Chapter 139
At the same time, they also analyzed the project of the water stadium to maximize their profit gains.
“We can’t slack off on this project either. If things go wrong, we won’t have a good excuse to give.”
Soon, they came up with a schedule for the construction.
Oliver gave Stephen a call and said, “After meticulous calculations, the water stadium will cost at least three billion.”
“Three billion?”
Stephen was surprised by the astronomical figure. The previous stadium cost just over a billion, but now it was more than double that to build it on water.
“Three billion is just an initial calculation. We might have to increase the budget as it goes. The time frame is too short, after all.
“We’ll need to work four shifts and use the best materials and equipment,” Oliver explained.
Stephen understood a month was indeed a tight schedule, but it would all be worth it. If the water stadium could be completed in time, the money invested would ensure huge returns, “Provide me with an expenditure list, and I’ll prepare the contract. Once everything looks good, we can sign the contract, and I’ll release the funds.”
After being swindled by Howard, Stephen had learned his lesson not to give money away easily. However, that request did not intimidate Oliver and the businessmen. As they had been dealing with money their entire lives, they knew exactly how to draft the expense
report.
They were not worried about Stephen checking the report either. Many materials would be labeled in fancier names, and they could justify higher prices due to the urgent timeline. By inflating the cost of materials, logistics, and salary for the workers, what should have cost around 1.5 billion dollars would now cost 3 billion.
With their intention also to cut corners, using lower–quality materials in some areas instead of what was originally proposed, each of them could pocket around 200 to 300 million on average in the end.
Stephen received the expenditure list shortly after and invited the mayor to have a look.
As the mayor was unfamiliar with construction budgets, he said, “It looks reasonable, though the price is higher than the one received for the previous stadium.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 139
“However, due to the short time frame and how important this is, plus it’s harder to build things on water, I think the price is completely justifiable.
With the mayor’s approval, Stephen gave Simon a call to get a second opinion.
Simon glanced over the expenditure list.
“For building a stadium on the water in a water, this price seems fine to me. Go ahead.”
With the mayor and his father giving him the green light, Stephen felt relieved. Simon even praised him for being more meticulous than before.
Stephen felt like he had gotten the hang of it and was a real genius in his work. He may have lost two cities, but the experience gained had matured him.
After signing the contract with Oliver and the others, he promptly transferred them the funds to start the construction.
Oliver chuckled. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of everything!”
With the sports stadium settled, Stephen could finally be at ease. He just had to wait for the sports games to start so that he could attract more businesses to move into Aqua City.
Plans for new tourist spots and farms were also in the works, but it involved relocating a few towns. While some town mayors demanded an exorbitant fee of 20 thousand dollars per square meter when they learned about it, some others expressed eagerness to start a farm bed–and–breakfast and hoped for some funding support.
Several billions were spent in a short span of time, and it was just the start. As the
including construction of the stadium progressed, advertising and marketin collaboration with the influencers, would cost even more..
Stephen also introduced many new aquatic species to the local market and ecosystem, like shellfish, lobster, and tilapia. At the same time, he also reduced penalties for releasing aquatic creatures back into the wild.
Suddenly, the city was buzzing with people releasing fish into the river. Some even organized a mass release event to attract more crowds.
When Stephen heard about it, he did not stop it. Instead, he saw it as a business opportunity.
“If more tourists could participate in events like this, it will definitely attract more attention.”
Aqua City seemed to be bustling with excitement.
