Mikelson led Mr. Busy into the house. Aliyah, who was facing the entrance, saw them approaching and noticed the new visitor.Gabriel, too, noticed Mr. Bush, sensing the unusual commotion. "Is everything all right, father-in-law?" Gabriel asked, glancing between him and Mr. Bush."Gabriel," Mikelson said, still in shock. "This is Mr. Bush, president of Mass Jewelry. He’s here to see you."Gabriel extended his hand. "Mr. Bush, it's an honor to meet you."Mr. Bush shook his hand firmly. "The honor is mine, Gabriel. I've been looking forward to this meeting for quite some time."Gabriel, ever composed, welcomed Mr. Bush's effusive praise with a gracious smile. "Thank you, Mr. Bush. I appreciate your kind words."Mr. Bush, impeccably dressed in a bespoke navy blue suit adorned with a subtle pattern of intertwined gold threads, continued to shower Gabriel with admiration. "Your achievements precede you, Gabriel. Mass Jewelry has been keeping a close eye on your endeavors. Your entrepreneuri
Everyone was surprised to see Mr. Bush treating Gabriel with such reverence. It felt as if Gabriel was his earthly god.Cole forced a conversation with Mr. Bush, trying to understand the nature of his relationship with Gabriel. "Mr. Bush, how did you come to know Gabriel? And why do you hold him in such high esteem?"Mr. Bush smiled enigmatically and replied, "Gabriel's reputation precedes him. He's a man of exceptional talent and integrity. But let's focus on the present, shall we?" He deftly brushed off Cole's probing questions.Turning to Mikelson, Mr. Bush continued, "I have a proposition for you. I'd like to offer you a contract for Mass Jewelry. Additionally, I believe Gabriel's wife would make an excellent manager for my new company."Mikelson's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could respond, Gabriel interjected politely, "Thank you, Mr. Bush, but I must decline. My wife is happy with her current endeavors, and I wouldn't want to disrupt that."The room fell silent, and
As the evening progressed, Mikelson and Gabriel found themselves amidst a succession of high-profile visitors, each bearing lavish gifts and accolades for Gabriel's burgeoning influence in the jewelry industry.Mr. Bernard's gesture had set the tone for the evening. He turned to Mikelson with a warm smile, presenting a collection of rare herbs known as Starlight Bloom, renowned for their healing properties and valued at millions in the market. "Mikelson, please accept these Starlight Blooms as a token of appreciation from our company."Mikelson was taken aback by the generosity and significance of the gift. "Thank you, Mr. Bernard. These are truly remarkable."Mr. Bernard also offered to Gabriel for his wife, a gift next—a set of exquisite jewelry pieces crafted from rare diamonds and sapphires, valued at over 10 million dollars. Aliyah marveled at their beauty and elegance, thanked Mr. Bernard graciously on behalf of her sister. Following Mr. Bernard, the presidents of several othe
Feeling out of place, Cole pulled his family to a side. "I can't believe what we're seeing," he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.His father, equally bewildered, responded, "This is unbelievable. How did Gabriel manage to get such connections?"Cole's mother, still trying to process everything, added, "We underestimated him, clearly. But why would all these influential people be so invested in him?"Cole shook his head. "I don't know, but we need to figure out a way to leave gracefully. This is too much."His father nodded, formulating a plan. "We'll say we have an urgent family matter to attend to. It should be believable enough."They returned to the group, and Cole's father cleared his throat. "I'm afraid we must leave. An urgent family matter has come up, and we need to attend to it immediately."Gabriel saw through the lie but remained silent, his eyes meeting Aliyah's with a knowing look. Just as Cole's family was about to leave, the doorbell rang again. Everyone paus
Gathering herself, Nora managed a weak smile. "Please, come in."Mikelson led Mr. Norberg and Mr. Mac into the living room where everyone else was gathered. The room fell silent as they entered.Mr. Mac approached Gabriel with a smile. "Gabriel, it's an honor to finally meet you in person."Mr. Norberg nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Gabriel, your reputation precedes you."Gabriel stood up to greet them. "Mr. Mac, Mr. Norberg, it’s a pleasure to see you."Mr. Mac responded warmly, "The pleasure is ours, Gabriel."Aliyah, noticing her mother’s dazed expression, whispered, "Mom, are you okay?"Nora nodded slowly, still in disbelief. "I think so. I just never imagined this."Mikelson whispered to her, "Neither did I, but we need to handle this gracefully."Nora took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Yes, you're right."Cole and his parents watched in shock. Cole whispered urgently, "Dad, that's Mr. Mac, the head of the Springfield family!"Cole's father, his voice shaky, replied,
Cole's family couldn't stand the atmosphere and quickly took their leave, seeing that Cole was unwilling to accept the situation. "Cole, we need to go," his father whispered urgently, pulling him aside. "This isn't our place."Cole frowned. "Dad, I can still make this work. There has to be a way."His mother added, "Cole, listen to your father. We’re clearly out of our league here."Reluctantly, Cole nodded. "Fine, let's go."After they left the house, they climbed into their modest Toyota Camry, feeling the sting of inadequacy as they drove past the luxurious cars in the driveway: a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Lamborghini Aventador, and a Bentley Bentayga.In the car, Cole's father sighed heavily. "Son, it's time to face reality. Mikelson's family is too high to reach. You can't marry his daughter, Aliyah."Cole clenched his fists. "Dad, there are ways I could leverage their connections. I could get close to Gabriel, learn from him, or even find a way into his business circles."His fath
As they perused the menu, Mr. Mac remained friendly and engaging, discussing various topics with ease."Gabriel, I must say, you have quite a reputation in the city," Mr. Mac began, smiling warmly. "Your knowledge and skills in gemstone appraisal are unmatched. You seem far more bright too."Gabriel nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "Thank you, Mr. Mac. Your reputation precedes you as well. It's an honor to be here with you."Mr. Mac waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, please, Gabriel. With your brilliance and remarkable achievements, the honor is mine. Your expertise in gemstones is renowned, and I’ve heard nothing but admiration for your work."Gabriel smiled politely, but inside, he couldn’t quite pinpoint Mr. Mac's true intentions. The friendliness felt genuine, yet there was an underlying motive he couldn’t ignore. Deciding to cut through the pleasantries, he leaned forward slightly. "Mr. Mac, I appreciate the flattery, but I sense there’s more to this meeting. Please, speak
Mr. Mac's face tightened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Gabriel, I appreciate your directness. However, I urge you to consider the potential here. This isn’t just about business; it’s about creating a legacy that will be remembered for generations."Gabriel admired Mr. Mac's resilience and down-to-earth approach. He couldn’t help but be impressed. "You make a compelling case, Mr. Mac. I will give it serious thought."Mr. Mac leaned in slightly, his tone softening. "Please, Gabriel, consider our proposal as soon as possible. The patriarch holds you and your work in the highest regard. This partnership could redefine the industry standard."Gabriel nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I will. But understand that I need to ensure this aligns with the values and direction of Greenovation Gardens."Mr. Mac smiled, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "That’s all I ask, Gabriel. Thank you for your time and consideration."Gabriel offered a polite smile. "Thank you, Mr. Mac.