Suddenly, I Am Rich

Gray blinked, caught off guard.

For a split second, he noticed how everyone seemed to quiet down just to hear his reaction. The question landed heavier on him than the rest.

Gray caught how a few cameras seemed to zoom more on him, ready to catch every change of his expression.

Inside, he couldn’t help but sigh.

’So they already got a photo out... huh.’

Gray only gave a small chuckle as a response. It was genuine enough to soften the tension without actually answering anything. He leaned slightly closer to the mic and answered the question with calmness.

”That,” he said before pausing just long enough for the suspense to build up a little, ”isn’t something I think belongs in a business conference.”

The sound of laughter and whispers spread across the crowd. Some smiled while others leaned in further. They had admitted that it was a good way to dodge the question.

Gray kept his shoulders relaxed as his smile never left his face.

”My personal life is... well, personal,” he added. ”What I can say, though, is that I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who support me. Whether it’s in business or outside of it, I’ve been fortunate to have good people by my side. That’s what matters to me.”

The room stirred again. More people whispered among each other. His words hadn’t denied anything, but they hadn’t confirmed anything either. It was just vague enough to keep them hooked.

”Mr. Adams, so you’re not denying the photo exists?”

”Are you saying your relationship doesn’t affect business decisions?”

”Would you call your ties with the Everett family strictly professional?”

The questions snowballed again, but Gray kept his face calm. He could see it in their eyes. The dodge had only made them more eager to dig deeper.

”What’s business is business,” he said, each word he muttered was deliberate.

”We’re clear on that. Decisions are made on what’s best for the company, the people, and the future we’re building. Nothing more, nothing less.”

The firmness in his voice cut through the overlapping questions. Some reporters scribbled faster, while others raised their brows, looking for cracks in his expression. Gray gave them none.

He stood with his back straight, shoulders squared, and the same faint smile resting on his face as though nothing could take him down.

Still, the questions refused to die down. A new wave of questions rushed forward just seconds after he answered the last one.

”Then how do you explain—”

”So you’re saying there’s no—”

”Can you clarify what you mean by—”

The voices overlapped with one another. However, before the noise could fully engulf him, the sound of deliberate footsteps echoed from the side of the stage.

”Alright, alright,” Conrad’s deep voice disrupted the flood of questions. The voices died down almost instantly. Cameras moved to capture Conrad, and microphones were lowered to give space to him.

Conrad Everett reemerged from the side. He was smiling widely as if he wasn’t bothered by anything, even the questions. He tapped a hand lightly on Gray’s shoulder, almost like a father patting a son before he faced the press.

”Ladies and gentlemen,” Conrad said smoothly, ”I think that’s enough for now. Save the rest of your questions for later. Preparations are complete. We’ll be starting the main event shortly.”

The reporter’s curiosity about Gray immediately subsided. Still, there were a few reporters who tried to sneak in last-second questions, but Conrad’s presence made it clear there would be no further answers.

With respectful nods and goodbyes, the press turned their attention away from Gray, at least for now.

As Conrad guided him toward the main table with a subtle motion, Gray caught the proud glint in the old man’s eyes. It wasn’t just pride. It was satisfaction, as if Gray had passed some unspoken test.

Gray exhaled quietly once they stepped away from the reporters.

’I was pulled out just in time...’

Just then, the press began to take their seats. Crew members also moved quickly in the background, adjusting mics, testing sound systems, and laying out the last documents on the long table set at the front.

Gray followed Conrad’s lead. Mara, who had been standing nearby all this time, gave him a small nod as if to say, ’You handled that well’. He returned the gesture subtly, though inside, he wanted to scold Mara for not even helping him out.

The main table was now neatly arranged, complete with nameplates, bottled water, and microphones for each speaker. Conrad walked with a certain confidence that commanded the room without effort.

He took his seat at the center. It was the position of authority, before he motioned for Gray to sit beside him.

Gray sat in his chair. He let out a sigh as his eyes locked onto the folder in front of him. That folder contains their contract inside.

When the lights above dimmed slightly and the large projector screen lit up with the company logo, the room fell into silence again. This time, it was a complete silence.

A host in a formal suit stepped up to the podium. She bowed her head slightly to the cameras before talking. Her voice was smooth and professional.

”Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. We will now officially begin today’s business conference. To start, we invite Mr. Conrad Everett, chairman of Everett Holdings, to deliver his opening remarks.”

Applause followed soon after.

Conrad stood again. He buttoned his suit jacket with practiced ease. He scanned the crowd once, smiling faintly as though he recognized every face in the room. Then, as he took on the mic, his voice filled the room.

”Today marks more than just another investment,” he began. ”It marks a partnership—a vision for the future of grocery retail, one that will bring change not only to this city, but to the way we all think about service, convenience, and community.”

Gray listened carefully, watching the way Conrad spoke. He had measured pauses, clear emphasis, and his every word sounded like a promise. It was as if he was sure that his every word would deliver.

The old man wasn’t just giving a speech. He was commanding the people around through his words.

”And at the heart of this new vision,” Conrad continued, turning slightly toward Gray with a hand extended, ”stands someone who represents the future, Mr. Gray Adams. A man I am proud to call not just my new business partner, but a trusted ally.”

The cameras flashed again as Conrad gestured for Gray to rise.

Gray’s heartbeat quickened. He stood slowly, aware that every eye in the room was fixed on him. The applause rose again, louder this time, and for a fleeting moment, Gray realized that this was his stage now.

Gray cleared his throat softly as he adjusted the microphone that was handed to him.

”Good morning, everyone,” Gray began, his voice was calm but carrying a certain seriousness that he didn’t quite expect.

”I’ll admit. This is a little overwhelming. I’m not used to this kind of attention, but I’ll do my best to keep it short.”

A few chuckles spread across the hall. That alone helped ease some of the tension in his chest.

He glanced briefly at Conrad, who was watching him with that same proud smile, before facing the sea of cameras again.

”When I first got the store, I didn’t think of anything big. I just wanted to build a place where people could feel comfortable buying their groceries, where they’d be treated with respect no matter who they were. Simple things. But sometimes, simple things can grow.”

He paused, letting his words settle.

”And now, standing here today, it feels... surreal. To think that an idea born out of necessity has become something worth sharing on this stage.” His lips curved into a small, almost shy smile.

”I’m grateful. Very grateful for the support I’ve received, for the people who believed in me when I had nothing to show, and grateful for the chance to work alongside someone like Mr. Everett.”

The cameras flashed again, their clicks echoing faintly.

”This partnership isn’t about me,” Gray added firmly. ”It’s about the people we serve, the employees who work for us, the communities we want to reach, and the future we’re building. That’s what matters.”

Another wave of applause followed. Gray gave a small nod before stepping back into his seat.

Conrad leaned slightly toward him, murmuring low enough for only Gray to hear.

”Well said.”

Gray only exhaled softly. He played with his thumb to calm his nerves as the host stepped forward again to get the stage.

”Thank you, Mr. Adams. Thank you, Mr. Everett,” the host said smoothly. ”At this time, we will now proceed to the signing of the partnership agreement.”

Two staff members approached the table, carrying fresh pens and placing them in front of Gray and Conrad. The cameras clicked rapidly, eager to capture the moment.

’This is it...’ Gray’s eyes lingered on the folder in front of him.

Beside him, Conrad picked up his pen first. Gray reached for his own pen too, his fingers brushing over the smooth surface. His reflection stared back at him in the glossy finish of the pen’s handle.

’Here we go...’