NOVEL NEXT Chapter 131: Creation of several Houses
No one planned to stop at this point. For many people, the price had already risen above the maximum levels, so only entrepreneurs with excessive taste continued bidding.
Like Mark.
The price suddenly approached dangerously close to 10 million...
"9.8 million!" shouted one of the entrepreneurs.
Mark, angry, raised his number again to bid while banging on the table.
"20 million!"
Even though he was the Young Master of the Nevilles and had a lot of money, spending so much on a hat didn't feel right at all.
It was above the price a hat should cost, no matter how exclusive it was!
And after his number, no one could say anything else.
Silence reigned in the room. Although one or two bidders and regular auction buyers were about to raise the price, in the end they decided not to.
Money didn't grow on trees for them, unlike the noble houses, let alone compete with the Nevilles in terms of wealth.
No one was foolish enough to try to raise the price above impossible figures, just to make this guy spend more money, so the auction for the hat was soon decided and sold to Mark Neville for 20 million Jens.
Although he was a little annoyed, when he saw the top hat come into his hands, he felt fulfilled and didn't hesitate to put his own away and put it on.
He didn't know when he would find another hat as spectacular as this one.
The auction continued after that, and three items were sold. No one knew what they were, but they paid between 500,000 and 2 million Jens. This was only because the presenter said they would be: Words from Lord Carwine to them. What words were they? Even he didn't know.
Later, some simpler items were also sold to support charitable causes, and the auction ended.
But the event was not over yet.
After that, several of the company's new senior executives announced that some of the auction buyers had won prizes.
Among them were Mark, the businessman supported by the Nevilles, and some lesser-known businessmen whom no one knew but who were lucky enough to have brought in a lot of money and were looking to make a name for themselves in this place or at least make some contacts.
Mark had won solely because of the high price he paid. The directors said: Since he spent more than the cost of the hat, which will now make it truly exclusive, he will be given a complete suit set of the highest quality and with designs made by Jessy.
The rest won by sheer luck.
They were given different things, such as suits, hats, etc.
After that part of the event was over, Jackvin took the stage.
He was holding a scroll in his hand. The moment he stepped up, everyone fell silent.
"There were three things sold a while ago that had a peculiar saying: 'Your reward will be the words of Lord Carwine.' I know the three gentlemen who obtained it are wondering, 'What is it?' I have the answer in my hand."
"Mr. Alain Monserrat. Mr. Lester Helmforth and Mrs. Marina Macall. I have a message from Lord Carwine for you. Listen carefully," he said and opened the parchment.
It was sealed with Louis's new seal and also signed with Carwine's signature.
"Alain Monserrat is dedicated to the cultivation of corn, rice, beans, and fruits such as the Antesala Banana and the Monserrat Apple. A great businessman who has always respected and cooperated with the South."
"Fortune has smiled on you, and you are granted the opportunity to be the Third Leader of the newly founded House of Fruit, Vegetable, and Legume Planting. This house is led by Lord Dimash Jackson and advised by Lord Dewey Jackson, with an initial investment of 15 billion Jens. It will operate on land recently acquired by the House of Shadows."
His words had barely finished when everyone was already in shock, staring at Jackvin.
A house? Lord Carwine wants to invest in the lands of minor nobles, like Alain?
And 15 billion!
Not counting the shady deals made by the Mafia Houses, the companies owned by the two most powerful in the region (Ancient Moon and The Shadows) do not reach such astronomical amounts.
The issue here is that investing so heavily in that market will undoubtedly attract a lot of media attention and attention from the Upper District.
What exactly is Lord Carwine planning?
People, including Alain, were in shock when Jackvin spoke again.
"Lester Helmforth, businessman in the metallurgy sector. As a businessman in the metals sector, you are invited to join the House of Metals as its third most important member. As this House has been in the region for a long time, I don't think I need to say much more."
"The House of Metals has received an investment of $15 billion to continue its work and develop it to a new level, now working with the House of Shadows and the House of the Ancient Moon."
For locals, the House of Metals is one of the most famous. The fast-paced sound that can be heard in almost every corner of the Industrial District comes from industries mostly dedicated to metallurgy.
So no one is unaware of the astonishing amount of metals in the Southern Region of the Empire. It's just that most of these are controlled by the Upper District and the Scientific and Alchemical District.
In fact, most of the Industrial District companies belong to those from both districts, with tremendous power.
So, trying to invest there will always be a good idea. It might even bring a lot of profits to the District, as many foreigners avoid paying workers well, overexploiting them just because they are poor or immigrants.
That was another good idea.
Jackvin spoke again.
"Finally, Ms. Marina Macall, we don't need to say it. Owner of the Macall Group, which has a large market share. Both in the industry of creating fabrics (of fashion), threads, and all kinds of materials for this purpose, as well as in specialized training in land defense. We have worked with you and know how well you perform in your field."
"That is why Lord Carwine cordially invites you to join the recently founded Textile, Fashion, and Design House as its third leading member. It is headed by Miss Jessy, with the full support of Lord Carwine and with Dimash Jackson and other business leaders as senior advisors."
"The Textile, Fashion, and Design House has an initial investment of 20 billion Jens for its expansion and will seek to expand beyond the small borders that have divided us," he said.
With that, he finished.
But the surprise had only just begun. Leaving aside the astonishing 20 billion, the issue was what he had said at the end.
Seeking to expand beyond small borders, he was referring to seeking expansion beyond the Industrial District, to the Upper District, or even the Scientific and Alchemical District!
Doing that was easier said than done, in practically every sense. While local businesspeople have plenty of money, it is often not enough when faced with the terribly conservative Upper District.
It is possible to do so in the Science and Alchemy District, as they are open-minded and believe that we should be free to choose what we want. But the Upper District?
It is usually a good destination for this type of business, but a very bad target in general!
Dealing with conservatives is always a problem, let alone trying to sell them new things. How do you sell something new to a living being who is against everything new?
To say it was complicated would be an understatement. The Science and Alchemy District has been trying to sell them new things for years—new ways of using magic. Trying to open their minds to things higher than what they believe in, and they haven't succeeded!
Now, trying wasn't a bad idea, especially with Jessy's designs.
"It's likely that even the conservatives will have to bow down and accept such beautiful designs. After all, it's not that they go against what they've used for so long, they're just better." Many of them thought.
In chronological order, the three businessmen named swallowed hard... one after the other.
They came here because they were invited. They bought those three things out of sheer curiosity, as they were among the few who had not had the opportunity to compete against the real millionaires.
In addition, they competed until the end because they belonged to that small group of entrepreneurs who had not had the opportunity to speak with Lord Carwine, someone who, it is said, has a lot of money.
They did not expect that "his word" would be to name them as members of the board of Houses with incredible potential and tremendous investment.
This guy was crazy!
But Mark could see other things. He had Louis next to him, still eating.
"I should say that I have to commend you. With this, you not only raise your girl's status but also give her the backing of New Houses, which could grow to become true giants in the region, giving her a more than impressive status. And at the same time, you earn these guys' respect and possible loyalty."