Chapter 28
I went with Oscar to check out that piece of land on the west side of the city. Robert came along too.
When we arrived and got out of the car, all we could see were some abandoned fields. Robert pointed ahead with more than a hint of pride: "Actually, when it comes to buying land, farmland like this is the best deal. There's only that one village over there that needs to be relocated. That's exactly what caught my eye back then, which is why I spent big money to make it happen. Who knew there'd still be an accident."
He sighed, then patted Oscar on the shoulder with relief: "Good thing you came back, Oscar. You snatched this land back from someone else over just one dinner. Honestly, the company doesn't have much cash flow left. I was worried that even if we got the land, we wouldn't have enough money to develop it. Now that's completely not a concern."
I glanced up at Oscar. Clearly, Robert still considered this land his own. But Oscar wasn't the type to take a loss.
Sure enough, Oscar smiled at Robert: "Dad, funding definitely won't be a problem. I think if we just build a processing plant here, it's a bit too conservative. I'm planning to create an estate - combining dining, wine tasting, entertainment, and vacation all in one. This place is big enough; we need to plan it properly. I've been abroad all this time and don't really understand Lumaria's market. There'll probably be a lot of things I'll need to trouble you and William with."
Robert looked somewhat surprised: "You... aren't building a processing plant? We bought the land to build a processing plant in the first place. Our current plant is already too small, and because of location issues, just wastewater treatment alone has taken several times longer. Oscar, you should think this through. A combined dining and entertainment complex - forget whether it can even operate successfully, the upfront investment alone would be dozens of times more than building a factory. Getting your money back would be a problem. You need to think carefully."
Oscar's smile remained perfectly composed: "I've thought it through very clearly. The other night, it was precisely because of my plan that Ralph and the others finally consulted their superiors and said they'd consider giving me the land. Dad, I can't go back on my word - how would I dare make promises in the future?"
There was absolutely nothing wrong with what he said.
"But..." Robert's brow furrowed tightly, feeling something wasn't right. "Oscar, if you don't build a processing plant on this land, what about The Novagen Group?"
I know as much about The Novagen Group as Oscar does. He's not just rushing to build a new plant; like The Brown Group, he's using it to gild his reputation. In business, the real danger isn't being small, but being seen as a paper tiger. Once that happens, partners vanish, and small troubles quickly become crises.
When I cut off their funding two years ago, it dealt them a fatal blow. Although they eventually got through the first crisis thanks to Oscar joining, now Oscar was probably here to collect interest.
Oscar wore a harmless smile: "The company's small factory can actually meet current demand. Without big orders, wouldn't building a big factory and leaving it empty also be a loss? These days, people can skimp on anything, but eating and drinking are necessities. Dad, why do so many people still choose that private club we went to the other day, even though it costs over a hundred thousand? Because it's high-class and private. The estate I want to create can meet all those requirements, and we can even set aside special areas for leisure and entertainment in one place. Isn't that good?"
His plan was certainly good, but no matter how good it was, it didn't seem to have anything to do with The Novagen Group. So Robert's frown never relaxed: "Oscar, you need to understand that the Lopez family is your strongest backing. Of course, you're doing very well now, very capable, and I'm pleased about that. But in business, people see us as one unit."
Oscar nodded seriously: "I understand, so if The Novagen Group can invest, I can give up some equity. It just depends on how much money William can come up with."
Robert knew better than anyone that they couldn't come up with much money because they were still carrying huge bank loans. That's why banks wouldn't even give them loans anymore.
I took the opportunity to jump in: "Oscar, can I invest?"
This wasn't just casual talk. Emerald City really lacked a large-scale entertainment venue like this.
Oscar nodded with a smile: "Sure, I estimate the total investment might be 1.5 billion dollars. How much can you put in? Of course, even if you don't invest, in the end what's mine is yours anyway." He smiled and put his arm around my waist, playfully tapping my nose.
My instinct was to pull away, but with professional dedication, I put my arm around his neck instead and gave him a light kiss on the cheek: "You're the best. I'll invest 200 million dollars. I can't come up with more than that. Will I get over ten percent in shares?"
"I'll give you twenty percent," Oscar said generously. "I'll have the lawyer draft a cooperation agreement right away."
Robert was shocked by our conversation. He interrupted our intimacy, asking again in disbelief: "You mean you're going to spend 1.5 billion dollars? Emily, can you invest 200 million dollars?"
We both nodded and watched as his eyes suddenly lit up: "That's wonderful. Young people these days have relationships between equals. I'm very pleased to see it. Oscar finding Emily is the Lopez family's good fortune. Alright, you young people have your ideas, this old man won't give too much advice. Come on, let's look around some more."
Oscar and I exchanged a glance, not understanding why he had suddenly become so open-minded and had stopped insisting that The Novagen Group get a share of the profits.
This question was soon answered. The next day's news media reported that Mr. Lopez's younger son at The Novagen Group would spend 1.5 billion dollars to create Emerald City's largest luxury estate, with the project expected to break ground before year's end and take two years to complete.
Looking at the media coverage, Oscar showed it to Robert at the dinner table, saying with confusion: "Who leaked this? The land hasn't even been officially approved yet, how is it already in the news?"
Robert smiled: "Maybe the media has a keen sense. It was already a done deal anyway; being reported isn't a problem. This is a good thing. I heard from William that the phone's been ringing off the hook with inquiries about this today. Projects we couldn't negotiate before are now rushing to cooperate. Oscar, you still lack experience in business matters. The more attention a project gets, the better. You should take this chance to set up an official account. If you don't know how, you can give it to William and have him assign someone to run it. It'll be convenient in the future."
Oscar didn't change his expression in public, but his smile turned cold, almost invisible: "You really know how to plan, Dad. Even though I've been abroad, I understand the internet pretty well."
I ducked my head with a wry smile. Naturally, he knew the digital landscape inside out. His Horizon Entertainment at Solstice was such a powerhouse that it had Michael seething with jealousy. After signing creators, they'd churn out viral content like clockwork - basically printing money in broad daylight. Other companies could try to replicate their success, but they'd only ever get the leftovers.
It seemed Robert didn't really understand him: "Knowing how to use your phone isn't the same as understanding the internet. It's complicated. When you get a chance, find someone to help you set it up. Do you have anything going on today? A reporter from Emerald City Finance wants to interview you. I agreed. They'll send over the interview outline later; you can look it over."
Oscar smiled and agreed: "Sure."
A flash of cunning crossed his eyes. I was certain he absolutely wouldn't follow the path others had planned for him.