When Edward opened the door to his office, Serena was already there waiting for them.

Charlton smiled seeing her and quickly approached her, when he reached her, he took her hands. "Have you been waiting for long?" 

Serena shook her head as she smiled back, her eyes mooning. "How did your meeting go?"

Edward cleared his throat feeling awkward. Should he just leave the room? 

Remembering that Edward was with them, they let go of each other's hands. 

"I can tell you about the meeting later. I think we need to discuss the contract and schedule of the contract signing for now."

Serena remembering that their meeting just ended asked, "Have you both had lunch yet?"

The two did not, and they almost forgot about it until she mentioned it.

"It's alright, have lunch first before we proceed with our meeting." Serena suggested.

Edward nodded his head, alright. "I'll go ask for lunch from the kitchens. In the meantime, you two stay here and well, talk amongst yourselves. I will join you shortly."

--

When Edward finally left, Charlton finally hugged and kissed Serena's lips. "I missed you."

Serena playfully hit his chest. "We're just together yesterday."

"Well, we were with the company of your friends, and they even stole you away from me the whole day and night. But what can I do? I must get along with them, so you declared."

Serena giggled, she still felt embarrassed about the song number, but that's what is nice about being with Charlton. She can be whoever she wants to be, and she knew he would not judge her and love her still. "Anyway, how did your meeting go?"

"When Edward said some merchants, he really did mean some merchants. There were 7 of them with him and mostly start-ups. I do see their potential though. Nothing much to talk about for now." Well, he didn't want to get her hopes up.

"Don't be silly. Given Edward's innovative company, he won't just recommend idlers. So, who are they and what business will they be engaging in? Tell me about it."

"Alright then… as I said there are 7 of them…" then he took the time to tell her about them in summary. Charlton has good memory not only in music, so he can remember all the details. Honestly, he was only second to Geoffrey who can recite a book backwards and verbatim after reading it once.

During this time, lunch was sent to them, and although Serena already ate, she joined him by eating some grapes. Edward did not join them as he would go get the updates from the accounting department after he had his lunch. Serena thought that he was just giving them some privacy.

After Charlton was done with the summary about the 7 people, Serena's eyes could not help but widen. Seriously? Charlton just sat there, he did not even have to do anything, and all these people come running to him? While she, she has to sing and come up with all those songs to earn money. How unfair could life be? 

"Why are you pouting? Are you dissatisfied with them?"

Serena shook her head as she smiled. "These people are great. I am sure they would be important people someday, and you did the right choice by signing your name in their company as a shareholder. Now, do tell me that you tried to maximize your share from their company."

"Well, they will be drafting the contract based on our agreement earlier. Basically, I would have a 20% share from each company. I cannot liquidate this share in the meantime as mostly, these companies are just start-ups. However, I can do so in the future if I so desire. Then, starting from when they operate and make profit, I will get a dividend amounting to 20% of their net profit."

Serena knew Charlton was not someone who would take advantage of people in need if he can help it. If it were her in that situation though, she would have wanted to maximize her share. The merchants got so lucky because with Charlton's name, not only will they have protection, but also insurance for success. Anyway, she also thought that Charlton made the right decision. Since he did not take advantage now, these people will have a goodwill and would be more honest with him in the future. Besides, he was the only son of the grand duke. He should give the impression that their money is but a speck of dust in his eyes. Though, if not because of their (charlton and serena's) situation, that should definitely be the case. 

She smiled as she nodded her head. Although the merchants got the better end of the deal, Charlton also did not have it bad. Anyway, this is the time that as a girlfriend, she should show him her support. "That's good. I'm so proud of you. You made the right decision, they have potential and I know that with you backing them, they are bound to become successful in their trade. So, maybe not now, but income would surely be coming in soon enough."

Charlton grinned, he knew that he made the right decision, but hearing her encouraging words of support surely did make him happy. Although he did not think that what transpired would be very significant in his plans for later, it was still a step forward.

Of course, that's what he thought. Serena on the other hand knew how useful these people would be in the future. All the names rang a bell in her mind, especially Brunel, the man of steel in history. Charlton really hit the jackpot; he just has to play his cards right.

--

When Edward arrived back in his office, Charlton and Serena were done with their lunch and have just finished discussing matters.

"Alright, should we now discuss our contract and schedule?" he asked.

The two agreed as they walked to sit in front of Edward's office table like the last time they had their meeting.

"Here are the finalized contracts in accordance with the changes you suggested from the drafted one. Please look through it first. If that is okay, we can then set a schedule for the contract signing event."

--

TBC

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