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Chapter 76 Alexander Tan
In the bustling district of Ortigas, a 50-story building stands prominently, marked at its pinnacle with the bold letters of UniVida Pharmaceuticals. At the lobby, was a man in his forties, with a presence that's hard to ignore. Physically imposing, he stands tall, his broad shoulders hinting at a strength that's both physical and character-driven. His appearance is rugged, with a face that looks like it's seen its fair share of challenges, with lines that suggest determination and resilience.
His eyes are sharp, perhaps the most striking feature on his face, giving off an air of someone who's used to assessing situations quickly and making decisive calls. There's a sternness to his look, an intensity that might seem intimidating to those meeting him for the first time.
Held casually in his hand is a piece of tobacco, its smoke curling around him, adding to his tough exterior. He's dressed in a way that speaks to his status, a well-fitted suit that's professional yet does nothing to diminish the inherent toughness of his appearance. His hair is cut short, and practical, with flecks of grey that suggest experience rather than age.
His name was Alexander Tan, the CEO of UniVida Pharmaceuticals. Trailing behind him was his personal assistant, carrying a stack of documents and a digital tablet, trying to keep pace with his brisk walk through the lobby. The employees they passed offered respectful nods or quick, slightly nervous greetings, to which Alexander responded with a brief, acknowledging nod. His reputation preceded him; known for being a no-nonsense leader with high expectations, Alexander commanded respect and performance from his team.
"Anything to report to me today?" Alexander asked.
"Yes, Mr. Tan. There are a few updates that you should be aware of," she began. "Firstly, our R&D team has made significant progress on the new line of antiviral drugs. They're moving ahead of schedule, and initial tests are promising. This could potentially be a breakthrough in our product line and might significantly impact our market positioning, Regarding the financial aspect, our stocks have seen a steady increase over the past quarter, outperforming market expectations. This is largely attributed to investor confidence in our ongoing projects and the strategic partnerships we've recently secured. It's a solid indication that the market responds well to our innovation and growth strategies. Lastly, there have been inquiries from several healthcare institutions interested in our upcoming pharmaceutical lines. They are eager to collaborate on distribution and research, seeing the potential impact these could have on healthcare outcomes. It's an opportunity for us to expand our reach and further cement our reputation in the industry," she concluded, offering a brief smile to underscore the positive news.
Alexander listened intently, nodding at key points as they walked towards his personal elevator. "That's good to hear, as I always expected. Now how about some other news not related to our line of business?" "Well sir that's broad, is there anything specific you're interested in?" the secretary inquired, following Alexander's lead towards the private elevator designated for executive use.
Alexander considered for a moment, the elevator doors sliding open silently before them. "Let's start with some startups. I heard news that there is a prodigy entering the market with his solar panel." "Ah…Michael Reyes. Yeah I have heard of him. I mean who wouldn't hear about him when his story was covered by the media? He proved to the country and to the world that his solar panel with a high-efficiency rating of 60 percent was not a fluke. His innovation has attracted significant attention from investors and companies within the renewable energy sector. It's an impressive feat, considering the average efficiency of solar panels currently on the market hovers around 15 to 20 percent. This breakthrough could revolutionize the solar energy industry, making it a more viable and cost-effective solution for power generation. And it's going to be lucrative." Hearing that, Alexander remained silent. His secretary took notice of it. Usually, Alexander would give his insight about the matter but this time, he seemed to be deep in thought, almost as if he was evaluating every angle of the situation in his mind.
"Sir? What's the matter?" "Nothing," Alexander replied, though the tone of his voice indicated otherwise. It was rare for him to withhold his thoughts, especially on matters that could impact the future of UniVida Pharmaceuticals.
Recognizing the shift in Alexander's mood, decided not to probe further. She knew when to give him space to process information and when to engage. "Very well sir…If there is anything, please don't hesitate to let me know," she offered.
After a brief pause, Alexander shifted his focus, his gaze sharpening as if he had made a decision. "Actually, there is something. I'd like you to get me the contact details for Michael Reyes. And arrange a meeting if possible. I want to explore potential synergies between his solar technology and our operations."
The secretary noted the request without missing a beat, her expression revealing nothing of her thoughts on the matter. "Of course, Mr. Tan. I'll get on it right away. Do you have any preferences regarding the meeting time?"
"Make it soon, but ensure it fits with both our schedules. I don't want to delay," he responded.
"Understood. I'll have the details for you by the end of the day," she promised. And then the elevator door opened to their floor, the executive suite of UniVida Pharmaceuticals. They stepped out into the plush, well-appointed space that served as the nerve center of the company. Alexander headed straight to his office, a spacious room with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city skyline.
As he settled behind his desk, he turned to his monitor and browsed everything there was to know about Michael Reyes and his groundbreaking solar panel technology. He found numerous articles and reports praising the innovation for its potential to significantly reduce energy costs and dependency on non-renewable energy sources.
Also there was an article about him writing ten theses that garnered attention from across the world, especially from prestigious universities in Europe and the United States. He couldn't help but smile reading it, like he was proud of it. "You have really grown, my son," Alexander uttered. That's right…Alexander Tan was the real father of Richard Reyes. Of course, there is history. He remembered he left Myra due to them having one night stand in the club they met, and he didn't seriously consider the consequences of that night. Because Myra was just another woman she interacted with. Of course before leaving, he had learned of his son's name, and he couldn't be mistaken. It was Michael Reyes.
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