Chapter 12 Birthday Gift
I knew Jonas would definitely be interested in my ointment.
"I'll handle the supply. I′ll supply each jar for only $6,800, and I won't interfere with how much you sell it for," I said.
Jonas shook his head. "The production volume is too low. I want to invest in building a factory. You could contribute your technology as equity."
I sighed softly. "I'd also like to increase production, but the deep-sea plant extracts and snow mountain animal fats in the ingredients are extremely hard to obtain. I think it's best to prioritize supplying these ointments to military and political figures. Gang families and armed forces in various regions should also need them."
I knew Jonas's father and grandfather held significant power in a certain country, and that his mother and maternal grandfather's family were all major business people.
I wanted to use Jonas to open a path upward, seeking greater protection for Platinum Haven Hotel, myself, and my three brothers.
Jonas picked up a small jar and toyed with it in his hand, asking casually, "Do you have any better hemostatic medicine?"
"Yes."
Jonas raised his eyebrows slightly, seemingly not expecting me to actually have one.
I took out three very exquisite small steel jars. The jar bodies had beautiful floral engravings, and the bottom of each jar bore the Sorelli family crest. Each jar was quite heavy, though actually contained only 7g of medicine.
"This medicine is called 'Phoenix Blood Balm.' No matter how severe the external injury, it can quickly stop bleeding and halt the deterioration. Even if someone is near death, it can buy a few more chances at survival."
I handed the ointment over. "Phoenix Blood Balm can only produce less than two hundred jars per year. These three jars are my gift to you."
Jonas accepted them without hesitation. "I'll give you an answer in a few days."
I smiled and agreed.
At 9:30 PM, grand fireworks were set off outside the hotel—one of the birthday gifts Brian had carefully prepared.
Gale gave me a globally limited edition light pink sports car. Marcus had earned a lot these past few years but spent a lot too, with little savings. I didn't want money he'd earned by risking his life anyway, so Marcus gave me a bottle of wine.
I loved all three of my brothers' gifts.
Julie gave me the handbag I had bid against Amelia for that day.
I was a bit surprised. "Didn't Amelia buy this bag?"
Julie shook her head. "She never sent the payment later. She probably forgot. She's not like you—you really spent big!"
All the luxury items I'd bought that day were displayed in specially built showcases next to the lounge seating area. Guests who came to celebrate my birthday could take any item they liked.
Amelia took a 2-carat pink diamond ring shortly after arriving at the dinner.
Julie smiled. "I applied to Mr. Donovan to give you this bag. Happy birthday."
She added meaningfully, "What belongs to you will ultimately be yours."
"Thank you!" I chatted with Julie for a bit longer and made plans to get manicures together in a few days.
"Who is she?" Gale asked, watching Julie's retreating figure.
"The manager of Elite Emporium, Julie," I said, blinking and adding, "She's single!"
Gale tapped my forehead with his finger. "Don't be cheeky. Why isn't she staying with Jonas?"
I thought Gale really lacked romantic sense. "Gale, Julie came to have fun tonight. If she stayed with Jonas, how would that be different from working?"
Gale pondered. "Doesn't Jonas pay overtime?"
After receiving another wave of gifts, I saw Lucas walking over with Ashley and Arthur flanking him on either side, while Amelia was pushed aside.
"Bella, happy birthday!" Ashley and Arthur sang me a birthday song, giving me a super large blind box plushie and an exquisite dining set respectively.
Then the two stood beside me, arms crossed over their chests, asking Amelia smugly, "What gift did you prepare?"
Amelia probably didn't want to see me at all. Though she tried hard to hide her irritation, her disgusted look was impossible to conceal.
"Just an ordinary bracelet. Bella has so many nice things, even a globally limited edition sports car. She definitely doesn't care about this little thing I'm giving her," Amelia said with jealousy in her voice.
"The value of the gift doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts," I said politely.
Ashley grabbed the gift before I could reach for it and opened it in front of everyone.
Amelia tried to stop him, but I smiled and said, "Ashley is curious. Let them open it and see, Amelia. No need to argue with kids."
Amelia gritted her teeth. "Right."
Ashley opened the jewelry box, and Arthur leaned over for a look, very disappointed. "What is this? A brass bracelet with some glass pieces?"
Amelia couldn't help getting angry. "Don't talk nonsense if you don't recognize it! This is from a niche foreign jewelry brand. This bracelet is an original design, one of a kind in the world. It symbolizes 'luck.'"
I nodded coolly. "Thank you."
Ashley rummaged through the gift box and found what he was looking for. "$988."
Arthur laughed. "You took a pink diamond worth $120,000 from Bella and gave something that costs less than a thousand dollars."
Amelia didn't argue. She lowered her head, wringing her hands together, looking helpless and hurt.
Lucas scolded them disapprovingly. "You two are becoming ruder and ruder as you grow up! Your father has really spoiled you!"
I stood in front of Ashley and Arthur. "Ashley and Arthur are just concerned about Amelia. Spending $988 on something that costs less than $98 to make—she might have been scammed."
I returned the gift to Amelia, saying with concern, "Go return it."
Amelia's face turned awkward, and she almost couldn't maintain her pitiful act.
With me backing him up, Arthur boldly challenged Lucas. "Lucas, where's your gift? Your gift can be less impressive than Bella's brothers', but it can't be worse than everyone else's!"
The slap mark on Lucas's face had disappeared, and the brilliant lights illuminated his handsome features.
He glared at Arthur in warning, glanced at my three expressionless brothers behind me, and said to me, "I had your birthday gift delivered this morning."
He paused, knowing I definitely hadn't seen the gift, and said, "I'm giving you a route circling the entire island of Starstream City for sea sightseeing. It's suitable for private or commercial use. Happy birthday."
"Thank you." This gift's value was indeed second only to the equity gifts from my three brothers. I accepted it gladly.
Amelia's face turned ashen, and she turned to leave.
Lucas wanted to say something to me, but Gale blocked my way. "Mr. Valeri, your companion has already left. You should go too."
Lucas wrinkled his nose, said "See you around," and followed after Amelia.
Brian said angrily, "What does he mean? He likes Amelia but still comes to bother Bella!"
Adrian gave me a look. I walked aside and asked him what was going on.
Lucas didn't know beforehand that today's dinner was held for me, but he definitely had prepared a gift.
"Mr. Valeri's gift was a giant sea coral. It was deliberately destroyed, so I didn't accept it."
"Who did it?" I asked.
"Amelia," Adrian answered quietly.
I wasn't surprised. Amelia and the Gambino family behind her apparently didn't want Lucas's sphere of influence to continue expanding. Destroying the gift was meant to drive away potential allies for him.
"The surveillance footage had frames removed. I deleted a small section again to make the tampering more obvious. Mr. Valeri should be able to trace it to Amelia soon," Adrian said.
"Well done." I smiled with satisfaction.
Originally, I had planned to damage the gift and frame Amelia, leading Lucas to investigate the Gambino family.
I didn't expect Amelia to be so proactive, saving me the trouble.