Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The Perfect Plan

Julian Sterling looked up at the two of them when he heard Ethan Caldwell and Seraphina Cole mention the plot of land in the suburbs. If he remembered correctly, the Caldwell Empire had only purchased one piece of land in the suburbs recently – the one snatched from Aaron Sterling’s hands.

It hadn’t been bought long ago; how did the news circulate so quickly?

Why was Seraphina Cole paying attention to this matter? Or was it just as Ethan Caldwell had said, that Iris Visuals was also interested in this land?

Ethan Caldwell saw his face stiffen slightly and smiled, stroking his hand with obvious intent to comfort him. Seraphina Cole also noticed their interaction and merely gave a soft snort. “I don’t mind telling you. Iris Visuals currently has a new investment project developing graphic technology. The higher-ups had their eyes on that piece of land and wanted to choose it as a development site. Who would have expected that the Sterling Group would try so hard to acquire it, only for it to fall into your hands?”

Graphic technology development?

Julian Sterling pursed his lips. He seemed to understand a little bit now why Aaron Sterling had been so determined to seize this land.

“Is it the higher-ups who want it, or is it you? I heard the Cole family is aiming to build a complex between the inner city and the suburbs. That specific area is the key point.”

Upon hearing this, Seraphina Cole lifted her coffee cup for a sip and laughed softly. “So what?”

“It turns out you really find Gabriel Cole that much of an eyesore.”

“Five years ago, I genuinely treated him as my nephew and regarded the Cole family as my home. And now? A bunch of ugly, filthy people.” After she finished speaking, she looked at Julian Sterling again. “Do you know why I like you so much? Initially, it was because you helped me during difficult times, but it is also because you are like me: you have a bunch of relatives with human faces but the hearts of beasts.”

Whether it was the Caine family or the Sterling family, they were all the same. A horde that trampled on the flesh and blood of their own kin, disregarding everything for the sake of profit.

“Little Jules, being too kind a person means you won’t live long.” After saying that, Seraphina Cole stood up, wrote down a phone number, and handed it to Julian Sterling. “You can contact me through this number, or use it to search for information on social media as well.”

Having said that, she picked up her bag and walked out. Reaching the door, she suddenly turned her head back. “I wonder if President Caldwell is free the morning after next? I will be coming on behalf of Iris Visuals to discuss cooperation.”

Ethan Caldwell raised an eyebrow.

“I know you don’t want to be suppressed and ridden over by Gabriel Cole forever either. We both have ambitions and possess things the other needs, so what is there to hesitate about regarding cooperation?”

She pushed the door open and walked straight out, leaving Ethan Caldwell with a gloomy expression.

This was the first time Julian Sterling had seen Ethan Caldwell’s face look so unpleasant. Ethan clenched his fists tight, then suddenly lifted Julian up, placing him on his lap and burying his entire head into Julian’s neck.

Fortunately, this was a private room, and the café was quite reputable.

Julian Sterling wrapped his arms around him, patting gently in a rhythmic motion. After a long while, he whispered, “You don’t like Gabriel Cole?”

Ethan Caldwell held him, remaining silent for a long time before answering, “It’s not exactly that I don’t like him, it’s just that seeing him makes me uncomfortable. Maybe our fates don’t align? It feels like we are in conflict; the moment he appears, I encounter bad luck.”

Julian Sterling laughed upon hearing this. He cupped Ethan Caldwell’s face, pressed his forehead against his, and murmured, “Why are you suddenly being so childish?”

“I’m not being childish. I’ve found him an eyesore for a long time.”

“So what do you plan to do?” He took Ethan Caldwell’s hand, trying to measure his own hand against Ethan’s palm. “Cooperate with Seraphina Cole? But the Caldwell Empire doesn’t have any projects related to art or graphics, does it?”

Ethan Caldwell remained silent.

Suddenly, Julian Sterling changed the subject.

“At first, I didn’t know why Aaron Sterling had his eye on that piece of land, but now I understand.”

“The gaming market?”

Julian Sterling nodded.

The gaming market is a newly developing market recently. Saying it occupies a large economic proportion isn’t quite accurate either. Not many people truly pay attention to domestic or foreign gaming issues, and the money made from game downloads isn’t much.

Publishers mainly make money from gamers topping up funds, so investing in graphic technology is also an important issue. If successful, a single game title can bring in higher profit value than real estate, but it has to be an absolute success. If it only flourishes slightly compared to the market, the probability of capital loss is very high.

The normal gaming market is already difficult; virtual reality games are even harder.

However, Aaron Sterling has joined hands with Helios Technologies to encroach on this field. Aside from researching technology, they have another important issue – graphics. If it were just to produce a standard game, they would only need to find enough partners and then start building it up. After all, virtual reality games haven’t developed much domestically. If they run media campaigns supporting domestic products, then as long as it isn’t too terrible, it will create a certain resonance.

But what if it involves the interference of a monster like the Cole family? Although they aren’t experts, the Cole family – or more specifically, Gabriel Cole – has private connections that can be utilized. Building a research facility, integrating technology and graphics to the maximum, and then releasing a captivating virtual reality game is a completely normal matter for them.

If they successfully launch an attractive game, they can utilize virtual reality technology combined with graphics to create lifelike game items, then sell them at high prices. The profits will certainly not be small. With the Cole family controlling the direction of public opinion, are they afraid this project won’t be a brilliant success?

But they encountered a problem. Whether considered internationally or domestically, the only company that can handle the graphics part is Iris Visuals. But would Seraphina Cole agree to cooperate with the Cole family?

No way.

Iris Visuals is her backstage support, so there is no way the higher-ups there would agree.

That is why Gabriel Cole didn’t show his face but pushed Aaron Sterling and Helios Technologies instead, letting them connect and sign the contracts.

At that time, when everything succeeds beautifully, Gabriel Cole will appear with the title of the project’s founder. His reputation will be pushed to a new height, his seat as the heir will be firmly secured, and there will even be a tendency for the Cole family to suppress all the surrounding noble families.

And if it fails? No one will know he was the “boss” behind it all.

A truly perfect plan.

Julian Sterling narrowed his eyes. Did that event succeed? It certainly did, because that very project was what turned Aaron Sterling into the young director of one of the largest corporations in Saint Lawrence City, and even paved the way for him to acquire the economy of this city.

For no other reason than that he was the protagonist, the darling of this world.

Julian Sterling curled his lips into a smile.

“Ethan, before, you asked me if I wanted to come to the Caldwell Empire, and I refused. But what if I change my mind now?”

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