Chapter 225 The So-Called Surprise
Everyone who played Penguin Company games joked that Adam must be bleeding money, yet there he was, the richest guy in Golden Valley. Plenty of folks would love to be "losing" money like him.
Unlike the charismatic Erin, Adam was a man of few words. But when he spoke, people listened.
While Erin was busy giving speeches, setting up the Southern Club, making movies, and meeting with President Evalia, Adam was always quietly stacking his cash.
''Understated, yet undeniably powerful.'' That phrase nailed Adam perfectly. But no matter how low-key a leader might be, their authority was undeniable. Everyone around Adam treated him with the utmost respect.
"Good evening, Mr. Adam!"
"Hello, Mr. Adam!"
Greetings were exchanged, smiles were offered, as Adam made his way through the crowd.
Adam, acknowledging the well-wishers with a curt nod, made a beeline for Skyview and Oliver.
"Mr. Adam," Oliver said, extending a hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I look forward to working with you."
"You're even more handsome in person, Mr. Adam," Skyview said with a laugh. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Penguin Company recently acquired LiveWave," Adam said, his tone matter-of-fact. "That makes the two of you our newest partners. I thought I'd come and say hello."
"We're honored, Mr. Adam," Oliver replied.
Adam turned his attention to Oliver. "You're quite the operator, I'll give you that."
"I'm not sure I understand, Mr. Adam," Oliver said, his brow furrowed.
Adam glanced at Calliope, who was practically vibrating with nerves, and a faint smile touched his lips. "Calliope is currently our most prized asset at Penguin Company. We have big plans for her. This little display of yours? Let's just say it'll be all over Twitter tomorrow. Do you have any idea how damaging that would be to her image?"
"That's absurd!" Oliver sputtered, feeling unjustly accused. "If anything, dating me will boost her popularity!"
"Believe what you want," Adam said, his tone brooking no argument. "But mark my words, Oliver. Don't even think about toying with her affections. If you do, you'll answer to me. And if you do decide to end things, do it cleanly, discreetly. Team members like her are crucial to my expansion into a new market. There's no room for error. Understood?"
"Understood, Mr. Adam. Perfectly understood," Oliver said, nodding meekly.
For all his bravado, Oliver knew when to back down. Adam was on a whole other level, and Oliver wasn't foolish enough to challenge him directly. He certainly wouldn't dare to berate Adam the way he did those hapless celebrities.
"Good," Adam said curtly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to discuss with Erin." And with that, Adam, his entourage trailing behind him, departed as swiftly as he'd arrived.
"Calliope," Oliver said, turning to his girlfriend, his voice hushed, "is Adam your dad or something?"
"I wish!" Calliope exclaimed. "My dad's back home farming."
"Well, he really values you," Oliver muttered. "No wonder you're so successful."
The auction commenced. The items up for bid were mostly personal effects donated by various celebrities.
There was an eclectic mix of items, some fetching exorbitant prices, others going for a song. The celebrities, it seemed, were engaged in a silent battle of one-upmanship. After all, having ones's donated item sell for a pittance while their rival's garnered a small fortune would be a major embarrassment. To avoid such a fate, some celebrities had dispatched representatives to discreetly bid on their behalf.
The auction had been going on for about half an hour when Kaelen signaled to his assistant. The assistant hurried over. "It's time," Kaelen instructed. The assistant nodded and scurried backstage.
Kaelen turned to Willow, a smug look on his face. "Get ready for your surprise, Willow. I think you're going to love it."
"Let's see it then," Willow said coolly. "Don't keep me in suspense."
At that moment, the auctioneer, his voice booming across the room, announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the item we're about to present may well be the most valuable item in Brighter Futures Ball history!"
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