Building The Strongest Family-Chapter 109: Diamond Room Gambit

A Month Later: The Eastern Dominion’s High-Stakes Negotiations

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Osborn Mining & Resources Group Headquarters – The Diamond Conference Room

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As the doors to the Diamond Conference Room swung shut, a palpable tension settled in the air, amplified by the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sharp, metallic scent of ore samples displayed elegantly on black velvet trays.

Edward Osborn leaned back in his chair, his steel-toed boots casually resting on the table, a striking contrast to the sharp suits of the three most formidable commodities brokers in the Eastern Dominion.

At the table sat Mikhail Volkov, the CEO of Vostok Minerals, a bear of a man with a silver-streaked beard and a reputation for crushing rivals.

Beside him was Lina Khalifa, the razor-witted CFO of Azure Peak Resources, her dove-gray suit tailored to perfection, fingers incessantly darting over her handheld ledger.

Rounding out the trio was Donald, the Chairman of Axel Excavation Group, a reserved strategist who spoke only when necessary.

The holographic display between them flickered to life, showcasing real-time commodity prices:

Copper: 8,450 Unicreds/ton (Futures +12%)

Aluminum: 2,890 Unicreds/ton (Demand surge in aerospace)

Crude Oil: 94 Unicreds/barrel (Brent benchmark)

Taking a slow sip of his coffee, Edward placed the cup down with a deliberate clink, casting a steady gaze over the negotiators before him.

"Let’s cut to the chase," he began, confidence radiating from his voice. "You’re here because we’ve discovered a copper mine of unmatched purity in the Eastern Dominion, along with substantial bauxite and lithium deposits. You need what we have. So let’s talk numbers."

Mikhail Volkov was the first to break the silence. "Two million tons of copper annually. Fifteen-year contract. We’ll match current futures plus a five percent premium."

Edward chuckled softly. "You’re joking, right? That copper’s powering orbital batteries and fueling the HypeRail-X at Osborn Heavy Industries. I’m sure you’ve seen the latest press about the Aurelian Federation’s new train system, so you know the stakes. Futures plus twenty percent."

Lina’s fingers paused mid-calculation. "That’s not how this works. You’re a digger, not a refiner."

"Who told you that? Didn’t you do your homework on Osborn Mining & Resource Group? We have our own refining factories," Edward shot back, meeting her gaze. "Besides, you’re a middleman on the verge of becoming obsolete."

He tossed a data chip onto the table. "Osborn just patented a plasma refinement process that halves smelting costs. Partner with us, or watch us undercut you within a year."

Donald finally broke the tense silence, his voice sharp as a scalpel slicing through flesh. "Your patent is pending, not approved. A few strategic objections at the Minerals Commission could delay it... indefinitely."

Edward flashed a grin, exposing his pearly-white teeth. "Try it. My cousin Arthur has the Commission Chair on speed dial."

A heavy silence descended over the room, the weight of the threat palpable.

Lina adjusted her cuffs, her expression unwavering. "Fine. Let’s talk bauxite. We want eight million tons per quarter at..."

"No." Edward interrupted, his tone firm. "We’re not selling raw bauxite. You want aluminum? You buy it processed. Our state-of-the-art facility in Port Cyanide produces aerospace-grade sheets with a purity of ninety-eight percent."

Donald’s eyebrow twitched at Edward’s words. "At what cost?"

"3,200 Unicreds a ton," Edward replied, his confidence unwavering.

Mikhail nearly spilled his coffee as he chimed in, "That’s three hundred above market!"

"Market prices are for subpar alloys," Edward countered coolly. "Ours can withstand hypersonic stress, perfect for the HyperRail-X that Osborn Heavy Industries is developing."

He leaned forward, intensity in his gaze. "You’re not just buying metal; you’re investing in the future of transportation on Panterra."

Lina’s eyes narrowed into slits. "We could always turn to the Solarians."

"You could," Edward replied with a shrug, a smirk creeping across his face, "but good luck explaining to your board why your jets shatter at Mach 3."

Donald brought the conversation back to business. "Now, about the Blackridge oil fields..."

Edward’s demeanor shifted to cold steel. "Not for sale."

"Everything’s for sale," Mikhail shot back, urgency creeping into his voice. "Name your price."

Reluctantly, Edward’s expression softened just a fraction. "Fine."

He pulled up a map on the holographic display. "These twelve offshore platforms are churning out two hundred thousand barrels a day. But here’s the kicker..."

He zoomed in with a flourish. "We’ve tapped into a new reservoir, estimated at ten billion barrels still waiting to be unearthed."

Lina’s pen froze in mid-air, the implications sinking in. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

"Price?" Donald asked quietly, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.

Edward leaned back, a sly smile forming. "Not money. I want your rail networks in the Eastern Dominion. Complete cargo rights for Osborn freight. Permanent."

Mikhail slammed his fist on the table, his frustration boiling over. "That’s madness!"

"That’s Business" Edward stood, spreading his arms wide . "Think it over. But do it fast; the USS are flying in tomorrow."

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The negotiations had dragged on for hours, and the table was littered with empty coffee cups. The air was thick with a blend of exhaustion and ambition, a palpable energy that crackled between the people in the room.

Edward, his sleeves rolled up and steel-toed boots planted firmly on the table, fixed his steely gaze on the three brokers across from him.

"Alright," he said, cracking his neck in preparation. "We’ve danced around this long enough. Let’s get to the numbers."

With a deft tap on his tablet, a holographic display sprang to life, revealing the final contract terms.

Mikhail Volkov inhaled sharply as the figures materialized before him.

"Three million metric tons annually for fifteen years," Edward announced, "at 8,900 Unicreds per ton for futures pricing, plus eighteen percent. And before you complain, remember our ore is 3.8% grade. You won’t find cleaner copper anywhere else."

Mikhail’s jaw tightened at the revelation, yet he nodded in reluctant agreement. "Fine. But we want first refusal rights on any new deposits you discover over the next decade."

Edward smirked. "For an additional two percent equity in Vostok’s smelting division? Sure."

With a scowl, Mikhail extended his hand. "Deal."

Total Value: 3M tons/year × 8,900 × 15 years = 400.5 billion Unicreds gross.

After Vostok equity concession: 312 billion Unicreds net.

After a period of hushed calculations, Lina Khalifa from Azure finally spoke up, her fingers flying over her ledger. "Aerospace-grade aluminum, 98% purity. We’ll take five million tons per year at 3,200 per ton, but only if you guarantee delivery timelines."

Edward leaned forward, his lips curling into a smirk. "You want guarantees? That’ll cost you a premium: 3,400."

Lina’s eyes narrowed as frustration bubbled within her. "That’s extortion."

"No," Edward corrected, "extortion is what your competitors will charge when they figure out you don’t have the alloy for next-gen jets."

A tense silence enveloped the room before Lina exhaled slowly, conceding. "Fine. But we get exclusivity in the Eastern markets."

"Done."

Total Value: 5M tons/year × 3,400 × 10 years = 170 billion Unicreds, plus a 22 billion Unicreds exclusivity premium = 192 billion Unicreds.