The sun was shining over Pittsburgh. The sky was blue. The air was warm. It was a beautiful day. A day of industry. A day of growth.
Ethan stood in a steel mill. He was watching the workers. They were operating the machines. They were melting the iron. They were making steel.
Callie stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the workers. "This is impressive," she said. "They're making a lot of steel. They're working hard."
Ethan nodded. "Yes. They are. Steel is going to be important. Steel is going to be used to build the railroad. Steel is going to be used to build bridges. Steel is going to be used to build buildings. Steel is going to be the backbone of America's industrial growth."
He turned to Callie. "I'm thinking about buying this steel mill. I'm thinking about expanding it. I'm thinking about making it the largest steel mill in America."
Callie's eyes widened. "Really? That's a big decision. That's going to cost a lot of money."
Ethan smiled. "I know. But I have the money. I have the resources. I have the people. I can do it."
He turned to the owner of the steel mill. "Mr. Johnson, I'm interested in buying your steel mill. I'm interested in expanding it. I'm interested in making it the largest steel mill in America."
Mr. Johnson smiled. "I'm flattered, Mr. Voss. But my steel mill is my life. I've worked hard to build it. I'm not sure if I want to sell it."
Ethan nodded. "I understand. But I can offer you a good price. I can offer you a share of the profits. I can offer you a position in the company. I can make sure that your workers are taken care of. I can make sure that your steel mill continues to grow."
Mr. Johnson thought about it. He looked at the steel mill. He looked at the workers. He looked at Ethan.
He nodded. "I'll sell it. I'll sell it to you. I trust you. I know that you're a good man. I know that you're going to take care of my steel mill. I know that you're going to take care of my workers."
Ethan smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate it. I won't let you down. I'll make sure that your steel mill continues to grow. I'll make sure that your workers are taken care of."
They shook hands. They signed the papers. The steel mill was now Ethan's.
Ethan turned to the workers. He spoke to them. He told them that he was the new owner. He told them that he was going to expand the steel mill. He told them that he was going to give them raises. He told them that he was going to improve their working conditions.
The workers cheered. They raised their hands. They shouted. They were happy. They were proud.
Ethan smiled. He knew that he had made the right decision. He knew that the steel mill was going to be a success. He knew that it was going to be the backbone of America's industrial growth.
He turned to Callie. "We did it," he said. "We bought the steel mill. We're going to expand it. We're going to make it the largest steel mill in America."
Callie smiled. "Yes. We did it. You did a good job. You negotiated well. You made the workers happy."
They walked around the steel mill. They talked to the workers. They asked them about their ideas. They asked them about their suggestions.
The workers had a lot of ideas. They had a lot of suggestions. They wanted to improve the machines. They wanted to improve the process. They wanted to make more steel.
Ethan listened. He nodded. He took notes. He was going to implement their ideas. He was going to make the steel mill better.
He turned to Callie. "We're going to invest in new machines. We're going to invest in new technology. We're going to train the workers. We're going to make sure that the steel mill is the most efficient in America."
Callie nodded. "Yes. That's a good idea. We need to stay ahead of the competition. We need to make sure that we're the best."
They left the steel mill. They went to their office. They talked about the plan. They talked about the expansion. They talked about the future.
Ethan had a vision. A vision of America as an industrial power. A vision of America as a leader in the world. A vision of the Voss Dynasty as a leader in America's industrial growth.
He knew that it was going to be difficult. He knew that it was going to take time. But he also knew that it was going to be worth it.
He smiled. He felt a sense of pride. He felt a sense of purpose.
The Industrial Seed had been planted.
The steel mill was going to be expanded.
And the Voss Dynasty was going to grow into an industrial empire.