Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1416

Elon explained, "So everyone who came today had to be members of the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce—others wouldn't be appropriate attendees!

"Mr. Keller Senior has always single-handedly managed the largest Chamber of Commerce in Gabo Creek province, but ever since he got sick, there have been rumors that he's planning to step down and give up his position as Chamber president."

Andrew asked casually, "Is the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce really that powerful?"

Elon made admiring sounds, his face full of longing, "Powerful? It's incredibly powerful! In the entire Holtrien's Gabo Creek region, including places like Somaeth, there are only two major Chambers of Commerce.

"The first is the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce, led by Mr. Keller Senior himself. The second is the Somaeth Chamber of Commerce, led by Mr. Hawkins from the PumpkinByte Group in Somaeth.

"He used to be our country's richest man. The combined net worth of all members from these two Chambers could shake the entire Vestraen economy!"

Andrew nodded. "That is pretty impressive. By the way, Mr. Hawkins, as you mentioned from PumpkinByte Group, wouldn't that be Mr. Freddie Hawkins, the one who made that martial arts movie and has incredible fighting skills?"

Elon looked worshipful. "That's exactly who I mean! I love his most famous quote: 'I've never been interested in money!' Dr. Lloyd, I thought that was such an enlightened outlook on life, what a bold attitude! In this day and age, there are too few people who don't obsess over money!"

Andrew sneered coldly, "A man worth hundreds of billions saying he's not interested in money—don't you think that's like someone who's stuffed themselves saying they're not interested in food?"

Elon chuckled, "I just think it's a really classy way to show off!"

Andrew replied flatly, "When you're as rich as Mr. Hawkins someday, you can show off like that too—but first you'd need to have billions to your name."

Suddenly, there was a commotion on the distant lawn. Then, eight burly men in black suits came running over and surrounded Andrew's area.