## Chapter 121: Rothschild’s Friendship
**London’s Financial District.**
Arthur sat in the neat and tidy trading hall, looking up at the company sign above the antique mahogany counter – London Property Investment Consultancy.
Dumas, savoring the tea offered to guests, gave a candid evaluation: “This tea is much better than what they sell in British restaurants. The lunch we had with you today almost made me vomit. The meat they used in that restaurant was definitely not fresh. I can guarantee that with my honor as a Frenchman.”
Elder replied with disinterest: “That’s practically no guarantee then? Buying a house is such a hassle. Isn’t it enough to just look at the house and have both parties agree? Why do we need two lawyers to verify the contract, and then go to the land transaction committee under the Treasury to verify the property rights information? How long does this back and forth take? We even paid them to get through the fast lane. If we hadn’t greased their palms, it might not have been done in half a month.”
Darwin chimed in: “But shouldn’t we look at a few more houses? We only looked at those three this morning, and bought them all without hesitation. We don’t know if we overpaid or got a bargain. I hear there are a lot of scammers in the real estate business. What if he’s trying to rip Arthur off?”
“He dare rip off Arthur?” Elder raised an eyebrow. “Unless he’s lost his mind and doesn’t want to stay in London. Does he not know that sitting here is the most promising police officer in Scotland Yard?”
Arthur looked up and out of the hall, towards the London Stock Exchange across the street, his ideal workplace just half a year ago – bustling with people, traffic flowing, every breath smelling of money.
He said, “You can’t be sure. And even if he does intend to rip me off, there’s not much I can do. After all, the financial district’s security isn’t under Scotland Yard’s jurisdiction.”
“What?” Elder jumped up from the sofa. “You know he might rip you off, and you’re still ready to sign the contract with him? Arthur, is something wrong with your little brain? You were always much smarter than this.”
Arthur took a deep breath: “You don’t understand, Elder. This money isn’t clean. I feel uneasy if I don’t spend it quickly. Besides, you don’t understand what an apartment building plus a grocery store and a two-story detached villa mean to an Eastern soul. This is a dream I’ve had for years. A little loss is a little loss. Let me at least have a taste of it.”
Elder frowned and asked, “What are you talking about? You’re always getting sick. I can’t agree to you making a losing deal. This is my brother’s blood and sweat, why should it be cheap for that bastard? You have more money than you can spend. You can treat me to some plays. If all else fails, we can have some late-night entertainment.”
With that, Elder looked around, then pulled Darwin, who was reading a book, out the door.
Before leaving, he didn’t forget to warn Dumas: “Fatso! Keep an eye on him for me. I saw several real estate agencies on the way here. I’m going to go ask around. You absolutely cannot let Arthur sign anything on the contract before I get back.”
Dumas looked at Elder as he walked out of the trading hall, shaking his head in disdain.
He mumbled to himself: “The British are just stingy. We French men are too lazy to care about these petty gains. Money, you just earn more when it’s gone, what’s the big deal?”
He couldn’t help but nudge Arthur, who was lost in thought, and nodded approvingly: “Arthur, I have to say, your personality is really like an old Frenchman lurking among the British.”
Arthur snapped out of his daze. He heard Dumas’ words, was stunned for a moment, then held his teacup and asked: “I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention. Did I offend you in any way?”
Dumas paused with his teacup halfway to his mouth. He stared at Arthur for a while before saying: “I think what you said to me before was right. If I want to live in England for a long time, I really need a good temper.”
Arthur looked around and asked: “Where did Elder and Charles go?”
Dumas snorted: “The two little rats went out to find breadcrumbs. Don’t worry about them. You finish signing the contract sooner, we’ll find a better restaurant, get some good wine, and celebrate your housewarming.”
As soon as Dumas finished speaking, the smiling real estate agent came in with a notary.
He placed the land ownership transfer documents, filled with dozens of pages, on the coffee table, and said to Arthur very politely:
“All the documents have been checked by the lawyer, and all the information is correct. If you have no doubts after reviewing it, you can sign in the blank space below. From the moment your name appears on the document, all the houses on A-25 to A-27 on Greenwich Central Street will belong to Hastings.”
Arthur picked up the property document and flipped through page after page. He didn’t quite understand the specific content, but the standard words “permanent ownership” made him feel a little excited.
Just as Arthur was about to pick up the quill pen from the ink bottle to sign, he suddenly heard a chorus of people standing up in the trading hall.
He looked up and realized that all the salespeople in the hall had stood up, looking at the entrance of the hall.
Even the real estate agent who had been sitting in front of him bowed slightly with a flattering smile, taking off his hat and bowing towards the entrance: “Good afternoon, Mr. Rothschild.”
Arthur turned his head and saw that the man called Mr. Rothschild was a familiar face.
It was Lionel Rothschild, the eldest son of the London branch of the Rothschild family, whom he had met at the Duke of Sussex’s.
Lionel smiled and nodded to the many eyes in the hall, but when he looked at Arthur’s side, he naturally paused for a moment.
He turned around, took off his hat with a smile, and said: “Mr. Hastings, it’s been a while. Are you here to seek investment advice from me today, or would you like to go hunting with me?”
Arthur then remembered the business card Lionel had given him. He took out his wallet and looked at the card.
The card clearly read: Lionel Rothschild, Rothschild Bank Consulting Advisor, Chairman of the Board of Directors of London Property Investment Consultancy.
Arthur couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
He had been pondering for a long time how to invest and buy property, how could he have forgotten the human incarnation of Mammon?
Lionel walked to Arthur’s side, and when he saw the pile of documents on the coffee table, he couldn’t help but laugh: “It seems you’ve already accepted our company’s investment and property advice. Where are you planning to buy your house this time?”
As soon as Lionel said this, the real estate agent’s face turned green.
He stammered: “Mr. Rothschild, this gentleman wants to buy some property in Greenwich. We are still reviewing the specific value of the property.”
“Really?” Lionel nodded slightly and smiled at Arthur: “Do you mind if I help you take a look at it?”
Arthur glanced at the real estate agent’s expression and knew roughly what was going on. Although he didn’t mind taking a small loss, why not make more money if he could?
He smiled and handed the documents on the coffee table: “Then I’ll trouble you.”
Lionel took the documents and just glanced at them from top to bottom. The smile on his face quickly became a little stiff. He still maintained a smile, but his tone of voice was already a little off.
He asked the agent: “Has the recent property price in Greenwich been rising too fast?”
The agent understood. He sweated and agreed: “I also think it’s rising a bit too fast, but Mr. Hastings works in Greenwich, so I can only try to meet his needs and find a suitable house for him there.”
Lionel shook his head. He said: “You’re not well-informed. According to the information I have, Mr. Hastings is about to get promoted. He should mainly work at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters at 4 Whitehall Street in the future. You should recommend some properties near there for him. This property valuation report is not suitable for Mr. Hastings. You take it back and redo it.”
The major shareholder had spoken, how dare the real estate agent say no?
He tentatively asked his boss: “Mr. Rothschild, where do you think the property is more suitable for Mr. Hastings?”
Lionel thought for a moment and asked: “There are two 4-bedroom suites near Knightsbridge, in Ennismore. I remember the one across from Hyde Park didn’t sell, did it? Also, in Regent’s Crescent…”
The agent couldn’t help but remind him: “Mr. Rothschild, the first few are fine, but Hyde Park and Regent’s Crescent… I forgot to tell you, Mr. Hastings’ budget is 1500 pounds.”
Lionel heard this, first shook his head slightly at the agent, then smiled slightly.
“That’s right, what I just said, all meet the standard of 1500 pounds, even the two suites in Ennismore can be settled for 300-400 pounds. The detached house in Hyde Park is a bit more expensive, but 1000 pounds can also get it. They are all very suitable for Mr. Hastings, a single man living alone.”
The agent finally understood his boss’s true intention. The boss was planning to lose money to gain friendship.
Lionel looked at his stunned face and couldn’t help but tap the floor with his cane in dissatisfaction.
“What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and show Mr. Hastings the information about these houses?”
“Oh oh!” The agent heard this, hurriedly collected the documents, then quickly bowed to Arthur, then rushed to the back room: “Excuse me, Mr. Hastings, I’ll be right back.”
Lionel saw him leave, pointed to the sofa opposite Arthur and asked: “May I sit here?”
“Of course, please.”
Lionel smiled and sat down, then said apologetically: “Mr. Hastings, if you want to seek property services next time, just come to me directly, no need to communicate with them. You know, some new employees always lack professional skills.
But as compensation for their negligence, I can offer you some other investment advice, such as stocks, bonds, etc. It’s actually a bit unreasonable to put all your assets in real estate.”
(End of chapter)