The Final Decision

After the meeting with Richard Huang, the team were escorted to a different room where they could discuss.

Once they were alone, Matthew breathed deeply. 

"Okay, this is going to be a huge undertaking," Matthew began. "We are going to sign away our invention…my invention to the BYD and they will be the ones producing it and introducing it to the market." 

"And we are getting a pretty good deal from that," Saimon said as he took his seat. "This not a matter that we should discuss. We all know the right decision."

"That's easy for you Saimon because you are not the one who designed the whole vehicle. You just helped me find parts," Matthew said, looking at Saimon.

"Why do I feel like you are getting emotional about this?" Saimon replied, leaning back in his chair. "We're a team, Matt. I may not have designed the whole vehicle, but we all played our parts in bringing this to life. And let's not forget—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Matthew rubbed his temples, frustration etched across his face. "That's exactly why this is so hard. This isn't just about money or a job. This car represents everything I've worked for. Selling it feels like giving up on something bigger."

Samantha interjected, her tone calm but firm. "Matt, no one's saying this is easy. But let's look at the facts. Starting an automobile company isn't just about passion—it's about infrastructure, supply chains, funding, and years of work before you see results. BYD is offering us a way to make an impact right now, with the resources to back it up."

Leo nodded. "I get it, Matt. You've been dreaming about this for years. But Richard's right—this industry eats small players alive. If we try to go it alone, we might not even get off the ground."

Matthew sighed as he contemplated. He researched the automobile market before, and Richard Huang was right. It was truly difficult to start an automobile industry. He just wanted someone to tell him that it wasn't a wise choice and Richard was that someone.

If automobile business is not going to work out for him, he can explore other options, especially when he still have the USB and the pills that he received from the mysterious man. 

He tapped his foot, weighing his decision. If he signed that agreement, he would earn money and give the car away to BYD. The money that he'll get from signing that contract is huge enough to start a different business that requires less capital and infrastructure. 

Samantha watched him closely, sensing his internal struggle. "Matt," she said gently, "I know this feels like a compromise, but think about what we could achieve with the resources and connections that come from working with BYD. This isn't the end of your dream—it's just taking a different path."

Leo chimed in, his tone supportive. "And you wouldn't be giving up on your vision. You'd still have a hand in shaping the future of EVs. Plus, with the money we'd make, we could all explore our individual goals. It's a win-win."

Saimon crossed his arms, adding, "And don't forget, Matt—if this works out, you're opening doors for yourself and for us."

Matthew nodded slowly, his foot tapping against the floor. 

"You're all right," he admitted. "Besides, it's just an electric vehicle, nearly every country has that. I can just start another. Very well, we are going to sign that contract, get our money, and then head back to the Philippines to figure out what's next." Matthew concluded, his voice firm as he made the decision. 

He looked around the room at his team, who nodded in agreement.

"Good call, Matt," Samantha said with a supportive tone. 

 "This is the smartest move for all of us right now. And like you said, it's just one step. There's so much more we can do."

Saimon exhaled audibly, clearly relieved. "I'm glad we're on the same page now. Let's not overthink this anymore. We've got the chance of a lifetime here."

Leo leaned back, a smirk forming on his face. "This is going to be the start of something big. Who knows? Maybe BYD will ask us to work on something even more ambitious down the line."

Matthew managed a small smile, though his thoughts were still a whirlwind. "Let's not lose sight of what's important. This car might be going to BYD, but it's still our creation. And if we ever get another chance to build something, we'll make sure it's even better—and ours."

The door opened, and one of Richard's assistants entered, a polite smile on her face. "Mr. Borja, Mr. Huang is ready for you. He's prepared the final agreement for review and signing."

The team rose from their seats, the weight of the decision still present but balanced by a sense of anticipation. They followed the assistant back to the conference room, where Richard and the other executives were waiting.

"Ah, welcome back," Richard said, rising to greet them. His sharp yet friendly demeanor was as composed as ever. "Have you reached a decision? Even though you did…but have you finalized now?"

Matthew stepped forward, nodding. "Yes, we have. We've decided to move forward with the deal."

Richard's expression softened into a smile. "Excellent. I had a feeling you'd make the pragmatic choice. Let's go over the final details."

He gestured toward a sleek folder on the table, containing the contract. As they sat down, Richard walked them through the agreement point by point, ensuring they understood every clause. True to his word, the agreement included an acknowledgment of the design's Filipino origins, something Matthew had insisted upon.

"As you can see," Richard said, pointing to a specific section, "we've included language that guarantees public acknowledgment of your team as the original designers. BYD will prominently highlight this in our marketing campaigns."

Matthew nodded, appreciating the inclusion. "Thank you, Mr. Huang. That was important to us."

After reviewing the terms thoroughly, Samantha gave Matthew a subtle nod, signaling that everything was in order. With a deep breath, Matthew took the pen Richard handed him and signed the document, his teammates following suit.

"Congratulations," Richard said, standing and extending his hand to each of them. "This is the beginning of what I hope will be a long and fruitful relationship."

"Thank you, sir," Matthew replied, shaking his hand firmly. "We appreciate the opportunity."