Chapter 493 VIP
7:00 PM.
Near the TO1 store.
Out of nowhere, a convoy of black Mercedes sedans appeared on the distant street.
"Stop here, don't get too close," commanded an elderly man from inside one of the cars.
The car door opened, and a dignified elderly man in a suit stepped out slowly. It was Aaron, a prominent figure from the Veridiania Senate. After his 70th birthday party, he was shocked to find that his daughter Melissa had gone missing. And she wasn't alone; she had disappeared with a street thug.
Aaron's brow furrowed. That punk! He took my daughter! I need to see what kind of business they're running!
So, he had driven straight to Wavehaven in the afternoon, heading directly to this TO model store. Several stern-faced bodyguards in black suits followed Aaron out of the car. As Aaron took a step forward, the bodyguards silently spread out, guarding every corner and cautiously observing everything.
Accompanying Aaron was his brother, Ronan. The two elderly men walked slowly down the street, hands behind their backs, appearing to outsiders as just two old men.
"Ronan, have the bodyguards checked out their business?" Aaron asked as they walked.
"Aaron, it's just some budget hotels and restaurants," Ronan replied. "Compared to the younger generation in the family, their scale is... dead last."
Ronan smiled helplessly. "Aaron, don't get upset."
Aaron still seemed a bit dissatisfied. "What about their growth prospects?"
Ronan hesitated for a moment. "What prospects could they have? The market is already dominated by large restaurant chains and hotel chains, controlling 80% of the market. They don't stand a chance."
Aaron sighed heavily upon hearing this. The two elderly men continued walking.
Suddenly, they were attracted by a bright light ahead. A three-story building gleamed, with nearly a thousand customers lined up at the entrance. Countless people were frantically taking photos with their phones.
Ronan was stunned. "What kind of business is this, so popular?"
Aaron squinted. "TO? Never heard of it."
Suddenly, Aaron froze. He pulled out an envelope from his pocket, a card left by his daughter Melissa. Aaron quickly opened the envelope, revealing a small electronic card. Aaron squinted at it for a long time, the dim light and his blurry vision making it hard to see. He reached out. Immediately, a bodyguard emerged from the darkness and handed him a pair of reading glasses.
Aaron shakily put on the glasses and looked at the card in his hand. Aaron's expression froze, his gaze shifting back and forth between the store sign and the card, confirming. The small card read: TO Chain Store - VIP No-Reservation Privilege.
"This is Melissa's store?" Aaron was astonished. He hurriedly quickened his pace towards the store.
"Hey... look at this old man!"
"Another one cutting the line!"
"What's going on here?"
Seeing the two old men walk straight to the store entrance, the people in line were visibly annoyed.
"Wait a second!"
Someone with sharp eyes suddenly noticed the electronic card in the old man's hand.
"Is that a TO top-tier VIP card?"
"Oh my God!"
"That card lets you enter the store without a reservation!"
"I heard only three of those cards were ever issued!"
"One was given to Mr. Russell from Meta Platforms!"
"Another to a famous foodie named Quentin!"
"And the third one is right here!"
"That card is worth over two million dollars online, and you can't even buy it!"
The crowd was stunned. They suddenly realized these two old men might be someone special. For a moment, no one dared to speak.
Aaron was also taken aback. He looked at the card in his hand in disbelief. The card's number indeed read 003. Is this small card really that rare? Is Melissa's store really that popular? Aaron felt a bit dazed. Can a business entity achieve this level of success?
He wiped his glasses again, looking at the sleek, tech-filled store behind him. He glanced at the eager crowd in line. The screen's broadcast also caught his attention.
'TO is a world-leading company in artificial intelligence and robotics technology...'
The reception robot beside him blinked its electronic eyes and asked cutely, "Mr. Clark, would you like to enter the store? Your online data is extensive; I've prepared economic books and your favorite Blue Mountain coffee for you!"
Aaron took a deep breath. He muttered, "Ronan, are the gangs this high-end now?"
Ronan hesitated, "This..."
Aaron chose not to enter the store. Instead, he said excitedly, "I need to see Melissa and that street thug!"
Ronan's expression turned strange, "Aaron, you won't believe it..."
Aaron suddenly saw two figures, one large and one small, squatting by the flower bed. He stepped forward quickly.
"Kid, is this the project you and Melissa are working on?"
Elbert stood up politely, "Mr. Clark, to be precise, this is Melissa's project. I just provided some design blueprints."
Aaron nodded repeatedly. His eyes gleamed, "You have a bright future, young man! Impressive!"
Ronan's attitude towards Elbert changed dramatically, "Young and promising! Now I understand, Melissa's judgment is truly exceptional!"
At that moment, a young voice chimed in, "Sir, is that a VIP card for the delicious restaurant behind you?"
Dennis's professional smile reappeared, "I'm really hungry."
Aaron was stunned, "Who is this?"
Elbert chuckled, "My child."
"What?"
"You have a child?"
Aaron was shocked, "Then you and Melissa?"
Dennis, "Don't worry, I don't have a mom."
Aaron was stunned again, looking at Elbert, "Are you remarried?"
Elbert looked helpless, pulling Dennis behind him, "It's complicated!"
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