The soft chime of the system echoed in Rino's mind as the screen flickered inside his mind's eye.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
«↓ Mission Achieved ↑»
«↓ Mission: Find a Business Ally | Completed ↑»
«↓ SP: [1/10] ↑»
«↓ Establishing 3 New Goals. ↑»
«↓ 1¡3: Null
2¡3: Null
3¡3: Null ↑»
------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the message gone, Rino settled back into reality. The tension that had been built as a result of the game had now dissolved into casual murmurs and discussion. He leaned back in his seat and exhaled sharply.
As if he had attracted attention through his exhale, Reynar signaled Bayo, the manservant in the room and he understood what the sign was for.
It was normal that the membership form for joining Red Tann should be brought once a new member was admitted.
So, Bayo moved over to a polished drawer by the side of the wall in the corner where he positioned himself, and retrieved a neatly sealed envelope.
He returned with the envelope and handed it to Rino who unsealed it to pull out what it contained.
It was the membership form.
Then, Rino queried that since he had agreed to become a member of Red Tann, the system should be able to grant him access to their details.
Or better still, let him know who his business ally was before he filled in his information.
Even though, he already guessed that it should be Red Tann as a group since the chime had come as soon as he accepted to be a part of them.
Then, as needed, the system echoed in his mind once again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
«↓ Business Ally: Red Tann | Member Provisional Access Granted ↑»
«↓ Age Bracket: (18 - 25) ↑»
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seeing that age bracket, Rino wondered what would be the case when a member surpassed the age bracket until the common thing that should happen crept into his mind.
They will be made patrons of the group.
Not wanting to distract himself further, he paid attention to the information already displayed by the system.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
«↓ RED TANN ↑»
«↓ Description: A network of young billionaire enthusiasts, who have joined hands in cooperation for the unified purpose of protecting and shaping the national economy through capitalism ↑»
«↓ Vision: Preserve future economic control, resist oligarchical dominance as well as cultivate public influence ↑»
«↑ Revenue Triggering Factors:
> Strategic Investments
> High-Interest Loan Facilities
> Nightlife and Club Operations
> Lounge Lodging Rental
> Member Contributions ↑»
«↓ Estimated Net worth: $1.1 Billion ↑»
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1 billion.
Rino blinked slowly, as he collected the titanium pen Bayo offered him and began filling the form that was placed in his front.
So, this was no boy's club. Not a child's play, he recalled the words Kasper had used.
As he filled out the form, Rino paused at a point.
[Membership Registration Fee: $2,000,000
Monthly Due Payments: $100,000].
Thinking the membership registration fee was a typing error, he raised the book for Bayo to see.
"Is this not an error that should be corrected?"
The person who replied to his question was Reynar as if he knew what Rino complained about.
"The registration fee is the club's way to be sure that the member will be able to provide its contributional needs in the future," Reynar explained. "Yes, that's $2,000,000 you're seeing there."
"Fine," Rino replied, hiding well enough the pain in him knowing he was going to be taking out $2.1 million from his account.
The earlier he needed to accept full responsibility as Rino Carter, the better for him.
During the times of making these transactions, Rino Ikenna's personality seems to try to take over.
I need to accept the fact that I'm a bit rich now, he thought and put his signature on the form before transferring the funds to the provided account details on the form.
"Thank you," Bayo said to Rino as he collected the form.
However, Rino was not paying attention to him. He glanced at his account balance, and read the number figure.
$23,895,000 now, hmm.
In order to avoid suspicion, he reclaimed himself and put his phone back into his pocket.
"You still interested in knowing why we care about the Green Lords?" Malcolm leaned in.
Rino didn't blink. "Don't you think I should, now? I'm now a member."
To think that Malcolm was involved in this kind of group with his behavioral displays earlier was—
Well, maybe that is rich people's way of living.
Before Malcolm could speak further, Zaria took over, her smooth voice making the interruption not sound like a big deal.
"There are practically two existential groups in this country who fight to run the financial empire in this country, Rino. Ours is one, and theirs is another."
She gently pulled in on her seat, circling the rim of her wine glass with her fingers.
"As you already know, we are the Red Tann. We aim to build, stabilize and correct the economics of Esme," Zaria explained. "Well, you can also add that we are young as well, in our early youth fighting for the future we should inherit."
Rino already guessed where the explanation for the Green Lord was going, but he still asked. "And the Green Lords?"
"Hehe, they are older and should be more structured, most of them are in their late 30s and early 40s. Unfortunately, they only fight for wealth to gain economic dominance, and of course, bend the government's decision."
"This is what our group is fighting against."
Reynar folded his arms, nodding as Zaria continued.
"Their ideology revolves around installing a controlled economy, central banking and political puppetry," she explained. "Common sense will let even a layman understand that their aim is driven towards securing power under a unified economic dictatorship."
"This is what we are resisting," Zaria said. "That's why we've formed groups that involved people like us. With people like you."
Rino nodded.
"Makes sense," he said as he extended his glass cup to Bayo who poured wine into that of his other fellows.
"I see," Rino murmured again, taking a slow sip from his cup.
Having listened to Zaria's explanatory sermon, the air around them returned to social immediately.
Every one of the other members began congratulating Rino for successfully becoming one of them. A member.
Malcolm raised his glass to click it against Rino's. Others congratulated him in their own ways.
Then, Amaka caught him off-guard with the unexpected move she made.
She slid a matte black business card across to Rino.
He picked it up and nodded.
Amaka just gave him an unknowing smile, proving that she was a total suspicion on her own.
Rino tucked the card inside his jacket, his mind reeling from the possibility of what had just happened in this exclusive room.
Some moments ago, he had walked into this room as a guest. Now, he had a seat at a table that silently sought a given future of a nation.
Turnarounds, he thought.