Cherry Blossom Inn.
Flynn and Harriet walked into the lobby and immediately saw Rose greeting guests at the entrance.
A luxurious black dress accentuated her figure, and her long hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her face, lightly made up, was adorned with a faint smile, making her look even more enchanting. She greeted each arriving employee with an elegant smile and exchanged courteous pleasantries, thanking them for their recent hard work.
Energence Pharmaceuticals had reserved thirty tables in the East Banquet Hall. Flynn glanced inside; the entire hall was bustling with activity, filled with managers and above, all beaming with joy. Recently, everyone had been practically living at the company, even joining the production line to produce the Break Alliance Pill alongside employees. The effort paid off as Energence Pharmaceuticals successfully outperformed the Swanson’s Group, earning a substantial profit.
Unlike other capitalists, Rose seemed generous, offering a $100 million bonus to recognize outstanding employees and managers. Even the janitorial staff received red envelopes. Today, she had booked a five-star hotel in Niarak, with high-end food and drinks. There was also a lottery draw later, with a grand prize of $100, 000. Everyone was extremely excited.
“Having the beautiful Ms. Sharp personally greet us feels like too much,” Flynn joked half-heartedly.
“Stop flattering!” Rose rolled her eyes at Flynn and turned to Harriet. “Why didn’t your friend come?”
“Stephanie? She had some family matters to attend to,” Harriet replied with a smile. As this was a company gathering, Stephanie felt it was inappropriate to join and found an excuse to leave.
Rose nodded. “Most people are here now. You should head inside. We’ll start soon…”
Just as Rose was speaking, the hall doors suddenly opened, and a group of people walked in. When Rose saw Lilia, her smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression.
“Mr. Sordoff, this is one of the best hotels in Niarak. I’ve booked you a room on the top floor where you can overlook the entire city,” Lilia said as she led the way, smiling and constantly flattering Sordoff.
Upon seeing Rose, Lilia’s smile froze momentarily before she frowned. Bitter rivals meeting face-to-face always intensified emotions. Lilia resented Rose for causing her billions in losses and reprimands from her family and shareholders. Rose despised Lilia for not going bankrupt during the Ancient Formula Returning Heart Pill incident.
What concerned Rose most was the tall white man beside Lilia-Sordoff? With just one glance, Rose recognized him as Norris Pharmaceuticals’ owner! A globally renowned figure in pharmaceuticals whose companies had launched many blockbuster drugs, generating billions for the Stockton Family.
Lilia noticed Rose’s worry and smirked as if saying: “You’re right; Sordoff is here to invest in the Hussain’s Group! Surprised? Desperate?”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Hussain,” Sordoff said gentlemanly, seemingly unaware of the tension. His bodyguards briefly glanced at Flynn but quickly looked away with their usual stern expressions.
Lilia raised her voice slightly: “Mr. Sordoff is too kind. It’s my honor that you’re willing to invest $8 billion in the Hussain’s Group.” This statement was meant to intimidate Rose.
Hearing “$8 billion,” Rose’s expression changed multiple times, her brows furrowing deeply. Harriet was also shocked; could this white man be Cherry Blossom Inn’s distinguished guest? Though she didn’t know who Sordoff was, “$8 billion” spoke volumes-equivalent to $500 billion Ostrad currency! Such a sum could only come from a tycoon or an oligarch.
Lilia felt triumphant as if she had already won and arrogantly brushed past Rose while leading Sordoff to the front desk.
Flynn lost interest and headed to the East Hall; he didn’t want to see more of Lilia’s smug face-it ruined his mood.
“Hello, I reserved a presidential suite at your hotel yesterday…” Lilia began but was interrupted by the receptionist apologizing: “You must be Miss Hussain. I’m sorry, but we have an important guest arriving tonight; Cherry Blossom Inn will be exclusively serving him.”
“Our boss has decided to offer you triple compensation or a membership card worth $300, 000.”
Ordinary customers might have gladly accepted such compensation, but Lilia was no ordinary person-she was Hussain family heiress and CEO of a billion-dollar enterprise. Why would she care about such compensation?
Under normal circumstances, it might have been acceptable, but with Achela’s distinguished guest arriving tonight and Cherry Blossom Inn refusing her stay-it felt like an insult!
“Do you know who I am? Do you know who this is beside me? Get your boss here now! If my plans are disrupted, Cherry Blossom Inn won’t stay open!” Lilia demanded angrily.
She knew Cherry Blossom Inn’s owner-Leander Langford-a second-tier wealthy family member in Niarak with assets under $10 billion. The Langford family relied heavily on Cherry Blossom Inn; they had spent significant resources to attain its five-star rating and were currently seeking investment for expansion.
Lilia speculated that this so-called important guest must be Leander’s investor-a ploy to show respect by clearing out the hotel for them alone-to curry favor and secure investment.
A second-tier family’s investor couldn’t possibly be that significant-Lilia wasn’t concerned at all.
However, the receptionist remained firm: “I know you’re Dragon Gate Group’s CEO, but our boss won’t change his decision for anyone.”
This statement shocked not only other customers but also stunned Rose nearby.
Lilia was Hussain family’s heiress-a prominent figure in Niarak capable of standing toe-to-toe with Orion due to her family’s influence and alliances. Yet despite knowing her identity, the receptionist refused her request firmly.
Feeling humiliated beyond measure and seeing Sordoff frowning beside her, Lilia snapped: “Fine! I’ll see what Leander is up to!”
She reached for her phone when suddenly an elevator door opened from which Leander emerged with an elderly white man.
Lilia put away her phone and hurried towards them but stopped short upon hearing Sordoff exclaim: “Mr. Tobias! What brings you here?”
“Are you inspecting Niarak? Staying here?” He quickly approached Tobias respectfully extending his hand only for Tobias merely nodding slightly without shaking hands: “Oh it’s you Sordoff… You’re also in Ostrad.”
“I’m here booking rooms for Mr. Rainier.”
“Ladugin?” Lilia froze in disbelief: “Gulowski’s son?”
Sordoff nodded solemnly confirming: “Yes Miss Hussain… This is Gulowski family’s consul-general in Ostrad!”
Even Sordoff’s bodyguards were taken aback hearing this name-Ladugin-the son of Achela’s top oligarch Gulowski!
Gulowski had fled overseas due to conflicts with Achela’s president leaving Ladugin controlling all his assets including supporting Norris Pharmaceuticals’ rise into an international giant!
Without Gulowski family backing there wouldn’t be Norris Drugs nor Stockton Family ranking tenth among Achela families!
No wonder Cherry Blossom Inn would suspend all operations tomorrow exclusively serving one person-Achela’s foremost oligarch’s heir coming to Niarak!