“Mr. Laine, do you mean what you said? It’s not a joking matter once I report it,” Victor asked as he tried to hold back his excitement.
Jasper shrugged and replied, “I’m not a renowned individual but I do, at the very least, possess some assets and credibility. I wouldn’t gamble away my future. What good will it bring me to trick you?
“A businessman never does things that aren’t profitable.”
After hearing Jasper’s words, there was a little more credibility to his plans even though there was no guarantee.
Victor nodded and said, “Alright then. I’ll inform the deputy mayor in charge of this immediately. Could you lend me a quiet space, Mr. Laine?”
Jasper smiled and pointed toward the study. “It’s quiet over there.”
Victor went ahead, and when he returned in front of Jasper again after three to five minutes, the look he gave Jasper had softened incomparably.
“Mr. Laine, the deputy mayor has invited you to pay him a visit now. He has rescheduled his meeting and is waiting for you in his office.”
Jasper stood up and said, “Let us go, then. We shouldn’t keep the old man waiting.”
…
Jasper remained in the office at the highest floor of Waterhoof City Hall since the early evening for negotiations that lasted about five or six hours. He had even taken his lunch with the 60-year-old deputy mayor in the city hall cafeteria.
However, Jasper had also gained impressive rewards from those five to six hours.
He landed an investment of at least 16 billion and had to complete the project proposal within a month. This was, of course, just a demonstration of his intentions as Waterhoof City would then give him the green light and offer full support in expediting the approval of the project.
The design draft had to be submitted within three months and the construction of the building had to begin within six months.
The above were the requirements made by Waterhoof City and Jasper had wholly agreed to them.
In exchange, Jasper would receive the contract for the transfer of ownership of the remaining 266 commercial properties on Gold Pedestrian Street.
In terms of price, Jasper had once again taken advantage of Waterhoof City. He had pretended to be hard of money and expressed that the 16 billion investment was not enough.
“Jasper, 266 commercial properties and each of them cost 20 million? That’s daylight robbery! And you still agreed to that? They must have taken you for a fool!”
Julian was extremely dissatisfied. Since he had now fully considered himself as one of Jasper’s subordinates, Jasper’s loss was more distressing than him losing his own money.
Jasper replied with a huff, “You have to look at it in the long run. In your opinion, 20 million is too expensive for a commercial property, yes?”
“It’s completely outrageous! A commercial property in the busiest part of Nauritus City in the capital of our Southeast Province is only worth 30 million!” argued Julian.
“Oh? You knew about this?” Jasper asked in awe.
He patted Julian’s shoulder and continued, “Would you still find it a loss if I told you that the annual rent for each of these 266 commercial properties that have an average area of 30 square meters will be more than three million dollars in the future?”
Jasper smiled as he noticed Julian’s eyes widening in disbelief. The man no longer dared to refute and offered no more explanations.
A 30 square meter commercial property with an annual rent of 30 million? Was it not too much of an exaggeration?
However, this was the power of a first-rate pedestrian street in the country.
By then, the commercial properties here would only be for rent. They would not have a selling price because no one would sell their golden geese. It would be a move more stupid than killing chickens to get their eggs.
“These 266 commercial properties have a combined price tag of 5.3 billion. Waterhoof City Hall has also allowed us to make the payment across 20 years. The rent will skyrocket up to three million annually in just five years, let alone ten years. By then, the annual rent for each of these 266 commercial properties will be 800 million dollars and in seven years, we will be able to recover the 5.3 billion. Where else could we find such a deal?”
Jasper rubbed his chin, thinking that the reserved and kind deputy mayor was a deity in disguise.
“Let’s go. Before we head back, let’s go take a look at our 266 golden geese.”
