Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World

Jonathan stood at the window of his luxurious suite in the Fifth Avenue Hotel, gazing out at the magnificent New York skyline. The electric streetlights that lined the streets below cast a bright, steady glow on the city's brick buildings, and the occasional horse-drawn carriage clattered past, its hooves echoing on the cobblestone street.

Jonathan breathed in the cool night air, tinged with the faint scent of coal smoke from the nearby factories. He could hear the distant murmur of the city's energy, punctuated by the occasional call of a hawker selling roasted peanuts on the corner.

As he took in the sights and sounds of the bustling city below, Jonathan felt a sense of relaxation, something that he needed more than ever. The meeting with the Councilor of the New York Board of Transportation gave him slight stress. Even though the Board of Transportation has selected its proposal to build a metro station in New York, it won't go forward until the legal battle against James Russell is concluded.

Jonathan sighed exasperatedly, remembering it again. The session will be held next month, or the month after that. Meaning, the project will be delayed for one to three months.

"We really have to settle this legal matter as soon as possible," Jonathan murmured.

As he continued staring out the window, the telephone behind him rang. Jonathan turned around and walked towards it. He picked up the telephone and answered it.

"This is Jonathan."

"Jonathan, this is Poul. So what's the problem?"

"The Board of Transportation selected our proposal but it won't be pushed through if we don't settle the lawsuit James Russell filed against us."

He could hear Poul sighing at the other end of the line.

"I was expecting good news but not the bad news." Poul clicked his tongue. "So you are saying that if we finish this lawsuit and are favored towards us, we can start the project."

"That is right, Poul," Jonathan confirmed.

"But if it's the other way around, we are going to lose the project. Is that what you are implying?" Poul asked, his tone serious.

"Yeah, that's pretty much the case in our hands, Poul. We really have to settle this lawsuit as soon as possible. Get it out of our way before it can badly affect our reputation."

"I am well aware of that Jonathan, don't worry. We have all the necessary documents that will support us in court. We just have to hang in there and wait. So how long are you going to stay there?"

"Probably until tomorrow, Caroline and I decided to go out for lunch before I leave New York. Take care of things down there,"

"Okay, good luck and have fun."

With that, Jonathan hung up the phone and heaved a sigh. Two months it's quite a long time. If only James Russell didn't file a lawsuit, he would be one of the happiest men alive today.

Speaking of Caroline, she was not with Jonathan today due to unforeseen circumstances. She had to return to her main branch on Broadway, leaving Jonathan on his own in the Fifth Avenue Hotel. As he looked out the window, he couldn't help but miss her already. He longed to feel her warm embrace, to have her rest her head on his shoulder and wrap her hands around his arm. Now that those sensations were temporarily gone, he realized how much he craved the comfort and warmth she provided.

That woman must be scared to know what men need. Now that he is understanding her just now is making him more and more fall in love with her.

While he was in the middle of thinking about her, there was a knock on the door.

The knocks snapped him out of his reverie. Jonathan walked towards the door, wondering who it could be. He wasn't expecting anyone, but perhaps it was a hotel staff member with a message or a package for him.

He opened the door to find Caroline standing there, looking as beautiful as ever. She was wearing a simple yet elegant black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, and her long hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Jonathan's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her.

"Caroline, what are you doing here?" Jonathan asked, surprised to see her.

"I finished my work early, so I decided to surprise you," Caroline replied with a smile.

Jonathan couldn't help but smile back, feeling his stress melt away at the sight of her.

"Well, you certainly did surprise me. Come in," he said, stepping aside to let her enter.

Caroline stepped into the room and looked around, taking in the luxurious furnishings and the breathtaking view of the city outside.

"Now I know the reason why you chose this room, it offers a good view of New York."

"Sometimes, you have to pick the best environment for you to stay in in order for your mind to function properly," Jonathan said with a grin before continuing. "So, can I get you something to drink? I have some wine, whiskey, and water here."

"Then, can I have some wine?" Caroline asked.

"Coming right up," Jonathan picked up the wine bottle from the table and walked towards Caroline.

"Thank you," Caroline said as she gazed at his face.

While he was doing that, he coolly introduced to her the origins of the wine.

"This wine right here is an 850 Chateau Lafite Rothschild from Bordeaux, France. It's a wine that has been aged for over a decade, and it's considered to be one of the finest wines in the world."

He carefully uncorked the bottle and poured a small amount into a glass, holding it up to the light for her to see.

"Look at that deep red color, almost garnet in appearance. The aroma is rich and complex, with hints of blackcurrant, tobacco, leather, and spices. And the taste? Oh, my dear, it's simply divine. Silky smooth with a long, lingering finish. This wine is truly a work of art."

He handed her the glass, watching as she took a sip and savored the taste.

"Do you taste the black fruit flavors? Or the subtle notes of vanilla and oak from the barrel aging?"

Caroline giggled. "You know a lot about wine huh?"

"Well, I did some research."

Caroline hummed as she savored the flavor of the wine, and gave her comment.

"The wine is indeed exquisite, and I can detect the notes of blackcurrant and vanilla. It's fascinating to think about the chemistry behind it all - the molecules that give this wine its unique flavor and aroma. The blackcurrant flavor, for example, is likely due to the presence of certain organic compounds, such as anthocyanins and flavonoids, while the vanilla notes may be attributed to the presence of vanillin or other aromatic compounds from the oak barrels used in aging the wine. But I didn't come here for a wine tasting, Jonathan."

"Yeah, speaking of which? You didn't tell me why you specifically went here," Jonathan said.

"Well, Jonathan, that's because…I want to taste you."