It was the longest meeting that the board members and directors had conducted for a long time and the first time they had when Darryl took over L Empire. Most of them were impressed on how Darryl swiftly created an action plan for them to recover and how he learned all the details and accounts of every department of L Empire knowing the fact that he had been out for the last six years.

"Now I'm interested how are we to deal with the contract are we have with regard to the importation of strawberries," Draco curiously pointed out. They had talked about so many things right then and the matter of strawberries was the last on the list.

​​

"As I have said, the contract we signed with the government was only for ten years. It was about to expire and so I don't have an intention to bid again for it," Darryl answered his uncle with his usual business tone. Looking at Darryl right then, one cannot deny, he was fit being the L Empire's president in every ways. "But that is not final yet. I still have a year and half to decide,"

"But staw serum is one of the strongest product we have on the market right now," Samson joined with the concern, "If we are not to gain exclusive rights to the strawberries then I'm afraid we might struggle on staw serum production knowing how expensive strawberries are in the market,"

"As I said my decision is not final yet and that would depend on whether we can successfully grow strawberries just like…." Darryl paused a bit and sighed deep before he continued, "Just like how the Richmond ranch was able to grow it,"

"We tried for years President D but we all failed and what—"

"You tried for years I know," Darryl halted whatever he had to say, "Let me try now."

Samson never dared to counter Darryl, anymore as unlike Manuel who was the previous President of L Empire, he was more intimidating and the way his hazel eyes glowed whenever he was determined to do something brought some silent force that abruptly shuts everyone off, including all their hesitations.

Darryl saw that everyone in the room wanted to express more concern on the matter and although he didn't care about how they think about it, he was courteous enough to give them some clarifications so he called in Dannah to explain further.

"Dannah? Care to give the board some clarifications?"

Dannah hesitated to stand in front knowing that never once a girl stood in front of the board as the Lagdameo girl never received much respect and importance in L Empire, even when they were hired to become part of it. However, things were all different now and their current President, as she knew him, don't really care about their old custom and prejudices concerning women.

"We received some information that a botanist abroad was able to successfully grow strawberries in the same climate that our country have," Dannah explained. "The research team had already sent a person to verify the news and look for such person. President D was hoping that botanist can help us,"

"So you are planning to grow strawberries here?" Samson concluded.

"Yes," Darryl confirmed. "If we will successfully grow it then we no longer need to bid in the exportation of strawberries and we need not to buy them in their usual market price,"

"Good," Draco nodded satisfactorily. For once in the past six years, his spirits was lifted up knowing that somehow they have hope. Even before Darryl stepped into the presidency, they all knew he was competent and capable and the actions plans and projects he laid were something they can bet on. They all look ambitions at first glance, but when Darryl dug through the details, they found out how possible and doable things can be. "The only problem we have left is where we can get some money to finance the new project you are proposing since you all know, there's nothing left of L Empire,"

"No need to worry about the money," An unexpected familiar voice pulled everyone's attention to the door. It was Samuelle Lagdameo at the door with his son Manuel, making an entrance to everybody's surprise. Everyone stood abruptly to give the old man and the previous president some respect. Since Manuel was no longer the president he was not anymore called to attend the meeting and his surprise entrance with Elder Samuel was totally a compromised intrusion.

"Elder Samuel what a surprise," Draco welcomed him.

"Well I was even surprised myself that my grandson had come to his senses and stepped over without following the usual take over process," Samuelle lamented although truth was, he was totally relieved with the news.

"Provided the situation, I don't think the usual take over process was necessary," Darryl responded. "But if you wish for me to leave and go back to Hampshire, then I would care no less,"

Samuelle was surprised on how Darryl answered him. So the news about the Lagdameo heir becoming wittier now was true. Even Darryl's aura that time surprised him, he was no longer the child they can all blackmail and control like before and him standing as the current of President of L Empire made him stood above all of them.

"No," Samuelle dismissed the thought. "In fact I'm here to help you by delivering a good news,"

"Good news?" Darryl was doubtful of the thought. With how messed up L Empire was when he came, he already have trust issues with some of the internal managements decisions, specially some decisions that came through without his knowledge.

"L Empire has money," Samuelle proudly admitted.

"And where did we get this money?" Darryl slightly raised a brow at it.

"Someone invested. Half a billion US dollars," Samuelle announced at everyone's face and relief, "I think that's enough for all of your action plans and projects President D,"