When Larry got home, it was already late. Just then, his phone rang with a call from an unknown number.
"Young Master," a familiar voice came through as soon as he answered.
Larry recognized the voice immediately as William, the man who had appeared outside his home.
"Mm," Larry responded softly, not denying it.
Everything had been verified now; there was no better explanation.
"I want to know about my father and why he disappeared," Larry continued.
"Young Master, it's not the right time to tell you about your father's matters. As for his disappearance, no one may know the reason. You will have to find the answer yourself once you inherit your father's position," William replied.
"My father's position?" Larry asked in surprise.
"I can't tell you much right now. You'll learn everything in due time. Your most important task now is to prove your ability and gain the family's recognition. Soon, I will send someone to assist you. How does that sound?" William said.
Hearing this, Larry fell into deep thought.
Logically, the other party had given him unimaginable wealth, resolving his current predicament, and he should be grateful. Emotionally, this was his biological father, and he should find out why he disappeared. So, whether in terms of reason or emotion, he should seek the truth.
"Alright!" Larry said solemnly.
After hanging up, William smiled broadly and then said to someone nearby, "Have Cathy come to me."
Ten minutes later, the study door opened, and a stunningly beautiful yet icy-faced woman walked in.
"Dad, what's the matter? One of our companies is about to go public, and I'm busy!" the woman complained.
"Cathy, you'll resign from your position in a few days and go to New York to assist someone for me," William said seriously.
"What? Dad, are you crazy? Me, assist someone? I'm a business queen! Who deserves my help?" Cathy was bewildered and a bit angry.
"He's the master's son," William replied calmly.
Hearing this, Cathy's expression changed.
The master's son?
If the father was so formidable, how bad could the son be?
"Alright," Cathy agreed immediately, her eyes showing a hint of anticipation.
The next evening, Larry remembered to attend the gathering organized by Caroline. He took a bus to a stop not far from Matt 32.
As Larry walked towards the hotel's front plaza, a white BMW suddenly sped out of a parking spot.
Larry quickly jumped aside to avoid being hit.
The white BMW parked, and a woman in a short skirt and sunglasses stepped out. She had a good figure and seemed about Larry's age.
Before Larry could say anything, she pointed at him and yelled, "Are you blind? You almost hit my car! Can you afford to pay for the damage?"
Larry looked innocent. "Excuse me, I was walking properly, and you almost hit me. Shouldn't you watch where you're driving?"
The woman in sunglasses was unreasonable. "I'll drive however I want. Who do you think you are? And you look like a troublemaker trying to scam me."
Larry almost laughed out of anger.
"We can check your dashcam or the nearby surveillance cameras. If they show I was trying to scam you, I'll pay you. How about that?"
The woman glanced at Larry, spat on the ground, and said disdainfully, "You look like a poor guy who couldn't pay even if I sold you."
Larry glanced at the white BMW, which was worth about ten thousand at most. It didn't even earn as much interest in a day on his billion-dollar savings in the bank! The woman was overblowing her importance.
Seeing the panic in her eyes, the woman checked her watch and impatiently said to Larry, "Forget it! I'm running late for a dinner meeting. I don't have time to deal with you today. Consider yourself lucky."
With that, she strutted towards the entrance of Matt 32 without looking back.
Larry shook his head, amused. She knew she was in the wrong but refused to admit it. Typical.
Not letting the minor incident bother him, Larry continued to the restaurant entrance, where he saw the woman on the phone, telling someone to come and get her.
She hung up and noticed Larry nearby. She frowned and said disdainfully, "Are you following me to scam more money?"
Larry rolled his eyes. "I'm here to have dinner."
The woman laughed mockingly. "Look around! Do you think someone like you can afford to eat here? You need a reservation just to get in!"
She then told the doormen, "This guy tried to scam me in the parking lot. He's no good. Keep an eye on him so he doesn't steal anything."
The doormen looked Larry over. "Our restaurant treats all guests equally. Even homeless people can come in."
After this interruption, Larry entered the restaurant. The luxurious decor inside took his breath away.
The golden color scheme and the Mediterranean style, with gold leaf decorations everywhere and a huge crystal chandelier in the center, exuded royal grandeur.
This was the life of the wealthy!
Larry felt a genuine sense of awe but quickly reminded himself that he was now the heir to a top consortium. He shouldn't act like someone who had never seen such luxury. It was just a place to eat.
With newfound confidence, Larry walked in, took the elevator, and arrived at the top floor, the restaurant's most exclusive section. It was said that the ingredients here were flown in from abroad, and even a single dish was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
In the hallway, Larry passed a restroom and went in.
As he entered, someone bumped into him.
"Are you blind?" the man snapped.
Larry frowned, looking at the man in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses. He seemed familiar.
The man also scrutinized Larry and then exclaimed, "...Larry?"
"James!" Larry recognized him.
James was a high school classmate, but Larry had no fond memories of him. James was always a snob, sucking up to the rich kids while ignoring those from ordinary backgrounds.
"What are you doing here?" James asked, surprised. Then, as if realizing something, he said, "Oh, you must be working here as a waiter, right?"
Only people of high status came to this floor. Seeing Larry in cheap clothes, James couldn't believe Larry was here to dine.
"So, you're a waiter here?" James smirked.
"A friend invited me to dinner," Larry replied calmly, knowing James's nature.
James couldn't help but laugh, looking down on Larry. "A friend invited you here? You know someone who can afford this place? Come on, stop pretending. Being a waiter here has no future. I, James, may not be doing great, but I'm a manager at Emperor Group. If you want a job, let me know. For old times' sake, I can help you get a job as a security guard."
Although James's words sounded humble, his pride was evident.
Unbeknownst to James, Emperor Group was owned by Larry's father, and William and Caroline worked for him!
Larry laughed out loud.
James was trying to show off in front of him. How would he react when he learned the truth?
"What are you laughing at?" James was confused and annoyed, feeling his sense of superiority slipping away.
Larry didn't bother explaining. He walked out of the restroom and headed to the private room.
James's face turned dark. Watching Larry leave, he muttered angrily, "Idiot!"
Then he headed to his own private room.
As he walked, he found it strange that Larry was going in the same direction.
He quickly followed and indeed saw Larry stop in front of his private room.
Larry was about to push the door open when James grabbed his hand.
"Go get me a towel! It needs to be exactly 46 degrees!"
James ordered Larry arrogantly. Each private room at Matt 32 had dedicated waiters to ensure top service quality.
Naturally, James mistook Larry for a waiter. He was already angry, and now he wouldn't miss the chance to vent.
Everyone knew it was almost impossible to get a towel to exactly 46 degrees. James figured Larry couldn't do it, giving him a perfect excuse to humiliate Larry.
James entered the room and closed the door, leaving Larry outside.
Larry was stunned. Did James really think he was a waiter?
Not wanting to waste time, Larry pushed the door open and walked in.
James was furious. "Didn't I tell you to get a towel? Are you deaf?"
At this moment, a woman beside James jumped in fright.
It was Caroline, who instantly recognized Larry.
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Caroline slapped James hard across the face. James's face darkened. "I wasn't talking to you! I was talking to that waiter!"
James quickly explained, thinking Caroline had misunderstood and thought he was yelling at her.
But Caroline's slap made her angrier. She would rather he yelled at her than at Mr. Hermes!
Without letting her anger show, she hurried to Larry, bowed at ninety degrees, and said respectfully, "Mr. Hermes, I'm sorry for not managing my subordinate well. Please forgive us!"
Then she shouted at James, "Apologize to Mr. Hermes now!"
James was dumbfounded.
Mr. Hermes? Who was Mr. Hermes?
"Manager, you must be mistaken. This guy isn't Mr. Hermes. He's just a waiter here. We were high school classmates, and his family was poor," James said, confused.
Caroline had told him they were meeting the new company boss, Mr. Hermes. But the person in front of him was his poor high school classmate, Larry. How could he be the new boss?
Caroline was nearly
driven mad by James's words. "Are you trying to get me killed?"
She slapped him again and said word by word, "This is our new boss, Mr. Hermes!"
James was terrified. He had never seen Caroline so angry.
Although he didn't believe it, he had no choice but to apologize to Larry. "Mr. Hermes, I'm sorry."
Larry smiled faintly and said, "I remember you asked me to get you a towel at exactly 46 degrees, right? If you can get me that towel, I'll forgive you."
James trembled, feeling like he had swallowed a bitter pill. He had made up the request to mess with Larry, knowing it was nearly impossible.
Now Larry was turning it back on him.
"Go now!" Caroline glared at James, urging him.
James reluctantly walked out.
"Remember to bring a thermometer," Larry added with a smile.
James shuddered and quickened his pace.
"Mr. Hermes, please take a seat!" Caroline said with a flattering smile, guiding Larry to the head of the table.
"What's the current situation at the company? Tell me," Larry asked directly.
Caroline then explained the company's overview.
Emperor Group not only dealt in real estate but also had divisions in film, variety shows, music, and signed artists. Although it wasn't America's top entertainment company, it was well-known, and James was the manager of the entertainment division.
This division received less investment because the group didn't prioritize it.
Larry pondered, formulating some ideas. To grow the entertainment division, he needed to invest more resources. Since William had entrusted him with the company, he wouldn't ask William for money. He had his own funds, which made things easier.
Just then, the door opened.
James carefully entered, holding a foam box. He walked to Larry, opened the box, and took out a white towel. "Mr. Hermes, here's your towel."
Larry almost laughed at James's appearance. If only he had known earlier, he wouldn't be in this mess.
At least James had some brains, using a foam box to insulate the heat.
"Where's the thermometer?" Larry asked expressionlessly.