True owner of Reborn

"Do you think we can do it?" Michael asked.

Bart rubbed his chin, his mind working on the project's feasibility. "There are a lot of hurdles with this, son. First of all, the issue of money. A large-scale construction like this would need a tremendous amount of funding. After all, the sewer system will span the entire City, which will take a lot of manpower as well."

"Most importantly, we will need the help of the Magic Tower to lend us some mages adept with construction," he added.

Michael raised his hand. "We don't have to worry about that. I will talk to the Tower Master and convince him to help us."

A little wager with a game of chess should do the trick, he thought.

"Alright," Bart nodded. "The most important part we have to consider is the City's support. Even if we have the funds and manpower to create the sewer system, it would be useless if we don't get permission from the rulers of Kingsbridge City."

Michael looked up at his father. "Don't we have enough influence for that? We are Vanderbilts, after all."

Bart sighed. "Yes. We indeed have enough influence with the high authorities of the City. However, that is just one part of the problem. We also have to worry about public perception, and that, I'm afraid, can't be solved by simply flashing our family emblem."

Michael frowned. For the wealthiest family in the world, earning the City's support should have been easy.

"Why not?" he asked.

"It's my fault, son. I have failed to retain my control over the public perception of the Vanderbilt business. Right now, the entire City is on the side of the new upstart company called Reborn. Unless we have their help in convincing the citizens to start a large-scale construction that will surely disrupt their daily lives, we can't start the sewer system," Bart explained.

Michael couldn't help but chuckle to himself. If the Reborn company was the final piece of the puzzle to start the sewer project, then it was much easier than he thought.

"I think I can help with that."

Michael led his parents back to their carriage and instructed Sebastian to go towards a certain building in the City.

_____

After a few minutes of riding in the carriage, they finally arrived at a newly constructed building in the heart of the commerce district of Kingsbridge City.

On its facade, there was a large, sculpted typography of the company named REBORN.

Michael wasn't sure of the exact amount he had spent to construct this building, but it had easily exceeded half a million gold coins, which was why all of the profit he earned from the company was reinvested in the company itself.

He walked out of the carriage, his parents following closely behind.

"Michael, this is the main office of the Reborn Company," Bart said, grabbing his son's scruff to stop him in his tracks. "We can't just stroll in here without a proper scheduled meeting."

The Reborn company was at the peak of its popularity, thanks to their innovative product called the Reborn Matchstick, which had become the highest-selling item of the winter season.

Even now, despite the freezing temperatures, people could still be seen lining up in their office stores to buy their products.

And though most people didn't like to bathe during the winter, most people found that they had less chance of contracting a disease whenever they bathed with Reborn soap and shampoo.

Right now, it was just a rumor and hearsay, but they didn't know that it was actually backed by real science.

Because of their popularity, people couldn't simply walk down their doors and demand an audience with their owner, especially since no one had ever seen them since the beginning of the company.

In fact, their identity had even become a source of gossip and intrigue throughout the City.

Even as a Vanderbilt, Bart was sure that he couldn't use his influence to try and meet with the Reborn boss.

"It's fine, Dad."

Michael tried to walk through the doors again, but Bart had a firm grip on his shoulders.

"Bursting in through their doors is not a good first impression," Bart warned. 

"It's better if we explain the situation to them through a letter and request a meeting. I've heard that the owner of Reborn is a magnanimous figure who doesn't prioritize monetary gain. I'm sure he'll want to help with the sewer system, knowing that it will benefit the entire City."

Even Lylia placed a hand on Michael's shoulder, trying to stop him from barging in. "Michael dear, it's cold outside. We should get back in the carriage," she said, shivering with snow piling on top of her winter hat.

"Don't worry, Mom, Dad. I'll show you."

Without another word, Michael walked forward and pushed open the doors, revealing the busy clerks and assistants working at their desks.

They all stopped what they were doing and looked at the ten-year-old boy who had entered their offices.

Before they could say anything, the door to the boss's room suddenly burst wide open, and Castelle rushed out of the room, staring at Michael.

"Young Master?" she breathed then her eyes moved past him to spot Lylia and Bart behind him.

She immediately understood—the time to reveal the truth was here. 

She immediately walked down the stairs of her office and greeted Michael and his family with a bow.

"Welcome, Young Master. I hope the office is to your liking," Castelle greeted, ignoring the stares of the Vanderbilts.

"It's good. You did fine, Castelle." Michael nodded casually, inspecting the interior of the office.

"Why have you visited the building, Young Master? Have you come to take back control of your company?"

And the moment she said that, Bart and Lylia both walked inside and expressed their confusion.

"Castelle? What's going on here?"

Bart tapped one of the workers on the side and asked, "How do you know her?" he asked, pointing at Castelle.

The worker gave him a strange look. "That's Miss Castelle, sir, the manager of the Reborn company."

Bart slowly looked over to Castelle, with confusion painted all over his face. It seemed like he knew the answer to the question in his head but couldn't quite reconcile that with reality.

"Good afternoon, Madame, Sir," Castelle said, lowering her head respectfully. "That is right. I am the current manager of the Reborn company. However, the true owner of this business is none other than the Young Master. He is the true hand that led this company to the heights it stands today."