Chapter 123 He Was the Good Samaritan

Inside the Power Mansion building.

Eric Phillips had just informed General Manager Cooper of his success acquiring the orphanage property. Cooper was thoroughly impressed, praising Eric's prowess.

Cooper acknowledged the excellent location of the property and its potential for development into a sought-after school district's real estate. He was confident the project could rake in three to five hundred million dollars with no sweat!

He admitted to having had his eye on this valuable land in the past but had refrained from acting on it due to its status as an orphanage.

Eric was naturally pleased. The New York branch's profitability had increased since he took over, which showcased his capabilities and proved to his grandfather that entrusting the company to him was the right choice.

Cooper mentioned knowing about an unused facility when establishing a new orphanage. This modern, well-equipped building, constructed a few years back, was never put into service due to specific reasons, lying dormant instead. Rumor had it the investment was around ten million dollars.

Prompted by Cooper, Eric immediately ordered him to contact the owners. A ready-to-use orphanage would be ideal, considering the urgent need to relocate the kids after today's demolition of their former home.

The negotiation was brisk; the property had been on the market with no buyers. Cooper seized the opportunity and struck a deal for seven million dollars.

...
Inside the orphanage.
Hailey Anderson strode into the orphanage.

"Hailey, you're here!" Olivia greeted her with a warm smile upon seeing Hailey Anderson.

"I'm so relieved to see that you all are okay and that the orphanage is still standing," Hailey said with a grin.

"Not only that but before Donald Hall left, he even compensated us with five million," Olivia shared excitedly.

"What? Donald Hall coughed up five million? Please tell me what happened, Olivia; I'm dying to know," Hailey Anderson urged, her curiosity piqued. She couldn't fathom what could have made Donald Hall back down and fork over money.

"It was all thanks to that good Samaritan again. After I called him, he rushed over to stop Donald Hall. He brought a crowd of over a thousand people, outshining Donald Hall, and forced him to capitulate," Olivia gushed like a starstruck fan.

"Again? So, you're telling me he's come through for the orphanage again?" Hailey Anderson was astonished.

"He's our orphanage's greatest benefactor!" Olivia declared with a laugh.

"What's his name? Who is he?" Hailey Anderson inquired, eager to learn the identity of this generous stranger.

"His last name is Phillips, and his first name is Er..." Olivia was halfway through when her phone suddenly rang.

She checked her phone and saw it was a call from Eric Phillips.

"Hailey, our benefactor is calling me. Let me take this," Olivia said.

She then answered the phone.

"Olivia, I'm on my way to the orphanage right now. I have some great news to share with you in person," came Eric Phillips's voice from the other end.

"You're coming over now? That's wonderful!" Olivia responded enthusiastically, nodding vigorously.

After hanging up the phone

"Hailey, that kind soul is on his way here now. Weren't you eager to know him, to meet him? You'll get your chance today," Olivia said with a smile.

"Really? Let's welcome him together at the entrance. I need to properly thank him for everything he's done for the orphanage," Hailey Anderson chirped.

Curiosity also filled Hailey Anderson; she was intent on discovering who this man was, who could even make Donald Hall step back.

"Mhm!" Olivia nodded firmly.

They both headed straight for the orphanage's entrance to meet their guest.
Olivia and Hailey Anderson were standing there when suddenly, the growl of a supercar's engine broke the silence. An incredible green Lamborghini Aventador appeared on the scene.

"There he is! He's here!" Olivia exclaimed with excitement and glee.

Hailey Anderson, on the other hand, furrowed her brows. Why did this Aventador seem so familiar to her?

In a blink, the Lamborghini pulled up right in front of them. The door swung open, and a young man stepped out – it was Eric Phillips!

"It's him!"

When Hailey laid eyes on Eric, she felt as if she'd been struck by lightning, petrified on the spot.

Her mind raced. Was Eric Phillips the good Samaritan Olivia had been talking about?

"Hailey, let me introduce you," Olivia chimed, her smile wide. "This is Eric Phillips, the generous man I told you about. Oh, and he's also the Chairman of the Power Group's New York branch!"

Hailey stared at Eric with a puzzled expression as if trying but failing to grasp the situation.

In her mind, Eric Phillips was nothing more than a wealthy playboy. But was he really behind all these good deeds – donating ten thousand dollars at the hospital, giving five million to the orphanage, and standing up to Donald Hall on their behalf?

Those were hardly actions typical of a frivolous rich kid!

"Hailey, what's wrong?" Olivia asked, noticing Hailey's dazed state and giving her a gentle tap.

"Uh, I..." Hailey finally snapped back to reality.

"Weren't you saying you'd thank him properly if you met him?" Olivia asked, sounding puzzled.

At this, Eric Phillips chuckled and said, "Hailey Anderson, you want to thank me? Go ahead, I guess I can accept your gratitude."

"You..." Hailey muttered, stamping her foot in frustration while a hint of embarrassment flushed her cheeks.

Turning to Olivia, Hailey asked, "Are you sure you're not mistaken? Is he the good Samaritan?"

"Of course, it's true," Olivia replied earnestly, nodding.

Hailey took a deep breath and then turned to face Eric Phillips.
At that moment, Hailey Anderson suddenly found herself reassessing Eric Phillips. Her image of him as a frivolous rich kid faltered and shifted.

"Eric, I want to thank you for what you've done for the orphanage," Hailey said.

But then she quickly pivoted, "However, don't for a second think that your good deed will make me rethink my opinion of you, especially after you wronged my boyfriend."

"I didn't falsely accuse him," Eric protested with a helpless shrug.

"I can't even deal with you right now. When the test results return, we'll see how you try to wriggle out of it!" Hailey retorted.

"Hailey, Mr. Phillips, what's happening with you two?" Olivia asked, sensing the tension. To her, it looked as if Eric and Hailey were at odds.

"Ah, it's nothing. Just a little misunderstanding," Eric tried to smooth over.

"Misunderstanding?" Hailey glared at Eric.

Noticing the shift in the atmosphere, Olivia quickly changed the subject, "Mr. Phillips, you mentioned some good news over the phone. What might that be?"

"The good news is, I've secured an orphanage built two years ago at the cost of ten million; it's been vacant ever since. I've purchased it, and the kids can move in anytime," Eric shared.

"Really? That's incredible! The main building was torn down by an excavator today, and the headmaster has been so worried about where to place the children. This solves everything!" Olivia was delighted.

Pausing momentarily, Olivia continued enthusiastically, "Mr. Phillips, I don't know how to thank you enough. You've come through for our orphanage."

"Don't mention it, Olivia. It's the least I could do," Eric responded with a smile.

Then, turning to Hailey, he grinned, "So, Hailey Anderson, what do you think? I'm not as bad as you imagined, am I? Do you still believe I'm just a wasteful rich kid?"

"Don't flatter yourself!" Hailey retorted, pouting.

Despite her words, deep down, Hailey's view of Eric was indeed changing.

Just then, her phone began to ring. "A call from the lab?"
Hailey Anderson glanced at her phone; a call was coming in from a colleague in the Forensic Department.

"Watch this, Eric; bet it's the analysis results from that video. We'll see what you've got to say in a bit," Hailey flashed her phone screen in Eric Phillips's face.

"Alright, put it on speaker. I want to hear this, too," Eric replied with a grin.

"You got it!"

Hailey hit the speaker button and answered the call.

"Hey Hailey, we've got the results for that video you submitted," a woman's voice came through the phone.

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