Joyful singing and laughter echoed everywhere throughout the Blackwood estate.
The black slaves working on the estate were surprised to notice that the overseers’ whips were no longer as merciless as before, when even a brief pause would leave them covered in bruises and wounds.
Even the evening meal no longer consisted of coarse bran cakes, but of corn cakes that they normally received only during holidays.
A children’s playground had been built on the estate almost overnight, which Aron had specially constructed so that his future heirs would have a place to play while growing up.
Whenever he finished dealing with matters related to the family businesses, he often went to the hospital to visit Jenny and the children.
Whenever Frederick and Felicity saw their father, they became so happy that they would open their mouths wide and stretch out their little arms, asking him to pick them up.
Jenny complained jealously several times that the children only saw their father and had completely forgotten about her.
Aron had no choice but to give her enough tenderness and attention before leaving.
Relationships had to be nurtured and problems resolved before they grew into a serious crisis.
After only a few days, Jenny returned to the estate together with the children.
When Alice and Angela heard that she had returned, both of them, despite their large pregnant bellies, stubbornly insisted on seeing the babies.
In the end, Catherine helplessly took them to Jenny’s room.
The two beautiful and adorable babies instantly attracted all the attention of the gathered women, so even Aron was completely ignored.
Catherine gave him an apologetic smile, then happily joined Alice and the others in conversation.
Aron smiled helplessly.
Although he was the head of the family, his own children were already more popular than he was.
The days passed, and in the blink of an eye the twins were one month old.
According to the tradition of Aron’s family, a grand celebration had to be held for the children upon completing their first month of life.
The Blackwood family was becoming increasingly powerful in Canada, so the celebration for the family head’s firstborn children naturally could not be modest.
At Charles’s suggestion, Aron sent out several hundred invitations.
After receiving the invitations, wealthy merchants and landowners from all over Alberta headed toward Edmonton.
The Blackwood family was becoming more and more successful.
In trade and agriculture, it had already become a leading force in Canada, so no one dared ignore its invitation.
Guests arrived without pause, and Charles Whitmore, who was responsible for receiving them, smiled from ear to ear.
As the Blackwood family’s butler, he had personally witnessed its rise from ruin to its present prosperity.
White nobles who had once looked down on the Blackwoods with contempt now lowered their heads before him.
Considering the Blackwood family’s current position, anyone who was not an old family friend or an important figure in commerce and industry was not significant enough for Charles to personally receive.
“Mr. Mithburn, Deputy Director General of the Tax Administration, has arrived!”
The man responsible for announcing the guests shouted loudly from the estate gate, his voice trembling with excitement.
Charles was startled and thought to himself:
“The Deputy Director of the Tax Administration personally came to congratulate the family head. What could he be planning?”
Edward Grant, who was standing beside him, also could not believe it.
He quietly said:
“This guest is by no means insignificant. The family head should personally receive him!”
Charles nodded several times and sent a servant to call Aron.
Aron, who was playing with his son and daughter, frowned slightly when he heard the news.
He had not sent Mithburn an invitation.
An uninvited guest rarely came without some hidden purpose, but Aron still wanted to find out what was on his mind.
He carefully placed the children in the cradle, then quickly headed toward the estate gate.
Charles was politely talking with the guests at the entrance.
Opposite him stood three white men in expensive suits and leather shoes.
The middle-aged man leading them chatted and laughed cheerfully, while the two pale young men behind him arrogantly held their heads high.
Aron approached and said with a faint smile:
“Your Excellency Mithburn, your arrival truly surprised me!” The source of this chapter is g.com.
“Although we have not met in person until now, I have heard a great deal about your merits during the conflicts with the United States. This is not the right place for conversation. Please, come inside!”
The middle-aged man nodded slightly, smiled, and extended his hand.
“Your reputation is often discussed in the Governor General’s office. His Excellency the Governor General greatly appreciates the fact that you pay your taxes properly and in accordance with the law.”
“Alexander Mithburn, Deputy Director General of the Tax Administration. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Aron shook hands with him, and his Telepathy instantly penetrated Mithburn’s thoughts.
At the same time, he also learned something about the identities of the two men accompanying him.
Mithburn first intended to frighten Aron with confidential news that the governor’s administration planned to raise taxes.
Then he would promise him that the taxes would not be increased if Aron supported him.
If even that was not enough, he intended to tempt him with the enormous profits the Blackwood family could earn by entering the United States market.
That cunning old man actually wanted to win Aron over, overthrow the current Director General of the Tax Administration, and take his place.
The two young men behind him were even more interesting.
Mithburn did not know much about them.
He only knew that they belonged to the American Holden family, that they managed Holden Pharmaceuticals, and that they held leading positions in the American Medical Association.
Mithburn was still introducing the two men, completely unaware that Aron had already learned all of his intentions.
“These two are young and capable members of the Holden family. I believe you will have many common topics, Mr. Blackwood. After all, you are all young and successful.”
“Certainly. I am very pleased that Your Excellency Mithburn thinks so highly of me.”
However, the two young men did not even attempt to extend their hands, putting Mithburn in a somewhat awkward position.
“Davis and Jimmy are rather withdrawn. Please forgive them for their rudeness!”
“No problem. I completely understand.”
Both Aron and Mithburn were experienced and calculating men, so neither of them allowed the situation to become too uncomfortable.
While talking with Mithburn, Aron secretly examined Davis and Jimmy using Gravitational Electromagnetism.
The results of the examination surprised him.
Davis’s and Jimmy’s hearts were not beating at all.
Beneath each of their hearts was a blood-red core the size of a walnut, constantly expanding and contracting.
Adding to that the bloodthirsty and rotten aura surrounding them, it was very likely that they belonged to some kind of evil supernatural beings.
Without showing anything on his face, Aron still politely led Mithburn and his companions into the estate.
After seating them in places of honor, he found an excuse and stepped away.
Aron entered the study with a serious expression, where Charles Whitmore and Edward Grant were already waiting for him outside the door.
Not long afterward, James also arrived after hearing the news.
“Master, what happened?”
“Yes, sir. When we saw your secret signal, we gathered all the musketeers.”
Aron shook his head, narrowed his eyes, and said:
“There is a problem with the two people Mithburn brought. Organize the men and order them to keep those two under constant surveillance.”
“If they notice any suspicious change, have them inform me immediately. Firearms probably will not be particularly effective against them, so tell the men not to act rashly!”
Edward’s cheeks twitched several times.
People against whom guns were ineffective had to be supernatural beings of the kind their master had told them about before.
Both he and Charles were among Aron’s most trusted people, so he did not hide certain things from them.
When Aron first explained the true nature of this world to them, Charles and Edward thought their master had lost his mind.
Only when they saw James’s bone claws and Accelerated Healing Factor with their own eyes did they truly believe that supernatural powers existed.
“Father, do you want me to go and kill those two boys?”
James excitedly jumped up from his chair.
Aron shook his head.
“Instead, pay attention to the other parts of the estate. There are many important guests here today. We must make sure no one takes advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble!”
Charles nodded slightly.
James took a bottle of brandy from the liquor cabinet, extended a bone claw to open the cork, and took a sip.
“How boring. I thought I would finally get a good fight!”
…
When he returned to the celebration, Aron skillfully conversed with the guests, making each of them feel the hospitality of the Blackwood family.
The atmosphere reached its peak when Jenny appeared carrying the children.
The guests tried with all their might to come up with the best possible compliments.
Some said the children were beautiful and adorable, while others claimed that one could already see how intelligent they were.
They all knew very well that flattering Aron would not have much effect, but anyone who praised his children would certainly please him.
Aron had to admit that these cunning people were very perceptive.
After several toasts and a plentiful meal, most of the guests left satisfied.
During the celebration, they further strengthened their ties with the Blackwood family, obtained distribution rights for several highly sought-after products, and arranged a large number of new purchases.
Mithburn and his companions were still sitting in the places of honor.
Only after Aron saw off the last group of guests did they slowly approach him.
“Mr. Blackwood, you truly are highly respected, and you show great generosity toward your friends!”
“However, are you aware that your old friend, Mr. Smith, has betrayed your friendship?”
Aron shrugged and immediately replied:
“Your Excellency Mithburn, I do not intend to offend you, but did you come to talk about the planned increase in taxes on agriculture and trade?”
“If that is the only reason for your visit, there was no need for you to come here personally.”
Surprise appeared on Mithburn’s face.
As far as he knew, Smith had already decided to abandon the Blackwood family and could not possibly have revealed a policy that the governor’s administration had only just adopted.
Then which of the twelve high-ranking officials who had participated in the meeting had been the first to decide to curry favor with the Blackwood family?
Mithburn had originally intended to frighten Aron with that news and then seize the opportunity to win him over.
However, Aron had already learned all the details in advance, so there was no longer any point in cautiously probing his attitude.
As an experienced politician, Mithburn immediately changed his approach and said with a smile:
“Mr. Blackwood truly is very well informed. In that case, I will not beat around the bush and will get straight to the point.”
“Lord Metcalfe intends to reorganize the Tax Administration, and I ask Mr. Blackwood to support me! If I take the position of Director General, the taxes on the Blackwood family’s property will continue to be calculated according to the current rate!”
“Unlike Smith, who wants to return to Britain, I will be a more reliable and long-term partner for the Blackwood family!”
Mithburn paused after those words.
When he saw that Aron’s face remained completely calm, he could not help cursing inwardly:
“What a greedy man! Even such a generous tax privilege is not enough for him!”
Because of that, he had no choice but to use his final trump card.
He pulled Davis closer and said seriously:
“These two young gentlemen from the Holden family manage Holden Pharmaceuticals, the largest pharmaceutical company in the United States of America. They are also the president and vice president of the Pharmaceutical Association.”
“The Holden family and I have maintained close relations for many years. If Mr. Blackwood supports me, thanks to my friendship with them, the two young gentlemen will help Blackwood Pharmaceuticals enter the American market!”
Mithburn finally laid all his cards on the table and openly revealed the entire offer.
“It is not enough.”
Aron’s simple answer completely stunned Mithburn, while Davis and Jimmy frowned.
“If you want the support of my Blackwood family, those conditions are not enough!”
Aron remained calm and completely composed, not at all afraid that their relationship might turn into open hostility.