King of the Wilderness

These words, like a loud slap, fiercely landed on Isabella’s face, as she tried to defend herself: "That’s just a... preliminary assessment, based on incomplete information..."

Max’s voice suddenly raised, filled with absolute moral superiority: "If it weren’t for me bypassing you and directly contacting the International Wildlife Organization."

"And presenting a collaborative proposal participated by the research center, foundation and the production team, your Environment Canada would never have agreed to this authorization for rescue!"

Nearby, the foundation representative Jenkins, also looked extremely grim. He silently cursed to himself, wishing he hadn’t gotten involved in this mess!

Who could have thought that a seemingly perfect, "politically correct" rescue operation used for fundraising publicity would turn into such a disaster? A little polar bear, and it even got depression!

Max’s eyes burned with disdain: "You abandoned it from the beginning!" She said each word steadily, like nails piercing into everyone’s hearts present, "I was the one who rescued it from under your principles!"

"So, stop talking to me about the natural heritage of Canadian people! A heritage you can abandon at any time, yet now it becomes your scapegoat for shirking responsibility? Don’t you find it ridiculous?"

"Now, I’m giving you one more chance to abandon it. Transfer its ownership, this thing you never wanted from the start, completely to me."

"This way, when December dies of depression and the global media questions why the Government of Canada took a poor orphan away from a hero, you can officially explain to all Canadians."

"We, matching humanitarian spirit, have entrusted December’s future entirely to the world’s most professional scientists. It’s unfortunate, but we tried."

"Isn’t that a perfect ending?"

Isabella’s breath became rapid. She realized she had been cornered by Max with no retreat.

The other party not only held a recording capable of destroying their reputation but also had evidence exposing their disgraceful history.

She said with difficulty: "I... I don’t have this authority; this decision needs to be reported to the Minister of Environment, and possibly even require cabinet discussion."

Jenkins quickly echoed: "A sponsorship of one million US Dollars also far exceeds my approval authority; I need to report to the foundation’s global board."

They tried to use the bureaucratic system processes to stall for time.

Max nodded, seemingly expecting this result, "Very well, then I’ll give you time."

She stood up, picked up the recorder on the table, and looked around at the three people present with an icy and resolute gaze.

"Ultimately, I need to see the ’Ownership Transfer Agreement’ signed by Environment Canada, and a formal letter of commitment for a one million US Dollar sponsorship from the International Animal Protection Foundation."

"If I don’t get what I want..." Her lips curled into a cold smile, "Then I will convene a global live press conference."

"At that time, not only will I play the recording, but I will also show that original proposal for humane destruction report to the world in its entirety."

"Choose."

After speaking, she didn’t look at anyone again, turned around, and walked out of the meeting room with her head held high, leaving behind a resolute silhouette and a room full of dead silence.

The lights in the corridor were pale and cold.

When the meeting room door was completely closed, Max’s spine, which had been straight, seemed to suddenly lose all its strength and slightly collapsed.

That reckless momentum just like a jade-burn had retreated like tidewater, leaving only endless fatigue and emptiness, engulfing her.

Did she win?

Yes, she might have won. She forced the bureaucrats and politicians to lower their heads for December’s survival, seizing a lifeline and valuable funds.

But she also lost.

She lost the network she had cultivated here for years, lost all future retreats, and completely tied herself to December— a ship with uncertain future that may soon sink.

She was like a gambler, betting everything on the table.

Now the game was over. She won the qualification to stay at the table, but that was all.

She walked alone down the empty corridor where the "da-da" sound of high heels hitting the ground was the only echo in this silence, making it seem especially lonely.

She didn’t know where to go, back to her office? It was no longer a safe haven.

Ultimately, she walked out of the cold building of the research center, letting the evening wind in Anchorage mixed with snowflakes brush against her burning cheeks.

This matter weighed on her mind all day.

In the evening, she pulled out her phone, scrolling to that name she only contacted at critical moments, Lin.

She didn’t know why she wanted to make this call.

Was it to boast about her victory? Or to voice her helplessness?

But she knew, in this world, Lin Yu’an was the only person who genuinely cared about December like she did.

When Lin Yu’an quietly listened to Max recounting the thrilling negotiation in the meeting room in an almost numb tone.

He could clearly feel the tremendous pressure that strong woman was enduring on the other end of the line!

————

(Sorry, a bit late, writing an event by the thousands, revising and editing, make my brain dizzy, but managed to rush it out.)