Chapter 62
When we arrived at Lumina Trade Center, Bianca was directing people to do the final cleaning of the office. Seeing us come over, she quickly rushed forward: "Ms. Wilson, Mr. Lopez, everything's ready here. The red carpet has been laid all the way from here along the fire escape. All the media have been invited and are on site."
I nodded. This HR person Oscar introduced was quite careful and thorough, with arrangements covering all bases: "When the opening flower baskets arrive, prioritize placing them at the entrance and lobby first. If there are extras, put them by this door."
Bianca glanced at Oscar and said with a smile, "Sure, Ms. Wilson. Here's the list of people attending tomorrow's ribbon-cutting ceremony. Please review it one more time to confirm."
I'd already looked at the list many times and just gave it a quick glance: "Just go according to plan."
It was just a small office space. I didn't plan to make a big deal out of it - there would be more to come later.
But what I didn't expect was that when I arrived on site, it was surprisingly lively.
The flower baskets not only filled Lumina Trade Center's main entrance and lobby, but also lined the fire escape all the way to our office door.
I didn't think I knew that many people, so who sent them?
Looking at the gift list, I quickly understood. Oscar covered a third of them, and the other half came from the Solstice properties I managed, sent as flower baskets in the company's name.
How did they know?
Since coming back, except for Michael calling to warn me someone was investigating me, we basically hadn't been in contact, and I certainly hadn't told them the specific time and place.
So my every move was still within Michael's surveillance.
Whatever. At least the atmosphere was well set up now.
Robert arrived early with William's family, smiling as he presented a valuable gift: "Emily, congratulations on your opening."
I quickly declined: "Mr. Lopez, your presence is enough. You didn't need to be so generous."
Robert insisted on putting the gift in my hands: "This is our custom here, it's what should be given. Emily, you've really done a great job with the renovation. Although it's not my first time here, compared to before, the quality has improved a lot."
William quickly tugged at Robert's sleeve, his gaze shifting to the side where Charles was slowly approaching with Jasper, a forced smile on his face. I wondered if they'd heard Robert's words just now.
"Ms. Wilson, congratulations, congratulations. Best wishes for your opening." Jasper stepped forward and handed over a gift.
Of course, I had to accept gifts from those who brought them. Taking the gift, I smiled: "Mr. Brown, please go inside and sit. It's all familiar territory, though there have been some big changes. Should I have someone show you around?"
Charles's smile looked forced, but with everyone watching, losing his cool would be the worst move he could make. So he plastered on a fake grin and started throwing compliments my way. "This place has completely changed from before. I barely recognize it. That's Ms. Wilson for you - when you make a move, you go big. Looking at this luxurious renovation, you must have spent quite a bit, right?"
I waved my hand with a relaxed smile: "Not too bad, just over ten million dollars."
Isabella and Sophia, who were coming in behind them, happened to hear. Isabella's face clearly showed disdain, though she quickly covered it up. Looking at her former company now completely transformed, the heartache and jealousy in her eyes weren't well hidden: "Over ten million dollars, and it looks just okay. I mean, you should have shopped around more, compared prices - wouldn't have hurt."
Sophia quickly stepped forward with a smile: "Congratulations, Ms. Wilson. May your business prosper. I heard from my brother that you've now signed a cooperation contract with our family. Hope we all make money together."
She graciously came forward and presented a beautifully wrapped bouquet.
I accepted it with a smile: "Thank you, Ms. Brown. That's very thoughtful of you. Let's head downstairs. It's almost time. I need to check how the preparations are going. Oscar, help me greet Ralph and the others downstairs. Mr. Brown probably wants to say hello, too, right?"
Charles's expression looked somewhat uncomfortable. Clearly, before coming, he'd tried to build some connections, but obviously without much success.
Walking down the fire escape, just as we settled in, Paul came over very attentively. After all, he'd been a security manager at that big club, managing over a hundred people. Now it seemed he really wanted to make a good impression on me: "Ms. Wilson, security is all in position. Is there anything else you need?"
Before I could respond, I caught Sophia's face changing color out of the corner of my eye. She let out a small gasp and took half a step back.
"What's wrong, Ms. Brown?" I deliberately turned to her.
She hurriedly waved her hands, explaining with a smile: "Nothing, nothing. You go ahead with your work."
Paul's gaze turned to Sophia. For a moment, I saw a flash of excitement in his eyes, which he quickly covered up, standing respectfully beside me, waiting for instructions.
"Just hold your positions." I walked past him with my group, saying nothing extra.
After walking quite a distance, Sophia casually glanced back toward Paul's direction. Their eyes met from afar - one gaze playful, the other warning.
I saw it all and smiled brightly. Just teaching Paul and his crew a lesson wasn't enough. Watching them hurt each other would be much more entertaining.
Isabella, walking beside Sophia, followed her gaze and asked quietly: "What's wrong? Do you know him?"
Sophia quickly looked away and shook her head: "No, I don't."
Isabella casually warned, "If you don't know him, why does he keep looking at you? That type of person clearly has bad intentions. Stay away from him."
Sophia nodded and answered softly, anxiously checking others' reactions. Seeing that no one had noticed their conversation, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
I smiled grimly. Isabella had no clue her sweet little princess had paid this scumbag to screw over her biological daughter. I wondered if she would regret it.
Bianca walked over with Oscar: "Ms. Wilson, it's almost time. Ralph and the others are waiting for you to prepare for the ribbon-cutting."
I agreed, then looked at the people around me with some difficulty: "Originally, I just wanted to have a small celebration with a few friends, but I didn't expect so many people to come. Mr. Brown, I've already invited you to participate in the ribbon-cutting, and I definitely need to honor that invitation. You don't mind about the position, do you?"
He smiled through gritted teeth: "All our guests are important. Given our good relationship, I should, of course, yield."
My smile deepened. Taking Robert and Charles with me, I took hold of Oscar's arm and walked toward the group.