Shire was right, Gilles never intended to sell the "Seren" steel factory.
He had been vacationing in the United States, enjoying life with his family at a villa on the Washington coast.
Gilles believed that if there was any place in the world that was safe and comfortable, it was the United States. Even the top-ranking Britain was under German blockade and in a state of material shortages.
One day, as he lay on a deck chair in front of his villa, sipping red wine and basking in the sun, he received a telegram from Belgium. To his surprise, it was sent by Albert I:
"I am pleased to inform you, Mr. Gilles, that we will soon recover the 'Seren' steel factory."
"For the sake of the war, if you do not return to handle it, we will nationalize the steel factory."
"After all, no one would be willing to recover it with blood and life and then present it to you with both hands, would you agree?"
