She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew) novel Chapter 318

Chapter 318 

The family fell silent for a moment. 

Those who weren’t familiar with the industry refrained from speaking, waiting for the more knowledgeable to share their thoughts. 

Brandon said, “I agree with Mr. Frowick’s analysis. Pouring more money into real estate doesn’t seem wise at this point. But if the land is cheap, we could buy it for other uses.” 

Athena added, “Though I’m not particularly invested in real estate, I also don’t think the market will stay hot forever. Getting out sooner might be a good move. I lean more toward developing industries or service sectors. 

Maria chimed in, “Bard Garden is massive, and once all the residents move in, that’s a huge customer base. How about we build a supermarket, shopping mall, or even another Donovan’s Restaurant?” 

Wesley said, “That plot of land might be a bit small for another residential development, but if we use it for a supermarket, there would be a lot of unused space left, which seems like a bit of a waste. 

“As for a shopping mall, Kitmore City already has enough of those. With the rise of online shopping, so many physical stores have closed. It seems too risky.” 

Claire massaged her shoulders and said, “A lot of customers have asked if we’d open a second location, but Arthur and I are already swamped managing one restaurant. We really don’t want the extra workload. 

“If we did open another branch, I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting others manage it. I’d rather focus on perfecting the one we have.” 

Arthur nodded while eating. “I agree. Reputation is everything. Plenty of famous restaurant chains lose their quality by expanding too fast, and eventually, their name is tarnished.” 

Wesley added, “We’re heading into an aging society, and more young people don’t want to marry or have kids. The issue of elder care is becoming more pressing. 

“I’ve considered using that land to build a retirement home, but working in elder care can lead to a lot of disputes, which are tough to manage. I think this kind of project should be left to professionals.” 

Everyone nodded in agreement. 

Athena then suggested, “A large supermarket could work, and as for the extra space, maybe we could set up a daycare center? One that cares for both children and elderly during the day.” 

“Daycare?” Their eyes lit up. “That sounds interesting.” 

Athena explained, “To avoid potential disputes, the daycare could set certain conditions, like only offering daytime care, with family members required to pick them up at night. 

“Children must be at least six months old and weaned. Children and elderly must be in relatively good health.” 

Maria said enthusiastically, “I think it’s worth considering. In my line of work, I’ve met all kinds of amazing women. Some want kids but not a partner. Some want both kids and a career but find it hard to balance the two. They don’t trust nannies or can’t find the right one. 

“Others can’t afford a full–time nanny for their kids or parents, but they also can’t quit their jobs. A daytime care center could meet their needs.” 

Brandon added, “I think it’s doable. If the children or elderly don’t have any major health issues, our company’s AI could help with some of the care.” 

10.24 Fr, NOV 

Chapter 318 

+6 

Arthur got excited too. If we build a large supermarket, many parents could pick up their kids or parents while doing their shopping, creating a convenient, all–in–one experience.” 

Wesley nodded frequently, smiling. “You all have some great suggestions. We could bring in investors for the supermarket and not run it ourselves. 

“As for the daycare center, I managed logistics when I worked at the state–owned enterprise, so I’ve got some experience in that area. I think we could give it a try.” 

That evening, Wesley sat in front of his computer for hours, researching articles on child and elderly daycare services, and making extensive notes for the future. 

The next day at the company, Wesley gathered the upper and middle management to discuss whether they should purchase the neighboring plot of land and what they should do with it. 

Several senior managers had previously dined with Ethan and were reluctant to question his judgment. Therefore, they agreed to hold off on building any more residential developments for the next few years, waiting to see how the market would evolve. 

However, opinions varied on what to do with the land if they did buy it. After Wesley shared his ideas, some supported them, while others opposed them. But with his absolute authority within the company, he made the final decision. 

Seeing that more than half of the management supported his proposal, Wesley declared, “It’s settled then. Tomorrow, I’ll negotiate with the owner of the neighboring land. If the price is right, we’ll take out a loan and buy it.” 

Under Wesley’s leadership, Bard Property was developing rapidly, and it was making some competitors uneasy. 

A few evenings later, Isaac and his wife hosted a dinner party for their partners involved in the development of a project in the eastern area of the city. Guests included Archie, Lucas and his son, Zoe and her family, and the Randolph family. 

As they were enjoying the evening, the TV broadcasted news about Bard Property. 

The report mentioned that Bard Property had sold out 8 apartment buildings in just a few days and had also purchased the neighboring land, planning to develop a large commercial complex. Several well–known supermarket chains were already interested in opening stores there. 

The news spoiled the group’s mood, which had personal grudges against the Donovan family. 

Isaac slammed his glass on the table and said coldly, “I think we need to speed up the development of our residential project and make it one of the most prestigious in Kitmore City.” 

He turned to Regina. “This location is prime, the more we invest the more we’ll make. How about we pump an additional 60 million dollars into the project?” 

Sixty million dollars was the maximum liquidity the Kennedy family could raise at the moment.