Two days later, in the morning.
With a long, drawn-out whistle, a passenger ship from Snezhnaya slowly docked at the port of Mondstadt.
Pantalone strolled out of the cabin, his gaze sweeping over the Statue of the Seven standing in the distance, his expression calm and profound.
He stepped off the deck, his coat fluttering in the wind, his demeanor exuding the composure of a banker.
As soon as they stepped out of the port, they saw Alex and Lynette waiting ahead.
Pantalone ” President, welcome to Mondstadt.” Alex stepped forward, his tone respectful but not subservient.
Pantalone smiled gently.
” Alex, don’t be so polite.
Your talent is more than enough to qualify you to speak to me as an equal.” “You are too modest.
How can I speak to you as an equal?” “You are the humble one.
If it were me, I could never have accomplished such a feat.” “….” After some polite small talk, Pantalone got straight to the point: “So, Alex, what kind of business do you want to do with me?” Alex gestured to a secluded, deserted spot to the side.
Pantalone understood and went there with him.
Lynette walked silently behind the two of them.
When they reached a secluded spot, Alex stopped and got straight to the point: “What I want to make is wine.” Pantalone frowned slightly.
“Although wine is a highly profitable business, it’s difficult to succeed without reliable quality and a well-known brand.” Alex smiled calmly, “I’ve already found two partners, one is Dawn Winery, and the other is—” He raised his hand and pointed to the majestic Statue of the Seven in the distance.
Pantalone’s eyes behind his glasses suddenly lit up, and he chuckled softly, ” Northland Bank is willing to invest.” “Is it just about investing?” Alex asked with a smile.
“You know, any businessman would invest blindly in such a sure-fire, profitable project.” Pantalone understood that the other person was telling the truth.
Money will be scrambling to invest in such high-quality projects.
“Then what do you want?” Alex met his gaze and said clearly, word by word, “What I need is the support of Northland Bank.” After speaking, Pantalone fell into deep thought.
Investment and support have very different meanings.
The former is merely a collaboration on a project, while the latter requires standing on the other party’s side.
After a long silence, he gently shook his head, his tone regretful yet firm: “I’m sorry…
Northland Bank has always maintained neutrality.” “Always neutral?” Alex chuckled softly.
“Then you must also be neutral between the House of the Hearth and the Medical Experimental Center!” For a long time, Northland Bank has favored the Medical Experimental Center, using funding as leverage to force the House of the Hearth to send rejected children to the center.
Pantalone’s expression remained unchanged, still composed: “I am not only the president of Northland Bank, but also Fatui Harbinger.
For the sake of the Queen’s supreme ideals, there are some things I must do.” Upon hearing this, Lynette, who was standing to the side, couldn’t help but feel a surge of resentment and anger in her eyes, and she quietly clenched her fist.
“As expected of a ruthless banker,” Alex’s smile remained, only turning a bit colder.
“However, you may not know that there is a deadly hidden danger in the North.” “What deadly threat?” Pantalone asked, frowning.
Alex didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he turned to Lynette, his tone gentle but leaving no room for argument: ” Lynnette, you should leave for a moment.
Knowing some secrets won’t do you any good.” Lynette glared at him with a hint of displeasure, then turned and left.
Once she was completely out of sight, Alex spoke slowly: ” Pantalone, have you ever heard of a bank run?” As soon as he finished speaking, Pantalone’s pupils contracted slightly.
A bank run occurs when a large number of depositors simultaneously withdraw money in a panic, causing the bank to run out of cash and eventually collapse.
Under normal circumstances, as long as there are sufficient reserve funds, there will be virtually no bank run.
But Northland Bank was different.
In pursuit of maximum profits, it invests the vast majority of its funds in high-interest lending, leaving it with extremely weak cash reserves.
If a massive bank run occurs, this financial empire will collapse within days.
He stared at Alex, his eyes flashing with a cold light, a murderous intent quietly spreading: ” Alex, do you know?
If you don’t have enough strength yourself, it’s best not to threaten others.” Alex met his gaze without backing down and calmly said, “Of course I know.
If you think I don’t know, you can try it yourself.” The air seemed to freeze suddenly.
After a moment, Pantalone slowly suppressed his murderous intent.
“You’re quite good.
Northland Bank will provide you with limited support.” “Not enough!” Alex said simply.
Pantalone was instantly speechless with anger, her voice rising involuntarily, ” Alex!
Are you trying to take me for granted?!” “Of course not,” Alex shook his head slightly.
“In fact, I have an even bigger business deal that I would like to work with you on.” “What kind of business?” “Control the economic lifeline of the world.” Pantalone’s expression hardened upon hearing this.
This coincided with his deepest and most persistent ambition.
A slight smile played on his lips, the icy coldness in his eyes melting away to reveal a gentle warmth.
” Alex, Northland Bank will fully support you.
But how do you intend to control it?” Alex didn’t keep them in suspense and clearly explained his plan.
Simply put, it is a form of capital invasion, gradually penetrating and controlling the economic lifelines of various countries.
After listening, Pantalone looked deeply at Alex, his eyes revealing an undisguised admiration.
” Alex, you, Makoto, are a genius ahead of your time!” Pantalone “President, you flatter me too much.
I’m just standing on a higher pedestal than others,” Alex replied humbly.
The two then discussed some details of the collaboration.
Finally, near dusk, they reached a preliminary cooperation agreement.
As the sun sets, Alex and Lynette walk side by side on the streets of Annning.
A gentle evening breeze caressed the windmill as it turned slowly in the distance, emitting a soft creaking sound.
” Alex,” Lynette turned to look at him, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction and confusion, “why do you insist on working with that cold and mean guy?” Alex looked up at the windmill slowly turning in the sunset, “Because to reach the end, I have no choice but to cooperate with him.” Lynette opened her mouth slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back.
Even someone as strong as her father, Arlecchino, sometimes had no choice but to accept it helplessly.
As the two were approaching the hotel, they suddenly saw a petite figure standing at the door.
It was a little girl with fluffy cat ears, standing on tiptoe and looking around, as if she was waiting for someone.
Upon seeing them, her eyes lit up, and she immediately ran forward with small, quick steps, tilting her innocent Makoto face up: “Excuse me, are you Alex, the boss?”