I looked at all of them, who were looking at me with hope and expectations.
I have studied the bids, and now it is time for me to announce the winners of it. It was a hard job, and the merit of the proposal was not the only thing I looked at before selecting the winners.
"The winner of the first tender is Ravin Consortium," I announced, and immediately, five people got up and shouted before controlling themselves.
The first tender is for infrastructure around the castle, aka castle town. It is won by a group of five small construction companies.
It was a bitter fight. Several others also had bid close to it, but what won them, is that they complement each other with their specialties.
Most importantly, one of them manages the quarry here; it will help tremendously with the construction.
Many people are not happy with small companies getting the bids; it is clear on their faces, but they didn't say anything. They have tried to influence it through the Count but have failed.
"The winner of the second tender is Thomson-Vilas," I announced, and a smile appeared on the face of the long-haired man.
The second contract is about Mirador Hold and it went to one of the top four companies.
There are many good proposals with lower costs, but I have chosen Thomas-Vilas. Mirador Hold could bully small companies and pressure mediums, but they could do little against these big ones.
Their owners are powerful, and they have political backers. Even Commander Dane wouldn't dare to create any big obstacles in their work.
If I had a month of time, I would have chosen the best. Then I would have been able to deal with any problem that Mirador Hold might create, but I simply don't have that much time and thus, the compromise.
"The winner of the third tender is Nev consortium," I announced, and immediately a smile lit up on Valentina and the other two men's faces.
The first and second tenders are at a similar level. If I add the extra things, I am going to add around the castle, while the third is the biggest tender, in value and size.
"Congratulations you all; I hope we will have a good working relationship," I said and walked out, leaving Lola and the clerks to deal with the rest.
I am going to have a meeting with each winning party; I want them to start as soon as possible. Tomorrow, if possible; I hope some visible work will be done before the shipment of goods arrives, by the end of the month.
'Adviser, people of Ravin Consortium are here to meet you,' said Jill through the intercom.
Click!
"Send them in," I said and looked at the plan I had placed on the table I had placed before me.
I looked at it for a moment, before turning to the door, through which five people were walking inside.
"Adviser, we are grateful that you had trusted us for this great responsibility," said the old man.
He is a Marcus Chavez; he owns 35% of the consortium.
"I have taken a huge risk doing that; I hope you will not give me a chance to regret this decision," I said to them directly as I offered them seats.
"We will not, Adviser," He replied, before looking down at the table, where all four of his partners looking at.
Seeing the plan of the castle town, his eyes lit up.
Among the three proposals, the first one is the smallest, but when a few things are added, it will be as big as one of Mirador's Hold or even bigger.
It will all depend upon their work. If they do well, I will hand them over the responsibility for the rest. If not, there are others waiting to get their hands on this chance.
"As you are aware, we are on a tight schedule. I hope you will all act fast without compromising on the quality," I said to them, with a hint of warning.
"We have already sent messages to the city. As it now, they are loading things and men into the carriages,"
"By tomorrow morning, they will be here, and we will start the work," replied the old man.
"I am glad to be near that, Mr. Chavez," I replied.
I discussed things with them for ten minutes before they left. After that, I met with Nat Addison and there was an original plan for Mirador Hold on my desk.
It was the plan, I had shown to that Lawson bastard, but since he messed it up. I changed to a minimum; I might implement the old plan, but it all depends on the behavior of the mirador hold.
Addison also promised to start work as soon as possible, but I am not much worried about it.
The Mirador Hold already has infrastructure and a slow start won't affect anything.
"We had already contacted quarries and the city. We will be able to start with work by tomorrow morning," informed Valentina.
"Good. I hope you will start with the boundary first. We need a new road, connected with the old road first before you start widening the old roads," I said to them.
While there are roads, not all parts are connected to it. In Nakar Baronies, the road only stretches to my sister and Baron Harrod's territory, not till the region's boundary with Oksall.
We have to make that road first.
They will also need to transform the gravel road into the paved one from Mirador Hold to Baronies, as not everything is paved.
"We were thinking the same," she replied.
Fifteen minutes later, Valentina had left. She will be staying in the castle with the rest of the people who won the bid; I am hosting a dinner for them.
An hour, I am having dinner with the people. Talking, taking their views, hearing irritating boasting of the Addison, but thankfully, it ended, and I got my peace.
"I am sorry; I wanted to talk to you but didn't want to be seemed like I am favoring you," I said as Valentina walked onto the roof.
The silver light falling on her hair made her look even more beautiful.
She is truly a beautiful woman, both in body and mind. Unfortunately, she doesn't have any interest in me or rather in any men.
"I gathered as much," she said with a smile.
We didn't say anything about a and just looked ahead at the beautiful forest around us.
"Soon, the whole area is going to be transformed," she said. "Yes, and I am kind of excited about it," I replied, looking ahead.
It is my vision, and I want to see it come through. It won't be easy, but I am ready to face the challenges.
For a few minutes, we didn't talk; just kept looking ahead when she took a black roll from her bag and spread it on the ground.
A moment later, the projection of the establishment started to float over it. This is the establishment of my vision, which will have five floors and the capacity to hold a lot more people.
It will be more beautiful than before; this time, I plan to spend big on the interior as well as our exterior.
I want a place that will attract the eyes of everyone who will see it. A place where they will get to experience something different and a place that will satisfy their desires.
It is going to cost me hundreds of millions; not to mention the losses I will incur during the closure.
It is why; I wanted to wait for these changes, but Oksall had changed my mind and I decided to go with it.
I have to take the risks if I want to grow. Especially now, when my sister has come here; I don't want to lose to her.
I don't want to lose to anyone in the family.
They have given me an amazing gift and I want to show them what I could do with it.
"Do you have any more requirements?" she asked, showing the projections. "Many," I replied and took out my diary, and we began.
One and a half an hour later, she closed it and put the roll back into her bag.
"These changes are huge; it is going to cost you a lot, Remus," she said. "I know," I said, and she gave me her estimate. It is a lot, but I could afford it with what I was earning.
We talked for a few more minutes before she moved to leave.
"Valentina. The grey cloaks are coming to the Greltheaven," I said softly, but she heard me as she stopped in her tracks and shuddered.
We have never discussed our relationship, but she knew I was aware of what she wanted and was willing to give it to her, without asking those questions that could get us both in trouble.
It is the first time I have said something related to that.
"How sure are you?" she asked. "The Count had told me about it," I replied, which made her shudder further, but she nodded.
"Thank you," she said, shakingly, before walking away.
I sighed.
For people like her, this world is extremely dangerous. Especially a place like an empire, where the influence of the church of the god of war is heavy and spread into every corner.
The grey cloaks are church hounds for people like Valentina; they are very dangerous.
I stayed on the roof for a couple more minutes before walking out and slept; I have to wake up early tomorrow.
Masterful Administrator Lv. 17