Raphel explained his proposal, excluding the part of budget allocation as he is not confident, and his father does the budget preparation.
Throughout the explanation, Winston didn't utter a word, and intently listened to his statement.
He immediately understood the conspiracy behind this doing.
When Raphel completed his explanation, the mayor appreciated him flatly, "it seems you have prepared well for the bidding, and I appreciate your efforts.
The young generation nowadays should depend on their talent instead of their parent's influence, don't you think Mr. knight..?"
Mr. Knight, like a proud father, nodded his head and said, "of course mayor, my son here have a degree in civil engineering, after all, so he depended on his talent unlike some people, you know..?"
Mr. Knight boasted about his son shamelessly while pointing at Easton as if he is the one who influenced the bidding panel.
Easton, lightly laughing, added, "yes! Yes, it seems Mr. Knight's son is quite talented. Don't you think the same thing Rome..?"
Rome sneered coldly and said, "we can all see his talent displaying here lively. What is there to ask again..?"
Mr. Knight just narrowed his eyes, ignoring Rome's comment while speaking further, "as my son already explained about construction planning, let us proceed with the contract signing."
Mayor coughed lightly before interrupting, "why hurry Mr. Knight, your son had only explained the construction plan but not the budget plan.
As you know, the knight company offered less bidding numbers, so it's only natural for us to know about the budget plan. Don't you feel the same, gentlemen..?
All the men who are present there looked at each other awkwardly and said, "Mr. Mayor, we took the second meeting session, so it will be our waste of time if we go through the same process.
We have already discussed and finalized the decision. If you wish, you can go through the documents again. Since the process is already completed, is it necessary to talk about it again..?"
Mayor understanding their intention, asked them in return, "of course, there's no need, but this project is prestigious and will contribute to the economic growth of our city.
So as a mayor, don't you think I should be thoroughly informed to satisfy other governmental officials,.?"
Not having an option to stop the discussion, they diverted the topic towards Easton and Rome.
One of the men asked, "yeah! mayor, it's good to have the discussion again, but why are Mr. Smith and Mr. Rome here in the meeting room..?"
Another man replied, "yes! mayor, after all, as you said, this is a prestigious project, so allowing a competitor company while we are finalizing the discussion is not a good idea, right..?"
Mr. Knight nodding his head, said, "no offense, Mr. Smith, we are purely talking about business, even your reputation is not in good shape these days."
All other people nodded their heads "reputation and connections matter the most in any business field.
Mr. Smith, looking at your company's performance overseas, we are willing to collaborate with you but no in this project."
Easton taking a sip from the coffee cup placed beside on his right hand, nodded his head "gentleman, please don't get agitated.
We are here to participate in this discussion invited personally by mayor Mr. Churchill himself.
Moreover, there is no need for us to explain our personal life, do we..?
Coming to your looks towards Rome, take a break; he is not a servant; he is my partner in the business line, we are.
He has some decent shares and investments abroad. I believe government officials here know about finances, right..?" finishing Easton looked meaningfully at them.
Dealing with human beings like this is a piece of cake for Easton, but he doesn't want to make any trouble to his dear wife and niece in this city where they grew up.
His patience is running out; he still chose to give some face to the mayor who insisted on joining with him for this ridiculous discussion.
The mayor looked seriously at all the people present in the meeting room and said sternly, "I want the budget file knight company has quoted for this project.
And Mr. Knight, ask your son to explain the budget allocation, or else you know the consequences."
Mr. Knight sensing the seriousness of the situation, said, "of course my son will give you the answer. Let us have some snacks first, and then we can continue the discussion."
His main intention was to buy out some time to teach his son, but the mayor saw through his plans that he still nodded and walked out of the meeting room.
Winston Churchill wants to see up to what extent these bunch of fools will get to deceive him.
He is looking forward to seeing them making themselves fools in front of him. Mr. Knight smirked and spoke to Easton meaningfully, "Mr. Smith, don't you think you are wasting your time."
Rome answered, "we will see who will lose their face instead of wasting their time."
Mr. Knight clicked his tongue, "Mr. Smith, I am going to advise you; you should keep people where they belong.
If you indulge them with you more than required, and you are bound to be doomed."
Easton just smiled at him and said, "aah, let's keep aside this advice. Train your son better mr.knight; after all, we don't want to happen what will happen in the end. The break is only for half an hour."
Rome gave a disgusting look and went away from there as if it doesn't exist in the first place.
Easton placing his left hand on his shoulder said:
"Come on, Romy, don't be so upset. Who cares about his words anyway. The mayor will put him in his place; you wait and see."
Easton always liked to tease Rome like this; when he was younger and wanted to play with his older brother, Rome gave company for him. Easton regards him as a younger brother.
Rome said, "I am not upset about them looking down upon me and belittling me Easton, I can't stand their disgusting comments about Margery and Adaline.
If not for them, I could have burned that stupid fat guy into ashes. How dare he talk, he implies something like that.
It's good we didn't bring the first young master along with us."
Easton and Rome shuddered, thinking about the outcome if the first young master been here. He could have wreaked havoc on them quickly.
Easton shook his head inwardly and spoke to ease Rone's mind "ooh, wow! My butler, you called me with my first name, not wrong, ah!
I could have easily made you my boyfriend if not for Margery."
Rome coughed profusely, "second young master, please restrain your words for God's sake, and I don't know from where you will get such ideas. I doubt you being a real brother of his majesty."
Easton playfully teased Rome for the time they have to take a break from the meeting, saying, "ah! how can you break my heart with these words of yours..?"
Rome didn't pay any attention to him from then.
Luther completed all his unfinished work and went to take a look at Carla.
She is still sleeping peacefully, and there are some silver glints on her hair slightly visible if one observes closely.
Checking on her, Luther covered her with quilt and sat beside her for some time.
Margery is still attending the inspection for the remaining day. The school places great importance on physical exercises.
After finishing her review in the classes, she went to participate in the same on the outdoor.
It's close to 4'o clock when Margery finished her inspection, taking suggestions and requests.
She arranged all the documents and started preparing a detailed report for the record purpose.
In this half an hour, Mr. Knight prepared his son thoroughly, asking him to behave as he said. All the members came back from the break.
Mr. Mayor sitting on his chair placed in the middle of the desk from where he can see everyone in the meeting room, said,
"Before we start the discussion, I have found something interesting. Can we see this first, Mr. knight..?"
With all smiles, Mr. Knight said, "of course we can, let us also see what's the thing that spiked the mayor's interest."
Mayor without waiting asked his assistant to connect a projector to this meeting and play the recording.
A projector is connected in the middle of the table.
Everyone is looking at the projector, anticipating what the mayor is interested in more than about this shopping mall contract.
As soon as the projector played the recording, everyone in the room was shocked, looking at their face in a small party hall exchanging promises and benefits.
Looking at their drained pale faces mayor is quite satisfied. How dare they get bribery behind his back..? Don't they know how strict their government against corruption.
Alas to their fortune, he didn't get direct evidence exchanging money. After all, Mr. Knight is more careful than them, but he got a video recording of his promises once they gain the project.
He also went through the budget file they have submitted, which has minor issues. Once it finished, the mayor started, "now, I believe there's no need for the discussion.
I am assigning this project to Mr. Easton and Rome. If you are still brave to object, go through the achievements of the CM group of construction abroad.
Mr. Smith, sorry for this mess up, but I will take care of this and congratulate you on the project. I believe you are going to set up a branch here; feel free to contact me for any help."
Mayor gave his contact number there itself while everyone embarrassed even to open their mouth.
Mr. Knight, who boasted up himself earlier, is ashamed to also held his head high.
The other members immediately send messages to the building owner, asking him to stop making Easton and Rome trouble.
Still, they are unable to prevent the damage they have already caused to themselves.