Outside Ethan''s office in the side room, people were waiting with anxious and confused faces as they talked among each other in hush voices.


    There were many of them, some had haggard appearances but a vibrant life in their eyes while theplete opposite, with good outward appearance but their eyes sunken in depression.


    From time to time, the door to the main office would open and someone would be called in and the door would then be closed off. This cycle was continuing in fixed intervals as the people were entering and left one by one.


    While they entered with hopeful faces, almost all of them left with despondent expressions. Making the others worry as to what was going to happen.


    With the others, a young man was sitting on the couch. Like most, he was rather confused but also somewhat hopeful. He wore clean and neat merchant clothing and his face was pale as if he was extremely exhausted.


    "An opportunity…" The young man muttered to himself as he looked at the closed door in a daze.


    He recalled how the White Family''s people hade to him and asked toe with them to visit the young master. They had said something about an opportunity regarding his business.


    When the young man looked around him, he could see many familiar faces. These were the merchants who had been doing business since recently. However, just like himself, they were also in some deep financial trouble, almost on the verge of going bankrupt.


    The young man saw that there were many people there simr to him. He didn''t know what the so-called opportunity was going to be but he at least felt a bit hopeful.


    Inside the office, Ethan was interviewing merchants one by one. He would offer them a proposal to buy theirpany and attempt to probe into their individual capabilities.


    While some were interested in the deal, Ethan felt that theirpany and its existing assets weren''t suitable for his needs. And those who were suitable weren''t willing to sell. Apparently, they wanted to fight and try their luck.


    As more and more people were rejected, Ethan felt helpless. These were all the major tradingpany owners who were struggling. All of them were found out by Roly and Ethan was leaning towards making his ownpany afterall.


    As more and more people came and left, it was evident why these merchants were suffering in the first ce. These were some impulsive people with a lot of faults. Some couldn''t decide while some always made the wrong one and that''s why they were on the verge of bankruptcy in the first ce. Ethan didn''t know what made him think that it was going to be easy in any way.


    Gradually, as the list grew shorter. Only onest merchant was left. Ethan read the information on the young man called Garrick Stonebrook.


    He was the owner of the Stonebrook tradingpany. The man was married and had a family. He opened thepany six years ago and was doing well until recently. Things went downhill when the poor fellow met a series of unfortunate events. First, one of hisrge warehouses, where arge stock of goods was stored caught on fire, then he was robbed by the bandits while doing arge shipment, fortunately, he surrendered everything and kept his life, and then one of his business just bombed because of foreign traders bringing in better products.


    After reading the pitiful tale, Ethan called him in.


    Garrick entered the office and sat on the chair in front of Ethan. He was surprised to see that it was truly the young master meeting all the people. There was also Albert in the room with Ethan standing by his side.


    "Mr. Garrick, make yourselffortable. Would you like tea?" Ethan asked with an amicable smile.


    "Thank you for asking, I''m fine."


    "Good, then let''s just get to the point. I have a proposal for you." Ethan said as he leaned forward.


    Unsurprisingly, Garrick asked, "What is it?"


    "I understand that your tradingpany is in massive debt. You are facing a lot of troubles from bandits andpetitors alike and you have no backing. Is that correct?"


    Garrick did not expect such bluntness and was taken aback. Smiling bitterly he said, "I was amoner. My father was a small merchant and he had been saving all his life. When he was on his deathbed, he gave me arge sum. It was his entire life savings. After he died, I opened a tradingpany without any backing. Thepany was doing very well and I married and started a family. But then troubles began arising and I began umting debt."<novelnext></novelnext>


    With a bitter expression, Ethan said, "I see… Thanks for telling me this."


    "I have some ingenious ideas which are in production and soon I wish to sell these unique, never seen before products in the market. For that, I need a tradingpany. I want to buy your tradingpany, along with the debt." Ethan said calmly.


    Hearing this proposal, Gerrick''s eyes widened with surprise but he soon calmed himself down and fell into contemtion. After some thinking, he replied, "Why buy apany with its debt? It should be better to create your own."


    Ethan had expected the question and answered promptly, "It''s true, but I would have to begin from the beginning. The warehouses, the employees, the transport, the production, and the supply chain. It will take too much time."


    Garrick was tempted to ept the offer. The debt was dangerous and it could cost the livelihood of his entire family. With this deal, he could get rid of the debt and start a new life. But he was reluctant to sell thepany that he had raised with blood and tears. Gareick clenched his fists.


    Seeing his hesitation, Ethan quickly spoke, "Listen, I will buy yourpany and grow it to be a conglomerate. In this newpany, you will have 7% shares and you can work as the manager. You can run thepany as you like but I will decide what we will sell and how. I will make the strategies and you will see the administration. This is a good proposition for you."


    "May I ask, what will the young master sell?" Gerrick asked in hesitation.


    "Many things toe, all unique, new, and prestigious. For example, soap." Ethan said.


    "Soap?" Gerrick asked in bafflement.


    "Yes, it''s something you can clean your body with. After bathing using it, the skin glows and rejuvenates. After periodic use, the skin bes soft and more healthy. There will be another product called ''Shampoo''. It''s the same thing but for hair." Ethan exined on the surface.


    Gerrick began thinking about such a product and immediately understood that such a product could absolutely be a necessity among the nobles. His eyes twinkling, he said, "Is such a thing possible? How does one make it?"


    Ethanughed and said, "Now now, you must understand that it''s a trade secret. However, it can indeed be made. I found its recipe in a secret archive of our family."


    Hearing that the recipe hade from the ancient white family''s records, Derrick was now willing to believe it. Apart from that, he had also heard a lot about Ethan and didn''t think that he was ying some sort of joke.


    Gerrick began thinking deeply about the proposition. While it was true that hispany was slowly drowning, he didn''t want to end up working as a servant after owning such argepany. But if what Ethan was saying was true, he could still be wealthy with 7% of thepany.


    Most of all, the white family had power, influence, and connections. Even if Ethan was lying about the ''soap'', it wouldn''t change the fact that all of Derrick''s debt would be gone.


    Perhaps Gerrick wouldn''t have epted the proposition if he wasn''t married. But now he had a family and could no longer afford to be reckless like in his younger days. He had seen many who did not step back when needed and ruined their lives.


    He could clearly see that hispany was slowly sinking. The risks were too many and only one rock could break the camel''s back. Darrick absolutely did not want to see his family sold as ves. The thought terrified him.


    Finally, after what seemed like ages of thinking, Gerrick spoke, "Young Master, can I have two days for thinking this through?"


    Ethan raised his brows and did not say anything for a few moments. A nervous silence ensued and Derrick started feeling as if he had lost a good opportunity.


    Suddenly, Ethan smiled and said, "Sure! Take your time. If you agree then let us know. Bute to a decision quickly."


    Hearing this, Gerrick heaved a sigh of relief and left after bowing politely.


    After he left, Ethan smiled freely and said, "Old Man, this guy is the one. He will definitely ept. Also, dig around a bit and find out about the fire that erupted in his warehouse. It smells fishy."