Chapter 116

Everyone rejoiced at the show's new sponsor, securing its continuation. However, Clinton was unhappy. He was stunned by Gilmore's $30 million sponsorship. "This guy arrived on a shared bike! A poor kid? How could he afford $30 million?" Clinton wondered.

Michael, ecstatic, placed the contract on the table, then grasped Gilmore's hand, exclaiming, "Mr. Reed, thank you!" This display of gratitude earned Gilmore the respect of everyone at the station, including the "Run, Friends, Run" cast. They saw him as their benefactor; without his sponsorship, the show—and their jobs—would have been lost.

Gilmore modestly suggested to Michael, "Mr. Hamilton, we've finished eating. Shall we return to the station to finalize our collaboration?" Michael, regaining his composure, agreed. "You're right, Mr. Reed. Let's discuss the specifics at the station."

Michael, Gilmore, and Lilian left together, the staff taking Michael's briefcase. The "Run, Friends, Run" cast followed. Clinton remained alone in the private room, his fury erupting in a fist slam against the table. The force toppled plates; a porcelain bowl shattered on his foot.

He leaped in pain and rage, completely humiliated by Gilmore's sponsorship. "Gilmore Reed! Lilian Morales! Just you wait!" he vowed, his eyes blazing with vengeful fury. He resembled a ferocious beast.

Gilmore and Michael finished their collaboration discussions by two o'clock. "Where to next?" Gilmore asked Lilian.

"Since you're in Vista Verde, I'll show you around Stepol," she replied.

"Good idea. Let's enjoy the scenery," Gilmore agreed. "Shall we bike?"

Lilian chuckled. "You're NexusTV's biggest sponsor. I won't let you ride a bike." She retrieved her car keys and pressed the fob. A white BMW's headlights flashed in the parking lot—Lilian's car. Gilmore initially mistook it for her Oakhaven BMW, but the license plate revealed it was registered in Vista Verde.

He teased, "Not bad, a new car! You've made a lot of money."

She smiled. "How can I compare to a secretly rich man like you? You spent $30 million on a sponsorship!"

They drove toward Stepol, its skyscrapers and bustling waterfront a vibrant international scene. Lilian parked overlooking the river, seagulls overhead and ships passing by.

"Where did you get the $30 million, Gilmore?" she asked.

"I won the lottery," he replied, mirroring his answer to Claire. "Then I invested in stocks, incredibly lucky, making over $600 million in a month."

Lilian was astonished, as was Claire before her. She saw the truth in his eyes, yet the sheer scale of his earnings ($600 million in a month!) still shocked her. She realized he possessed exceptional stock-trading skills.

Regaining her composure, Lilian mentioned, "You chose Evermore Diner to sponsor 'Run, Friends, Run,' but you only had a few branches." She had overheard their collaboration discussion. A $30 million advertising campaign would be wasteful without significant business scale.

Gilmore explained that he was collaborating with the Carter family to rapidly expand in Oakhaven, with dozens of new branches imminent. Lilian then learned of Evermore Diner's substantial Oakhaven presence. It felt surreal.

Just a year ago, Gilmore was impoverished and self-deprecating, too timid to confess his feelings to Lilian. Now, he was confident, financially successful, and expanding his business aggressively. He was a transformed man. While Lilian didn't dislike the old Gilmore, she clearly preferred the current, remarkable version.

As they watched the sunset, Lilian suggested, "It's time to go, but not to the Grand Majesty Hotel (Clinton's Horizon Group). Given your falling out, stay at my Vista Verde villa."

Gilmore was surprised. "You own a villa in Vista Verde?"

Her celebrity status explained her wealth; otherwise, a Vista Verde villa would be unattainable. "I film here frequently, so I bought it six months ago," she explained. "Convenient for me, and a good investment." Gilmore understood; many celebrities invest in Vista Verde real estate for convenience and potential returns.

Lilian then drove Gilmore to her villa.

(Note: I removed the extraneous website promotion.)