Chapter 200 - 198: Meeting The Merchants I (1/2)
After Serena's conversation with Geoffrey, he asked if she would care to join him for lunch. She declined giving the excuse that she wanted to rest as she still has a meeting later. She did not expound, and he did not ask. Instead, he walked her back to her dorm despite her insistence that she can walk herself. Anyway, she did not mind him that much thinking that they won't be unnecessarily meeting soon. The school year is about to end in a month, and she was sure that she won't be joining the Student council next year.
Come noon, Serena rode her own carriage to Columbia Recoding Company. She also brought Beatrice along with her. Initially the plan was to ride with Charlton on his black carriage without insignia. However, he informed her yesterday that Edward was able to arrange a meeting with the other merchants in the morning before their meeting. He wanted to decline and set it on another day, but she insisted he meet with them by assuring that she can ask Bernard to drive her carriage and she will bring Beatrice along.
While on journey, she wondered how Charlton's meeting with the merchants was faring.
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”Good morning everyone. Like what we have discussed in our meeting the other day, I have invited Lord Charlton Daniel to meet with us this morning. It is with great honor that he has kindly graced us with his presence today, and so, please, give him a warm welcome.” Edward announced. He was seated at the head chair of a long conference table for 10.
Charlton was not expecting much when Edward invited him for this meeting. Last time during their talk, he only mentioned that there were only some merchants with him. He was seated on Edward's right and there were 7 others all looking like they were under the age of 30. As the only son of the Grand Duke, he has no need to assimilate with the people in this room. However, he needed funds of his own since he did not want his parents to get involved with his plans.
Everyone gave him a warm applause and Charlton can only raise his hand in acknowledgement.
”Now, I have already explained our plight to Lord Daniel and depending on how our meeting today will go, he would be willing to give us his assistance. Anyway, before anything else, I think that an introduction is in order. I am Edward Easton, the leader of this group, owner of Columbia Recording Company, and the second son of Easton Corporation which deals with coal mining.” Then he indicated the person to his left to follow.
”I am Lucas Fenerty, the owner of the times. I am also the second son of Charles Fenerty who invented the pulp process of papermaking. It is an honor to meet you Lord Daniel.”
”I am Scott Russell, the owner of J. Scott Russel and Co. which engages in ship building. My family has been in the industry for generations, but I am my own person now. Here with me is Isambard Brunel, who I strongly believe will soon become the greatest engineer of our time.”
Isambard reddened with Scott's introduction, ”Milord, I am Isambard Brunel, not the most distinguished in comparison to the people here today, but I am an engineer by profession.”