Chapter 18: A Ride Home

"Eight million pounds?" Hearing Ian's offer, Arthur raised an eyebrow, his expression darkening.

"This price, I'm afraid, lacks sincerity, Viscount."

"I can understand your thoughts, Lord Arthur. If that were a normal residential plot, given its location, it would be worth at least £20 million…" Ian was unfazed by Arthur's reaction. He calmly explained,

"But first, your land was originally intended for building gas tanks for the gas company. Therefore, although the gas tanks have been scrapped, that land is still industrial. If you want to develop it commercially, build residential buildings or for commercial use, you need to change the land's attribute…"

In England, land bought and sold also includes attributes such as agricultural, industrial, commercial, or residential. You can't simply buy land and build whatever you want; you must adhere to its designated attributes.

To change a land's attribute requires approval from the relevant Government departments; otherwise, penalties will be incurred. According to Ian, the land owned by the Duke of Devonshire's Family, located near King's Cross Station, was originally industrial land. Though its location was good, it couldn't be valued as residential.

"The price of industrial land is certainly much lower. More importantly, there are three huge abandoned gas tanks on that land. To demolish those will incur significant extra costs. So, £8 million is already a very reasonable price."

Arthur was noncommittal about Ian's words. He knew that what the other party said was likely true, but similarly, Ian's eagerness to purchase that plot also indicated that there was something of considerable value that greatly appealed to him. If Arthur were truly facing a family financial crisis, as Ian believed, he would most likely choose to sell that land. Even if he had contacted more buyers beforehand to try and slightly raise the price, the final selling price wouldn't differ too much.

But in fact, Arthur already had a way to resolve this financial crisis. In that scenario, a well-located plot near the center of London would be worth more to him—after all, he also knew that London's land prices would continue to rise significantly in the coming years.

Most importantly, well-located plots were becoming increasingly difficult to acquire.

Ultimately, his purpose in attending Ian's dinner, beyond seeing what conditions the other party would propose, was also to gain more information through direct contact—he wanted to know if Ian was indeed behind the earlier reports concerning his family's financial crisis.

"For this matter, I still need to consult with others…"

"I can understand that, as you've just taken over the family. I just hope you won't make me wait too long." After Arthur used this excuse to defer, Ian's remark became quite interesting…

"Thank you for your hospitality. I hope to have the opportunity to invite you to my place next time."

"The pleasure is all mine, Lord Arthur…" As Arthur bid farewell and prepared to leave, Ian shook his hand and said, "Regarding the land with the gas tanks, you can call me anytime. I await your reply."

"Mr. Arthur…" Just as Arthur turned to leave, he heard Bonnie say, "I'm also heading home. If it's on your way, could I get a ride in your car?"

"No problem at all. I'd be delighted to assist you."

And so, upon leaving Ian's home, the beautiful Miss Bonnie sat in the back seat of the Rolls-Royce with Arthur.

"Miss Bonnie, where do you live?"

"I'm in Bayswater. If it's too far, you can drop me off nearby."

"It's not far at all. It's quite close to my place." Arthur wasn't lying; Bayswater itself was next to Kensington, where he lived. It was just that Kensington was north of Chelsea, where he currently was, and Bayswater was also north of Kensington.

"Miss Bonnie, do you live with family?" The Rolls-Royce drove along King's Road. After a brief silence in the car, Arthur initiated a conversation.

"Mr. Arthur, you can just call me Bonnie. I'm currently renting a place and living by myself. My parents are both in Southampton."

"Then you can call me Arthur from now on, Bonnie. I'm a bit curious, you studied psychology at university. What made you decide to become a host after graduating…?"

"It was a bit of a coincidence, I suppose. I modeled in my spare time during university, and then I participated in a competition and met people from a TV station. I tried my current job on their recommendation… Besides, how many people truly get to work in their major after graduating? What's fortunate is that I still very much enjoy my current job and life."

"Indeed. Finding your passion and getting good opportunities is truly a fortunate thing." Arthur's words were actually a reflection on his previous life. In his past life, his initial dream was to be a cartoonist, and he did have some talent, but ultimately, "life forced him" into the financial industry, until he inexplicably came to this world.

However, Bonnie perceived his words as something of a humblebrag. She calmly said, "Of course, my life can't compare to that of a prominent figure like you. Born into a noble family, many things that we strive for and find difficult to achieve are readily available to you, aren't they?"

To this, Arthur merely smiled faintly. "The gifts fate gives you are already marked with a price in secret. Just like me, my title and family fortune seem readily available, but before that, I needed to strive for the family's future."

As he said this, Arthur looked at the streetscape outside the car window, constantly receding under the lamplight. The light shone through the car window onto his face. From Bonnie's perspective, illuminated by the light, his profile was like a sharply defined silhouette, adding a touch of melancholy. For a moment, she felt her heart rate quicken.

When the Rolls-Royce slowly stopped in front of an apartment building, they both realized they had arrived at the address Bonnie had mentioned. Time really flies, doesn't it? This thought almost simultaneously occurred to both occupants in the back seat.

"I'm here. Thank you, Arthur. It was nice meeting you today."

"You too, Bonnie."

Seeing the girl open the car door, slightly raise her long leg encased in gray stockings, and prepare to get out, Arthur spoke, "Oh, by the way, could I have your phone number? Perhaps, well, I might have some questions about TV programs to ask you, or maybe we could grab a drink sometime?"

"Actually, I'm not that knowledgeable about TV programs, and I don't really like drinking…"

Bonnie turned to look at Arthur and smiled sweetly. "But I'd be very happy to give you my number."