Building a Conglomerate in Another World

William Porter sat at his cluttered desk, stacks of files and documents surrounding him. The President's calm and calculated press conference had quelled much of the hysteria around the time-travel rumors, but Porter wasn't ready to give up. Something still didn't add up. Matthew Hesh's rise was unprecedented, and Porter was determined to find out the truth—no matter how deep he had to dig.

The office of The Amerathian Times buzzed around him, with telegraph operators transmitting the latest headlines. Porter waved off a colleague who offered him coffee and focused on his notes. He had acquired detailed records from several public archives, including contracts, property deeds, and business agreements tied to Matthew's early ventures. So far, there were no glaring anomalies, but one thing stood out: Hesh had no documented business network or notable mentors before his first major success.

"Where did you come from, Hesh?" Porter muttered to himself.

Porter retrieves a file about Matthew's past. In his early days, he worked as a secretary for Railmaster Stone. Perhaps that man has the key for all the mystery.

A week later.

William Porter adjusted his bowler hat and tightened his coat as he stepped off the train at Sylvania Station. The state of Sylvania, nestled between bustling trade routes, had once been a critical railway hub during the early industrial expansion. The sound of steam engines and clanking iron still echoed in the distance as Porter made his way toward the Railmaster's office—a brick building that looked as weathered and experienced as the man he was about to meet.

Gerald Stone, the former Railmaster, was now semi-retired but still held considerable influence in the region's rail operations. Porter had secured an appointment to interview him, hoping the man could shed light on Matthew Hesh's early years.

Stone's office was simple but efficient. Blueprints of railway lines adorned the walls, and a large clock ticked steadily behind the desk. Stone himself, a broad-shouldered man with a bushy white mustache, sat reviewing a timetable when Porter entered.

"Mr. Porter, right?" Stone's voice was gruff but welcoming. He extended a calloused hand, which Porter shook firmly.

"Yes, sir. Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice."

"Any excuse to talk about railroads and the old days is good enough for me," Stone chuckled, motioning Porter to sit. "So, you're here to ask about young Matthew, aren't you?"

Porter nodded. "That's right. I understand he worked for you during his early years. I'd like to hear more about that."

Stone leaned back in his chair, stroking his mustache thoughtfully. "Hesh... Now, there was a kid full of surprises. I hired him on a whim, honestly. Scrawny little thing, didn't look like he could lift a wrench. But when it came to anything mechanical or dealing with numbers, the boy was sharp—sharper than anyone I'd ever seen."

Porter leaned forward. "He was your secretary, wasn't he?"

"That's right," Stone confirmed. "But he was no ordinary secretary. Matthew practically ran the entire logistics operation here. He reorganized our inventory system, optimized scheduling, and even found ways to cut maintenance costs without sacrificing safety. Always had these little notebooks filled with equations and diagrams."

Porter scribbled notes as Stone continued.

"He had this knack for problem-solving. One time, there was an accident on the capital and Hargrave, our boss, was furious and is looking for an optimal solution for the inefficient braking system that we have. And Matthew Hesh came in with an idea of air brakes."

Porter raised an eyebrow. "Air brakes? You mean the system that's now standard across all major rail lines in Amerathia?"

"The very same," Stone nodded with a grin.

Porter scribbled furiously. This was the kind of story that painted a clearer picture of Hesh's early brilliance. But there was something else nagging at him.

"What was Hesh like personally? Did he ever talk about where he came from or his ambitions?"

Stone leaned back again, crossing his arms. "Ambitions? Sure. He wanted to change the world, that much was clear. But he didn't dwell on his past much. Said he came from humble beginnings, which wasn't hard to believe. He had this fire in him—always thinking ahead, always looking for the next challenge. But I'll tell you this: he was never arrogant about it. If anything, he seemed more driven by necessity than pride."

The room fell quiet for a moment as Porter processed the information. Finally, he asked, "Do you think he expected to become what he is today—a president, a business mogul, a national figure?"

Stone laughed heartily. "Hell no! I doubt even Matthew saw that coming. But looking back... maybe it was inevitable. He had all the tools for greatness—vision, intelligence, and a work ethic like you wouldn't believe. And when opportunities came knocking, he didn't hesitate to seize them."

Porter closed his notebook and stood. "Thank you, Railmaster Stone. This has been incredibly helpful." Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire

Stone rose as well, extending his hand once more. "Happy to help. Just remember, Hesh didn't get where he is by accident. He earned every bit of it."

As Porter left the office, the distant sound of a steam whistle echoed across the town. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was piecing together something extraordinary. Matthew Hesh wasn't just a man of ambition—he was a man who had shaped the very fabric of the modern Amerathian nation.

And yet, questions still lingered. How had Hesh's knowledge and innovation seemed so ahead of its time? Where did that fire come from?

Porter was determined to find out.

Later that evening, back at his hotel room, Porter reviewed his notes again. Railmaster Stone's account confirmed much of what Porter already suspected—Hesh was a genius of industry and engineering. But it also raised new questions. Who had mentored him before his time with the railway? How had he developed such groundbreaking ideas so early in his life?

One thing was certain: Porter's investigation was far from over. He had more names to track down, more interviews to conduct.