When Klein returned to 160 Berkelund Street from the Saint Samuel Church, he saw Walter, the white-gloved butler, approach him.
"Sir, someone just delivered a calling card and said his employer wishes to visit you between four and five o'clock," Walter said in a steady voice.
Klein thought for a moment about who the visitor could be but came up with nothing. He nodded slightly and asked, "Who is his employer?"
Walter looked left and right, and only after confirming that the footmen and maids were at a distance did he reply, "Baron Syndras."
Baron Syndras... The millionaire who had obtained his title through the Conservative Party and Duke Negan, one of the kingdom's most famous bankers and entrepreneurs? I had helped Mrs. Mary buy shares in the Coim Company before, and my competitors were him and his friends... For that matter, he's coming to see me in person? That deal was only about thirteen thousand pounds—it's nothing to him... Klein's thoughts churned as he headed toward the staircase.
Walter followed half a step behind and said, "Sir, if you don't wish to see Baron Syndras, I can tell him later that you were listening to the bishop's sermon at Saint Samuel Church and were delayed, so you might not return until very late."
The butler's implication was that Baron Syndras was a follower of the Lord of Storms and would not go directly to Saint Samuel Church to look for him.
Klein thought it over, smiled slightly, and said gently, "He's a very influential noble in the banking world; we're bound to cross paths again, so I have to meet him. Hmm... arrange it in the little sitting room on the second floor that gets the most sunlight."
—According to Klein's knowledge, Baron Syndras was the third-largest shareholder of Backlund Bank and the largest shareholder of Southwell People's Bank. In the banking industry of the Loen Kingdom, he was definitely one of the most influential people.
"Yes, sir." Walter said no more.
At 4:10 PM, Klein met the familiar face from the newspapers in the prearranged small sitting room.
The only thing that differed from his expectation was that after three o'clock, the clouds over Backlund had thickened, the sky darkened, and a light drizzle began to fall, depriving the room of the cheerful, warm sunlight.
Baron Syndras looked exactly like his newspaper photographs: his black hair, flecked with silver, was combed back neatly, revealing a broad forehead and a slightly receding hairline.
His face was round but not fleshy, his cheekbones high, and his wrinkles distinct.
Unlike most Loen men his age, Baron Syndras was clean-shaven, and his blue eyes were so pale they were nearly colorless.
With him were a valet and a bodyguard, both inconspicuous. The valet's most notable feature was his thinning hair; the bodyguard had a close-cropped haircut but a thick beard that ran from his ears down to his jaw.
"Good afternoon, Your Excellency Baron. It is an honor to have you as my guest." Klein placed his hand on his heart and bowed.
Normally, a host would lean forward and offer a handshake, but faced with a noble, he had to be more deferential.
Baron Syndras nodded slightly and smiled. "No, you don't need to be formal. I should have visited you long ago—a gentleman who has experienced many things and knows the Southern Continent so well."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two sat down, while the valet and bodyguard stood by.
Just as Klein was about to speak, Baron Syndras said in a calm and familiar tone, "Dantès, I truly admire you. Not everyone can extract wealth from the chaotic Southern Continent. It takes great courage, determination, and judgment. When I was on the verge of bankruptcy, I also considered going to the Southern Continent to start over, but I wasn't brave enough."
Although Baron Syndras had only recently become a noble, he wasn't truly of common birth. His great-grandfather and grandfather had profited from colonial expansion and maritime trade, becoming successful merchants. His father had invested in industry, building a reputation and owning many factories.
By his generation, with a substantial family fortune behind him, he had plunged into the booming banking sector and became one of the earliest multi-millionaires in Loen.
Along the way, Baron Syndras had faced three failures but had overcome them all. The most dangerous was when the Southwell People's Bank he founded suffered a serious credibility crisis and faced a run, nearly leading to bankruptcy.
Always going on about my experiences in the Southern Continent... Is he trying to tell me that he's found something suspicious about my background, and using it as a warning? Hah, he probably doesn't realize that all those Southern Continent experiences he keeps mentioning are fake... Klein sneered inwardly but replied calmly, "That's not bravery, it's recklessness. Most of the people who go to the Southern Continent are adventurous, but that's all they have."
Before Baron Syndras could respond, Klein smiled and added, "I almost hired Mr. Lybak as my butler before. He said you were a very good employer."
Baron Syndras listened quietly, then sighed. "That's something I deeply regret. I sincerely wanted Lybak to continue as my butler, but he couldn't overcome the conflict of loyalties."
Having said that, Baron Syndras looked at the refined and handsome middle-aged gentleman, Dwayne Dantès. Picking up the black tea brought by the servant, he took a light sip and said, "I sincerely hope we can become friends, and I hope you will transfer to me the three percent stake in the Coim Company. I'll give you an offer you can't refuse."