On the other side, Samuel, Delphina, Nicole and Sharon took the Bentley and reached the Club in half an hour. The Jockey Club didn't had any closing time and operated all day long, receiving wealthy businessman and nobles from all over Europe.
If one had money, they could just live off of luxurious facility and living condition arranged by the Club. Senior members even had their own place where they could rest and have fun. One needed certain prestige to be able to acquire such privilege.
There was racehorsing, Opera, a separate Cafe front where many achievement of Club were recorded. The place endured the Second Empire and the Third Republic, it was bound to have extraordinary tales for this generation of peace. On the ground floor beneath the Jockey Club was the fashionable Grand Cafe.
There was also ballet performances from time to time inviting the best of the best for noble's enjoyment. It had everything one could think of when one uttered luxury. Which was why it took some time for Samuel and his team to walk around the place before meeting the Count.
Meanwhile, Count Hay had his own worries to overcome. He was in the process of debate with his debiters.
" Look who it is. Isn't it Count Hay, I have met an esteemed guest. I thought you were busy dealing with your family property to pay off your gambling debt as soon as possible. If you don't have a buyer why don't I help you find some people? I can assure you they will give a 'suitable' price." Seeing the count, one of the Baron teased him with a sneer.
He was only thirty, a decade younger than the Count but after his embarrassing defeat, he gained courage to punch above his weight. He laughed coldly thinking about the Count's demise. How sweet would it be to see him leave his ancestral home with his head held down?
" Please pay attention to your words and deeds, Lord Baron. Are you trying to provoke my family?" Count Hay looked a little uncomfortable. A Baron tried to laugh around him, his father was an Earl for god's sake. These people didn't even dare to disrespect him when his father was alive but now because of his silly mistake they were buzzing around him like flies!
It was his earnest wish because he suffered some setback because of Count in the past. What's infuriated him was that Count didn't even bat an eye at that time and completely forgot about him the next day.
The Baron worked tirelessly day and night to resolve the issue finally able to make some amount of money to join the circle. But the hatred in his eye remained, he was there when the Count was too drunk to play. Taking advantage of the situation he even urged and helped the other party.
He didn't know that an opportunity would arrive so soon after he joined the Club. He only wanted to see the Count make the same face that he did when he lost everything! That would be the only thing that would appease the Baron's anger!
Meanwhile, Count came to a secluded place that he arranged for the meeting. He recruited a waiter that he trusted so that the news didn't go out to other members of the club. After ordering a bottle of Brandy he sat down and waited for other party to arrive.
He knew that tonight, he was able to shut up the flies like Baron because of his and his father's title of Earl. His family's prestige was still there, it was enough to deter these small forces. Other than that, his friends must also be helping him to qualm the rumours or else Count's opponent would swarm this place to ridicule him unnecessarily.
However, if he didn't pay his debt everything would be over. These people would openly mock him and celebrate his downfall. Even Dukes and Earl that supported him would lose face because of him. They wouldn't shelter him.
These things were clear to him because he grew up in such an environment. From the outside, this place was like a golden palace full of fun and decadence but he knew that such a hierarchy system on benefited people on the top.
Other nobles were like accessary, thrown in the wind once their value diminish. Which was why he must quickly pay back the money, this meeting could be the most important one in his life, affecting his future trajectory.