Chapter 18 Decline
"8 million pounds?"Hearing Viscount Bute's offer, Barron raised his eyebrows and his expression darkened:
"I'm afraid this price is not sincere, Your Excellency."
"I understand your idea, Lord Barron. If it were a normal residential land, given its location, it would be worth at least 20 million pounds..."
Viscount Bute was not very surprised by Barron's reaction. He still said to Barron calmly:
"But first of all, your piece of land was originally used to build a gas storage tank for the gas company. So even though the gas storage tank has been scrapped, the land is still industrial land. If you want to develop it commercially and build residential buildings or commercial use, you need to change the land attributes..."
In Britain, similar to China, the land that is bought and sold includes agricultural land, industrial land, commercial land or residential land. You cannot build on it at will after buying the land, but you have to use it according to the attributes of the land.
If you want to change the attributes of the land, you must obtain approval from the relevant government departments, otherwise you will be punished.
According to Viscount Bute, the plot of land owned by the Devonshire family near King's Cross Station is industrial land. Although it has a good location, it cannot be measured in terms of residential value.
"The price of industrial land is definitely much lower. What's more important is that there are three huge abandoned gas tanks on the land. In order to dismantle them, a lot of extra funds will be spent. Therefore, the price of 8 million pounds is very reasonable."
Barron was somewhat noncommittal about what Viscount Bute said.
He knew that what the other party said was most likely true, but at the same time, since Viscount Butt was so eager to buy the land, it also showed that there was definitely some value in it that made him excited.
If Barron is really facing a family financial crisis as Viscount Bute believes, then under that circumstance, he will most likely choose to sell the land - even if he will contact more buyers before that and try to raise the price slightly, the final selling price will not be too different.
But in fact, Barron had already found a solution to this financial crisis. In this case, a plot of land close to the center of London would be more valuable to him - after all, he also knew that in the next few years, the land prices in London would continue to rise, and the increase would be significant.
Most importantly, primely located plots of land are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
After all, the purpose of his coming to the banquet with Viscount Bute this time was not only to see what conditions the other party would propose, but also to obtain more information through direct contact with the other party - he also wanted to know whether Viscount Bute was behind the previous reports on the family's financial crisis?
"For this matter, I need to ask other people's opinions..."
"I can understand this. After all, I just took over the family not long ago. I just hope I won't have to wait too long."
After Barron found an excuse to shirk his responsibility, Viscount Bute's words were very interesting...
…
"Thank you for your hospitality. I hope to have the opportunity to invite you to visit me next time."
"It is my honor, Lord Barron..."
When Barron said goodbye and was about to leave, Viscount Bute shook his hand and said:
"Regarding the land for the gas tank, you can always call me. I'm waiting for your reply."
"Mr. Barron..."
Just as Barron turned around and prepared to leave, he heard Bonnie say to him:
"I just happened to be going home too. If it's on the way, can I take your car?"
"That's no problem, I'm happy to help you."
So, when leaving Viscount Bute's house, the well-shaped Miss Bonnie sat in the back seat of the Rolls-Royce with Barron.
"Miss Bonnie, where do you live?"
"I'm in Bayswater. If it's too far, just drop me off nearby."
"Not far, very close to where I am."
Barron really didn't lie. Bayswater was right next to Kensington where he lived, but Kensington was on the north side of Chelsea, and Bayswater was also on the north side of Kensington...
"Does Miss Bonnie live with her family?"
The Rolls-Royce was driving on Kings Road. After a brief silence in the car, Barron took the initiative to start a conversation.
"Mr. Barron, you can just call me Bonnie. I live in a rented house now. My parents are in Southampton."
"Then you can just call me Barron from now on, Bonnie. I'm a little curious. You studied psychology in college, so why did you want to be a host after graduation..."
"It was a coincidence. I was modeling in my spare time, and then I participated in a competition. Then I met someone from the TV station, and I tried my current job on their recommendation... Besides, how many people can really work in their own field after graduation? Fortunately, I still enjoy my current job and life very much."
"It is true. It is a blessing to be able to find my interests and get good opportunities."
Barron's words were actually inspired by his past life. In his past life, his original ideal was to be a cartoonist. He did have some talent, but in the end, he was forced by "life" to enter the financial industry, until he came to this world inexplicably...
But his words sounded a bit... Versailles to Bonnie, so she said calmly,
"Of course, my life cannot be compared to that of a great man like you. Born in a noble family, many things that we can't achieve no matter how hard we try are within your reach."
In response, Barron just smiled faintly and said:
"The gift that fate has given you has already been secretly marked with a price. Just like me, it seems that the title and the family fortune are within my reach, but before that, I need to work hard for the future of my family."
As he said this, Barron looked at the street scene receding under the street lights outside the car.
The light shone on his face through the car window. From Bonnie's perspective, against the light outside the window, his profile looked like an angular silhouette, adding a sense of melancholy. For a moment, she felt her heartbeat quicken.
When the Rolls-Royce slowly stopped in front of an apartment building, the two realized that they had arrived at the residence that Bonnie had mentioned before.
Time flies by so fast.
These words appeared in the minds of the two people in the back seat almost at the same time.
"I'm here, thank you, Barron, it's nice to meet you today."
"Me too, Bonnie."
When he saw the girl open the car door and slightly lift her long legs wrapped in gray stockings, preparing to get out of the car, Barron said,
"By the way, can you leave your phone number? Maybe, um, I have some questions to ask you about TV shows, or maybe we can have a drink together sometime?"
"I'm not that knowledgeable about TV shows, and I don't really like drinking..."
Bonnie turned to look at Barron and smiled:
"But I'd love to give you my number."
The data during the period of publishing a new book is related to the subsequent recommendations, so follow-up reading is very important. I implore everyone not to keep it up all the time. If you feel it is okay, please read it every day to help increase the follow-up reading. Thank you very much.