Chapter 70 Hope and the Start

70 Hope and the Start

January 20th, 2024.

Michael was in the class. He looked at his wristwatch and saw that it had been twenty minutes since the class started yet the professor was not present. Well—this is a common occurrence in the first week of school. The activities would be about getting to know your professor and your fellow classmates, and after all that, the class would be then dismissed early. "Looks like we have no professor today," Psylemon said, who was sitting behind him.

"Yeah...how about we leave now?" Michael proposed. "How about we wait another ten minutes? If the professor doesn't show up, we'll leave," Psylemon suggested, leaning forward to whisper his plan.

Michael nodded, agreeing with the proposal. It seemed fair, and it wasn't as if they had much to lose by sticking around a bit longer. Besides, this gave him a few more moments to skim through his notes and maybe chat with his classmates, many of whom he hadn't seen since the last term ended.

The ten minutes passed slowly, with several students taking the initiative to introduce themselves to others, sharing their majors and a bit about why they chose this course. Michael found himself engaging in a few conversations, but his eyes kept drifting back to the door, half-expecting the professor to walk in at any moment.

Finally, as the last of the agreed ten minutes ticked away, it became clear that no one was coming to teach today. "Alright, looks like it's a free day for us," Pyslemon said to Michael as they gathered their own belongings. "Any plans now?"

Michael shrugged. "I think I'm going back home earlier, I have a business to look upon." "Business? Ahh...yeah, your solar panel? Dude you are a genius, you are popular in the country. Well, it's nice to have that brain of yours." Michael simply chuckled a response. "You know what Michael...I kind of envy you, because you already have a life ahead of you, while me? Well, I'm just a student who can't even pass statics. Now I'm an irregular student. My future is not looking good at this point."

Michael placed a hand on Psylemon's shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself. Actually, I've been thinking... How would you feel about working with me at SolaraTech?"

January 22th, 2024. At the office of Mrs. Antoinette Estolas. Michael and Bridget walked side by side together down the hallway. "So you're telling me that the daughter of Mrs. Estolas is your student?" "I'm just a tutor, you are making it sound like I'm her professor but it's not," Michael clarified as they approached the office. "And yes, she's been needing some extra help with her subjects so I've been assisting her."

Bridget nodded, impressed. "That's quite a connection. And she's the same age as you, and beautiful when you showed me the picture."

"She is indeed, there's no denying that." "Do you like her?" Michael shook his head. "I don't feel romantically attracted to her if that's what you're asking. My focus is purely professional. As they arrived at Mrs. Estolas' office, the secretary greeted them with a polite smile. "Mr. Michael and Ms. Bridget, Mrs. Estolas is expecting you. Please, go right in."

The office was spacious and elegantly decorated, a testament to Mrs. Estolas' success and style. Antoinette stood up from behind her desk as they entered. "Mrs. Antoinette Estolas, allow me to introduce to you, Bridget von Reimann. Ms. von Reimann, this is Antoneitte Estolas."

"A pleasure to meet you ma'am," Bridget extended her hand, which Mrs. Estolas warmly shook. "The pleasure is all mine," Antoinette said.

Michael took a seat after the introductions were made, Bridget following suit. "Okay, let's start the discussion with everyone's favorite. The amount of ten percent equity to my company," Michael began and the two women lent him their ears.

"I'm pretty sure that you can calculate the valuation of SolaraTech. I'm offering each of you 20 million dollars for ten percent equity in my company. This valuation is based on our current financials, growth trajectory, and future projections."

Antoinette raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "That's quite a valuation. Twenty million is equivalent to ten percent shares? Forty million for twenty percent shares, so for 100 equity that would be the total valuation of your company which is..." she mentally calculated.

Before Antoinette could finish her calculations, Bridget quickly chimed in, "That puts SolaraTech at a valuation of 200 million dollars if we're following Michael's proposal for a ten percent share at 20 million. So where are you going to use the money?" "Well, I'm going to buy a lot where we can build a factory, or simply buy a factory and then renovate it to our needs," Michael said. "I already have an idea."