chapter 018 The Cocktail Party

"However, in a In the vast sea of people, it might not be easy to meet humanity, Eric found himself contemplating the likelihood of encountering her again. Perhaps he would never see her again.
""Oh yeah, that bastard who stole my wallet! If I ever come across him again, I'll make him regret it!"" Eric gritted his The possibility seemed slim, perhaps even non-existent. He then recalled the incident that had led to his current predicament. "That damned pickpocket!" he muttered through gritted teeth and said fiercely.
Eric knew, his voice laced with venom. "If our paths cross again, he'll wish they hadn't."Eric was well aware that the root of the problem, causing him to not have money to pay the bill and even be mistaken as a scammer, was that thief. If his problems was the thief hadn'twho had stolen Eric's wallet, none of this would have happened!
""Exactly! his wallet. If not for that unfortunate event, he wouldn't have been left penniless, unable to pay his bill, and mistaken for a con artist. "Indeed," his companion agreed, nodding vigorously. "We must catchapprehend that despicablecontemptible thief and make him pay!"" the guy nodded in agreement.
...
On the other side.
Inside theensure he faces justice."Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the young woman who had assisted Eric with his bill was behind the wheel of a sleek, white Audi A4 that had just left, the girl who had helped Eric with the payment was driving with full concentration. She had already forgotten about helping Eric.
Just then, her. She was focused intently on the road, her encounter with Eric already a distant memory. Her phone rang.
"", interrupting her thoughts. "Hello, Dad,"" the girl," she answered the call.
"". "Aurora, tomorrow's cocktail party is crucial. It's a matter of life and death forutmost importance. The future of our company. hangs in the balance. You must notmustn't be late, be there on time,""," a middle-aged man's voice came throughimplored from the phone.
""other end. "I got itunderstand, Dad. Don't worry, I won't be late,"" the girl replied.
Pausing forlet you down," Aurora assured him. A pause ensued, and a moment, worries filled the girl's prettylook of concern washed over Aurora's beautiful face
"". "Dad, our company is small and lackswe lack competitive pricing. We can't compare with those competing companies at all.We're no match for our competitors. I'm reallygenuinely worried, and if. If this deal fallsdoesn't go through... it would be difficult for, our company to survive.""
The middle-aged man on the other end of the phonesurvival will be at stake."Her father remained silent for a moment, then spoke before responding earnestly:
""It's true that we have no advantage., "I know we're at a disadvantage. All we can do is show 100%demonstrate our sincerity to makeand hope that the Power Group seerecognizes our genuine efforts. Hopefully,Perhaps a miracle will happen...""
...
occur..."The nextfollowing day.
For most people, today was just an ordinary Saturday.
for most. But for Eric, todayit was the day of the company's cocktail party.
It The event was a small-scale event, inviting , with only the companies that had a partnership with the Power Group.
Group's partners in attendance. It was held at the New York Grand Hotel.
One, one of the top hotels in New York. It was normal forcity's most prestigious establishments. For a super corporation likeas influential as the Power Group to host, such a party here.
venue was expected. Eric arrived early, reaching the hotel at 9 o'clock.
In nine in the morning. He made his way to the VIP lounge on the second floor, since it was still early, Eric took. With time to spare, he pulled out his phone and played games.
As began playing a collegegame. Despite being a diligent student, even though Eric was a good student, he stillEric, like many of his peers, enjoyed playing games. It was hard to find a male college student these days who didn't play games.
During his free time, Eric would occasionally indulge in playing games.
At that moment, the door of gaming. As he was engrossed in his game, the VIP lounge was pusheddoor swung open, and a middle-aged man entered with a warm smile walked in.
"". "Hello, Chairman Eric. I amI'm Carlos Lee, the Chairman of the New York Grand Hotel. I came here specifically to meet Mr. Phillips,""," Carlos greeted with a smile, showing great humility.
Although, displaying a humble demeanor. Despite the grandeur of the New York Grand Hotel was impressive, it paled in New York, comparedcomparison to the Power Group, it was surely far behind. The Power Group was the most powerful corporation in the province of Chicago and hadwith a prestigious reputation nationwide.
reputation. Even though Eric was onlymerely the chairman of a subsidiary, behind him stood the subsidiary ismight of the entire Power Group! Moreover. Furthermore, Carlos had learned from Cooper that Eric iswas the grandson of Sean! Just based on this, Carlos must show. This fact alone warranted Carlos' utmost respect towards Eric!
"". "So, you're Carlos of the New York Grand Hotel. I've heard your name before,""," Eric lookedsaid, looking up at Carlos.

The New York Grand Hotel is, a beacon of luxury and prestige, was a well-known entity in New Yorkthe city, and naturally its owner, Carlos, has some fame. So Eric had heard of him before.
""Yes, yes, was a figure of some renown. Eric, having lived in the city, was familiar with the man's reputation."Indeed, I am Carlos. I've long heard from ," the man confirmed with a warm smile. "Cooper thathas often spoken of you, Mr. Phillips here is, painting you as something of a young hero. SeeingMeeting you today,in person, I can see that your presence truly lives up to the reputation,"" Carlos smiled.
""does indeed match the tales."Eric looked up at Carlos, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Mr. Lee, you are too kind,"" Eric looked up at Carlos.
flatter me."In the pasthis earlier years, Eric could never have imagined himself enteringfathomed stepping foot into a five-star hotelestablishment like the New York Grand Hotel. Back then, Carlos was a figure Eric looked up to, someone whosehe had admired from afar, a name he could only hear from others.
And now, had only heard whispered by others.Yet here he was, standing in the opulent lobby of the famed hotel, with the owner of the New York Grand Hotel was showing utmosthimself lavishing him with respect in front of him, even flattering him.
""and flattery."Mr. Phillips, this is allow me to present you with our hotel's diamond VIP card. It is specially gifted to you, Mr. Phillips. From now on, when you come to our hotel, you will enjoy the finest treatment,"" Carlos respectfully handed over ," Carlos said, extending a membership card with both hands.
""Mr. Lee, I appreciate your kind gesture,"" Eric didn't hold back and directly accepted the towards Eric with both hands. "This is a token of our appreciation for you. From this moment forward, you will receive nothing but the finest treatment whenever you grace our establishment.""Mr. Lee, I am truly grateful for your generosity," Eric responded, accepting the membership card.
Upon seeing without hesitation.Carlos's face lit up with a pleased smile as Eric acceptingaccepted the card, a happy smile appeared on Carlos's face.. It meantwas a clear indication that Eric valued him.
""his gesture."Mr. Phillips, I won't keep you may go ahead withfrom your busy schedule. I will any longer. I'll take my leave for now. If you neednow, but please, do not hesitate to contact me if you require anything, please don't hesitate to call me,"" Carlos continued to wear a flattering smile on his face.
...
Starting from ten o'clock, the bosses who came to participate in the banquet arrived at the hotel one after another.
As the," Carlos said, his smile never wavering.---As the clock struck ten, the hotel's grand entrance began to fill with the arrivals of various high-profile individuals, each one a boss of their own right, here to partake in the banquet. Cooper, the newly appointed general manager of the company, Cooper stood at the hotel entrance, welcoming each and every boss.
At this moment, aguest with a warm smile.Suddenly, a sleek Mercedes-Benz stopped atpulled up to the hotel entrance, and a bald middle-aged man and a young man gotstepped out of the car.
. If Eric were herehad been present, he would have instantly recognizerecognized the young man, as he - it was Eric'shis old classmate, Kaden!
"""Mr. Thomas, young master Kaden, welcome!""!" Cooper greeted with a smile, just as he didthem with the same warm smile he had offered to the other bosses.
"""Cooper, you are too kind. I must ," Diego, the bald man, responded, extending his hand towards Cooper. "Allow me to congratulate you first. Congratulations on defeatingon your victory over the Smith family and being promotedyour promotion to general manager. In I hope that in the future, Cooper, please take care ofyou will look out for me, your junior brother,"" Diego said, smiling as he extended his hand to Cooper.
"".""Mr. Thomas, I daremust correct you," Cooper replied. "I am not act presumptuously and take care of anyone I wish.in a position to offer favors. I can only take care of whomever theserve those whom our new chairman instructs me to take care of,"" Cooper replied.
."Cooper's meaningmessage was clear. I should only listen - his loyalty was to the new chairman. IfAny future cooperation would be contingent on the new chairman wants to cooperate with you, then continue.chairman's approval."Ah, yes, of course," Diego nodded, a smile still playing on his lips. "As Cooper says."
""Yes, yes, that's what Cooper said,"" Diego nodded repeatedly with a smile on his face.
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