Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin!-Chapter 326: Fortress of Shareholders

The door opened, and the parade continued.

Next came Marcus Thorne, a burly man in his fifties with hands that looked like they had built skyscrapers and a suit that cost more than most houses.

He was the CEO of Titan Logistics, a global shipping conglomerate.

"Mr. Steele," Thorne grunted, sitting down heavily. "I don't care about your digital coins. But I hear you're building an e-commerce platform. Aparagon. You need ships. You need trucks. You need someone who knows how to move atoms, not just bits."

Darren activated [Insight Protocol].

[Estimated Value: $2.1 Billion]

[Primary Business: Global Shipping & Freight]

[Public Reception: ★★★★☆ (Respected, old-school)]

[System Advice: Critical. Aparagon cannot scale without a logistics backbone. Thorne is loyal to contracts, not people. Low betrayal risk as long as he is paid.]

"You're hired," Darren said before Thorne could even finish his opening pitch. "We need a logistics backbone. 2.5% shares."

Thorne blinked, then let out a booming laugh. "I like a man who doesn't waste time."

After a few other unremarkable applicants, the final slot was filled by a wildcard.

Dr. Silas Green, a retired military general turned cybersecurity contractor. He was a man of few words, with eyes that scanned the room for exits and threats.

Silas' pitch had focused on the protection of Darren's assets and wealth. With the ugly head of betrayal presently looming over Darren's business, the man's words quickly resonated with the Bitcoin Billionaire.

"Your enemies are physical as well as digital, Mr. Steele," Silas said quietly. "You have billions in code, but your servers are in buildings. While your people are busy in their offices, I offer various ways to keep them safe."

[System Advice: Necessary. As your wealth grows, kidnapping and physical coercion risks increase. Silas Green provides the Shield.]

"Welcome aboard, General," Darren nodded. They agreed on 2% shares.

With the final handshake, it was done. The Fortress of Shareholders was built.

A moment later, the heavy oak doors opened, and Rachel walked in.

It had been a busy few days for the women in Darren's life. But with everything going on in the company, they all had to put in their all.

Rachel, as always, was more than prepared to do this. If there was one thing she didn't take for granted, it was Darren's company.

Dressed in a sharp, no-nonsense pencil skirt and blazer, holding a laptop in one arm and a stack of files in the other, she looked like the only person in the building who was here for work and nothing else.

She placed the laptop on the table, pushed strands of her hair from her left eye and connected the laptop to the projector in front of the room.

"Are you already finished, Rachel?" Darren asked, watching her work.

"Yes sir," she nodded efficiently. "Ms. Lamb," she greeted Cheyenne crisply.

Cheyenne gave her a weak smile.

"I have compiled the final capitalization table based on today's acquisitions."

A spreadsheet illuminated the wall, rows of data organized with military precision.

"The structure of Steele Investments is now as follows," Rachel announced, tapping a key.

"As the owner, Mr. Darren Steele owns 63% of the company. He is the head and acting CEO. Well," she paused, "that's if he does decide to hire a CEO. Then, Miss Cheyenne Lamb Bordeaux: 15%. You hold the position of strategic support, using your company's reach to assist in Steele Investments' growth while you reap the benefits."

Cheyenne smiled softly. 13% was a fair share, she was surprised that Darren had allowed her to own that much.

Then, a list of the chosen shareholders appeared on the screen.

"Next is Charles Nelson, who has 5% of the company shares. He'll support as our Financial Anchor.

"Miss Ava Monroe takes 3%. She'll bring eyes and even more popularity to our name.

"Marcus Thorne takes 2.5%. He will support by offering help in Logistics and Operations. Elena Ramirez brings energy and sustainability, and that grants her 2% of the company.

"General Silas Green also has 2% with his support in Security. Finally, helping with capital allocation is Andrew Dickson with 1.5%."

"The remaining pool of shares is 8%. I believe you want to reserve that for future employee stock options, sir?"

Darren nodded once. "Yes."

"Okay," Rachel continued, adjusting her glasses, "This board gives us a valuation leverage that exceeds our previous quarter by four hundred percent. We have covered every vertical: Finance, Energy, Media, Logistics, and Security. Technically speaking, sir... we are bulletproof."

Darren looked at the screen. 'Technically speaking. But the world didn't run merely by technicality.'

Nevertheless, this was a great step forward. Steele Investments was becoming something greater, entering a new era.

Darren was nervous about it, but he had to at least acknowledge that it was true.

"Good job, Rachel," Darren said, a rare tone of genuine satisfaction in his voice. "Draft the emails and notify them all. The Grand Unveiling meeting will be in three days. Everyone will meet in the new Executive Room being built in the dome. Then we can do a proper introduction."

"I'm on it, sir," Rachel nodded, her fingers already flying across her keyboard. "Drafting now."

Darren exhaled a long breath, the adrenaline of the day finally beginning to ebb, replaced by a heavy wave of exhaustion. He turned to Cheyenne, who was watching him with a soft, silent expression.

"Thank you," he said earnestly. "I couldn't have put this together without your network. The Bordeaux Banquet... it was the perfect venue."

Cheyenne smiled, but it wasn't her usual sharp, business-like smile. It was slower, warmer. Seductive.

She reached out, her manicured fingers brushing against the back of Darren's hand, lingering there.

"You know, Mr. Duckling," she purred. "You could thank me in other ways. The night is still young... and the penthouse suite has a lovely view."

The invitation sizzled through Darren, enticing him. Her thumb traced a small circle on his skin, an electric touch that promised pleasures like back in the pool.

Darren froze for a split second. Both him and his little guy wanted to say yes, but then his eyes flicked to the side.

Rachel was standing there. She had looked up from her laptop for a slight second before returning like she hadn't noticed anything.

Darren gently withdrew his hand.

"It's a tempting offer, Cheyenne," he said, his voice polite but firm. "But it's late. And I have to get up prepared tomorrow. I need to get some sleep."

Cheyenne's hand hovered in the empty space for a heartbeat before she gracefully pulled it back. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The rejection stung. It wasn't just her pride, it was something deeper. Something she hadn't expected to feel.

Disappointment.

"Very well," she said, masking the hurt with a dazzling, artificial smile. "You do need the sleep. You look exhausted."

"Tell me about it. Goodnight, Cheyenne. Rachel, there's a ride for you when you're done."

"Thank you, sir," Rachel murmured.

Darren stood up, buttoned his jacket, and walked out of the boardroom, his stride purposeful and solitary.

Cheyenne remained seated in the opulent silence of the Bordeaux Banquet. She turned her chair slightly, watching his back as he disappeared through the double doors.

What was actually going on with her? This wasn't like her at all. To feel this way… this wasn't who the woman she took pride in.

She was Cheyenne Lamb Bordeaux. She owned skyscrapers. She broke tycoons for sport. She had men begging for a fraction of the attention she had just offered freely.

And yet, as she watched this young man, she felt a strange tightening in her chest.

She sighed, pouring herself a glass of wine from the carafe on the table.

"Damn it," she whispered to the empty room, swirling the dark red liquid. "Why him?"