Just as the Ether Clone and Umang had finished their lunch, they heard a polite knocking at the door.
Umang glanced toward it and said calmly, "Come in."
The door opened, and Fory Li stepped inside, bowing slightly.
"Sir," he began, voice respectful but tinged with nervousness, "all employees and workers currently available have arrived and are waiting in the hall. Those who couldn't come on short notice will join via video call. Everything is ready."
The Ether Clone nodded once and stood up smoothly.
"It's okay. They can listen on video call. Let's go."
Fory Li and Umang immediately followed him.
They walked down a wide corridor, past glass walls and quiet offices, until they reached the main hall—a massive, open space with tiered seating, a raised platform at the front, and a large screen for remote participants. Hundreds of employees and staff sat in neat rows, faces a mix of curiosity, confusion, and apprehension. The video call feed showed dozens more faces on the screen, some in homes, some in cars—everyone waiting.
The Ether Clone stepped onto the platform first. Umang and Fory Li followed, taking seats slightly behind him.
The Ether Clone's chair was clearly at the center, head position. Umang stood respectfully to his right; Fory Li sat to the left, posture straight.
In his heart, the Ether Clone murmured softly, almost amused:
Corporate hierarchy…
The seating arrangement of the employees mirrored it—seniors closer to the front, juniors toward the back—instinctive even in uncertainty.
The Ether Clone then took microphone. He said, his voice carried clearly through the speakers—no need for amplification, yet it reached every ear perfectly.
"Hello everyone. Good to see you all. Let me talk about why I called you here."
He paused, letting his words settle.
The employees stared up at him—the masked man in white robes, long black hair flowing down his back, presence calm and unhurried. Rumors had spread like wildfire since the morning: the new owner had appeared out of nowhere in the locked meeting room. No one saw him enter. No security breach. Just suddenly… there. With a middle-aged man at his side. Masked. Silent. Untouchable.
Whispers had flown: The new owner had placed his subordinates inside the company. He knows all details. No one knew about his subordinates…
Now he stood before them.
The Ether Clone continued, voice steady.
"The headquarters is going to shift."
A ripple of shock passed through the hall. Murmurs rose, then died quickly as he raised one hand slightly.
"And the new headquarters will be in a secret place. No employees will be able to contact the outside world freely. You can take your families with you, but you will not be able to leave without permission. Don't worry—I will provide all food, health facilities, and comfort. You will be taken care of."
He let that sink in.
"I am not locking you there. The location is confidential. I do not want details shared with others. If you need to go outside, my subordinate will accompany you. You will not reveal anything."
He paused again, eyes sweeping the room—meeting gazes through the mask.
"Now you all have two choices."
"Choice one: accept the relocation. Come with your families. Bring your skills. You will receive far more than your current salaries—more than you can imagine. The work continues. The game continues. But everything happens in the new place."
"Choice two: leave. Walk away now. You will be compensated generously for your time and silence. You can return to your normal lives."
The hall was utterly silent.
No one breathed loudly.
Fory Li sat rigid, hands clasped tightly. He was also thinking what he should do. After some thinking, he made his decision. But he also got a headache after the decision, because he is the CEO—he had more responsibilities. If many employees decided to leave, he would have more work to recruit new people.
Umang stood behind the Ether Clone, expression neutral, eyes scanning faces. Even though he didn't expect Sir Heart to shift the headquarters and isolating employees, he still supported him.
The Ether Clone spoke once more.
"I do not force anyone. Decide freely."
He stepped back from the microphone.
The hall remained quiet for a long moment.
Then whispers began—low, urgent.
Some employees looked at each other, uncertain.
Some stared at the floor, thinking of families, futures.
Some called their families to discuss.
Some people watching from video call began to talk with their families.
The Ether Clone waited.
No rush.
No pressure.
Just the quiet weight of choice.