The attendant quickly ca in carrying a specially made ballot box, transford from an early donation box of the igedi Comrce Association.
"Those in favor of both proposals, please put the gold coin in the right box," Catherine's voice flowed over the hall like the winter waters of the Nao'an River. "Those opposed, please put the gold coin in the left box."
As the proposer, Duterte was the first to coldly take out a gold coin—whereas earlier, the igedi Comrce Association could only vote with dinars, now gold coins could be used.
He placed the gold coin into the left box, turned around confidently, and returned to his seat.
After the preliminary work and exchange of interests, he was confident that at least ten partners would make the sa choice.
"Duterte," Catherine's complex gaze swept over this once-uncle-like figure, unsure whether to pity or hate, "one vote against."
"Demarcus, one vote against."
"lson, one vote in favor."
"Heinz..."
Following Duterte, the senior partners began to vote one by one, and the sound of coins clashing in the box was endless.
With Catherine's continuous vote announcents, the votes had reached eight against, five in favor.
Duterte's previously tense heart finally relaxed.
Just one more vote would be enough.
The sound of chairs scraping across the floor echoed as Duterte saw Lady Margaret, Old Eddie, and Brandon standing up and heading towards the box.
Damn it! Duterte silently tensed his muscles, even giving Brandon a aningful look.
If there ended up being three consecutive votes against, it might anger His Majesty Horn enough to use the Wanpiao power to force passage.
Duterte imdiately began to prepare his emotions, ready with tears and knee pads, just waiting for the ninth vote to succeed, at which point he'd rush over and cling to Horn's leg, crying.
For now, stabilizing the Saint's Grandson's emotions was key; after the eting, taking those 8,000 gold coins might just dispel the Saint's Grandson's anger.
When trying to implent the "Financial Real Na System" and "Comrce Association to establish the Saint Father's Association" next ti, a fully developed igedi Comrce Association would no longer be moved by Horn.
Moving would only result in mutual destruction.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
With three consecutive clinks of gold coins, everyone in the eting room held their breath.
"Lady Margaret..."
Duterte's heart began to race.
"One vote in favor! Currently, six votes in favor!"
Damn wench! Duterte's fingers dug into the soft armrest, it must be for alchemical potions!
Currently, the ry Court Barracks was beginning to establish the first batch of centralized alchemical potion workshops; that old woman, Margaret, must be drawn by the alchemical potions.
Fortunately, there were still Old Eddie and Brandon, with Old Eddie's indecisiveness questionable, but Brandon definitely staunchly supported him.
If the real na system was enacted, how would his lottery business continue?
"Eddie, one vote in favor."
"Brandon, one vote in favor."
"Currently, eight votes in favor!"
The eting room, which was abuzz with whispers following Lady Margaret's vote, suddenly fell silent at this mont.
The feet of the chairs screeched harshly on the floor as Duterte stood up with an iron-blue face, staring at the calm expressions of Old Eddie and Brandon.
He could understand Lady Margaret's defection.
But these two fools, one involved in insurance fraud, the other in a lottery scam, why would they vote to establish the Saint Father's Association and implent a financial real na system?
Were they looking to ruin themselves?
"Your Highness Catherine," but Duterte, after all, was an old hand in the business world, able to remain calm even in such situations, "can I confirm these two votes with the partners? I suspect they might have put the coins in the wrong box due to nervousness."
If these two had indeed voted in favor due to pressure from Horn on-site, Duterte could still muddy the waters and directly reduce the credibility of the results.
Catherine's gaze swept over Horn's face before turning to the two, "Do you want to clarify?"
"Your Highness Catherine, I'm not so old as to make such a mistake."
"Your Highness Catherine, I'm not as confused as Old Eddie, how could I make a mistake."
The clear answers from the two sank Duterte's heart to the bottom.
"Currently, eight votes in favor, eight against." Catherine stood in front of the ballot box, her gaze sweeping across the entire eting room, stopping on a tremulous old man, "Mr. Ge Angqi, what's your choice?"
Almost simultaneously, Duterte's fervent gaze likewise fixated on Ge Angqi.
This nearly 80-year-old white-haired man looked around before standing up shakily.
With the attendant's support, he walked step by step to the ballot box, picking up a gold coin.
Watching Ge Angqi's hunched back, every hair on Duterte's body inexplicably stood on end.
"Clang—"
"Ge Angqi, one vote in favor!"
If not for holding onto the table with both hands, Duterte nearly fell to the ground.
He stared at the white-haired elderly man with piercing intensity, watching him hobble forward, his voice leaking through clenched teeth, "Why?"
Ge Angqi and Duterte had been friends for thirty years and had collaborated multiple tis.
Duterte had co to terms with Margaret's betrayal, and accepted Old Eddie and Brandon's betrayal.
Yet, he absolutely could not believe that Ge Angqi would betray him.
"Sorry." Ge Angqi awkwardly bowed his head, "I'm old now, I just want to go back and tend to my flowers. My children aren't very capable, I need to find them the biggest backing."
"Could the igedi Comrce Association and I not protect them?"
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