22 – Cypress Mosaic
Lorenz Lockhart left the Lockhart Holdings Tower at his usual time. Since he held executive positions in several subsidiaries and was involved in complex projects spanning two or more companies, his office was naturally located in the tower of the parent company, Lockhart Holdings.
A subordinate was waiting for him as he left his office. They planned to hold a brief meeting inside the car on the way home.
“You said DNV1) sent over the investigation results.”
“Yes, Mr. Lorenz.”
“It seems the preliminary analysis alone took over a year.”
“The evaluation process is that thorough, so you can consider the results to be without error. They are the most reliable firm when it comes to certification.”
Nathan Cole answered.
He was practically Lorenz’s right-hand man and played an equally pivotal role in the Long Island wind power project that Lorenz had been secretly and meticulously preparing.
“We’ll share the details during tomorrow’s team meeting. For now, just give me a brief summary.”
“Understood.”
After leaving the building, the two climbed into the backseat of Lorenz’s waiting car. Lorenz immediately had the partition raised to cut off connection with the front seat. For a man who feared the possibility of being overheard or wiretapped, the car was a sanctuary where he could catch his breath while moving, a mobile listening room, and one of the safest spaces to make calls or have conversations.
As the car departed, Nathan Cole immediately continued his report.
“According to DNV’s analysis, the area near Jones Beach appears to be the most suitable among the candidate sites we are reviewing. Based on 50 turbines, the total annual power generation capacity is estimated at 0.5 GW, which is a scale capable of stably supplying power to approximately 300,000 households.”
“300,000 households…”
Lorenz chewed over Nathan’s answer. His lips tightened as [visit our site]if he could not be satisfied with that amount.
“To achieve our primary goal, it seems we will need about 90 to 120 turbines.”
“Would that be enough to supply 10% of all power to Manhattan?”
“That is correct. It would be possible to supply approximately 600,000 households annually. Since this is a conservative estimate, it won’t drop below that.”
“In the first stage, we must seize 10% of Manhattan’s power without fail. Otherwise, it’s meaningless.”
Lorenz’s voice and expression were firm. His attitude revealed a will to achieve his goal exactly as planned, without room for compromise.
A few years ago, through Lockhart Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of the Lockhart Group, Lorenz had established a medium-sized wind farm in Massachusetts. Most of the energy produced there was supplied to Helion Life Sciences, a subsidiary that Lorenz had led the acquisition of. Thanks to this, Helion Life Sciences was able to save tens of millions of dollars in annual electricity costs.
It was a complex project that Lorenz had successfully executed at the mere age of thirty.
Naturally, this had further solidified his position within the group. However, even that achievement was nothing more than a test for Read on Read BL NovelsLorenz’s more ambitious goals.
Lorenz’s true target was New York City, and specifically, Manhattan.
Project Tempest—the plan to build a large-scale wind farm on Long Island, New York. It was an ambitious venture with the goal of gradually expanding its scale over ten years to supply up to 20% of Manhattan’s power.
If this project succeeded, the energy dominance the Lockhart Group would exert over Manhattan and New York City would be overwhelming. Influence over Manhattan meant influence over the Eastern United States. It was obvious that not only would Lorenz’s own position within the group be solidified, but the Lockhart Group’s actual influence within the U.S. would also be strengthened by a level.
Lorenz had formed a team by carefully selecting employees he particularly trusted and was keeping this project strictly confidential.
“What is the outlook on the competitors?”
Lorenz’s voice was somewhat stiff. It was because of a headache that had started in the afternoon. It happened often.
“We anticipate about two. Con Edison, the existing energy company, and Blackstone, the investment consortium.”
“There’s no need to worry much about Blackstone… The problem will be Con Edison.”
“Correct. While our only success story regarding green energy business is in Massachusetts, they are a specialized firm. Although their history isn’t that long.”
“And the points where Lockhart has the advantage?”
Leaning back against the armrest and pressing his temples, Lorenz struggled to concentrate.
“Capital, above all. Our planned total investment is 5 billion dollars, whereas Con Edison’s total investment over the last five years combined is around 3 billion dollars.”
“Hmm… But if they can show evidence that they can secure exclusive development rights, they might be able to attract investment. We can’t rule out the possibility of Con Edison designing the blueprint and Blackstone simply acquiring the company.”
Lorenz spoke in a cautious tone, but in truth, he did not consider any of those cases to be a serious threat.
This was a project into which he had poured over a year of effort just for site selection, data measurement, and profitability analysis. It was safe to say there was nothing he hadn’t considered in advance. Now that he had secured the results from the professional certification firm, he had reached the stage where he could push the business forward in earnest.
Lorenz’s eyes narrowed as he stared out the car window.
“In the end, the future will be a battle of energy. If the Lockhart Group can supply 20% of Manhattan’s power, we’ll be able to shake the political scene to our liking.”
“It seems entirely possible.”
Nathan nodded, his fingers moving quickly as he operated the tablet.
“I’m sick and tired of the tricks politicians play, using regulations as an excuse to intervene and extort political funds every time a new business is pursued.”
Rubbing his temples firmly in a circular motion, Lorenz continued in a grave tone.
“As you well know, this project must absolutely not leak until it is officially announced.”
“Yes, Mr. Lorenz.”
“Not just to the outside, but within the group as [stolen content]well. You must keep [stolen content]all team members under strict control. Security cannot be overemphasized.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Leaving the Financial District in southern Manhattan, the car headed north with the East River to its right.
Casting a meaningless glance at the scenery of Brooklyn across the river, Lorenz frowned at the headache that dug into his mind, tightening like a vine. Recently, his condition had been unpredictably erratic. He couldn’t fathom the criteria for when it improved or worsened.
Today, it was only at the level of intermittent migraines. This was a daily occurrence for him.
Pressing his temples firmly, he lowered his voice even more meaningfully.
“What about the movements at Pocantico Hills?”
Pocantico Hills.
It referred to the grand estate in northern Manhattan where Lorenz’s grandmother resided.
“Nothing special. There are no signs of any noteworthy figures entering or leaving.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Lorenz’s lips. Though it was only a faint, fleeting smile that vanished quickly.
The subordinate continued the report.
“Catherine Lockhart has visited a few times recently.”
If it was Catherine Lockhart, she was his grandmother’s younger sister. Lorenz didn’t mind much.
“She is someone who rarely shows her emotions. Even if she doesn’t express it outwardly, she must have been deeply heartbroken after my father passed away. She probably wants to find solace by spending time with my great-aunt.”
“Yes, we believe so as well.”
Nathan Cole’s voice was dry and monotone, as always. That tone, devoid of visit our site[stolen content]both warmth and coldness, made Lorenz feel at ease.
“It appears she will convene a family meeting within this month. Everything is expected to proceed as planned without any surprises.”
As planned, without surprises—meaning Lorenz would be designated as the successor.
“Of course, it should.”
This time, Lorenz replied stiffly, without even a smile.
He had been raised for this alone, and he had lived for this alone. He would continue to do so.
The most valuable conquest one could achieve by being born with the name Lockhart.
Becoming the head of the family, the head of the group, and turning all the glory of Lockhart toward himself.
The era of Damon Lockhart was setting, and the era of Lorenz’s Lockhart would come.
The starting point was now right before his eyes.
He parted ways with Nathan near Sutton Place. After transferring to his own vehicle following behind, Nathan disappeared into the city lights.
Lorenz clenched his empty fist.
It wasn’t far.
It really wasn’t far now.
The goal he had chased his entire life felt as if it were within his grasp.
As the headache grew stronger, Lorenz finally reached for his medication. He felt that if he were only successfully designated as the successor, he might even be able to shake off this wretched headache.
- DNV: A Norway-based global certification/consulting company in the energy and maritime sectors.
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