Suddenly, I Am Rich

Gray spent the rest of his day preparing to attend the dinner.

Saturday night arrived quickly. Now, he was standing in front of the mirror of his bedroom. He was adjusting the button of his semi-formal shirt. The condo was quiet. Lily and Eli were on the living room, watching a movie.

While looking at himself in the mirror, Gray’s phone buzzed.

[Daniel:] I’m already waiting downstairs, Sir.

[Gray:] Alright.

He took one last look at himself in the mirror. He was wearing a dark blazer on top of his shirt, slacks, and black shoes. He looked formal for someone having dinner.

He picked up his phone, then exhaled slowly.

”Alright,” he muttered. ”Let’s get this over with.”

Gray stepped away from the mirror and headed out. He went to the living room and saw Lily and Eli sitting on the couch. They were watching movie with a plate of fruits in front of them.

”Hey, you two, I’m heading out now,” he said.

Lily turned her head immediately. ”Brother, you’re leaving already?”

”Yeah,” Gray nodded. ”I’ll be late, so don’t wait up for me.”

”You’re going to that dinner, right?” Eli also looked up to him.

”That’s right,” Gray replied. He reached out and lightly patted Eli’s head. ”So you two should behave while I’m gone.”

”We will, brother!” Lily said quickly. ”Right, Eli?”

Eli nodded. ”We’ll just eat and watch movies.”

”Good,” Gray said with a small smile. ”The dinner’s already on the table, so just finish it. After that, get ready for bed and sleep. No staying up too late, okay?”

”But what if you’re not back yet?” Lily asked.

”Stupid, I already told you not wait for me.” Gray lightly flicked her forehead, causing Lily to pout.

”Hey!” Lily immediately lared at Gray, but in the end, she still nodded. ”Okay, brother.”

”Good,” Gray turned toward the door, but before he could completely leave, he glanced back to the two of them.

”Oh, and don’t make a mess,” he added.

”We won’t,” Eli said.

With that, Gray walked out of the condo. The door closed softly behind him as he headed toward the elevator. Once he was outside, he boarded the car.

The drive to the hotel took nearly forty minutes.

When Daniel pulled up to the entrance of the hotel, Gray immediately understood why Alistair had chosen this place.

The building was massive and elegant, with wide glass walls and golden lights pouring out from inside. A long carpet stretched from the entrance to the driveway. Several well-dressed guests were stepping out of luxury cars, greeted by staff in black uniforms.

Some were just here to have dinner as the place was known for its best luxury restaurant.

”I wonder how much Alistair paid for this,” Gray murmured.

He stepped out of his car and walked inside. He instructed Daniel not wait for him anymore.

When he entered the door, he immediately noticed the impressive entrance. The lobby had high ceilings, marble floors, and crystal chandeliers, which made the whole place feel almost unreal.

Soft music also played in the background. It was just subtle and barely audible, but enough to add to the atmosphere.

A staff member approached him in an instant. It was as if the staff was already informed beforehand of the meeting.

”Mr. Gray? This way, please.”

The staff led him to a private restaurant on one of the upper floors. Unlike the main dining area, this place was quieter and more refined. On this side, there were more private rooms than tables.

He was led to one of the bigger rooms. Inside, Alistair was already there, talking with two men in suits. When he saw Gray, he turned and smiled.

”Gray,” he greeted. ”You made it.”

”Of course,” Gray replied as he walked over. ”Thank you for inviting me again.”

”Of course, of course,” Alistair gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. ”You already knew it. I’m glad you came because tonight is important.”

The two men with Alistair turned their attention to Gray. One was older, with neatly combed gray hair and sharp eyes. The other looked slightly younger, with a confident smile.

”This is Gray,” Alistair said. ”I told you about him.”

”So you’re the new guy he trusts so much.” The older man nodded.

”Haha, you pleasure me too much, Sir. I try not to disappoint.” Gray smiled politely.

Alistair chuckled. ”Let me do the proper introductions.”

He gestured to the older man first. ”This is Mr. Benedict Hale. He owns the Aurelio Restaurant Group.”

Gray nodded slowly.

Aurelio was not just a single restaurant. It was a chain of luxury dining establishments, with several locations even outside the country.

”I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Gray,” Hale said calmly, extending his hand. ”Especially from Alistair.”

Gray shook his hand firmly. ”The honor is mine. Your restaurants are famous. I have dined in one of it and I could say it really is deserving of it’s name.”

”Haha,” Hale chuckled at that. ”As you know young man, reputation is everything in my line of work.”

”And this is Councilman Victor Rowe. One of the youngest members of the city council.” Alistair then motioned to the younger man, who was looking at him.

’Victor Rowe...’

That name was familiar to him. Based on his knowledge, he should be one of Alistair’s allies in politics.

”I didn’t expect to see you here, Councilman,” Gray said with a polite nod.

”You too,” Victor muttered.

Alistair watched the exchange with clear satisfaction.

”See? I told you tonight would be interesting.”

The three men looked at each other and laughed at that.

Before any of them could continue the conversation, the door of the private room opened again.

Three more men walked inside.

The moment they stepped in, one by one, it was obvious how each one was more influential than the last. The air inside the room became more serious. Even Alistair turned his head right away, his smile deepening as if he had been waiting for them.