Chapter 476: Chapter 254: The Mysterious Freemasonry eting
The nationwide march and demonstration had co to an end, but the intense online discussions about it had not subsided, with countless experts and high-level figures from all walks of life analyzing and dissecting the incident.
But no matter how many tis the incident was reviewed, everyone had to admit that Arica’s Tax Bureau, or rather David’s handling of the situation, was textbook perfect.
They had figured out that Disney’s previous confidence in negotiating with the Western Suburb Branch had stemd from wanting to incite its hundreds of thousands of employees to pressure the branch.
However, the Western Suburb Branch had broken convention and cleverly allocated ergency funds to dissolve Disney’s offensive.
The situation that followed was clear. The Western Suburb Branch could sit back and relax, because even if they paid the workers ten days of shutdown wages, it would cost no more than ten billion at most.
But Disney couldn’t afford this.
As a large publicly-traded company, never mind the business losses that would result from a ten-day closure, just the stock market alone would die from the plunge.
And it had only been a few hours, yet Disney’s stocks had plumted by several billion.
What would the losses amount to if the closure truly lasted ten days?
Anyone could do this math, not to ntion Disney’s elite executives.
So at this mont, nearly 90% of people were convinced Disney would definitely compromise, it was just a matter of ti.
…
The following evening, on the East Coast of New York, there was a private island called Senado Island, within the manor at the center.
Countless n in suits and won in evening dresses arrived either by helicopter or by yacht.
If any dia had been present, they would instantly have recognized the attendees.
Among them were representatives from Congress, governnt departnts, and notable figures from elite financial groups like NASDAQ and Goldman Sachs.
A few minutes later, a woman walked in through the main door.
Her na was Florence, currently one of Arica’s top political lobbyists.
But different from the past, the once-arrogantly proud Florence now appeared sowhat constrained upon arriving here.
For with her network and eloquence, she really did have the capital to be proud.
However, once here, her pride was gone, replaced by a slight reserve.
What was more interesting was that where she would normally be the center of attention in any other setting, here in this crowd of formally-dressed n and won, she was treated as air; none even glanced her way as they were engrossed in conversation with familiar parties.
“Miss Florence!”
Feeling a touch embarrassed, her face lit up when she heard her na being called and turned to see three gentlen approaching.
“Bennett, Zakri, Mister Tatel, I’m pleased to see you!”
The three n approaching were the three proprietors of the Disney Family, and Florence’s invitation to this gathering was extended by these three.
“Miss Florence, we have used one of our triennial quotas to convene this Freemasonry eting, hoping you can persuade the committee and its mbers to achieve our desired outco!”
The Disney Family had deep roots in Arica dating back nearly a century and, being part of the Jewish People, of course, had long joined the Freemasonry Group.
In the Freemasonry Group, there is a hierarchy of 33 levels, and only once reaching level 20 can one have the authority to convene a Freemasonry eting.
The Disney Family currently held a rank at the 21st level, which permitted them to convene a Freemasonry eting once every three years.
A Freemasonry eting is essentially a gathering of all mbers to discuss and address any mber’s hardships.
Encountering such challenges, the three brothers of the Disney Family had no choice but to use their valuable quota in search of a solution.
“Rest assured, gentlen, I’ll do my best.”
Florence had accumulated many favors from The Walt Disney Company on her rise to prominence, and her attendance was also to repay those debts.
“That’s reassuring.”
As they were talking,
a man in a tailcoat approached a carillon on the second floor and rang the chi placed there.
Imdiately, everyone stopped their conversation and from their pockets produced a gold badge with a golden eye and fringed edges, pinning it to the front of their chests.
Unnoticed by the others, a hint of envy appeared in Florence’s eyes upon seeing this badge.
She knew it represented the exclusive insignia of Freemasonry mbers.
Once worn, it signified mbership within the group.
Despite her extensive political network, where many sought her services, she might not even qualify to sit at the table in the presence of these Freemasonry mbers.
For these people were the real tycoons hidden within Arica, any of whom could shake multiple industries in Arica with a re stomp of their feet.
“Co, Miss Florence, the eting is about to begin!”
The Bennett brothers headed upstairs, and Florence, bringing herself back from her thoughts, followed them up the staircase.
On the second floor, there was a eting room filled with an air of ancient Europeanness.
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