My Perfect Female CEO

Clive and Charles did not consider Boss Zuo, the Black Cat Team, and the Peng Bird to be equally matched adversaries.

Only Ye Fan and Xi Guxiu posed significant threats, requiring their utmost attention and efforts to counter.

"Unknown dangers are the greatest dangers, and unknown enemies are the biggest upheavals," Clive said meaningfully. "So far, for us, Ye Fan and Xi Guxiu are the biggest challenges we face."

"Yes, behind Xi Guxiu, there’s an unknown mastermind, and we know nothing about it. The extent of their power lurking in the shadows is the area we must guard against," Charles said. "In addition, the situation surrounding Ye Fan, the auction scene, and the circumstances inside the Lu Family’s private residence are unfamiliar to us. Even facing Ye Fan alone is daunting enough, let alone the hidden forces by his side--we know nothing about their size or difficulty."

To maximize understanding of the enemy, and then formulate strategic plans, it is crucial to thoroughly comprehend the adversaries faced.

Not knowing the enemy’s numbers and powers can be fatal, to the point of not even knowing how one dies, which is Clive and Charles’s primary concern.

Regarding Xi Guxiu, they can’t be careless. As for Ye Fan, their wariness is intense, especially with those still hidden, unexposed forces, and unknown situations that warrant high vigilance.

"Namie’s and Asai’s hideouts suffered devastation. These groups likely belong to Xi Guxiu’s side, according to intel, Ye Fan’s presence was detected among them," Clive emphasized. "Among them, Qiu Wen, Du Xueqi, Zhang Lu, and Yang Shu appeared, while others remained concealed."

"The power Ye Fan and the exposed four women displayed was indeed formidable and intimidating. Thus, one can imagine the strength of those still hidden," Charles gravely stated on the matter.

Clive and Charles had obviously done extensive homework to reach this point.

Famous as Ye Fan was, the frequent operations of Qiu Wen, Du Xueqi, Zhang Lu, and Yang Shu rendered them renowned, making them hard to overlook, knowing their circumstances was naturally expected.

Having knowledge of Qiu Wen and others’ identities is one thing, but knowing what Ye Fan and Qiu Wen have been up to seems rather bizarre. This highlights the substantial powers Clive and Charles command.

Their only uncertainty is treating Namie and others with power akin to Asai’s, categorizing them under Xi Guxiu without probing Nagano Yoko’s situation, unaware that Namie is a key lieutenant of Nagano Yoko.

"Before the auction starts, should we act amid covert competition?" Clive asked Charles.

"It’s best to be cautious; if Ye Fan gains leverage against us, the consequences would be dire," Charles advised. "Let’s observe discreetly, as long as Ye Fan doesn’t target us, and avoid clashes with others, it’s best to endure for now."

"Indeed, from present appearances, the enemies who surfaced first have all suffered Ye Fan’s devastating attacks, so caution is imperative," Clive pondered. "While we probe for desired information, an unseen enemy might not target us, so caution is never misplaced."

Both Clive and Charles exhibited great patience, calmly and steadily employing it to the fullest.

"Once the auction begins, our competitors will be Chu Group and Xi Guxiu. Boss Zuo, the Peng Bird, and the Black Cat Team lack the financial capability to bid for the Ancient Painting, so only these two foes warrant serious attention," Charles noted with a smile. "Boss Zuo and others are akin to bandits; if they’re lucky, they might snatch a map fragment, nothing beyond that."

"We can’t focus solely on bidding. If purchasing with money is the goal, the competition is tough," Clive chuckled. "In financial terms, who can compare to the wealth Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao command? If they outbid us, we’d face immense trouble--unable to acquire the Ancient Painting would be a significant loss."

Clive and Charles differ from Boss Zuo and others.

They pursue grand ambitions: complete map fragments and vast treasures.

Armed with the capability for competition and resources to tackle arising crises.

But relying solely on wealth for auction bidding seems fruitless--a basic principle.

Comparing finances with Ye Fan and Chu Mengyao invites pressure and is insurmountable.

The goal of Boss Zuo and others is simple: seize a map fragment to bolster their positions, seizing lucrative advantages.

Currently, only the Black Cat Team holds this view; Boss Zuo and the Peng Bird have shifted their intentions.

This fact remains unbeknownst to Clive and Charles.

"Our objectives can be narrowed to four points: one, the auction; steal the Ancient Painting from there; two, the Lu Family’s private residence; capture Lu Qianqian and Qi Sixue, gaining leverage against Qi Haomin and Lu Binwang; three, Xi Guxiu; surely possesses map fragments; four, Xi Guxiu’s mastermind--an unidentified hidden threat," Charles summarized the targets.

"No matter the starting point, it’s challenging and demands huge effort," Clive said somberly. "The chance of successfully bidding for the Ancient Painting is slim, leaving theft as the apparent path forward."

"Not only the auctioned Ancient Painting, but secure all three map fragments," Charles vowed confidently.