Chapter 33: The Pitch
The elevator ride to the upper floors of the investment firm was quiet. The man in the suit stood beside Anshul, occasionally glancing at him with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. It was obvious what he was thinking. A young foreigner walking into a financial firm without an appointment and claiming to have a business proposal was not exactly a normal situation.
When the elevator doors opened, they stepped into a modern office space filled with glass walls, computers, and busy employees moving between desks. The man gestured for Anshul to follow him into a smaller meeting room.
"Sit," he said as he pulled out a chair.
Anshul sat calmly.
"My name is Daniel Carter," the man said. "I'm one of the junior partners here. Before we waste too much time, tell me why I should listen to you."
Anshul didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced around the room briefly before leaning forward slightly.
"Because I can tell you which industries are about to explode over the next ten years."
Daniel frowned slightly.
"That's a bold claim."
"It's a simple one."
Daniel crossed his arms.
"Alright. Let's hear it."
Anshul began speaking calmly, outlining several predictions about the coming technology boom. He talked about the growth of internet infrastructure, online platforms, and digital services. Some of the names he mentioned were companies that would eventually become massive in the future, but right now they were either small or still forming.
As he continued explaining the trends, Daniel's expression slowly changed.
At first he had been skeptical.
Then curious.
Now he was clearly paying attention.
"You're saying social platforms will dominate online communication?" Daniel asked.
"Yes."
"And digital streaming will eventually replace physical media?"
"Completely."
Daniel leaned back in his chair.
"That's… ambitious."
"It's inevitable."
For several minutes the two continued discussing technology trends, market opportunities, and possible investments. Anshul deliberately avoided revealing everything he knew, but even the small amount of future insight he shared was enough to make the conversation extremely interesting.
Finally Daniel rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Let's say for a moment that you're right," he said. "What exactly do you want?"
"A company."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"That's vague."
"A technology company."
"You're asking us to fund a startup?"
"Yes."
Daniel studied him carefully.
"And what exactly is your role in this company?"
"I run it."
Daniel almost laughed.
"You look about twenty."
"Age doesn't change ideas."
"That's true," Daniel admitted.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"There's another problem."
"What?"
"You don't seem to have any official records here. No business history. No background."
Anshul expected that question.
"That's temporary."
Daniel frowned.
"Temporary?"
"I'll resolve it soon."
Daniel stared at him for several seconds.
Normally he would have dismissed someone like this immediately. But something about Anshul's confidence and knowledge made him hesitate.
Finally he said, "Alright. I'll tell you what. Write a detailed business plan. If it's convincing, I'll present it to the senior partners."
Anshul stood up.
"That's all I need."
Daniel looked surprised.
"You're not even going to negotiate?"
"No."
Anshul smiled slightly.
"Because you're already interested."
Daniel shook his head with a faint smile.
"You're either very smart or very reckless."
"Maybe both."
As Anshul left the building, the evening air of San Francisco felt cool and refreshing. The city lights were beginning to appear across the skyline as the sun slowly disappeared behind the ocean.
He walked down the street while thinking about the next steps.
The company would take time to build, but once it started growing, he could eventually move part of its operations to Genovia.
That would give him both political protection and economic influence.
And right now, the key to Genovia was someone he had met only two days ago.
Mia Thermopolis.
Anshul turned the corner toward her neighborhood.
Princess training would probably be finished by now.
And for some reason, he felt like seeing her again.