Right then, Miranda announced the gift-presenting session had started.
“A pair of jades from the South Kisia Sea, presented by the Fonte Group, worth 400, 000 dollars.”
“A 120-year-old ginseng, presented by the Xander Group, worth 20, 000 dollars.”
“A sacrificial vessel from 700 B. C., presented by Sunrise Properties, worth 600, 000 dollars.”
…
An employee of the Robin-Sophia Group introduced each gift, so everyone on the scene learned what those gifts were. Most of them were worth more than 400, 000 dollars.
Soon, his voice sounded again, “A villa in Eleanor Manor, presented by Lucas Corporation…”
“Eleanor Manor? It’s the best villa neighborhood in Stillwater. Each villa costs at least two million dollars. Lucas Corporation is really generous this time. They must be determined to gain the project.”
“Charlies Lucas is really something. Two million dollars! TSK. TSK.”
“I guess Lucas Corporation will win this project for sure.”
All the attendees discussed. Although they were informed the project partner would be decided based on the gifts, it didn’t mean it depended on the value of the gifts. Instead, it only depended on the Robin-Sophia Group’s choice.
However, Lucas Corporation was wealthy and willing to spend a lot of money on it, which shocked other guests at the ceremony.
“We will definitely gain this project.”
Reginald looked at Elise proudly as if he was hinting at her that Lucas Corporation would gain cooperation with the Robin-Sophia Group. Elise refused to sleep with him, and she would regret it later.
“Your family is so doomed!” David chuckled ironically.
“That’s all.” The employee introducing the gifts put away the gift list. However, Miranda stopped him, “Wait a minute. There’s another company.”
“Which one?”
“Ms. Elise Houry, representing Lands Corporation.”
Miranda looked at Elise, her bestie. She tried hard to help Elise.
Instantly, everyone looked at Elise in the crowd, but blood drained from her face immediately. Miranda didn’t know she hadn’t prepared any gift. After hesitating for a moment, Elise walked up and passed the bottle of liquor to Miranda.
“Uh… Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum, worth… 20 dollars.”
The man introducing the gift was taken aback.
’20 dollars? At such a ceremony?’
The words amused everyone. “Holy shit! Elise Houry came to see me, but I refused to meet her. Sure enough. She’s too poor to afford a gift.”
“As I said, Elise Houry couldn’t represent Lands Corporation at all. Anyone working with her will suffer a big loss.”
“Haha… A 20-dollar gift? She does have the guts to present it. I wonder what’s in her mind. That’s so hilarious! She must be inferior.”
All the company owners shook their heads while mocking Elise.
“Elise, how much do you hate your family? You are ruining yourselves. Soon, your 20-dollar gift at the Robin-Sophia Group’s opening ceremony will be spread in Stillwater. Oh, my goodness! I’m laughing so hard,” David mocked Elise.
Miranda was also startled, wondering what was going on. The 20-dollar Cruzan 8 Spiced Rum only matched street stalls. However, she was brilliant and hurriedly mediated, “Well, we appreciate your kindness more than the gifts. Thank you, Ms. Houry.”
She secretly pushed the rum behind other gifts, so Elise would feel less ashamed.
Soon, Jim arrived. After glancing at the gifts, he saw the bottle of rum, curling his lips in disdain. “A 29-dollar rum? We’re not a garbage recycling center,” he remarked.
Jim was the president of the Robin-Sophia Group, so his comments told others that Elise had failed.
They didn’t think she would bounce back anymore.
“Here comes the Robin-Sophia Group’s chairman of the board,” a man exclaimed.
Everyone looked over at the entrance. A sturdy man in a suit strode into the hall, and Jim walked up to him tentatively.
“He’s the chairman of the board. Sure enough, it was my illusion that day. How could he be Robin Bailey? That’s just a poor loser.”
Miranda looked at Jeff and denied her thoughts again.
She confirmed that she had an illusion that day.
“Mr. Reczek, these are the gifts from all the companies in Stillwater for our opening ceremony.”
Miranda walked to Jeff and started introducing the gifts one after another.
“Ehn.”
Jeff checked each one. Others were excited whenever he picked one up, and the gift owner thought he had chosen it. However, Jeff only glanced at each of them until seeing the model of the villa from Lucas Corporation.
“A 2. 6-million villa? That’s generous,” Jeff remarked.
Instantly, all people from Lucas Corporation stood upright. Reginald snorted proudly. Lucas Corporation started as an architecture company and ranked within the top 10 in Stillwater. Also, their gift was the most expensive at the ceremony.
Reginald was confident that they would win this project.
However, much to everyone’s surprise, Jeff’s gaze fell into the corner. He pulled out a bottle, checked on the brand, and looked delighted. Then he opened the lid and gulped the liquor down in one go.
“Wow… A 20-dollar Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum… My favorite. I used to drink it every day when I was in the military. After returning to Stillwater, I haven’t had time to buy some. Who gave this gift to us? I’ll let the person be the business partner of our first project.”
Jeff felt joyful after drinking the liquor. Then he decided on a business partner.
The gift owners’ names were not attached to each item, so he didn’t know which one was from Lands Corporation. However, he knew everyone in Fort Eastern loved this brand of rum.
Others gaped at him, and the hall was in pin-drop silence.
“It’s from Ms. Elise Houry of Lands Corporation,” Miranda answered in disbelief.
“All right. Lands Corporation has won this project,” Jeff emphasized immediately.
“How could it be possible?”
The guests were all shocked, including David, Reginald, and Charlie. Elise gave a 20-dollar rum as a gift, but it turned out to be the favorite of the Robin-Sophia Group’s chairman of the board.
“Elise, you won this project!” Elise’s parents said excitedly.
Suddenly, a group of policemen arrived. The leader said to Miranda, “Excuse me, Ms. Levis. We captured five criminals wanted by the law last night. According to their testimonies, they planned to kidnap you but were stopped by a man. According to the hotel attendant next to me, that man sent you to her hotel and paid her to change your clothes. Then he left.”
“Those five criminals used to kill many people in the past. We want to find that man to reward him. He’s a hero. Please assist us.”