Chapter 109

In a luxurious villa, a skinny middle-aged man in a suit sat on the living room sofa. He put on his glasses and read a contract intently. This seriously ill man was Stuart, Elmwood's richest man. Dave sat beside him, his eyes fixed on his father. Since signing the contract with Gilmore at the hotel, Dave hadn't been able to relax, even at home. He showed the contract to his recuperating father, wondering what he would think of his cooperation with Gilmore.

After reading, Stuart placed the contract on the table and removed his glasses. Dave stared at his father, eager to know his opinion. Stuart looked up at his son. After a moment, he said, "You're lucky to be working with him!"

Dave smiled; his father approved.

"I've read every clause, and each is favorable to you," Stuart explained. "You don't need to invest, yet you'll own half the shares and manage the company. The Evermore Group will buy vegetables at market price. You simply deliver them to Oakhaven, and you'll receive 50% of the profits. Most importantly, the Evermore Group's shareholders are the Carter family and Carter Semiconductors. The Carters are a powerful, wealthy Oakhaven family."

Stuart looked directly at Dave and added seriously, "That's why you're lucky. With the Carter family's support, you'll amass unimaginable wealth, and my company can escape this quagmire."

Dave recalled Gilmore's words: "Run our company well, make a lot of money, and you can bail out your father's company or even upgrade it." His father echoed the sentiment. He knew he'd made the right choice.

"Dave, you're lucky to be friends with Mr. Reed," Stuart said joyfully. "I trust you with my company. With Mr. Reed and the Carter family's help, I have no worries." Dave saw a level of trust in his father's eyes he'd never witnessed before.

Previously, as leader of a Frostholm gang, Dave's older brother, Ian, was his father's intended successor. Only after Ian's crippling accident did his father begin to seriously consider training Dave. However, his father had always been skeptical of Dave's business acumen. Now, finally, his father had faith in him.

Chapter 109 (Continued)

His cooperation with Gilmore secured the Thompson family the Carters' support. Stuart saw hope for the Thompson family and recognized Dave's capabilities. He would entrust Dave with the family business. Dave was happy to receive his father's recognition and grateful to Gilmore.

Stuart looked at Dave and said, "Gilmore said the food company must be established within fifteen days. I'll call the Industry and Commerce Department later. You can get the business license tomorrow. Tell your men to sign contracts with farmers immediately and find several hundred rural chefs. Go downtown tomorrow and buy dozens of trucks. I have an unprofitable factory in the suburbs; you can turn it into a food-purchasing company. The workers are already there, so you don't need to hire anyone else."

"Yes, Dad," Dave replied respectfully, agreeing to his father's plans.

While they discussed establishing the food-purchasing company, Gilmore sat on his hotel room sofa, leisurely sipping wine. His phone rang; it was Lilian.

"Hello, Lilian. Did you miss me?" he answered, leaning back.

"I'm filming a variety show in Vista Verde. I'm on a break, so I called. What are you doing?" Lilian's sweet voice filled the phone. Her voice relaxed him.

"I'm on a business trip in Elmwood. Drinking alone in the hotel. Bored," he replied. A bold idea struck him. "I'm finished here. How about I come see you?"

"Really?" Lilian's joy was evident, but she quickly demurred. "No way. Vista Verde is far from Vane. You'll be tired."

Gilmore smiled. "Don't worry. Last time you returned to Oakhaven, you went to another city for filming before I could see you. You're my girlfriend, and we haven't seen each other in a long time. It's not good for our relationship."

Lilian was silent. She wanted to see him but worried about tiring him.

"All right. I'm going back to Oakhaven this evening. Then I'll fly to Vista Verde to see you. Text me your filming location," Gilmore said.

"Mmm," she replied softly. He sensed her happiness.

Chapter 109 (Continued)

"See you tomorrow, then." "Okay." "Goodbye." "Okay."

Each of her replies was soft and gentle. Gilmore longed to see and kiss her. After hanging up, he booked a flight from Oakhaven to Vista Verde for that evening, packed his luggage, checked out of the hotel, and drove back to Oakhaven.

Four hours later, around 8:00 PM, he arrived in Oakhaven. Instead of going to the Palazzo, he headed straight to Newhaven Commercial Plaza to see Claire. He called her on the way, asking her to wait in her office. He parked, entered the building, took the elevator to Claire's 20th-floor office, and knocked.

"Please come in!" she replied.

(The final "SEND GIFT" appears to be unrelated to the text and likely a website artifact.)