Chapter 27 It's Not About the Money
Deep winter was approaching, with snow covering everything in white.
In front of the hotel, a flower-decorated backdrop was set up. A red carpet extended from the hotel lobby to the viewing platform. Without excessive fancy decorations, everything exuded the sophistication of the Celestial Waters Hotel.
Caroline verified her identity at the entrance. As soon as she walked into the lobby, she saw Leopold coming out of the elevator, looking very respectful toward the elderly man beside him.
Leopold noticed her too. He quickened his pace, walked up to Caroline, and extended his hand proactively, greeting her, "Ms. Tudor, welcome, welcome."
Caroline felt helpless.
His greeting manner and tone were too polite and overly formal. Caroline responded in an equally formal tone, "Congratulations on the hotel opening, Mr. Wipere."
Their lightly clasped hands quickly separate. Leopold turned to introduce the elderly man behind him, "Mr. Preston Wipere, this is Ms. Caroline Tudor from Seaside City Power Company."
Preston smiled before speaking, his gaze kind, "Hello, Ms. Tudor. I've heard from Leopold that without your help, this hotel might not have been able to open yet. I thank you on behalf of the group."
Caroline smiled gracefully, "Mr. Preston Wipere, you're too kind. Your choice to open a hotel in Solstice Mountain is also driving local economic development and employment. I should be the one thanking you for your contribution to Solstice Mountain. I wish you great success."
Preston said, "Thank you. It's almost time, I'll head over first. Leopold, have someone take care of Ms. Tudor."
"Please go ahead." Caroline nodded.
Leopold said to Lily beside him, "Lily, take Ms. Tudor to the VIP section."
Lily, "Ms. Tudor, this way please."
Arriving at the VIP section, Caroline noticed that almost all the important figures from Seaside City were present, even Seaside City's richest man, Zane Parker.
Caroline saw a familiar profile and asked Lily uncertainly, "Lily, is that Mr. Collins?"
Lily replies, "Yes, that's Mr. Collins."
She silently admired Leopold. Even Beau Collins, whose business spanned a wide range, was giving him face. Leopold's connections were truly impressive.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly. Big shots from all sides took the stage to offer congratulations. Even standing among a crowd of important figures, Leopold remained prominent.
Watching Leopold on stage, composed and deep, his steady and appropriate manner made him appear more mature. In short, he gave the impression of being reliable and dependable, which was also Caroline's requirement for a partner.
Atticus in the past was too noisy. What showed more in him was frivolousness and arrogance. Although he pretended well enough, his true nature was hard to hide.
After the ceremony, Leopold exchanged pleasantries and toasts with the big shots before coming to Caroline's side. Caroline had just put an oyster in her mouth when Leopold pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.
Caroline swallowed in a few bites and asked, "The big shots haven't left yet. Why did you leave?"
Leopold picked up his utensils, "Mr. Preston Wipere has something to discuss with them. It's not convenient for me to be there."
Caroline, hearing they both have the surname Wipere, asked, "Family members have things to say behind your back?"
Leopold's movement of picking up food pauses. The expression on his face darkened almost imperceptibly, then returns to normal as he puts the food in his mouth. After chewing slowly, he says, "Business matters. Never mind family members, even my dad is the same."
"So what's your relationship?"
"He's my dad. That's just how he is. In his heart, no one is as reliable as himself. Some things haven't been made public—the fewer people who know, the better."
Finally noticing Leopold's expression was off, Caroline didn't continue this topic.
There's a subtle commonality between them. They knew when to end a conversation and understand each other's cost of silence.
Caroline asked curiously, "How do you know Mr. Collins?"
Leopold didn't look up, lifting his eyelids to look at her, hearing this, "You know him too?"
Caroline had seen him at home. It was Christmas, and Beau came to her house with a car full of local specialties. She and Elijah hosted Beau.
"He's such a famous person, who doesn't know him."
True, Beau was a celebrity in Seaside City. From three-year-old children to eighty-year-old seniors, who hadn't heard of him?
Beau started from nothing and founded Collins Group. His life story could be called legendary.
Leopold said, "Last time you came to the hotel, various facilities weren't complete yet. I'll show you around later. Stay here tonight. The hotel has a hot spring spa that uses underground spring water. You can soak in the hot springs. We also have professional massage therapists and beauticians. Get a spa treatment and experience it."
This whole experience would definitely cost a lot.
Coming to the celebration was out of blessing for a friend, but if she stayed and experienced everything, someone might make an issue of it, and she wouldn't be able to explain.
Caroline made an excuse, "I didn't bring a swimsuit. Next time."
Leopold saw through her concern at a glance, "Don't worry, no one here will secretly take photos. Your privacy will be absolutely protected."
"Next time. Not having a swimsuit is really inconvenient. Next time I'll bring friends and support your business."
Leopold sighed helplessly, "Alright."
What was originally a casual excuse became the beginning of future entanglement.
Caroline was getting ready to leave. Leopold got up to see her off at the door. The two had just walked out of the banquet hall when Beau, passing by, saw them.
Beau saw Caroline and paused, walked over and asked, "When did you get here?"
Caroline mumbled, "I've been here all along."
Beau shifted his gaze to Leopold, patted his arm, and said, "I told you long ago to develop in Seaside City. It's not too late now. I have something to do, I'll leave first." He asked Caroline, "Are you leaving too?"
Caroline nodded, "Yes."
"Let's go together. I'll give you a ride."
Caroline quickly said, "I drove here."
Beau looked toward someone outside and rose his hand to signal. That person jogged over.
"Mr. Collins?"
Beau said, "Give him your car keys."
Caroline smiled awkwardly, "Mr. Collins, I can drive myself."
"With such heavy snow and slippery roads, what are you driving for?" Beau didn't take no for an answer, staring directly at Caroline. She helplessly took out her keys and handed them to him.
Caroline knew Leopold must be misunderstanding her, but hiding her acquaintance with Beau was her mistake.
"Goodbye, Mr. Wipere."
Leopold, "Drive safely. Goodbye."
He watched Caroline get into Beau's car. Only after the taillights disappeared at the end of the road did he turn to leave.
Inside the car.
Beau leaned back against the seat, staring ahead expressionlessly. After a long silence, he asked, "How do you know Leopold?"
Caroline said, "Through work. The hotel was installing capacity expansion facilities, and I was in charge of approval."
"I see." Beau nodded in understanding.
Thinking the topic has ended, Beau suddenly speaks, "Stay away from Leopold. That kind of person is too calculating."
Caroline fell into thought.
For someone Beau called calculating, you could imagine how scary they must be.
Caroline, worried he might mention today's events to Elijah, immediately agrees, "We just have a work relationship. He was looking for a location to install capacity expansion equipment, but couldn't solve the problem. I just helped a little. I haven't taken a penny from him."
But Beau said, "It's not about the money."