Chapter 87 Who Is Not Better Than Her
The headquarters of Celestial Waters Hotel chain was in Seaside City. The head office building doesn't handle any actual guest check-in services - it's purely a building for general management and administration.
Leopold walked into the lobby. When the security guard saw him, he rushed to tip off the people upstairs. Leopold had long known he was being watched. The only people at headquarters who would be afraid of his visit were Gemma and her daughter Xiomara, plus Xavier.
Gemma and her daughter feared that he might win Preston's favor in the future and get a bigger share of the family fortune. As for Xavier, it was naturally because Leopold had fired Dash last time and cut off his source of income.
Between these two groups, there wasn't a single good person.
Employees passing by would greet him with "Mr. Wipere." Despite their respectful attitude on the surface, behind his back they all gossiped about his unclear identity.
When you're at the center of public opinion, you can't avoid becoming gossip material. But if you stand high enough, all you hear is the wind. So what you hear depends on your height and perspective.
Leopold passed by the secretary's desk and saw the workstation was empty. He was about to knock on Preston's office door when Erik came out from inside. The two came face to face, and Erik paused for a moment. "Mr. Leopold Wipere, you're here."
Leopold nodded. Erik immediately stepped aside to clear the doorway, waiting for him to go in before closing the door.
"Mr. Preston Wipere." Leopold came to the desk. Preston was looking at documents. He didn't look up, just lifted his eyelids to glance at him before lowering his head again. "Why are you here? If something happens at the hotel while you're not at your post, who's going to handle it?"
Leopold said, "I've already briefed Lily."
"Oh really." Preston sneered. "So now you're this irresponsible too? If Lily is so capable, why don't you just hand your hotel over to her to manage from now on?"
Leopold lowered his eyes. "I'm only out for a moment. Nothing will go wrong."
Hearing this, Preston put down his pen and slowly leaned back in his chair, his fingers on the armrest tapping. "So? If something happens at Solstice Mountain Hotel, it has nothing to do with you?"
Leopold said, "I came to say a few words to you and then I'll leave."
"You don't need to say it. I know what you want to say." Preston continued with his work, reading while speaking. "First tell me what resources she has."
Leopold's brow moved slightly. In Preston's eyes, people only had value if they could bring benefits. If the benefits Caroline brought to Leopold weren't enough to trade him for, there was no need for them to have any connection.
Although he was very reluctant to mention Caroline's family background, at this moment it had to become a bargaining chip.
"Caroline's father is the mayor of Seaside City, with very wide connections. We'll need his help in many areas. As for Caroline's mother, although she's retired now, she has extensive social connections with wives and daughters from various political circles. Even Caroline herself is about to be promoted to manager of Seaside City Power Company. She's extremely capable and has a promising future."
Preston laughed dismissively.
Clearly, he didn't take the Tudor family seriously.
"After all that, tell me, what actual benefits can they bring to the company?" Preston asked back.
Leopold said, "For the company to develop, it needs not just financial resources, but also connections and social relationships. Hosting influential large-scale domestic and international conferences or reception work are all important opportunities to build the group's brand recognition. Many of these official meetings are led by government agencies and public institutions. Last year, our group provided venues for government receptions and conferences, accounting for thirty-five percent of the year's total, with a profit margin fifteen percent higher than individual or private enterprise clients."
Preston said, "Are you done?"
Leopold nodded.
Preston pressed the intercom. "Erik, bring in the materials."
In a moment, Erik knocked and entered with materials, placed them on the desk, bowed, and left.
"Take a look." Preston tossed the folder in front of him.
Leopold opened it, confused. Inside were three personal profiles: Pearl Reynolds from the Reynolds Group, Quiana Saunders from the Saunders Group, and Phaedra Thompson from the Thompson Group.
Preston said, "Pick any one of these three. Who isn't better than her?"
Leopold put down the materials. "When you say 'better,' do you mean whose family has more money?"
Preston frowned with displeasure. Leopold's words had a hint of mockery about his past - the topic of building success through women was taboo for Preston.
Leopold said, "However much money their families have, it has nothing to do with me. Other people being excellent doesn't matter if I don't like them. I only want Caroline."
If before it was just subtle mockery, now it was naked disdain.
Preston's tone hardened. "You still think you're a teenager? Talking to me about liking or not liking - do you have that right? Those two girlfriends you had before, you think I approved just because I didn't object? In college, finding someone to have fun with is no big deal. I was too lazy to care. You wanted to play around, I gave you time to play. But now that you're running the company, having that playful attitude is wrong. Your position is different now. You're managing over a dozen chain hotels in the group, and in the future you'll also—"
Before he could finish, the office door was suddenly pushed open. Gemma rushed in, and seeing Leopold, put on a peaceful expression and said:
"Leopold's back. Sorry, I interrupted your conversation."
Leopold nodded slightly. "Ms. Adams."
Gemma wore an elder's kind smile on her face. "You look much thinner than last time I saw you. Is it too exhausting at Solstice Mountain Hotel? You're really heartless," she turned her gaze to Preston behind the desk, "Leopold is worn out like this and you're still piling more work on him. There are two idle people at home. If it doesn't work out, have Xiomara and Bodhi go help. Leopold, sit down."
Bodhi she mentioned was Xiomara's husband, Bodhi Phillips.
Gemma went to the door and called Erik. "Erik, bring Mr. Leopold Wipere a glass of water."
Erik paused slightly - water had already been served. Gemma realized this belatedly and laughed awkwardly. "Wasn't there coffee just bought? Bring in a cup of coffee."
Erik: "Yes, Ms. Adams."
He closed the door. The office fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Gemma returned to the desk and sat in the chair beside Leopold.
Preston closed his file with displeasure. "What do you want?"
Gemma gave an awkward smile. "Nothing major. I was thinking since you just got out of the hospital, I'm worried about your health, so I came to check if you're taking your medicine on time."
Her arrival interrupted the father and son's conversation, and her words just now had already hinted at wanting to take the Solstice Mountain Hotel project from Leopold.
Leopold stood up. "Mr. Preston Wipere, I'm heading back. Ms. Adams, you two talk."
"Don't go, Leopold," Gemma called out. Leopold stopped, and heard her say: "Xiomara just got pregnant, and I'm not comfortable with her going too far away. Solstice Mountain is relatively closer to Seaside City than other places. How about this - you manage Xiomara's Maplewood Hotel, and let her have Solstice Mountain Hotel?"
Gemma was vicious enough, forcing Leopold to say no. Once he said that word, she surely had more traps waiting for him to fall into.
Leopold looked at Preston. "Mr. Preston Wipere, I'll follow your arrangement."
Preston quickly signed a document and tossed it aside casually. Though his words were directed at Leopold, they were really meant for Gemma to hear.
"What are you making a fuss about? Is the hotel yours to decide who manages it?"
The expression on Gemma's face showed clear displeasure. Just as she was about to argue, Leopold interrupted with a bow. "Understood, Mr. Preston Wipere. I'm going back now."