trade tensions. Institutional investors are reducing exposure in real estate, this could impact our subsidiary, ZaryaLand."
"Therefore, we recommend reviewing asset diversification and bolstering cash positions ahead of fiscal year-end."
He looked toward the CEO.
"Mr. Director, based on our analysis, an 'asset defense' strategy for the next three months will ensure stable dividends while maintaining investor confidence."
"Do we have enough buffer if Asian stocks tank next month?" the CEO asked.
The Head of Information replied, "We've prepared impact simulations. Even in the worst-case scenario, XQO's liquidity ratio remains above the ideal 1.25. But we need your approval to accelerate fund shifts to liquid assets this week."
"Approved. Wrap it up this week, Mr. Raka," the CEO stated firmly. "What about the board?"
Margaretha Yunisia, the Chairwoman, nodded in agreement without comment, as did the other board members.
Raka nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Director and colleagues," he said, returning to his seat.
"Next, your turn, Miss Elizabeth," the CEO said, his gaze fixed straight on the CFO.
Elizabeth nodded. "Very well, Mr. Director." She stood, laptop in hand, and walked to the presentation area.
Her steps were graceful, her long golden hair neatly tied back. She placed her laptop down.
The CFO stood slowly, opening a slim folder in her hand and glancing at the newly lit presentation screen.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Director and everyone present. I'll deliver the third-quarter financial report for XQO Holdings."
She pointed to a balance sheet chart on the screen, its clean white background accented by bold blue lines.
"Net revenue for this quarter totals IDR 2.14 trillion, up 9.3% from the previous quarter. This growth is supported by new infrastructure contracts and additional contributions from our technology division."
"However, operating expenses rose 4.7%, primarily due to wage adjustments and international logistics costs."
She tapped the table lightly twice, then continued in a firm tone.
"Net profit after tax is IDR 478 billion, keeping our net profit margin steady at 22.3%—still within safe limits."
"One point of note: our debt-to-equity ratio (DER) has increased from 0.85 to 1.07. This stems directly from the property portfolio acquisition and new expansion financing."
"To stabilize it, I recommend delaying dividends next quarter and cutting capital expenditures (CapEx) by 12%."
She looked at the CEO seriously.
"This isn't a popular decision, Mr. Director. But it's a conservative step to preserve liquidity and financial flexibility over the next six months."
The CEO then asked, "If we delay dividends, what's the impact on investor sentiment?"
The CFO responded, "We anticipate a short-term stock price dip of 1-2%, but in the medium term, the market will appreciate our cautious stance—especially amid global turbulence and currency instability."
"Very well, I approve the plan, Miss Elizabeth. Any objections from the rest?" the CEO said succinctly, his words carrying weight.
The board members exchanged glances. "We agree with you, Miss Elizabeth," said Dr. Zafrul Hidayat, the Director of Research and Information.
Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you for your approval, Mr. Director and board."
The routine meeting continued, covering XQO Holdings' ongoing AI technology development to geopolitical shifts worldwide.
"Thank you all for your hard work," the CEO expressed gratefully. "Today's routine meeting is adjourned. Please return to your offices."
Raka, Elizabeth, and the board nodded. "Understood, Mr. Director."
The meeting room fell silent, leaving only two figures standing face-to-face.
To be continued.