Chapter 8 Average

"It's average." The man's cold voice rang in the entire room causing the subordinates to shiver.

"he haven't tested it out yet!!" A man thought in fear.

The one who appeared to be the senior spoke up "in what aspects sir?"

"It's too heavy... the grip is not well detailed. If you can't make it more detailed, then there is no need for the designs. You were assigned to craft an easy weapon not an artifact."

The four men in the room stood up with their heads lowered as they apologised in unison "we are sorry Mr. Night."

The first man who appeared to have receding hairline spoke up "We apologize, sir. We will make sure it's better the next time."

"We'll put more effort and dedication, sir." The second subordinate said with a low bow.

"We understand what you are looking for, sir, and we'll deliver it to you the next time." The third man said as the last man nodded his head "we will meet up with your demands Mr. Night."

Mr. Night narrowed his brows as he signalled his guards who stood close to him. Without saying a word, the guard packed the weapons and placed them in a black suitcase with the help of his fellow guard.

"Your reports." Night stated coldly as his cigarette stick was lit by the guard that stood on his left side. He took a long suck on the tobacco stick and release white puffs on smoke in to the air.

His brother who sat on his left hand side spoke up " starting from you, Mr. Garnett."

The man with a receding hairline stood up and went to the laptop which was placed on the podium. Turning it on, a series of pictures were displayed on the large TV screen. A 3D drawing of several shopping mall and green parks where revealed. After revealing each slide, he started speaking.

"The plan is to build more shopping malls in the heart of the city which would be affordable to the masses. The project of building a major shopping mall in the heart of a city, which would provide jobs for the masses, is an ambitious one. The purpose of this project is to create a large commercial space that can accommodate various businesses such as retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. The mall would be strategically located in an area that is easily accessible to people from all parts of the city. The first step in this project would be to conduct a feasibility study that examines the market demand for such a mall. The study will also assess the competition in the area and identify potential partners and investors who could contribute to the project financially. The study will also consider the environmental impact of the project, including the impact on traffic, energy consumption, and waste disposal... which we have done." He paused as he distributed files to the board members which contains the reports.

He stopped for a while before glancing at Jude who tilted his head "The design must be aesthetically pleasing and functional, such that it can accommodate the diverse needs of its tenants and customers. The team will also need to consider the technology required to support the mall's operations, such as security systems, internet connectivity, and energy management. The mall must also be environmentally sustainable, with features such as green roofs, solar panels, and energy-efficient lighting."

He paused earning nods of approval from the board members except he Evans brothers. "Continue..." Mr. Night's cold voice urged him.

"Once the mall is constructed, efforts will shift towards tenant leasing and marketing. Attracting popular and reputable brands to the mall, as well as independent businesses, will be critical to its success. The project team will also need to conduct targeted campaigns to attract customers to the mall, including social media campaigns and networking with local businesses. In conclusion, building a major shopping mall that provides jobs for the masses is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning, design, and execution. However, if done effectively, such a project will have a transformative effect, both for the local economy and the community as a whole."

Right after Mr. Garnett rounded up his speech, the rest of the board members clapped still, except the Evans brothers.

Mr. Night cleared his throat before learning against his swivel chair "I understand that we have a proposal to build more shopping malls in the city, but what happens to our commitment to promoting nature?"

The entire room fell silent. "You didn't include the need for protecting nature in your plan, Garnett." Jude pointed out. His once happy face had become serious.

"I also share your concern. In my opinion, we can't just ignore the need for preserving the environment and go ahead with the plan." A board member name James added.

Mr. Garnett sucked in a deep breath through gritted teeth as he thought "when I was working my head off for weeks, none of you suggested the need for the environment! You betrayers!!" He cussed.

"How about incorporating green spaces and parks within the mall's vicinity? It could alleviate the issue of a lack of nature in the area." He suggested as sweat trickled down his spine under Night's intense stare.

"That's a great idea. We must take into consideration sustainable development and ensure that we don't harm the environment in the process. Besides, incorporating green spaces and promoting nature can also attract more customers to the malls." Jude said as he typed the suggestion in his customised "Night" laptop.

Garnett asked "so should we move forward with the proposal while incorporating these changes? I think it's worth discussing further and finding a way to integrate nature into the plan."

"Agreed. Let's make sure that we go ahead with the project while keeping sustainability in mind." Mr. Night said with a nod.

They discussed for few hours later before the meeting ended few minutes past 1am.

"You should go back, I'll be staying in my lounge." Night told his brother who chuckled.

"Yeah... I didn't plan on staying any longer. I have someone waiting for me."

Jude said before exiting the room. Leaving Night behind. Ignoring his brother's act, he walked to his private elevator which was not to far from the meeting room. As soon as he got in, he strolled to his bathroom to shower. Moments later, he got out. On getting to his room, a strange smell assaulted his nostrils making his eyes narrow.