Chapter 14
1251 Words
"Our investor prefers to stay out of the spotlight, so I can't reveal his name. Actually, tonight's banquet is a wedding he arranged, and he's invited the city's elites to celebrate," Ralphy said calmly.
To invite all the upper-class people in the city just for a wedding? This must be one very mysterious and wealthy businessman!
Norah, in her shock, felt a twinge of jealousy.
Someone more powerful than Ralphy? It was hard to imagine how happy his wife must be!
When she thought of her own son-in-law, Talon, Norah's face was filled with disgust.
Why couldn't her daughter have such good fortune?
At this point, Ralphy turned to Ariya. "Ms. Willis, thanks to your influence, Skysoar Group is willing to increase the investment to five hundred million and form a partnership with the Willis family. I hope you're pleased with this."
"What? five hundred million!" Ariya hadn't yet reacted when Norah screamed in shock.
Ariya was equally stunned. "Five hundred million... Why does Skysoar Group value me so much?"
***
Due to the upcoming grand wedding hosted by the owner of Skysoar Group, by eight in the evening, the entire elite of Philadelphia's political and business elites had gathered outside the Stardom Hotel. Luxury cars and elegant women filled the area, creating a vibrant and bustling scene.
At this moment, Lord Willis got out of the car, accompanied by the well-dressed Willis family members.
"Grandpa, isn't that Ralphy's car?" Jensen, supporting the old man, saw a car slowly approaching the entrance of Stardom Hotel.
"Yes, it must be. There are very few bulletproof Bentleys in Philadelphia. Quick, let's go greet Chairman Hill." Lord Willis urged, and the Willis family members immediately crowded around the car, but then they were all stunned.
They saw Norah and Ariya, holding Maisy, getting out of the car, and Ralphy personally opened the door for them. How could the chairman of Skysoar Group treat Ariya and Norah so humbly?
"Oh, isn't this your lordship?" Norah, seeing all eyes on her, felt triumphant. She sneered at Lord Willis. "I heard from Ariya that you didn't allow her to represent the Willis family at tonight's banquet. What a pity. Chairman Hill personally invited us!"
"This way, please." Ralphy, as if not seeing the Willis family, made a welcoming gesture.
Norah, bursting with pride, pulled Ariya inside. She finally felt vindicated today.
Five years ago, when Ariya gave birth to Maisy out of wedlock, she had been bullied in the Willis family. Seeing their shocked faces today was immensely satisfying!
"Who's that holding a child? Why is Chairman Ralphy personally leading her?" Ralphy's prominence drew immediate questions about Ariya holding Maisy.
"You don't know? That's Ariya, the beauty who rejected the young master of the Wright family and suddenly married a vagrant, causing a sensation in Philadelphia five years ago!"
"Ariya? Has she now gotten involved with the famous Ralphy? That's enviable!"
"Indeed, it looks like the Willis family is about to step into high society!"
Inside the banquet hall, guests whispered among themselves until around eight o'clock. Accompanied by melodious music, Ralphy took the stage, picked up the microphone, and smiled. "Good evening, leaders of Philadelphia, friends from the political and business sectors! I'm Ralphy Hill, chairman of Skysoar Group. We've acquired Primey Group, and from now on, it will be known as Skysoar Group. We look forward to your continued support."
"Great!" The entire hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Ralphy cleared his throat and signaled for silence before continuing. "In addition to seeking your support, I have another announcement. Skysoar Group will honor all previous agreements made by Primey Group!"
He added. "Primey Group had a fifty-million-dollar order with the Willis Group before merging into Skysoar Group. We will honor this but increase the order tenfold. This means Skysoar Group is officially entering the clothing industry!"
"What? Did I hear that right!?" Lord Willis trembled with excitement. Was Skysoar Group increasing the fifty-million-dollar order tenfold? That was five hundred million!
With Skysoar Group having entered the clothing industry, it meant ongoing cooperation with the Willis family. As long as their products were of high quality, the orders would keep coming.
"Grandpa, did you hear that? Did you hear that?!" Jensen also stood up in excitement.
"Jensen, you better take a seat and not make a fool of us!" Lord Willis held back his urge to brag and carried on. "It's quite impressive how Skysoar Group is willing to give. Based on Ralphy's behavior towards Ariya, it's safe to say he has a soft spot for her. Make sure to remind her to be close with him if needed; it's only natural to make sacrifices for the sake of the family!"
Jensen nodded seriously. "I see, Grandpa!"
Hearing Ralphy's announcement, the entire upper society of Philadelphia was taken aback. Why would Skysoar Group support a small local family like the Williss?
Hard as it might be to believe, the news excited everyone present. Someone immediately spoke up, "Chairman Hill's entry into the clothing industry is fantastic news! The Wright family will fully support it. If the Willis family needs any materials, just let us know!"
"Count our Chow family in! We have clothing sales businesses in various states across North America. We can help too!"
"Our Sosey family hasn't ventured into the clothing industry, but our chain supermarkets can start this business!"
With Ralphy's words, all the major families in Philadelphia overwhelmingly supported the development of the Willis family.
Seeing this scene, Lord Willis couldn't help but shed tears. "After so many years, is the Willis family finally about to rise?"
"Alright! We can discuss the cooperation details with the Willis family tomorrow. For now, I want to move on to the next matter!" Ralphy waved his hand, cutting off the discussions. The Willis family members immediately perked up, listening intently.
"Today, I'm actually not the main focus. The real main characters are a lady and a gentleman." He paused before continuing.
"They're a married couple with a child. The gentleman mentioned that five years ago, he had nothing and had to leave on a rainy night. For those five years, he was out of touch, and the lady had to endure a lot of criticism."
He added, "After five years, the gentleman has finally returned and organized this gathering to ask everyone in Philadelphia for their blessings." Ralphy gently waved his hand, and a curtain behind him fell, drawing everyone's attention.
"Wow, so beautiful!" A middle-aged woman gasped, covering her mouth when she saw what was inside the glass case.
"What is that? Could it be the Heart of the Ocean?" Another woman exclaimed in shock.
"Yes, it is the Heart of the Ocean! It was bought by a mysterious buyer at the Aethermark Auction three years ago. Who would have thought it would appear here!?"
"Oh my God, there's probably only one Heart of the Ocean in the world. It represents eternal love!"
"Yes, I really wonder which woman is so lucky!"
Countless wealthy women in Philadelphia were speculating, and Ariya, sitting in the front row, suddenly felt a jolt. Could the person Ralphy mentioned be her husband?
Ariya shivered. She had met Talon five years ago, and he had left on a rainy night too.
He returned five years later and had promised her a grand wedding, so did he invite Philadelphia's elites to bless her?
At this moment, Ariya's heart was in turmoil.
"Mom, is this person Dad?" Maisy asked, pursing her lips.
- Writer
