Chapter Seventeen
The billionaires' battlefield; wealth is the only weapon
After Jeff had settled some pressing issues like forwarding the email to his father and concluding his Mini Project, he delved conscientiously into the auction sales issues by carrying out a survey. He discovered that the island for sale had the features that would appeal to any organization or individual. It was located at the boundary between Canada and America. Everyone knew the island as a hide-out for criminal activities such as kidnapping and home to drug peddlers. Rumors had it that the most notorious terrorist in the world had his followers planted there. For that reason, the government decided to sell it off as her last resort.
When he was satisfied with his discovery of the area and felt there was no harm in trying, he filled out the online form on their website with his personal details and got the acknowledgement letter and code number immediately.
He walked to his grandfather, who had already dozed off on the couch after the third cup of the Organic Tea. He opened his eyes as soon as the door opened.
"Sorry Dad. I can always come back if you are tired."
"Come in. I will soon go down for dinner. What brings you?"
Jeff walked in and sat beside him on the double seater couch. He informed him about the island in copacetic and the benefits of owning such property.
"How did you get the information?"
"I stumbled on it on the television this morning."
"This morning? Were you not in school?"
"I was. It was at the Endless Love Arcadia, when I went for my Mini Project."
"It is all right. The acquisition of the island is worth venturing into. Have you informed your dad?"
"I have not. I just got the information today."
"I suggest you contact our Geophysics Department. Ask them to survey the land and advise us."
"All right dad. I will send a message right away."
He began to send a mail to the Manager of the Department, while Mr. Morris looked at him in admiration.
'What would I have done without you, Jeffrey?'
He thought.
"I have sent it."
"It is all right. Let us wait for his response. Get Leon, let's go for dinner."
"I will do that."
They all got down to the dinner table. Mr. Morris requested for another cup of the Organic Tea while waiting for the meal to be served.
"Before I forget, Jeffrey, you need to buy more of the Organic Tea and send to Africa. Your Mom and Dad will love it."
"Excellent. I will do that, dad. We can also send to Jewel in France."
"You are right. That is very considerate of you."
They had their dinner, played some online game and retired for the night. Mr. Morris watched the local channels for about three hours but did not see the Island Auction Sales jingle.
'Where did Jeffrey get his information? A project of this magnitude should have a wider publication.'
Friday Morning
At the Ministry of Trade and Commerce
The minister was on a hot seat. He was being berated by the infamous jungle king of the Island Mr. Wong Brooklyn for being fickle.
"Mr. Clark King, why are you so unstable? Why do you keep changing your stand? Didn't we agree that the public would not be informed of the auction sales so that we can get fictitious bidders that would be loyal to me?"
The jittery minister gave his reasons.
"Mr. Brooklyn, what I did was for your own best interest. A project of this magnitude cannot be hidden from the public; otherwise it would be annulled even if you acquire it. To avoid giving it wide publicity, we avoided the prime time when many viewers and listeners would be at home and aired it when everyone was busy at work or school."
His eyes were radiant at once as he became optimistic. He jolted forward from the visitors' seat and asked.
"Is that so? Was that the reason it was aired for just thirty minutes and yanked off?"
"You got it. We have to play safe on matters like this; otherwise, it may spring back on us."
"Thank you, Mr. King, for being so thoughtful. Forgive my recklessness. I would like to know, how many people have applied so far?"
Mr. King checked his system and announced.
"There are five people so far. But we cannot go on with the auction if we do not have ten bidders and above."
"That would not be an impediment. I will give you the five people now. Another question."
"Yes. Go on."
"Apart from me, who are the other four bidders?"
He checked his system again and informed him.
"The first bidder is from a Food and Beverages Company. The second from a car manufacturing company, the other bidder is a student and the fourth is an arms dealer and of course, the fifth is you."
"I know where the arm dealer is coming from. A student? That is despicable. I'm comfortable with the bidders. Since Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group and Endless Love Arcadia are not in the race, I'm good to go."
"If I may ask. How much do you wish to bid? It is essential."
Mr. Brooklyn was right when he said that Mr. King was unstable in his dealings. At one time his was on the side of the government, at another time he was on his side. He wanted the cut from Mr. Brooklyn after the sales. Little did he know that what he had in mind against him.
"I planned bidding twenty billion. What do you think? If it is too much, I can cut it down."
Mr. King leaned forward on his desk, adjusted his glasses, looked at Mr. Brooklyn in the face and asked.
"Do you really wish to retain that island? If another bidder acquires it, you would be thrown out like a dog. That property is worth over one hundred and fifty billion."
Mr. Brooklyn laughed scornfully.
"I'm glad you said 'if'. None of these bidders is worth ten billion. So, there's nothing to worry about."
Mr. King became convinced.
"It is all right. You know you have twelve hours of grace to make payment after the auction, or the property would be given up for bidding again."
The overconfidence self-crowned king of the island concluded the discussion with a wave of hand and a contemptuous smile.
"This a closed deal. See you on Monday."
"Good luck."
At the Eagles City University.
At about noon, Jeff was about going to the Aviation Department for another Group Activity when he got a message alert.
Ding
He halted to check his message before getting into the class.
The Head of the Geophysics Departments just forwarded the report of his trip to the Island. According to his report, the island is rich in natural resources. The discovery of crude oil and mining was inevitable. Luxury homes and hotels businesses are ideal for the island. The cost of the island ranges from two to three hundred billion.
He was pleased with the report.
'Three a hundred billion is not much.'
He thought as he forwarded the message to his father and grandfather before getting into his class.
It was 6 pm in Nigeria when his father got the message. He was at the Recreational Park with his wife and friends. He quickly replied.
(Hello son, Call me immediately you are off school, please. Thanks).
He only saw the dad's message after his lecture. He replied.
(All right, dad.)