Building a Conglomerate in Another World

Chapter 104: Investors’ Urge

The hum of machinery echoed faintly through the walls of Matthew Hesh’s office in Sylvania. Outside, the factory floor was alive with activity, workers moving like clockwork to meet the relentless demands of production. Inside the office, the mood was calm, with Matthew reviewing blueprints spread across his desk.

A knock at the door broke his focus. Robert Anders stepped in, his expression slightly surprised.

"Matthew, you have visitors," Robert announced.

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "I wasn’t expecting anyone. Who is it?"

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"Charles Fitzwilliam and Miss Amber Fitzwilliam," Robert replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Matthew straightened. It had been months since he had last seen the Fitzwilliams, and their visit was unexpected. "Show them in."

Robert nodded and stepped aside. Moments later, Charles Fitzwilliam entered, his presence as commanding as ever. Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his eyes gleamed with pride. Following closely behind was Amber, her poise and grace a striking complement to her father’s formidable demeanor.

"Mr. Hesh!" Charles greeted warmly, extending his hand. "It’s been far too long."

Matthew rose to meet him, shaking his hand firmly. "Mr. Fitzwilliam. Miss Amber. This is a surprise. Please, have a seat."

Amber offered a bright smile as she took a seat beside her father. "It’s good to see you again, Mr. Hesh. I hope we’re not interrupting."

"Not at all," Matthew assured them, gesturing for Robert to bring tea. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Charles leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the office. "I’ve been following your progress, Matthew. And I must say, I’m thoroughly impressed. The strides you’ve made in such a short time are nothing short of remarkable."

Matthew allowed himself a small smile. "Thank you, sir. It’s been a challenging but rewarding journey."

Charles leaned forward, his voice lowering slightly. "Challenging, yes. But rewarding indeed. Do you realize that thanks to you, my initial investment has quintupled? Between the government contracts, the private sector deals, and the sheer demand for your innovations, Hesh Industries has become a cornerstone of the Republic’s economy."

Matthew’s expression remained calm, though he felt a sense of pride swell within him. "I’m glad the investment has paid off. Your support was critical in getting us to this point."

Amber spoke next, her tone warm. "It’s more than just the returns, Mr. Hesh. My father and I have been amazed by the impact your work has had—not just on the battlefield but on the Republic as a whole. The technological advancements you’ve spearheaded are changing lives."

Matthew inclined his head. "That’s always been the goal. Innovation isn’t just about profit; it’s about progress."

Robert returned with the tea, setting the tray down on the table between them. Charles picked up his cup, savoring the aroma before taking a sip.

"I imagine you’re wondering why it took us so long to visit," Charles said after a moment. "Amber and I have been away—Newport, initially, for a family vacation. But it wasn’t just leisure."

Amber nodded. "It was also a business trip. Father met with several potential partners abroad, discussing new opportunities in manufacturing and shipping. The trip kept us away longer than expected."

Matthew smiled faintly. "I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me."

Charles chuckled. "Hardly, my boy. In fact, we spoke of you often. Your success has been a point of pride for us."

Amber’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "He’s not exaggerating. Everywhere we went, your name seemed to come up. Investors, industrialists, even a few foreign dignitaries—they all wanted to know more about the man behind Hesh Industries."

Matthew felt a flicker of unease at the thought of being a topic of conversation among such circles. "I hope they had kind things to say."

Charles smiled. "Mostly curiosity, but also admiration. What you’ve done here in Sylvania is becoming the standard by which others measure innovation."

The conversation shifted as Charles and Amber inquired about the factory’s operations, the latest projects, and the challenges Matthew faced. He answered candidly, discussing everything from supply chain bottlenecks to the ongoing development of modular vehicles.

While all of that was impressive, Charles was awfully quiet at the end.

"Is there something wrong, Mr. Charles?" Matthew asked.

"It’s just that you haven’t introduced aircrafts to the military. You had demonstrated its potential use long time ago and I was hoping that you’d introduce it to them it. Why haven’t you?"

"Ah… the aircrafts," he began, pausing for a moment. "The reason for that is the skills needed to pilot those aircrafts are far more specialized than anything the Republic’s military is currently prepared to handle."

Charles furrowed his brow, setting his teacup down with a deliberate motion. "Specialized skills? That sounds like an obstacle, not a barrier. Surely you’ve thought about how to address that."

"I have," Matthew replied, his tone measured. "The issue isn’t just teaching someone to fly. It’s maintaining the machines, understanding aerodynamics, and developing a command structure that can effectively integrate air support into traditional military operations. It’s a paradigm shift. One that requires time, resources, and commitment."

Amber, who had been listening quietly, chimed in. "But isn’t that what innovation is about? Changing the paradigm? You’ve already done it with vehicles and wireless systems."

Matthew sighed, leaning forward. "You’re both right. The potential of aircrafts is immense. But introducing them too soon, before the military is ready to use them effectively, risks squandering that potential. The Republic just came out of a war where ground-based strategies were dominant. The focus now is on consolidating those gains."

Charles wasn’t convinced. He tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair, a sign of his impatience. "Matthew, you demonstrated the prototype. The strategic advantage it could offer—reconnaissance, rapid troop deployment, even bombardment—could solidify the Republic’s dominance for decades."

Matthew nodded. "I don’t disagree. But consider the scale. The current manufacturing infrastructure is optimized for vehicles and weapons. Aircrafts require an entirely different set of tools, materials, and facilities. Not to mention training programs for pilots and ground crews. It’s not impossible, but it is daunting."

Charles leaned forward, his tone taking on an edge of urgency. "Daunting, perhaps, but worth it. Think of what’s happening in the world. Other nations won’t sit idle while the Republic advances. If you don’t act now, someone else will. And when they do, the Republic will lose its edge."

Amber placed a hand on her father’s arm, her voice softer but equally firm. "Matthew, you’ve always been ahead of your time. Don’t let caution hold you back. If anyone can make this work, it’s you."

Matthew studied their faces, seeing the conviction in their expressions. He drummed his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.

"We have to be patient with this technological advancement," Matthew said, his tone steady but thoughtful. "The stakes are too high for haste. Rushing into the development of aircrafts without proper infrastructure and training could lead to setbacks, not progress."

Charles leaned back in his chair. "Patience is a virtue, Matthew, but sometimes it can also be a hindrance. You’ve already proven your ability to push boundaries. Waiting too long might cost us the edge we currently hold."

Amber chimed in, her voice softer but persuasive. "Father has a point. The Republic is looking to Hesh Industries as a leader in innovation. If you hesitate too much, someone else might seize the opportunity. It’s not just about the Republic’s dominance—it’s about staying true to your vision."

"I assure you that no one on this Earth would be able to do create aircrafts other than the Hesh Industries," Matthew assured.