章 18: Mother and Daughter
It's midnight at Bonifacio Global City. Catherine gracefully navigated the opulent hallway leading to her mother's office, her eyes scanning a message she had received an hour ago from Michael. The message conveyed a sense of earnestness, suggesting Michael had something of significance to present to her. Given the late hour, she assumed he was likely asleep, thus deeming a response unnecessary at the moment.
As she approached the office door, the family butler awaited.
"Good evening, Ms. Catherine," he greeted with a courteous bow.
Catherine lifted her gaze from her phone, her expression one of poised inquiry. "Is Mother still working at this hour?" she asked.
The butler affirmed with a nod, "Indeed, Mrs. Estolas is still in her office."
Catherine exhaled softly. "Mother's dedication to her work is unwavering, even at these late hours. Is she presently engaged in a meeting?"
He responded promptly, "The office is currently occupied by Mrs. Estolas alone."
"Thank you," Catherine replied, a slight smile touching her lips. She proceeded towards the office.
As she entered her mother's office, a luxurious space with a sophisticated air. The room featured a large, elegant desk and comfortable leather chairs. Shelves lined with various books and tasteful art pieces decorated the walls. One notable feature was the expansive floor-to-ceiling window offering a stunning view of the city's skyscrapers, illuminating the office with the city's night lights.
It's still an incredible sight even though she had been in her mother's office a lot of times.
She walked towards her mother's desk but she was seemingly engrossed in a phone conversation. Just like Catherine her mother has long lustrous jet black hair, a beautiful face, and a well-endowed body. But do not be deceived by her beautiful looks, as she is the CEO of the largest conglomerate company in the Philippines, the Estolas Conglomerate. They have shares in every industry with a total asset of 245 billion dollars! Her name was Antoinette Estolas.
"Yes, I'm fully aware of the current volatility in the market," Mrs. Estolas spoke confidently into the phone. "But remember, volatility breeds opportunity. We need to reallocate our assets to sectors showing resilience. I'm particularly interested in renewable energy stocks; their long-term growth potential is undeniable."
She paused, listening intently, then continued, "No, it's not just about riding the trend. It's strategic diversification. And don't forget to keep an eye on foreign exchange fluctuations, especially with the recent policy changes. It could significantly impact our international investments."
Catherine cleared her throat as she began to steal her attention. "Mama…"
Her mother simply raised a finger on her, telling her to wait as she finished her call. Catherine waited patiently, observing her mother's focus and command over the conversation.
"Yes, I'll review the report first thing in the morning," Mrs. Estolas concluded, finally ending the call. She then turned her attention to Catherine, her expression softening.
"Catherine, dear, what brings you here so late?"
Catherine approached the desk, her demeanor respectful yet confident. "I just wanted to discuss something important with you, Mama. There is this man I find interesting."
"Interesting? You mean romantically?" Antoinette's brows narrowed, her tone sharp.
"No, not like that mama," Catherine quickly clarified. "It's a man, I'm sure you know him. The tutor, Michael Reyes."
"Michael Reyes…" Antoinette hummed aloud as she tried to recall that name. "Ahh…the waiter who is working in our restaurant who is now tutoring you?"
Catherine nodded. "Yes, that's him."
"So…what do you find interesting about him?" Antoinette said as she leaned forward, her hands steepled before her.
"He's working on solar panel technology," Catherine began. "He claims it has an efficiency rate of 60 percent, which is significantly higher than the current market's standard of around 15 to 25 percent."
Antoinette's expression turned contemplative. "60 percent efficiency? That's quite a bold claim. It's far beyond what's commercially available. Are you certain he's not exaggerating to impress you?"
Catherine shook her head. "I had my doubts too, but he seemed quite confident about it. He's planning to develop a business around this technology and is currently working on a business plan. No, last time I checked, he finished writing up his business plan."
"Hmph, I sense that this man is just acting too much. Tutoring you in math and now this? I have been a venture capitalist before, and most of the time, I encounter something like that. They always claim their technology is the best but it was too far from the truth," Antoinette stated.
"But I don't want to work on assumptions. So I need your help to verify it, mother. Do you know of an engineer with an expertise with solar panel technology? One that can test Michael's claims objectively?" Catherine asked, hoping to find a reliable way to validate Michael's technology.
Antoinette sighed. "Catherine, considering the background of Mr. Reyes, do you really think that a man of his background can create a groundbreaking innovation on solar panels? Why would you waste time even seriously considering it?"
"Well…because he believed mother," Catherine replied. "Look if I found out that Michael is lying about his technology and it's not as impressive as he advertised, I'll be disappointed in him."
Antoinette chuckled upon hearing that. "Disappointed? That's it?"
"For making a fool out of me of course," Catherine said.
"Okay, Catherine, I'm going to give you a chance. When do you need the engineer?"
"Tomorrow," Catherine revealed.
Antoinette's expression turned serious. "This is making me feel different. I don't know what's going on with Reyes but why do I feel a vibe that he actually has something to offer?"
"See? That's what troubles me too, mama," Catherine responded. "I just want to be sure, one way or another."
Antoinette nodded, reaching for her phone. "Alright, I'll arrange for an engineer to meet with you and Mr. Reyes tomorrow. We'll see if there's any substance to his claims."
"Thank you, Mama. I appreciate it," Catherine said, feeling a sense of progress
"So, tomorrow, what's the plan? He'll demonstrate the technology and?"
"He is also going to present his business plan," Catherine revealed.
"Oh…this is getting interesting now," Antoneitte mused, a smile spreading across her lips. "Say…Catherine, what's with the sudden talk of business? I thought you wanted to be an engineer, create your own life? But instead here we are, discussing business. It's not too late to shift to business, Catherine."
Catherine shook her head, her expression firm. "No, Mama. My interest in engineering remains strong. I am just curious."
"Curious huh? Catherine. Well, let's see about that in the future. For now, how about you head home, and get yourself some sleep? It's getting late. Don't worry, you'll have your engineer tomorrow."
"Thank you mama, you should also get some sleep as well," Catherine said.
"I will, my dear."
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