C6 Five Hundred Million!

The car door swung open, and a distinguished silver-haired gentleman stepped out.

The security guard's face momentarily seized up with recognition, and he quickly bent into a deep, respectful bow. "Good to see you, boss!"

The boss had arrived?

All eyes turned to the elderly man, their gazes brimming with reverence.

Blessing Restaurant wasn't just Fayedge's most opulent hotel; it was the hub for the city's elite.

The city's high society were all regulars.

One could only imagine the level of prowess required to be the owner of such an establishment!

Upon spotting the boss, Freya quickly composed herself and approached him with confident, alluring strides.

"Director Mills, what an immense privilege it is to meet you!"

Her presence at the restaurant was no coincidence; Blessing Restaurant planned to host an exclusive outdoor dining experience for a couple on the rooftop come the night of Qixi, complete with a celebrity serenade.

Imagine that.

The entire city of Fayedge fixated on just one couple—it was bound to be the talk of the town.

In essence, performing here could be her golden ticket into the realm of the wealthy and influential, a chance to broaden her connections and catapult her career to new heights!

She had scheduled an interview with the manager for today, never expecting the elusive boss to make a personal appearance—a delightful surprise indeed!

What did this signify?

It signified that Director Mills saw potential in her!

Lost in her elated thoughts, she barely noticed as Director Mills swept past her without a glance, his attention fixed on Duane. He strode over with a warm handshake, "Mr. Quarles, I presume!"

Director Mills had been all set to travel abroad.

But a call from Old Master Farrell had him rushing back from the airport, even taking a moment to familiarize himself with Duane's photograph.

"Yes, that's me," Duane confirmed with a nod.

"My deepest apologies for not greeting you sooner," Director Mills said with a bow of regret. "Let's continue our conversation inside."

"Oh, but the security guard here wasn't going to let me in," Duane remarked with a chuckle.

Quick to resolve the issue, a sharp-witted manager from behind Director Mills stepped forward and delivered a swift slap to the security guard, his voice icy, "You're out of here! You're fired!"

The security guard stood there, utterly dumbfounded.

The others were just as baffled. Why was Director Mills treating that young man with such reverence?

Freya stepped up and said, "Director Mills, there's no need for such formality with him. He may be a classmate of mine, but we're not close. He's just an average guy with no money."

Suddenly, it clicked for everyone.

They realized that Director Mills was showing respect because of Freya, treating the man as her classmate.

Freya was just putting on airs, how shameless!

But then, just as they were coming to this conclusion, Director Mills's eyebrows shot up as he turned to Freya. "And you are...? Get lost!"

Mocking someone introduced by Old Master Farrell was a dangerous game.

It was a foolhardy move!

"…"

Freya was flabbergasted.

What in the world was happening?

Those who had earlier sneered at Duane now felt a wave of nervous fear.

It wasn't until Duane and Director Mills walked into the Blessing Restaurant that they finally breathed a sigh of relief, though they were still sweating bullets.

They were inwardly grateful for Duane's magnanimity in not seeking revenge. With Director Mills's influence, squashing them would have been as easy as squashing an ant...

Inside the office.

Duane savored a sip of exquisite Longjing tea and got straight to the point. "Director Mills, I'm interested in purchasing the Blessing Restaurant. Could you name your price?"

Director Mills was taken aback. "How did you know I was planning to sell?"

"..."

Duane was at a loss for words.

He hadn't known about the sale; he was simply there to negotiate.

With a wry smile, Director Mills explained, "Well, my kids have emigrated. There's not much point in me staying here at this stage in my life, so yes, I was indeed planning to sell the restaurant and move abroad. I didn't expect the news to get out, but it's just as well. Selling it sooner will give me some peace of mind."

After a moment's thought.

He held up five fingers and said, "What do you think of this figure?"

"Sure, that works for me."

Duane agreed without hesitation.

His promptness prompted Director Mills to clarify, "Mr. Quarles, just to be clear... I'm talking about 500 million, not 50 million."

"I'm aware!"

Duane shrugged nonchalantly.

"..."

Director Mills's gaze was filled with astonishment.

To some big corporations and wealthy families, 500 million might not seem like an astronomical sum, but as liquid assets, it was truly staggering.

Even multi-billion-dollar conglomerates don't have this kind of liquidity!

Yet Duane was so nonchalant about it.

He didn't even haggle.

"The price is quite fair," Duane remarked with a smile.

Typically, launching a five-star hotel requires an investment of two to three hundred million. On the face of it, a bid of five hundred million might seem steep.

But Duane's interest lay not in the hotel itself, but in its status as a gathering place for the elite.

To reach the pinnacle of the world, one needs more than just skill and opportunity; a robust network is essential.

And the Blessing Restaurant was a hub for such connections!

This notion had struck him when he received the Black Dragon Card, loaded with eight hundred million, from Christian.

"Hahaha..."

Upon hearing Duane's thoughts, Director Mills burst into a hearty laugh, showering him with compliments, "Impressive, truly impressive. A young hero indeed! The Ziegler heir once inquired about this price. He accused me of trying to swindle him and bore a grudge, failing to recognize the true value here. It's probably worth well over a billion!"

"Cough, cough..."

"Haha, Mr. Quarles, rest assured, I won't renege on a five hundred million deal. Especially since you come recommended by Old Master Farrell," Director Mills said with a chuckle.

Shortly thereafter.

They swiftly executed the transfer agreement. Duane swiped his card, transferring five hundred million to Director Mills's personal account.

The sight of the legendary Black Dragon Card in Duane's possession left Director Mills inwardly astonished.

Initially, his respect for Duane stemmed from Christian's introduction.

Now, Director Mills couldn't help but inwardly exclaim, "This young man is truly remarkable. Who would have thought that Fayedge would produce such an exceptional figure? It won't be long before this place becomes a whirlwind of activity..."

Once the paperwork was settled.

Director Mills summoned his secretary, Freesia, and introduced her to Duane: "The success of the Blessing Restaurant owes much to her. Her capabilities are exceptional. I highly recommend keeping her on to assist you with the management. Ultimately, the decision is yours."

Duane turned his gaze to Freesia.

"Are you willing to work for me?" Duane inquired.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Boss Quarles," Freesia responded, bowing respectfully.

She had managed Blessing Restaurant for years and had grown attached to it. Naturally, she was reluctant to leave and was thankful for the chance to stay.

Moreover, she had met countless individuals, and she could tell that this young man was no ordinary person, especially given the attention he received from Director Mills. And with his youth, he was bound to achieve great things.

At that moment, Duane's eyes suddenly widened, his blood surged, and a nosebleed ensued!

It was inevitable.

As she bent over, the stunning view down her white shirt's neckline was inescapable.

It was more than anyone could resist!

Director Mills, with a mischievous grin, whispered, "Many of Fayedge's wealthy have their eyes on her, but she's still untouched. If I weren't so old, I might have ideas myself. Lucky you, young man, hehehe..."

Duane felt embarrassed.

He hadn't expected the old man to be so lecherous.

After a moment, Director Mills let out a nostalgic sigh, "The new waves push the old waves forward," and then he left, filled with emotion.

Freesia then asked Duane, "Boss, what should we do next?"

"Business as usual. And from today on, you're no longer a secretary. You'll be known as the General Manager," Duane instructed.

He had purchased the Blessing Restaurant as a strategic point for his business endeavors, not wishing to be overly involved.

Hearing "General Manager," Freesia's body quivered with excitement. She had been diligent since the restaurant's opening day, pouring her heart into her work.

Now, she had ascended to General Manager!

She was astute and understood that Duane preferred to remain the unseen boss, thus elevating her to the forefront. Despite this, she was deeply moved.

"Thank you, Boss!" Freesia expressed her gratitude with another bow.

Once more, Duane caught a glimpse of the view from her neckline, felt overwhelmed, covered his nose, and quickly said, "Enough, enough. Please don't bow to me anymore. I can't handle it..."

After completing the handover at Blessing Restaurant, Duane stepped out into the bustling streets of Fayedge. He quickly ran the numbers and realized he still had over 200 million dollars in his account. Figuring out the best way to utilize such a sum was a perplexing dilemma.

He was about to zip away on his electric scooter when a statuesque, provocatively dressed woman caught up to him, her voice soft and alluring, "Duane, Duane!"

Turning, Duane's gaze fell on Freya, and his eyebrows quirked in recognition. Her previously icy demeanor hadn't slipped his mind. With a frosty edge to his voice, he asked, "What does the illustrious star Freya want with little old me?"

Freya's expression soured at his tone. Anger flared within her, but she reined it in, knowing she needed something from Duane. For the sake of her ambitions, she forced a smile and ventured, "Duane, do you... happen to know Director Mills? I was wondering if you could help me out with something?"