Chapter 247
July 3rd, Wednesday, the weather was perfect for the grand opening!
The company was buzzing with excitement, flower baskets lining the corridors.
Every employee was in uniform, looking sharp.
Holly and Mia greeted guests warmly, while the staff served coffee and drinks.
Gary and his family, Edward and his family, George, Charles, and their families all came to congratulate us.
These were close friends and industry stars, humbly visiting my small company.
Then Brian showed up with his twin sons.
"Mr. Gonzalez, please come in," I greeted him quickly.
"John, best wishes for the grand opening!" the twins chimed in.
"Everyone, please come inside!"
To my surprise, Mya and her mother Scarlett also showed up with Kelsey
"What are you doing here?" I asked, shocked.
"Lillian told us," Kelsey winked. "What, not happy to see us?"
"Happy? Of course, I'm happy," I replied quickly.
I realized I hadn't flirted with this troublemaker for days and kind of missed her.
"Mr. Cena, you saved my daughter last time. I've been wanting to invite you over, but you kept making excuses. After the opening ceremony, you must come," Scarlett said.
Mya and her mom share the same last name, so I called her Mrs. Foster. "Mrs. Foster, you're too kind. How about this, after we're done today, I'll treat you!"
Mya messaged me, saying her mom agreed to help, but it wasn't convenient to discuss on the phone. I've been swamped with company matters, hence the continuous refusals.
"How can I let you treat me? If you don't mind, come to my house as a guest," Scarlett said.
'Go to her house?'
I glanced at Mya, who seemed a bit shy.
"Alright, then I'll disturb you."
I smiled and gestured for them to come in.
More people arrived later, all invited by Ruby from the association, like Sophia, Chloe...
"John, when did you get to know so many big shots?" Tony walked over. "Now I believe you're not being kept by a rich woman."
"My capabilities are not for you to speculate about casually." I chuckled.
"You're quite something now, you can show off at the class reunion," Tony said.
"I won't show off, just catching up with old classmates!" I replied.
"Cut if off. Lucy is your girlfriend now. If those classmates find out, they'll be shocked," Tony said.
Lucy also came to the opening ceremony, and Tony was envious upon learning that she was now my business partner.
Back in college, Tony had quite the fantasies about Lucy.
"Are you free to show off here instead of entertaining guests?" I asked.
"You're not inside either?" Tony retorted.
"I'm waiting for guests!" I said.
"Still more guests?" he asked.
As he spoke, the elevator door opened, and a woman in a beige office dress stepped out.
Seeing her, Tony couldn't help but say, "So beautiful!"
What surprised him even more was that the woman walked gracefully toward me, saying, "John, congratulations!"
"Rita, you're finally here!"
I quickly took her hand, and Tony, standing beside us, almost popped his eyes out. "John, when did you know such a beauty?"
I gave him a sidelong glance. "Earlier."
Rita chuckled softly. "Hello, I'm Rita Moore."
Tony swallowed nervously and extended his hand. "Hello, Rita, I'm Tony."
Tony was deeply attracted to Rita, and I snorted. "Tony is my college friend, not a good person. Stay away from him."
"John, how can you slander me in front of Rita?" Tony hurriedly said, "Rita, please don't listen to his nonsense. I'm a very decent person."
Rita just smiled. "Please show me around the company."
It dawned on me that there were too many people inside the company, and I couldn't display my relationship with Rita too openly, especially with Lillian, Mary, Mia, and Lucy present.
I called Sophia over to show Rita around.
After Rita left, Tony leaned in. "John, give me Rita's Facebook, quick."
I snorted. "You wish. Rita's Facebook isn't for just anyone."
"If you don't give it to me, I'll ask her myself."
He ran off but stopped halfway, turning back. "Wait, you and Rita...?"
He made a gesture, and I said, "As long as you know, don't say it out loud."
"You're really something. Not only do you have the class monitor, but you're also messing with Rita. Can money really buy anything?"
I patted his shoulder. "Sorry, but money really can buy anything."
At ten forty-eight in the morning, it was time, and Gary and I cut the ribbon together.
In terms of status, he might not be as high as Mr. Walker, but in the current situation, Gary held the highest position.
After the unveiling, applause thundered, creating a lively atmosphere.
I felt very happy at that moment. This was my starting point, the beginning of my prosperity.
These big shots not only came to attend the opening ceremony but also brought generous gifts.
The Allen Family, including Ruby, placed nearly thirty million dollars in orders for my company.
The Walker Family had slightly less, but still fifteen million dollars.
Charles, Brian, George, and their families also contributed forty million dollars.
Just these five families brought us a total of eighty-five million dollars in order revenue.
The cooperating partners and channels who came to witness were all very shocked.
I believe that after this, our contracts will need to be renegotiated.
Because Everlasting New Media had already demonstrated its strength and connections, coupled with our previous performance, Everlasting New Media was just a few million dollars away from breaking a hundred million dollars in revenue.
Just when I thought we were a few million dollars short of a hundred million, Holly and Mia surprised me by presenting several contracts that pushed us over a hundred million dollars!
The grand opening was the first surprise, the unveiling was the second, and breaking a hundred million dollars in revenue was the third.
With so many surprises, I felt like I had reached a new height in life.
After the opening, everyone headed to the hotel.
I booked the entire second floor of the nearby Marriott International.
Although there were only a dozen tables, there were many big shots present.
Naturally, the banquet was of the highest standard, costing sixty thousand dollars per table.
I happily spent the money, and everyone enjoyed the feast.
As the host, I naturally had to say a few words of thanks on stage.
That feeling of being the center of attention was truly wonderful.
Rita and the others looked at me with admiring eyes, especially Rita, who seemed even more excited than I was.
I really wanted to tell her now that I had enough ability to protect her.
But with so many people watching, I had to restrain myself.
During the banquet, I was the focus of the entire room, with everyone coming to drink with me. Despite my usually high alcohol tolerance, I ended up getting so drunk that I passed out.
When I woke up, I found myself lying in the room.
In that moment, a great fear surged in my heart, and I even wondered if my experiences of the past month were just a dream.
Until I saw those gentle eyes.
"Rita!"
I tried to sit up, but my head was pounding.
"Lie back down." Rita gently placed my head on her lap. "Are you thirsty? Have some water!"
At her words, I realized how dry my throat was, so I took the water and gulped it down.
I drank three cups in a row, finally quenching my thirst.
I lay contentedly on the bed, smelling the fragrance on Rita's body. "Rita, how long have I been asleep?"
"Nearly seven hours," she replied.
No wonder it was dark outside. "How did I get back?"
"You got drunk, so I asked your classmates to help carry you up."
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