Chapter 576: Ambush Encounter
After dinner, Laurent informed Howard that the Pibb family had already secretly liaised with the Sheffield and Daddaro families, solidifying their alliance and making it impossible to secure votes from them.
Howard swallowed hard, saying, "We already have two votes in hand, one from the Leon family and one from the Kelan family. If we can secure the support of just one more family, we’ll be successful. Laurent, help me think of a way."
Laurent pondered for a moment and then said, "The Pibb family is the most resistant, but I don’t see as much hostility from the Sheffield and Daddaro families. The day after tomorrow is the birthday of Catherine, the eldest daughter of the Sheffield family patriarch Gallieni. Venice’s elite and political leaders will all be in attendance. If you can present a gift that captivates Catherine, you could leave a lasting impression on the patriarch of the Sheffield family."
Howard understood, "As long as I can leave a lasting impression on the patriarch of the Sheffield family, I’ll have a chance to meet with him privately and then persuade him."
Laurent smiled knowingly, "Smart."
Howard thought for a moment and then said, "Let’s visit a Venetian jeweler tomorrow."
The next day, Howard and Laurent visited the Rose Jewelers.
This establishment had long been favored by the Habsburg royal family and was renowned as a royal jeweler, making it the most prestigious jeweler in Venice.
The pearls at this jeweler came from the Pacific and Indian Oceans, its diamonds from South and East Africa, and its cutting techniques employed Milanese craftsmanship.
All these elements spoke to the distinctiveness and first-rate quality of this jeweler compared to others on the continent.
When Laurent shared this information with Howard, Howard wondered how a man from Fran Kingdom could be so knowledgeable and concerned about a Venetian jeweler.