Without Lyon Brown's support, the Kebir family collapsed completely. Kebir swiftly lost the court case and was hanged on the spot for murder, his property confiscated.
As for Brian, he simply disappeared.
A wealthy merchant family with deep roots had fallen just like that, replaced by the gradually prospering Russell family.
On October 1st, Colin handed a batch of Basic Strength Potions he had made to Rhode at George Magic Shop in exchange for a considerable sum of Gold Coins.
On November 8th, Noah Company purchased two houses on Marquis Kent Street as offices and hired several employees.
At eight in the morning, Colin and the shareholders, including Knight Victor and Knight Abel, arrived at the offices to discuss Noah Company's future.
The two houses had originally been private residences. Since time was short, they had only received simple renovations, though all the furniture had been newly purchased.
In the second-floor meeting room, the windows stood open as sunlight streamed in from outside. Colin and the five knights took their seats around a brand-new oval conference table, with a cup of Duke Black Tea before each of them.
"The final shipment of grain has already gone out. The profits haven't been fully calculated yet, but after repaying the Imperial Bank loan and interest, the profit will definitely be no less than one thousand Gold Coins." Knight Abel's old face glowed with excitement, like an old tree bursting into bloom.
Though these old knights owned many properties, it was difficult for them to produce even one hundred Gold Coins in cash. Yet in just one month, Noah Company had already made a profit of one thousand Gold Coins.
Based on their shares, each of them stood to receive eighty Gold Coins in profit. And once things stabilized, Noah Company would generate income every year.
"Why pay the money back?" While the knights were all brimming with excitement, Colin gently lifted his teacup, rose to his feet, and turned toward the window. Facing the sunlight, he took a small sip of tea and breathed out its fragrant aroma. "Why repay money borrowed on our own merits? As grain prices rise, the cost of pig feed will also increase. Farms outside the city usually raise horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. If a problem arises in any link of the chain, their entire operations may decline. Send people to investigate and legally purchase several ranches. We can also buy some forests. Put all the bank loans and this round's profits into it. Next year, our profits will be even more astonishing."
Will City's three pillar industries were farming, wheat, and timber. Colin Russell intended to enter all of them in one stroke?
Even the five Imperial Knights, who considered themselves veterans of grand occasions, could not help being startled.
"Wouldn't that be too risky?" Knight Abel hesitated. As an old man, his ambition had grown old as well.
"Why can't we take risks? Don't you want more Gold Coins to buy potions for your descendants, allowing your families to produce more Lifetime Knights and perhaps even rise into titled nobility?" Colin turned back and gave the five old Imperial Knights a spirited smile.
The matter was not debated for long. Nobles were greedy. Under Colin Russell's guidance, Noah Company had already earned its first fortune, so why not keep moving forward?
Afterward, Noah Company began expanding across the board. Colin's initial capital of three hundred Gold Coins, profits of over one thousand Gold Coins, and a three-thousand-Gold-Coin loan from the Imperial Bank were all poured into expansion, aside from the necessary cash flow. Forests, farms, and the recruitment of large numbers of skilled workers and outstanding managers—Noah Company expanded at a breathtaking pace.
Of course, Colin knew that his path lay in the supernatural. These mundane businesses could add icing to the cake, but he could not become too engrossed in them. He handed Noah Company's operations over to the five old knights.
But he could not simply leave everything unattended. Being a hands-off boss was easy, but it carried certain risks.
Some matters also needed to be put on the agenda.
He needed a large villa with stables and room for many servants, a butler, at least two financial advisers, several male servants, several maids, as well as a coachman, groom, and gardener.
For one thing, the financial advisers could be sent to the company from time to time to inspect things, just in case.
On Friday, Colin did not go to school. He had been taking leave increasingly often lately, which displeased Ms. Anna somewhat, and she had spoken with him about it once.
Linda skipped work as well.
Outside the Russell residence, Linda wore a long black dress and black high heels. She carried a small black handbag and held a red ladies' parasol. Hooking her arm through Colin's, the two left the house sharing a single parasol.
The siblings arrived outside a storefront called "Miller Real Estate Agency." One side of the two-unit storefront was a floor-to-ceiling window, while the other was a wooden door.
Through the window, they could see several round tables and matching leather chairs inside. Many customers sat in the chairs, discussing matters with women dressed in professional suits.
Linda closed her parasol and entered with Colin, suppressing the excitement in her heart as she held his arm.
The Russell family was going to live in a large house. What young lady from a noble family wanted to live somewhere small and shabby? Who wanted to wash dishes and do laundry herself every day?
Linda Russell had actually had enough of it long ago. She simply had no choice.
As Colin and Linda entered the agency, many of the customers in discussion turned to look at the siblings, but quickly turned back and resumed their conversations.
The agency staff, meanwhile, hurried over.
A blonde beauty in a professional suit, around thirty years old, approached the siblings with graceful steps and a professional smile on her face.
"Sir, miss, what kind of house are you looking to buy?"
Naturally. What else would they come to a real estate agency for if not to buy a house?
Colin smiled slightly and explained his requirements. The blonde beauty was somewhat surprised. She could tell that their clothes were not expensive, and had assumed this would be a small transaction. She had not expected to misjudge them.
The professional smile on her face gained a little genuine warmth. She quickly led Colin and Linda to a small round table, had someone bring them black tea, then personally fetched three sheets of paper for Colin to review.
"At present, only these three villas within Wright Street meet your requirements," the blonde beauty said enthusiastically.
Colin looked over the three sheets. They contained not only street numbers and brief descriptions, but also simple diagrams.
"Heh." Colin picked up the last sheet and looked at the number 67 on it, suddenly letting out a soft laugh.
The blonde beauty glanced at it with her azure eyes, then said somewhat awkwardly, "Sir, although this house is haunted, it is very cheap. It is only selling for two hundred Gold Coins."
Colin shook his head and said with a smile, "All right. We'll take this one."
What haunted house? House number 67—wasn't that Brian's home?
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