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Chapter 154: Rights and Obligations, Both Are Indispensable
The silence in the corner did not affect the entire floor. People occasionally passed by in the hallway, sometimes glancing in their direction, but upon seeing two men holding cigarettes by the window, they lost interest and moved on.
Whenever there was a meeting, some gentlemen would finish their cigarettes before it started. Although there was no explicit administrative order prohibiting smoking indoors, people generally avoided such behavior.
Firstly, no one liked to smell bad; the stench of cigarettes and alcohol was always repulsive. Secondly, avoiding smoking indoors showcased one's good manners.
At this moment, Lynch, standing by the window, shook his head. "I don't need any loans at the moment. You know, someone has invested in my business."
He had already deposited the check given by Mark into his account. Eight hundred thousand was no small amount, enough to attract the attention of some bank employees who loved gossip. Naturally, Joegleman was also aware of this and knew some behind-the-scenes details.
The investors had publicly claimed they could value Lynch's Interstellar Trading Company at seventy million, aiming to hype their shares in advance. This was common in business.
Valuations were always "estimated." Subsequent negotiations would quickly reduce this "valuation," leading to a more reasonable entry price. This information was kept within a small circle, as it concerned everyone's interests, and they wouldn't disclose it.
Publicly, they would still assert that the company's market value would reach seventy million in three to five years. Shares they bought for a few million could multiply in value instantly.
Sometimes, business operations were this simple; a few words could generate millions in revenue.
Even if the price would be lowered, they could still sell for at least a few million. Lynch had roughly one hundred seventy to eighty thousand raised from Joegleman, Mark's eight hundred thousand, the soon-to-be-received millions, and the two-million-worth land. He had achieved a significant transformation in a short time.
Was that a miracle?
No, it was merely amazing but not miraculous. The financial stock and securities market over the past two years was the true miracle.
The two quickly finished their cigarettes. Before parting, Joegleman discreetly reminded Lynch not to acquire any industrial assets in the near future, a parting gift from their recent collaboration.
If the financial market collapsed, all wealth-linked industries, including the real sector, would suffer devastating blows. Buying industrial assets now would be prepaying for others' failures. It was better to wait until they go bankrupt and buy those expensive items at a lower price.
The two returned to the conference, each blending into their social circles. Lynch's return attracted some attention. This was a realistic world: the wealthy shone the brightest.
Now that everyone knew Lynch had cash, naturally, some opportunists and legitimate businessmen would surround him.
"Mr. Lynch, I heard your club is recruiting female athletes?" The speaker was a middle-aged gentleman in his forties, somewhat chubby but clean and fresh.
His impeccable clothes emitted a faint fruity wood scent, not like perfume. In true high society, despite how mainstream society packaged perfume, it was still considered something only women of ill repute used to mask their genetic shortcomings. At least, that was the belief in this world.
However, they needed some fragrance to mask the strong body odors from their carnivorous diets, hence the need for aromatherapy.
Generally, these people, excluding the nouveau riche, had special aroma rooms. When their schedules were set, the butler would arrange for maids to scent the clothes needed for banquets.
Expensive spices would be lit and smothered, leaving only a faint fragrance without the smoky smell. This scent wouldn't last long, but it was enough for a party or banquet. By the latter half of the social event, with the sense of smell dulled by alcohol and tobacco, no one could discern any scent.
Until now, many in high society, especially those from established families, still used this method. As for the future, they might appreciate the convenience of perfume, but for now, they didn't.
The gentleman seemed very interested in Lynch's recruitment of female athletes. "Do we have any sports where women can participate?" he asked. No one around spoke, indicating this man held some status.
"And you are...?" Lynch didn't know this gentleman but didn't mind someone introducing them, using it as a chance to make a connection.
A man, about thirty-five or thirty-six, stepped forward. "This is Mr. Reynolds, a baron of Kazriel..." The pride on his face almost made Lynch think he was too.
Of course, Lynch appropriately showed his "surprise," even though he had no idea where Kazriel was or if a baron was valuable there.
"Baron Reynolds..." Lynch shook hands with the baron and then discussed the topic of interest. "As a young person, I'm a supporter of the women's rights movement, but my stance might differ from most feminists."
"I believe women should have equal status with men and take on more responsibilities. Only then will society truly recognize women's status and rights, not just grant them privileges."
"Rights without obligations won't earn true respect for women."
If it weren't for the things he had in his belly, Lynch would undoubtedly glow with some kind of effect. Many female companions of the attendees looked his way, and Baron Reynolds nodded repeatedly, fully agreeing with Lynch.
He pointed out the key part of Lynch's speech. "Rights and obligations, you are absolutely right. I'm also a supporter of the women's rights movement. Do you mean to recruit some female athletes into professional sports?"
This topic immediately drew more attention. Some people with wine glasses approached, curious about this.
Lynch shook his head. "Although I don't want to admit it, I must acknowledge that women's physicality and fitness are clearly inferior to men's in highly competitive sports. I have no bias..."
Everyone nodded. This was normal and factual, like domestic violence often involved husbands beating wives; it was rare to hear of wives beating husbands.
"So I plan to create professional sports for women, parallel to men's, and have already received support from some local figures."
Baron Reynolds couldn't help but ask, "Do you mean women's rugby?"
Lynch nodded. "Including women's rugby."
This brought an excited expression to Baron Reynolds’ face, which puzzled Lynch. He even enthusiastically asked, "Can I participate?"
"Yes, but you'll need a professional club and a group of relatively professional athletes." Since he planned to promote this, and with feminist organizations backing him, Lynch didn't want to make it superficial; it had to be formal.
Actually, the state and federal feminist organizations were discussing this. They saw it as a significant historical advancement for the women's movement. Before Lynch proposed professional women's sports, they hadn't realized that all professional sports in Baylor Federation were male-dominated. This was blatant disrespect and discrimination against women.
Thanks to Lynch, they noticed this issue. Moreover, he was even willing to initiate a women's professional sports plan, proving he was a staunch women's rights advocate. They planned to award him an association medal to honor his exemplary contributions to the women's rights movement.
Baron Reynolds naturally nodded. "Naturally. I will prepare for it. What should I..."
Before they finished speaking, someone quietly announced, "The mayor is here."
Baron Reynolds tilted his head slightly, and a secretary standing behind him quickly handed a business card to Lynch, who gave out one of his in return.
They agreed to meet another time to discuss these matters and then focused on the mayor, returning to their seats.
The mayor looked haggard, and understandably so. The unemployment rate had risen by another percentage point, and the Listoan Group had begun halting production. This meant approximately two to three percent more people may would lose their jobs. It was very likely that Sabin City's unemployment rate would reach a frightening twenty percent in the fourth quarter.
At that time, the city's order might collapse. Last night, the governor had a teleconference with all city mayors, instructing them to deploy police and federal militia immediately if riots occurred. The state armed forces were also ready to provide military support anytime, anywhere.
All this because, yesterday afternoon, a protest in another state's city turned into a riot.
The protesters, who had lost their jobs and were enduring hunger, suddenly began rioting, looting, and setting things on fires. The situation briefly spiraled out of control. In response, the President's Cabinet and the Ministry of Defense issued a joint notice, urging local authorities to maintain security and stability, with the option to deploy military forces if necessary.
That was why, the mayor looked even more exhausted. He even started to regret winning the mayoral election.
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