chapter 022 Taking the Stage

"Eric also explained, """Uncle Adams, ," Eric began, his tone earnest, "I didn't come to seeassure you, my intentions towards your daughter with any ulterior motives.are pure. I just wantedmerely wished to return the money to her because she helpedlent me yesterday.""
""But my daughter already said that the money doesn't need to be returned, so you can leave,"" ."Mr. Adams , however, was not easily swayed. He gestured dismissively, indicating for Eric to go, thinking that he had intentions towards hisleave. "My daughter.
has already made it clear that the money is of no concern. You may go now." As a father, he was naturally had to try to prevent anyprotective, always on the lookout for potential suitors, as who might have designs on his daughter. Over the years, there had been far too many over the years.
.Just then, a loud voice came from behind Eric, ""Whoa, a guy dressed so poorly, dared to come and hit on Aurora!""
When Eric turned his head, he saw a young man whoas Eric was decked out about to respond, a loud, arrogant voice echoed from behind him. "Well, well, well. Look at this poor excuse for a man, daring to approach Aurora!" Eric turned to find a young man, dressed head to toe in luxury brands, with an Omega watch gleaming on his wrist, and a confident expressionsmug grin on his face.
"" "Mr. Edwards!""
Upon seeing this young man,!" The recognition in Aurora, and Mr. Adams'sAdams' voices was immediate, their expressions both changed slightly.
Eric shifting subtly at his arrival. Eric's brows furrowed his brows a little because it was obvious that the young manslightly, it was talking aboutclear that the newcomer's taunts were directed at him.
This Mr. Edwards walked upsauntered over to Eric and Aurora.
""Where did this little kid come from? Aurora, I hate you."", his Mr. Edwards looked at Eric with a contemptuous gaze.
Then, dismissive as he looked Eric up and down. "Where did this little runt crawl out from? Aurora, I'm disappointed in your taste." His Mr. Edwards turned his attention then shifted to Aurora.
""Aurora, , his tone turning conversational. "I heard that you're here today to negotiate a deal with the Power Group. I wonder if it had been successful?"" Mr. Edwards put his hands in his pockets, appearing careless.
""Mr. Edwards, I don't think it's your concern, is it?"" How's that going?"Aurora's face changedhardened slightly.
"" "Mr. Edwards, I fail to see how that is any of your business.""Why wouldn't it be?" Mr. my concern? You are goingEdwards retorted, a smirk playing on his lips. "After all, you're destined to be my future wife!"" .""Mr. Edwards smirked.
""!" Mr. Edwards! Please watchAdams interjected sharply. "Mind your words!"" Aurora's father spoke up to stop him.
""language.""Uncle Adams, why the hostility?" Mr. are you being so harsh? I cameEdwards responded, feigning innocence. "I'm merely here to help your family,"" Mr. Edwards said with a smile.
Mr. Edwards continued, ""If . If my guess is suspicions are correct, the Power Group will definitely not dohas no intention of doing business with you. This could lead to your company. The result would be your company facingcompany's bankruptcy. But I can help you. As long asHowever, if Aurora agrees to be my girlfriend, I'll haveI could persuade my dadfather to assist you.""
."As Aurora and Mr. Adams were aboutprepared to refuse, Eric's heart raced. He was ready to speak up.
rebuff his proposal, Eric suddenly spoke up, saying, ""You're helping? felt a surge of indignation. He couldn't stay silent any longer. "Helping, are you?" He scoffed, a playful smirk on his face. "Young master, you You sure have atalk big mouth!. Do you really think you're that amazing?""
Upon hearing this, impressive?"Mr. Edwards turned hisEdwards' cold face and looked atgaze snapped to Eric, saying, ""Where did. "Who is this fool come from? Do you ? Does he even know who I am!?""
""?""Eric, you can't handledon't provoke him!""!" Aurora tuggedwarned, tugging at Eric'shis sleeve.
Although Aurora and She barely knew Eric didn't know each other very well, Eric was helping, but he was standing up for her after all, so , and she naturally didn't want to see him to get into trouble.
""Can't handle"Provoke him?"" Eric smirked playfully.
?" Eric's smirk widened. In New York, there probablywas hardly anyone he couldn't handle. He wasn't anyone that Eric couldn't handle.
To be honest, Eric didn't care about whichintimidated by the likes of Mr. Edwards, no matter how wealthy second-generation Mr. Edwards came from.his family was. After all, there was no way he could be more impressive than Eric himself, was the grandson of Chicago's richest man, Sean Williams.
Aurora's father patted, the richest man in Chicago.Mr. Adams placed a hand on Eric's shoulder and spoke, "", his voice heavy with concern. "Young man, his father is a shareholder of this branch of the Power Group, and it's. He's not someone we can afford to offend.""
""cross.""A shareholder's son?"" Eric ?" Eric's brows furrowed his brows slightly.
Eric didn't expect that this person would turn out . He hadn't expected Mr. Edwards to be the son of one of his own company's shareholders!
. The sonaudacity of their own shareholder actually daredthe man to be so arrogant totowards him? How interesting.
Immediately, Eric sneered, ""Heh, just was amusing. "Just a shareholder's son. Who gave you the right to , and he thinks he can act so arrogantly!""
Upon hearing Eric's words, high and mighty?"Mr. Edwards became enraged.
""Kid, howEdwards' face reddened with anger. "You dare you speak todisrespect me like this!? I'll teach you a lesson!"" Mr. Edwards swung his!" He lunged at Eric, fist, ready to attack Eric.
Aurora's father raised, but Mr. Adams quickly stepped in and stopped intervened."Mr. Edwards.
""Mr. Edwards! Today! This is a reception held by the new chairman of the Power Group. If you startStarting a fight here, it would be disrespectful to the new chairman.. If things escalate, even your father won't be able to explain it to the new chairman!""
Upon hearing these words, smooth things over."Mr. Edwards reluctantly calmedbacked down.
Although he He was arrogant and conceited, he wasn't stupid.
, yes, but not foolish. He knew that this wasbetter than to cause a receptionscene at an event hosted by the new chairman. If he caused trouble at the event, and the new chairman got furious, even his father wouldn't be able to handle the consequences.
""Kid, consider"Consider yourself lucky. I won't deal with you right now!, kid. Once thethis reception is over, I'll make sure you know the consequences of provokingyou'll regret crossing me!"" Mr. Edwards threatened fiercely.
Then, Mr. Edwards turned his head to look."With a final, chilling glance at Aurora and said coldly, "", he added, "Think carefully, Aurora, you and your father better think it through. I'll say it again, if you're willing. If you agree to be my girlfriend, I'll have my father will help you. OtherwiseIf not, your family will beis finished!""
After saying these words, Mr. Edwards abruptly." With that, he turned on his heel and left.
Turning around, Eric watched him go, a cold smile on his face. "I'll make sure he regrets crossing me."Once Mr. Edwards walk away and coldly smiled, saying, ""I will make you understand the consequenceswas out of provoking me!""
After Mr. Edwards leftearshot, Aurora expressed her concern, saying, ""turned to Eric, you...worry etched on her face. "Eric, you were too impulsive. His father is a shareholder of this branch of the Power Group. We can't afford to provoke someone like him!""
."In Eric's eyes, the position of being a shareholder in thisof a branch of the Power Group maymight not be significant, but forto Aurora, it was definitely an impressive status. After all, theThe Power Group was the most influential conglomerate in the Chicago area, and even being a shareholder of a subsidiary was something thata status far beyond Aurora and her companions couldn't compare to.
companions.Mr. Adams also spoke up, saying, ""echoed Aurora's sentiments. "Indeed, this Mr. Edwards will seek revenge. Young man, once Once the banquet is over, he will definitelyundoubtedly come looking for trouble. ListenI advise you to my advice and leave now!""
"".""Yes, you should leave as soon as possible,""," Aurora added, expressing her worry. evident.
Aurora knewwas acutely aware that Eric had intervenedinterceded on her behalf, which led to thean act that had sparked a confrontation with the formidable Mr. Edwards. She certainly didn't want was deeply troubled by the thought of Eric to get into troublelanding in hot water because of her. It; such a burden would weigh heavily on her conscience.
""Don't worry, someone"Rest assured, a man like Mr. Edwards is nothingof no consequence to me,""," Eric replied with a reassured her, his smile faint smile.
""You meanbut comforting."Are you don't even care aboutimplying that you hold no regard for Mr. Edwards? Young man, you are too arrogant!""Such arrogance, young man!" Mr. Adams couldn't help but shakeinterjected, shaking his head.
Although Mr. Adams wasn't in disapproval.Despite not being one to judge people solely based on appearances, he a book by its cover, Mr. Adams had the ability to assess someone's statusa knack for discerning one's social standing and position based onfrom their outward demeanor. According to his judgment, Eric's In his estimation, Eric was no match for Mr. Edwards in terms of status and position couldn't compare to Mr. Edwards'.
""By the wayinfluence."Earlier, you mentioned earlier that you wanted to doyour interest in doing business with the Power Group. Perhaps I can help you with that,""could be of assistance," Eric said tooffered, addressing both Aurora and her father.
"""You? YoungDon't jest, young man, don't tease me.. This is something you can't help us with,""a matter beyond your capabilities," Mr. Adams shookretorted, shaking his head.
""You never know, whether dismissively."Whether I can help or not, you'll find out soon enough,""," Eric replied with aresponded, his smile slight smile.
but confident.At that moment, General Manager Cooper stepped ontotook to the stage.
"""The cocktail party time is up, bosseshour has concluded. Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats,""," Cooper announced from the podium.
Upon hearing this, the bossesattendees, a mix of influential figures and their children presentoffspring, promptly took their seats one after another.
""Young man, now."Now that the situation is clear, I believetrust you should know how to help,""assist us," Mr. Adams said to Eric.
After sayingWith that, Mr. Adams led his daughter to their assigned seats.
""Boss, why"Why didn't you justsimply tell them directly that you areyou're the newly appointed chairman of the Power Group?"" the chubby guy asked curiously.
""If I had said it?" a rotund man inquired, his curiosity piqued."Had I done so, they wouldn't have believed me...""
Believing..." Eric replied, his smile suggesting that they would naturally find out whendiscover the truth in due time was right, Eric smiled.
.The seating arrangement was carefully arrangedmeticulously planned, with those of higher status naturally seated closer to the front, and those withof lower status seated furtherrelegated to the back.
Mr. Edwards, being a man of higherconsiderable status, sat closer to the front, at a tablewas seated in the second row with his father.
On a table further Further back.
, Aurora and Mr. Adams sat, along with somefound their seats among other bosses. They were all lower-ranking bosses at the party, so they sat towards the back.
Afterless influential figures.Once seated, Aurora took her seat, she glanced aroundscanned the room but didn't seefound no trace of Eric.
"""He shouldmust have already left the party,"" Aurora by now," she murmured.
With this to herself, feeling a sense of relief. The thought, she felt reassured. If it was of Eric facing trouble because of her that Eric encountered trouble, she would definitely feel guilty!
was a guilt she didn't want to bear.Her father also said, ""chimed in, "It shows thatseems he has some self-awareness. Leaving the party iswas the wisest choice.""
."Then, with a wry smile, Mr. Adams changed the subject with a bitter smile.
""Daughter, we are. "It's ironic, isn't it? We're in danger ourselves, yet we arewe're still worriedconcerned about others'the safety. How ironic.""
At that moment of others."Meanwhile, on the stage.
, Cooper heldtook the microphone. "Ladies and said, ""BossesGentlemen, I believe youyou're all are eagerly awaiting the introduction of our new chairman at the Power Group, right?""
correct?"The people belowaudience nodded one after the other.
in agreement. Ninety-nine percent of the people present them had never seen the true face of the new chairman of this Branchbranch of the Power Group.
The main purpose of thisthe party today was for them to get to knowmeet the new chairman.
Of course, they may They might have seen him atduring the party just nowcocktail hour, but they did not know that he was the new chairmanwere unaware of the Power Group.
""his true identity."Since everyone is so eager, please warmlylet's give a warm welcome to our new chairman as he takes the stage!""
As Cooper's passionate!" Cooper announced, his words fell,met with thunderous applause erupted from.As the audience.
Everyone looked up atapplause echoed through the room, everyone's gaze turned to the stage within anticipation.
"""The new chairman of the Power Group is finally going to take the stage!""!" one said.
""attendee exclaimed."I heard thisthe new chairman is veryquite young. Finally, we canI can't wait to see his true appearance."" Another person said.
There wasface," another chimed in.At a flurry of discussion below, at the table in the second row.
, Mr. Edwards put down his phone and looked towards turned his attention to the stage.
His father, also looking atwatching the stage, spoke to Mr. Edwards, saying, ""advised him, "Edward, after the new chairman finishes his speech, he will definitelyundoubtedly come down to toast the guests. So, beBe on your best behavior, and make sure not toensure you don't offend the new chairman, understood?""
?"Mr. Edwards' father knew verywas well thataware of his son was usually arrogantson's usual arrogance and often offendedtendency to offend others.
"""Dad, don't worry. Even if I had a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare to offend the new chairman,""," Mr. Edwards said with a smile.
assured him, smiling confidently.At a table further back.
, Peggy and her father were discussing something while…
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our guest as we focus onengaged in a conversation when the stage.
""announcement came. "Finally, we're going to see the true face of the new chairman, so. How exciting!"" Peggy's!" Peggy exclaimed, her face was filledalight with anticipation.
At another table, Aurora and her father also had their eyes lockedfixed on the stage.
Amidst Amid the anticipation and enthusiastic applause from everyone, a figure slowly walked upascended to the podium. It was none other than Eric!
It was Eric!
"