Chapter 4 The Invitation Card

• As the car headed smoothly toward the main road, Vanessa seemed to regain her senses, and an icy look returned to her face.
• Cassius drove calmly, and the pair did not speak the entire journey.
• Soon, they arrived at Fourwaters Tower.
• Fourwaters Union had purchased the building at its asking price after establishing itself in Horbah. It was located in the heart of the city's business district and boasted one of the country's top exhibition halls at the top of the building.
• Keeping her tone light, she said, “You should head back first. There's nothing you can do to help here.”
• “What's the matter? Is it embarrassing to be seen with me?” he responded while arching an eyebrow. Then, he turned and left.
• Vanessa gritted her teeth angrily as she watched him leave. What should I do to make that guy pull himself together? Even if he gets an ordinary job, he'll still have a promising future if he works hard. It's not like I'm asking him to earn a fortune...
• She walked toward the banquet application table in the hall on the first floor and joined the long queue.
• Sitting in the car and watching her queuing in the hall by herself, Cassius shook his head, took out his phone, and sent out an instruction.
• The sun poured in through the glass doors of the building and beat down on the people waiting in line, making it extremely hot inside.
• Vanessa could not help feeling a sense of helplessness when she saw that the queue was almost snaking out the door. Her feet were sore from standing for so long.
• All those in line were representatives of well-known companies in Horbah. Countless families were desperate to obtain an invitation because a gathering of the most influential and powerful people was the easiest way for one to expand one's network and increase business opportunities. Moreover, the organizer was Fourwaters Union, the world's top company. The reason behind Claudia's strict orders was to seize the chance to gain entry into the upper echelon and get to know a few more big shots.
• At that moment, Vanessa suddenly heard a familiar voice and subconsciously turned her head. Oh, joy. Uncle Hector's family is here too.
• Hector Seltzer, the Seltzer family's eldest son, and his family happened to come downstairs at that moment. Upon spotting Vanessa in the queue from afar, Lilian sashayed over smugly with her son-in-law, Stephen Quinton. “Oh, my. Look at all the trouble you have to go through, Vanessa. Don't be silly. They have too few spots available for application. By the time it's your turn, they'll have run out of invitations already.”
• “I should still give it a shot, Aunt Lilian,” Vanessa replied, forcing a smile.
• Lilian smirked. “Do you think I'm bluffing? Stephen just joined Fourwaters Union and is now a mid-level executive. This is inside information.”
• Looking at the dazed look on Vanessa's pretty face, Stephen gave a modest smile and said to his mother-in-law, “You're blowing it out of proportion. I just helped our family get an invitation. It's not that big of a deal.”
• Clutching the delicate silver invitation in her hands, Lilian chuckled and responded, “This is a VIP member invitation, so stop being so modest. We should open Vanessa's eyes to the fact that, sometimes, marrying well is more important than anything else.”
• “Aunt Lilian, if there's nothing else, you should go about your business,” Vanessa said, feeling as upset as though she had swallowed a fly.
• Lilian still wanted to brag when the sound of rapid footsteps sounded out as a man in a suit and leather shoes hurried over. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and exuded a distinguished aura.
• Stephen was stunned. He quickly wiped his hands and approached the man with a bow. “Mr. Gunderson, have you finished your meeting?”
• “Move aside!” Hugh Gunderson barked without even sparing him a glance.
• “Ah... Right, of course...” Stephen stepped aside awkwardly.
• He watched as Hugh quickened his pace, walked up to Vanessa, and bowed slightly. “Excuse me, are you Ms. Vanessa Seltzer?”
• Vanessa was puzzled. “Yes. And you are?”
• “Please come with me. It's too hot and stuffy here. Let's head up to the VIP lounge upstairs first.” Hugh spoke in a respectful and formal tone, and he dared not even look at her.
• Furrowing her brows, she followed him into the elevator reserved for the top management's use, leaving the others standing rooted to the spot.
• Lilian licked her lips. “Who is he? He's so arrogant!”
• “Don't say that! He's the personal secretary to Fourwaters Union's vice president!” Stephen explained, wiping the sweat from his brow.
• “Then why did he only ask Vanessa to follow him in?”
• Stephen shook his head. “I don't know. Let's go home first. Grandma is still waiting for us.”
• At that moment, Vanessa was sitting quietly in Fourwaters Union's VIP lounge. The silence inside the room was terrifying and carried an imposing aura that only a massive corporation would have, making her uneasy.
• Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Hugh enter the room behind a snowy-haired man.
• “Ms. Seltzer, this is Mr. Zimmerman,” Hugh began, but the elderly man interrupted his introduction and said, “What's with the honorifics? Ms. Seltzer, please call me by my name. I'm Winston Zimmerman.”
• Vanessa was ecstatic. Getting to meet Fourwaters Union's vice president means I have the chance to ask him for an invitation! But I wonder why he's being so polite...
• Just as she was about to speak, Winston took out a beautiful purple and gold envelope.
• “Um, what is this, Mr. Zimmerman?”
• “Inside is the invitation card we've prepared for you. Apart from that, we also have a gift.” He clapped his hands as he spoke, and two tall and beautiful ladies walked in carrying a luxurious gift box.
• Before Vanessa could react, Winston opened the gift box and revealed the dress adorned with dazzling gemstones.
• Vanessa was dumbfounded. It was a custom Chanel evening dress from the Magic Queen series. Red was taboo for evening gowns as it could look gaudy, but the dress was different. Even with the embellishment of hundreds of purple diamonds, it had an air of understated luxury. I've seen that dress featured in a fashion magazine, so I know how expensive it is. Just the diamonds on the dress alone are worth a fortune!
• He set the gift box down and pushed it toward her along with the envelope. “These are from Fourwaters Union's president. Please accept them.”
• Snapping to her senses, she swallowed hard and said, “Mr. Zimmerman, p-please give me some time to digest this.”
• She pressed her hands to her flaming cheeks, and it took her a long time to finally calm down. “May I know why the elderly president is giving me such an expensive gift?”
• Winston was momentarily stunned. Then, he guffawed. “Elderly... You're mistaken, Ms. Seltzer. Our president is in his prime. He's young, handsome, and not even thirty years old this year.”
• Vanessa's face blushed crimson. I thought that whoever could take on the position of Fourwaters Union's president had to be someone older. However, it's even more suspicious that a young, handsome, and wealthy man would give me such an ambiguous gift.
• “I'm sorry, but I can't accept—” Before she could finish her sentence, however, Winston had turned to leave and said while waving his hand, “Ms. Seltzer, I've already delivered the gift. You can't refuse it.”
• The VIP lounge was silent once again.
• Vanessa could not help thinking that everything seemed more and more like a dream. I can't refuse the gifts?
• Feeling a little scared, she got up to leave. However, the sight of the envelope containing the invitation card and the thought of her father's troubled expression made her hesitate. If I have the invitation card, does it mean I can make Grandma change her mind and stop her from forcing me into an arranged marriage?
• Somehow, she managed to get through to Cassius on the phone. “Hello. Are you home? Okay. Um... I need your help to analyze something.”
• Before she could finish recounting what had happened, he interrupted her and said, “Accept it!”
• “Hey! A young and rich guy gifted your wife an evening gown. Are you still a man? How could you tell me to accept it without grasping the situation?” she responded angrily.
• He chuckled coldly. “That's because you have to accept it and attend the banquet. Only then will you have the chance to meet that president and ask him what's the meaning of all this.”
• Then, he ended the call.
• Seriously? But he's got a point. There's no way to argue with that. Letting out a long sigh, she picked up the gift box and envelope and walked off. Hmph! I'm just doing this to figure out the truth and see the president of Fourwaters Union with my own eyes!