Chapter 170: Get Lost!
It wasn’t only Luca who had begun making his move.
Across New Orleans, the Day family and Lady Francine were also quietly setting their plans in motion.
---
Inside one of New Orleans’ most luxurious five-star hotels...
The private dining room had been reserved exclusively for the occasion.
Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in warm golden light while expensive bottles of wine rested neatly on the polished table.
Arthur Day slowly raised his wine glass, a cordial smile on his face.
"Everyone, Ms. Luiz and I have invited you here today because we need your support. We sincerely hope you’ll lend us a hand."
Besides Arthur and Lady Francine, every person seated around the table held considerable influence over New Orleans’ ports.
Some were presidents of port operators.
Others were executive vice presidents or senior directors.
Even those who weren’t the highest-ranking executives still occupied positions that carried enormous weight within their respective companies.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that nearly every major player in New Orleans’ shipping industry had gathered in this single room.
If everyone present chose to work together...
They possessed enough influence to shake the entire shipping industry across the New Orleans region.
"Hahaha!"
One heavyset middle-aged executive burst into laughter.
"Mr. Day, you’re being far too polite. Being invited personally by the president of Day Family and Ms. Francine Luiz is an honour for us."
Another man immediately stood and raised his glass.
"That’s right."
"Just tell us what you need."
"If it’s within our ability, we’ll certainly help."
The others quickly echoed his words.
"We’ll do our best."
"If we can help, we definitely will."
"We’re all friends here."
Their words sounded enthusiastic.
Whether they truly intended to help...
That was another matter entirely.
After all...
Businessmen never acted without weighing the benefits.
Arthur had spent decades navigating the business world.
These old foxes couldn’t fool him.
He knew perfectly well that every smiling face around this table was calculating profits in silence.
Even so...
He maintained the same warm smile.
Lifting his glass, he emptied it in one swallow.
"Thank you all."
"I truly appreciate your support."
Compared to Arthur...
Lady Francine was far less composed.
Believing everyone had genuinely agreed to stand beside them, she immediately began thanking everyone repeatedly, smiling from ear to ear.
She even stood to raise her glass several times.
Her eagerness made several executives exchange subtle glances.
Everyone had long heard about Lady Francine’s arrogance.
None of them had expected her to be this...
Naive.
She couldn’t even tell polite courtesy from genuine support.
Naturally, nobody pointed it out.
They simply smiled politely while silently looking down on her.
Soon, the room fell quiet again as Arthur resumed speaking.
Over the next several minutes, he carefully laid out his proposal.
Day Family would cooperate with every company present.
Lady Francine would use Gordon Luiz’s shares to resist Luca.
Together...
They would drive Vanderbilt Global Maritime Group completely out of New Orleans’ shipping industry.
Arthur spoke passionately.
Every promise sounded attractive.
Unfortunately...
Nobody around the table interrupted.
They simply listened.
Expressionless.
Because everyone knew exactly what was being asked.
Drive Vanderbilt Global Maritime Group out of New Orleans?
That sounded impressive.
But it was also completely unrealistic.
Or rather...
Ridiculous.
Not every port operator worked with Vanderbilt.
But everyone wanted the opportunity to.
If they wished, they certainly had enough influence to refuse docking rights.
The problem was...
Why would they?
Business existed to make money.
Who willingly turned away profits?
Who would damage someone else while simultaneously harming themselves?
Well...
There actually was one person willing to do that.
Lady Francine.
At this point, calling her foolish almost felt too generous.
---
Arthur noticed everyone’s hesitation.
Without changing expression, he smiled again.
"I know everyone still has concerns."
"But please rest assured."
"Rose City..."
"The Sapphire-Vanguard Group will be supporting us as well."
He deliberately paused.
"In addition..."
"Breaking Waters Shipping Group, one of Sapphire-Vanguard’s long-time partners, is also interested in expanding operations into New Orleans."
This announcement finally drew visible reactions.
Several executives nodded thoughtfully.
Now that...
Made much more sense.
If Vanderbilt were forced out...
Someone still had to fill the gap.
For those ports that had never secured contracts with Vanderbilt, this suddenly became a very attractive opportunity.
Blocking Vanderbilt wouldn’t cost them anything.
Yet they’d gain access to entirely new business through Sapphire-Vanguard and Breaking Waters.
That meant profits.
Real profits.
As for those already working with Vanderbilt...
Arthur had prepared something for them too.
He promised generous concessions on inland shipping routes along the Destiny River...
Routes currently controlled by Sapphire-Vanguard.
One offer followed another.
Little by little...
More executives began nodding.
Eventually...
Most of those present verbally agreed to cooperate.
Only one man remained seated quietly, slowly sipping his wine.
He hadn’t spoken once.
Arthur had noticed him from the very beginning.
Now that everyone else had been persuaded...
It was finally time to deal with the toughest obstacle.
He walked over carrying his wine glass.
"Vice President Hess."
"Do you have any concerns?"
"If so, please don’t hesitate to tell us."
The man he addressed was Maximilian Hess.
Despite being only in his early thirties, he already served as Executive Vice President of Iris Port Facility.
Part of that came from his father...
Gregory Hess, the company’s current president.
The rest came from his own ability.
Throughout New Orleans’ business circles, Maximilian had built an excellent reputation.
Polite.
Educated.
Approachable.
Employees throughout Iris Port Facility respected him greatly.
He was widely regarded as a refined gentleman.
Yet...
The moment Arthur finished speaking...
A faint smile appeared on Maximilian’s face.
It wasn’t warm.
It was mocking.
He set down his wine glass.
"I only have three words."
"I disagree."
That was two words.
Arthur hadn’t expected such a blunt rejection.
Logically speaking...
He was over ten years older.
Regardless of status...
The younger man should have shown at least basic courtesy.
Even if they disagreed, there was room for negotiation.
Instead...
He’d rejected him outright.
Arthur’s smile gradually faded.
"Young Master Hess..."
"You may be capable."
"But surely you’re not more qualified than President Hess himself."
"I think it would be better if you invited your father here."
"It would be unfortunate if he wished to cooperate while you delayed such an important matter."
The implication couldn’t have been clearer.
Arthur was reminding everyone that Maximilian was still young.
In other words...
He wasn’t qualified to speak on equal terms.
Just as Maximilian prepared to answer...
A calm voice echoed from outside.
"Haha..."
"Son."
"How many times have I told you?"
"Why are you still so impatient?"
The private room door slowly opened.
A man in his fifties entered wearing a tailored suit and gold-rimmed glasses.
His steps were unhurried.
His expression calm.
Gregory Hess.
He stopped beside his son before casually glancing toward Arthur.
Only for a second.
Then he looked away as though Arthur wasn’t worth another glance.
Turning back to Maximilian, he smiled gently.
"I’ve taught you countless times."
"When dealing with decent people..."
"Smile."
"Stay polite."
"But when dealing with worthless scum..."
He paused deliberately.
"One word is enough."
"Get lost."
The Hess family had a remarkable talent for miscounting words.
Arthur’s smile stiffened.
He quickly raised his wine glass again.
"So this is President Hess."
"I’ve heard so much about—"
Gregory turned his head slowly.
His brows furrowed.
He stared at Arthur for several long seconds before speaking.
"What I just said..."
"It wasn’t only meant for my son."
"It was also meant for you."
"Were you not listening?"
Arthur’s eyes narrowed.
"President Hess..."
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
Gregory didn’t even bother hiding the contempt in his voice.
"What do I mean?"
He let out a short laugh.
"Are you deaf?"
"I’m telling you..."
"Get lost."