Jen Baker.
A young investor from Astrian who suddenly appeared in Gracian.
His touch was on businesses expected to fail and those unexpectedly successful.
“When did that man come to Gracian?” asked Eric.
John, counting the months, chuckled and said, “Five months. It’s only been five months.”
In just those five months, Jen Baker became a figure of great attention.
The Gracian upper class is conservative. Jen hasn’t yet formally shown his face in high society, but the older nobles are surely keeping an eye on him, as these three men are.
But why does this prominent man drive a problematic and flawed car?
Is it just for style? A hobby? A preference?
“Could it be an investment?” John muttered, clenching his hands. Eric swirled his whiskey glass and said, “Hard to say for sure.”
“But if he did invest…”
As mentioned before, no business Jen invested in has failed.
‘Could this car business also succeed?’
Jen’s past actions can’t guarantee future success, especially with the problematic automobile industry.
Unlike boats with a long history or trains running on fixed rails, cars suddenly started racing off the ground, huge chunks of metal.
People have strong aversion to cars, and they have blatant issues: noise, fuel, varying ride quality, stability, etc.
‘Can this industry really succeed?’
Those with money are skeptical of the automobile industry. But if it does succeed, what profit could early investors gain?
The three men were lost in thought.
Should they trust Jen’s reputation and invest, or ignore what seems a doomed venture?
They were wealthy, but their operating capital was limited. And in these turbulent times, if someone grows while they fall, they couldn’t bridge the gap.
As they glanced around, the club’s silence was broken by the bell on the door. Everyone’s gaze turned to the door, and they all widened their eyes in surprise.
“Why are you all staring? Were you waiting for me?”
A handsome man with black hair, pale skin, and deep blue eyes entered, smiling enchantingly.
“Being the center of attention isn’t too bad.”
“Belrus! You’re back?” Eric greeted him warmly.
Belrus, grandson of Duke Delta, had the longest middle name in the club and was its founder. Before Jen Baker, he was the most handsome man here. Belrus had a fate envied by all men in the club.
“Ah, I wanted to return after winter, but it couldn’t be helped.”
“Why? Duke Delta adores you. Or did your father-in-law call?”
“Father-in-law? Are you joking?”
“What?”
“I’m only engaged, and already thinking about such a dreadful thing!”
Belrus shuddered at the question and sat on the sofa, muttering softly.
“Ugh, I really don’t want to get married. Damn, how can I break it off?”
As Belrus cursed as if he had poison on his tongue, everyone at the table was shocked.
“Talking nonsense out of luxury!”
Belrus, a member of the Duke Delta family but not in line for a title being the second son of the eldest son, was specially favored by Duke Delta, who arranged a grand matrimonial alliance for him.
“The Verin Duke family, yes, the Verin Duke family!”
The significance of marrying the only daughter of Duke Verin was immense.
“A future duke, isn’t that just fantastic! A better title than your elder brother’s.”
“Who talks about titles these days? It’s all about wealth.”
“Well, that’s true.”
When comparing the history and legitimacy, the Delta family was not inferior to the Verin Duke family.
In fact, the current influence of the Delta family arguably leaned towards their side. Delta had adapted to the changing times and had a succession of capable heirs.
“Delta has always been growing.”
Belrus’s grandfather, father, and even his brother, all had outstanding business acumen. But what about Verin?
“How much has Verin lost, after all?”
Yet, the Verin Duke family remained a formidable lineage even now.
“If the wealth of the Verin Duke family was similar to other noble families, they would have become destitute long ago. It’s only because they are Verin that they have endured.”
Belrus frowned and smiled. His icy voice made his three friends fall silent.
The issue of the Verin Duke family’s successor had been a topic of much discussion.
The current Duke Verin, famously the cherished only son of the previous Duke, also had only one daughter and did not remarry. No one could replace his wife, he believed.
While people praised this love of Duke Verin as poetry-worthy, his relatives seemed to think otherwise.
[He only had one daughter and now Verin will be handed over to Delta! They should have adopted a competent child from the relatives and made them the Duke to preserve Verin!]But to Duke Verin, a relative’s child or a stranger were the same. It was a far better option for his daughter to become the Duchess and her child the Duke.
‘Maybe Duke Verin thinks he chose me. In fact, it’s the other way around.’
Belrus shook his head and said,
“Anyway, you’ll never understand my struggles and pain.”
“But isn’t the Verin Duke’s daughter the best on the current marriage market, even though she’s a bit older?”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
