Partners

Two days after discussing his plans with Gabby and implementing the plan he had in those times, Duke finally met the people he needed for the plot.

They were, no less, famous people from all across the world who were involved with the business industry.

They came from different factions in this industry with various backers that made their conglomerates light brighter in this time of turmoil.

But before Fiend's Day happened, they were already showing their expertise and knowledge. It was only because of that unfaithful day that the industry was reduced to what is it now and they were finding ways to restore their previous position as it is.

Unlike Mauberon's Travels and Goods, which still maintained their position since their vehicles and deliverance of supplies had helped them in the war, it was still as strong as ever.

But unlike those family-friendly businesses, they have no choice but to watch their hard-earned corporate go to waste. Right now, almost half of the business is invested in the military approach and future generations that can help them overcome another set of disasters which is why The Academy of Elites was put in high regard in this world.

And currently, these ten people are looking solely at one person.

"Has any of you had a vivid idea of what this is? Surely, you read the context of the invitation so I assume you had your own opinion about it. Let me hear your thoughts about it first."

Businessmen and women inside the guest room subtly looked at their peers. Some of them came from the other nation which is far from this, and some were directly live here. Their backgrounds were nothing to scoff at but mutual interest made them come here.

Different persons with different agendas.

"Are you trying to pull some investors on your side now that Jams Mauberon is gone? It's only natural to say that you will lose some clients even if you also promised them the same thing as Jams."

A man with a pair of glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose raised his matter. His eyes excluded that this was all just business talk.

"Sir Monet's statement indeed has a point but no, I'm not trying to pull you guys here to be my investor. I'm sure some of you had the same idea as him. On the other hand, the other thinking you were trying to imagine is also false."

Interlocking his fingers, Duke cut to the chase, "I'm here to consider you all to be a partner with my business that my family had built for a century."

His eyes lingered on everyone's subtle change of emotions as he continued, "You'll be given a chair for the executive member since only a few are only on it. Imagine the benefits of two different businesses together colliding with each other. My business, on the other hand, is a flexible one that can be placed in different categories as long as it's legal."

Duke added more words with a glib tongue and perfect sophistry. Right there, he added the connections they will acquire, their expansion of businesses throughout the globe, resources just being part of his business, and more.

As if… he was trying to sell his business which have been built for so many years.

After explaining everything to them, the room was enveloped in utter silence once again. Duke let them wait for them to rethink their minds and form opinions on their own.

This was so sudden and a hard pill to swallow.

"What are you trying to do, sir Duke?"

A young woman with an elegant appearance with a piercing gaze was the first one to break the silence as she spoke evenly. She was trying to dig out whatever Duke was planning.

If this was another person, some would've disagreed to come here. An ominous feeling that could get them endangered.

But doing a background check on Duke made them reassured of one thing.

He was harmless. His records were as clean as clear ocean once upon a time. Blank criminal records or instances in which he showed an out-of-the-world persona in the public view.

They didn't even need their guards inside since, just watching him alone, he didn't pose any threat.

"What am I doing, you say?" Duke repeated the question, as he looked at the young woman, "I'm just doing what a true businessman would do. Grabbing opportunities, ma'am Realiza."

He paused, "In this new era we're venturing onto, those with power are on the top. It might not show on the outside but everyone here knew that was happening now that they are Fiends Gates popping everywhere after the Great War. Even The Churches are being put in high regard, alongside the military and the students from the academy.

"What do we, businessmen, lack now that we're falling behind? Simple, power. We're scattered, easily manipulated by those people I've mentioned but if we're united, we can become the best there is and I will be the one starting it."

His statement ended but he continued his inner thoughts inwardly.

'Of course, I'll be the first one to leave it too. My hands are too occupied and I think it will be like that in the future.'

For a moment, it was silent.

But that quickly diminishes when some businessmen immediately raise their hands and voice out their desire to be partners with him as if swayed by his words.

Five out of ten were by his side right away. The deal was already too good, and the ambition only made it better.

As for the other five, they remained unchanged. They belong to the factions that are just enough to swallow a small joint business group as a whole.

They were just that powerful. Of course, the former five are powerful in themselves but there's just a clear difference between the former and the latter.

'As expected. They are the exact people I knew would not agree to the deal right away. This five is really different.'

For the former five, they were just a scapegoat for his plans. A mere cover to hide the bigshots which is why the fact that they can partner up with Duke's business was already enough to sway them over.

Silent, silent still, Duke finally made a decision.

"How about you explore this villa for a moment? This will be ours right after we sign a few papers."

Trying to hide their exploding emotions, the former five 'kept' their professional appearance as they agreed curtly. Soon, on the outside, Gabby assisted them through the villa, making himself a guide for them to know about the place.

Soon, exactly six people were left in the room.

"The deals off?"

A granny who almost enveloped herself with wrinkles due to old age voiced out. She was wearing a white long dress that almost resembled a kimono. Inside this room, her presence was the most heavier than the rest left.

"Ma'am Owary, the deal's never off." Duke lightly smiled, no jolliness attached to his expression as he continued, "I'll add another one. We'll help each other eradicate The Royal Conglomerate."

Right off the bat, everyone's expression tensed just by the mere fact that its name was mentioned. Duke watched the expression inside this room with impassivity.

"The Royal Conglomerate."

The only conglomerate that rose almost to the top of the business world, currently the fifth rank, even when the Fiend's Day was happening.

No, the only conglomerate that had gained a lot through Fiend' Day was only this group. Not like they were powerful enough before it happened but they were at least a hundredth rank.

Now, almost everyone under the fifth rank belongs to them. Imagine how many people are on their side already for them to climb those ranks.

"Your words are too dangerous, sir Mauberon."

Another man with curly hair spoke with a hint of malice, not directed at me but at the mentioned conglomerate.

"I meant what I said, Sir Bard. For some reason, they pestered me about my uncle's funeral with no sense of integrity. I don't mind little trash word exchanges but there should be a time and place for everything, and they crossed the line."

These five looked at each other for a moment, their glances sending signals toward the other person.

At the time Gabby was done with his background check and looking for candidates for the partnership, Duke noticed something that he felt he shouldn't know about.

These five people in this room, even though they came from different business groups and associations, were already in the alliance itself.

Yes, they are involved with each other secretly.

At the very start of this meeting, he already noticed the same people glancing at each other, trying to gauge the meaning of this invitation.

'Is it telepathy? Hahh, now I'm trying to stop my hands from finding who it belonged to and use Meera to extract it by chance. No, wait, maybe is it an item? A graded one or a Mystery Tool? Hah...'

Not letting his intrusive thoughts win him over, Duke silently sat and waited. Not long enough, they soon stopped looking at each other and shifted their gazes at him.

"I think you've run a background check on us, realizing that we're in an alliance with each other, and the reason you kept quiet about it is unknown. Maybe, just maybe, you'll use this to blackmail us."

The man who was silent all this time had finally spoken. His tailored suit matched him the most as it aligned perfectly with his appearance. At the same time, he had the least or weak presence in this room.

But that's what him dangerous. The same is Duke, his outward appearance is an advantage to him.

The same man continued, "But we'll have to refuse."

Duke lingered his gaze on the man for a moment, indifferently gauging the capability of the man who seemed to be the leader of the group that attended this meeting. Maybe more than that. Who knows?

"I see…"

Duke's expression seemed inconceivable to notice what he was thinking. The five waited on their seats, calmly assuming that this meeting was about to end, only to be surprised that Duke continued.

"Then, let me add one more thing to his deal, sir Carpal."

"No matter what it is, the said deal is not enough. Lacking is the right word. It doesn't interest us and I think we can handle the royal conglomerate ourselves—"

"The Underworld."

"!"

This time, even Carpal was unable to hide his emotions the same as others who were worse than him. Did he know about their plan already which is why he daringly invited them? That's what was going on in their minds.

When in reality, Duke just barely touched the surface of it. He doesn't know why they were interested in the underworld, nor does he have plans to know more.

Well, barely touching the surface is only him being humble. In fact, he was already half of his checking.

"I'll give you one connection, the best one there is to achieve your goal in there. It might take a long time but it's the very last thing I'll offer."

'The last thing indeed. If you still disagree, then I'll destroy both you and that conglomerate. The only reason I'm not doing so is because my schedule is tightly packed.' Duke added inwardly.

He waited for their responses and this time, a bit of expectation resurfaced on their faces. That was enough string to pull this off.

"What is this connection?" Carpal questioned, sensing the opportunity on his front.

At least he wasn't blinded by the other matters and focused on the risk on his front, whether it was beneficial to him and his group or not.

Duke looked up at the ceiling, trying to make his words as simple as possible before looking at Carpal.

"The Infamous Dealer Of The Underworld. I'll try to pull something off and use my connections. It might take weeks or a month but I promise you, your group will meet him."