Chapter 388: The Grand Finance Summit Begins
“Will you reveal the truth?”
“What really happened in that fire years ago? It was supposed to be a public execution, but it fizzled out without explanation. Did you receive some kind of benefit from it?”
“The public has the right to know. Please, President, don’t deceive the people.”
The questions were getting sharper and sharper.
Rafael had just landed in The Capital, ready to attend the grand finance summit, when he was hit with this unexpected news. He calmly adjusted the suit draped over his arm, smiling at the crowd without saying a word. What was there to say when he hadn’t even had time to process the situation yet? If he said something now only to contradict himself later, how would he save face?
The butler stepped in front of Rafael, nodding toward the cameras. “This news came unexpectedly. After the finance summit, the presidential office will issue a formal statement.”
Rafael, still maintaining his gentlemanly composure, was about to leave when the sound of another car pulling up behind him caught his attention.
“Well, I won’t block others from entering any longer.”
Finding an excuse, Rafael turned to leave, but before he could take a step, a voice rang out from behind him.
“President Rafael, I didn’t expect you to arrive so early!”
The tone was sharp, filled with pressure. Rafael’s smile froze as he turned to see none other than Denver Reeves, head of the now-rising Reeves Group in country A.
Denver, a burly man in his prime, had aged well and his sharp eyes gleamed with vitality. Rafael, however, was not too pleased to see him. Especially not Denver, a man whose eyes seemed to betray his hidden schemes.
But Denver’s position had changed dramatically. With the fall of both the Truette and Jarnigan families, and after the Grissom and Smiths families tore each other apart, Denver had seized the opportunity to move the Reeves family’s base of power to The Capital.
Today, Denver didn’t just attend alone. He brought along several of his children and a group of senior executives, making it clear to everyone that he had big plans for the night.
“Mr. Reeves, you aren’t late yourself, and you look well today,” Rafael said with a graceful smile, stepping forward to shake Denver’s outstretched hand.
“Thanks to your blessing,” Denver replied, gripping Rafael’s hand tightly, his voice full of cheer. “I hear the news about that woman from the slums coming back from the dead. Did you hear about it?”
Rafael could have strangled him right then and there.
The reporters ask, and now you ask too? Do you have any sense? If something goes wrong, are you going to take responsibility?
Nearby, the media went into a frenzy, pushing closer with their cameras. Rafael let go of Denver’s hand and said, “I just got off the plane, so I’m not fully aware of the situation yet. I’ve already sent people to investigate. Mr. Reeves, shall we head inside?”
Let’s not stand here anymore!
Just as Rafael finished speaking, before Denver could reply, two more voices rang out-
“President Rafael, Mr. Reeves, what a coincidence to meet you here.”
Rafael looked up to see another car pulling up, and out came Mr. Grissom of the Grissom family and Jason of the Smiths family. The two walked side by side, looking noticeably haggard, but they were accompanied by their children, as if treating the grand finance summit like a family reunion.
Hadn’t these two been at each other’s throats recently? They were practically falling apart, so why were they now arriving together?
What was going on?
Rafael narrowed his eyes, watching as Denver walked over to shake hands with both Mr. Grissom and Jason, greeting them like old friends and introducing their children to each other.
“They seem to be joining forces,” Rafael’s butler whispered from behind him.
“I can see that,” Rafael muttered in a low voice, ready to turn and leave when Denver suddenly called out to him.
“President Rafael, wait a moment. Pardon my boldness, but I’d like to introduce you to someone.”
Bold is right. Rafael was about to refuse when a sleek, polished car rolled through the security line and stopped in the center. The door opened, and out stepped Jeremy, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit.
Among these middle-aged men, Jeremy’s looks were undoubtedly top-notch, with sharp features and an intense gaze. His presence was commanding, reminiscent of his glory days.
On the other side of the car, a young woman, elegantly dressed, stepped out, immediately drawing the attention of countless cameras.
Rachel was wearing a snow-white A-line evening gown, her bare shoulders adorned with a necklace of diamonds that encircled her neck like a shining crown. The gown flowed down to her ankles, highlighting her graceful curves.
As soon as Rachel stepped out, she took Jeremy’s arm, smiling as she approached.
“Jeremy!” Denver greeted warmly, walking over to clasp Jeremy’s arms. “I’m finally seeing you in action!”
“You’re too kind, Denver. I’m just here to support my daughter. I’m getting too old for grand entrances,” Jeremy said modestly, but with his custom suit and handmade shoes, no one would believe he wasn’t up to something.All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.
“Uncle Denver,” Rachel greeted with a polite bow.
“Rachel, you’ve grown so much! I’ve been out of The Capital for years, sending only my children here. I owe you a lot of gifts,” Denver said, playing the role of the doting elder.
“Then you’ll have to make it up to me this time,” Rachel replied playfully, her smile mischievous.
“Nonsense, is that how you ask an uncle for gifts?” Jeremy chided, though his gaze toward Rachel was full of affection.
Those around them laughed at the scene. Even Mr. Grissom and Jason, who had once been at odds with Rachel, were now all smiles. It seemed all their previous tensions had evaporated.
What an intriguing sight this was.
The media went wild, cameras flashing as they captured every moment. One journalist noticed a figure standing quietly behind Rachel, a person who appeared to be an assistant, leaning on a cane and keeping their head down, looking a bit unusual.
“Wait… are you Molly?”
In the span of an hour, all of Paige’s past scandals had been dug up, including Molly’s involvement. Recognizing her, the journalist seemed to have struck gold.
“You’ve seen the news that Paige is still alive, haven’t you? Do you have any thoughts on that?”
“There were reports that Rachel took you in as an assistant when you were left with nothing. How have these past years been for you?”