Building a Conglomerate in Another World

Three days after settling into the Hillcrest Estate, the time came for Matthew Hesh to return to the demands of his business. The estate was quiet that morning, the sunlight streaming through the windows of the breakfast room where Matthew and Amber sat together for their final meal before his departure.

Amber had prepared a light breakfast, insisting that Matthew start his day with something warm and comforting. The table was set with freshly baked bread, scrambled eggs, and a pot of steaming coffee.

"You’ll call, won’t you?" Amber asked, her tone light but with a hint of concern as she buttered a slice of toast.

"Every evening, if I can," Matthew replied, smiling at her. He reached across the table to take her hand. "It won’t be long. I should only be gone for a few weeks."

Amber nodded, though the thought of being alone in the large house left her feeling uneasy. "I’ll keep myself busy. There’s still plenty to organize here."

Matthew squeezed her hand gently. "You’ll do wonderfully, Amber. This house already feels like a home because of you."

After breakfast, Matthew made his final preparations. His suitcase, packed the night before, waited by the door. His personal driver, a stoic man named Bernard, had the automobile ready outside.

As Matthew slipped on his tailored coat, Amber stood by the door, her hands clasped in front of her. When he turned to her, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace. Find more to read at NovelBin.Côm

"You’ll take care of yourself?" she murmured, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

"I will," Matthew promised, holding her tightly. "And you’ll look after yourself too. Don’t hesitate to send word if you need anything."

Amber pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. "I’ll be fine, but I’ll miss you."

"And I’ll miss you," Matthew said sincerely. He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her lips.

When they parted, Amber smiled softly. "Safe travels, Matthew."

He picked up his suitcase and stepped outside, where Bernard stood by the automobile. Amber followed, watching as Matthew settled into the passenger seat. Before the car pulled away, she leaned in through the open window, cupping his face in her hands to kiss him once more.

"Goodbye, Matthew," she said, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat.

"Goodbye, Amber," he replied, his gaze lingering on her as the car began to move.

The drive to the train station was a short but reflective one for Matthew. He gazed out of the window, the picturesque countryside of Newport giving way to the bustling activity of the station. Bernard expertly maneuvered the automobile through the morning crowd, coming to a stop near the platform entrance.

"Thank you, Bernard," Matthew said as he stepped out of the car.

"Safe journey, sir," Bernard replied with a polite nod. @@novelbin@@

Matthew boarded the train, finding his reserved compartment easily. The plush interior offered both comfort and privacy, and he settled into his seat as the train whistle blew. With a lurch, the train began its journey, winding through the rolling hills and picturesque landscapes that connected Newport to Amsterdam.

The four-hour journey provided Matthew with ample time to organize his thoughts. He retrieved a leather-bound notebook from his suitcase and began outlining the next steps for Hesh Industries’ newest venture—household appliances. He sketched rough designs, noted potential materials, and jotted down marketing ideas.

The concept of introducing appliances to Amerathia was bold, but Matthew believed in its potential. The growing accessibility of electricity meant that homes were ready for innovation. Electric stoves, fans, and refrigerators weren’t just conveniences; they were tools to redefine modern living.

As the train neared Amsterdam, Matthew felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was ready to bring his vision to life.

The train pulled into Amsterdam station at precisely noon, its polished exterior gleaming in the midday sun. Matthew disembarked, suitcase in hand, and was met by a Hesh Industries employee who escorted him to a waiting car.

Within minutes, he arrived at the company’s headquarters. Employees greeted him with respectful nods as he walked through the lobby, heading straight to the executive boardroom where his senior team was already assembled.

The room quieted as Matthew entered, his commanding presence drawing everyone’s attention.

"Good afternoon," he began, setting his suitcase aside. "Thank you for gathering on such short notice."

The team exchanged glances, intrigued by the urgency in Matthew’s tone.

"I’ve been thinking about the future of Hesh Industries," he continued, pacing the room. "We’ve established ourselves as leaders in heavy industry, but it’s time to expand our reach. Electricity is becoming a staple in homes across Amerathia, and I believe we have an opportunity to lead the charge in modernizing daily life."

He paused, letting his words sink in. The room buzzed with quiet anticipation.

"Our next venture will be household appliances," Matthew announced. "Electric stoves, refrigerators, fans, washing machines—products that will make life easier and more efficient for families."

The room erupted into a mix of murmurs and nods. Margaret Klein, head of public relations, raised her hand.

"Uhm…what are those things you mentioned, Sir Hesh?"

Matthew anticipated the question. He knew that even with him mentioning the name of the appliances, people like Margaret and even his engineers won’t be able to imagine it as it is a new concept in this era.

Matthew walked over to a large easel he had prepared earlier, uncovering it to reveal a series of detailed sketches. Each sheet depicted one of the appliances he envisioned, annotated with simple labels and descriptions.

"This," he said, pointing to the first sketch, "is what I’m calling an electric stove. Imagine the coal or wood-burning stove you’re used to—except instead of needing fuel, this uses electricity to heat its surface. The heat can be adjusted by turning a dial, giving you precise control over cooking temperatures. It’s cleaner, safer, and faster than traditional stoves."

The team leaned forward, intrigued but skeptical. Margaret furrowed her brow. "How does it work scientifically, sir?"

Matthew nodded, ready to explain. "The electric stove uses a heating element, typically made of a material like nichrome, which generates heat when electricity flows through it. Think of it like the filament inside an electric light bulb—it glows hot and transfers heat to the cookware placed on top. The heat is regulated using a resistance-based switch that controls the current."

He paused, scanning the room to gauge their understanding. Seeing some nods, he continued.

"Next, we have the refrigerator," he said, gesturing to a sketch of a tall, rectangular box. "This will revolutionize how families store food. Inside, there’s a cooling system that lowers the temperature, preventing food from spoiling."

A young engineer raised his hand. "How would it stay cold, Mr. Hesh?"

"The science behind it involves a process called vapor-compression refrigeration," Matthew explained. "There’s a liquid refrigerant inside, which evaporates into a gas when it absorbs heat. This gas is then compressed back into a liquid by a motorized pump, releasing the heat outside the unit. The cycle repeats, keeping the interior consistently cool. Think of it as a system that removes heat from inside the box and dumps it outside."

"So, families wouldn’t have to rely on iceboxes anymore?"

"Exactly," Matthew said with a smile. "It would save money and drastically reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses."

He moved on to the next sketch. "This is an electric fan. A simple device but invaluable for comfort, especially during the warmer months. Using a motor powered by electricity, blades spin to create airflow, cooling the room."

A senior engineer chimed in. "That’s similar to the industrial fans we use in the factories."

"Precisely," Matthew agreed. "But these will be compact, affordable, and designed for homes."

The last sketch was a boxy machine with a cylindrical drum inside. "Finally, the washing machine. A device that will take the physical labor out of cleaning clothes. Clothes go inside the drum, and with a combination of water, detergent, and mechanical agitation, the dirt is cleaned away."

"How does the drum move?" another engineer asked.

"The drum is rotated by an electric motor," Matthew explained. "The motion simulates handwashing but at a much faster and more efficient pace. Rinse cycles can be automated as well, ensuring clothes are thoroughly cleaned and dried."

Margaret raised her hand again. "Sir, these are groundbreaking ideas, but how do we convince people to adopt them? Some might see them as extravagant or unnecessary."

"That’s where education and marketing come in," Matthew said. "We need to show people how these appliances can save them time, labor, and even money in the long run. Imagine a mother no longer spending hours over a washboard or a family not worrying about food spoiling. These aren’t luxuries—they’re investments in a better quality of life."

He turned to the engineers. "We’ll need prototypes for each of these. Start with the stove and fan—those are simpler. Once we have working models, we can begin testing."

"Yes sir!"