Chapter 133

In the villa's living room, Graham sat on the sofa, drinking tea. Seeing Helene return, he said gently, "Gilmore left."

She nodded. "Yes." She sat down beside him.

"Well, does he still refuse the vice president position?" Graham asked.

She shook her head.

"So, did you confess your feelings?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"And what did he say?"

"He agreed," she said, blushing.

Graham looked happy. "That's great!"

"Dad, although he agreed, he's returning to Oakhaven tomorrow," she added.

"Don't worry, he holds a 10% share in our company. You'll have plenty of other opportunities to see him," Graham said confidently.

Helene looked at her father curiously. "Dad, why do you value him so much and want to matchmake us?"

She understood thanking Gilmore with 10% of the shares, but sensed her father's intentions went beyond mere gratitude.

Graham sipped his tea, then said solemnly, "Helene, I investigated Gilmore. He invested $300 million sponsoring a major NexusTV variety show. He also has business dealings with Claire, the daughter of the wealthy Carter family in Oakhaven. Mr. Carter wants him to marry Claire."

He looked at Helene. "Denton is an ambitious man. Few catch his eye. He previously considered Benjamin Palmer, but ultimately chose Gilmore as his grandson-in-law. This proves Gilmore isn't ordinary. Why else would Denton choose him over Palmer?"

Helene felt stressed learning Claire also liked Gilmore. This meant another powerful rival.

"Now, do you understand why I value Gilmore? Even Denton holds him in high regard. He must be exceptionally talented," Graham said seriously. "This is my conclusion based on decades in business."

Helene understood.

Helene then saved her father by using his help. Clinton’s plot was leaked out during their family meetings, and he was taken away by the police. Then Gilmore defeated Clinton. It seemed that she and her father had revealed Clinton's conspiracy and regained control of the family. However, each critical step was accomplished with Gilmore’s help. From this one could see how astonishing he was. And the medical skills and martial arts he displayed were profound and powerful. At this moment, Helene realized that it was an illusion to think that Gilmore was just an ordinary guy. He was really a bad- ass who was good at playing dumb. Helene nodded and said seriously, “Dad, I understand. I won’t let another woman take him away.” Graham nodded with a smile.

After leaving the Field family’s manor, Gilmore drove to the Grand Majesty Hotel because Lilian, Mr. Hamilton, and her other friends were eating there. They would not have come to this hotel if Clinton had not been taken away by the police.

After driving into the parking lot of the Grand Majesty Hotel, Gilmore took out his mobile phone to call Lilian. A few seconds later, she answered, “Gilmore, are you here at the Grand Majesty Hotel?”

“Yes, I’m in the parking lot. Are you finished yet?” he asked.

“Almost. Would you like to come up for a drink?” Lilian asked over the phone.

“Nah, I’ll wait for you downstairs,” he replied. He refused because he had eaten with the Field family, so he was totally full.

“Be there in 10 minutes,” she said.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you here,” he said. He then hung up the phone. He sat in the car and waited for Lilian to come down. He was bored, and suddenly he saw the folder in the passenger seat. Anyway, he had already left the Field family’s manor, so he could open it up to see what was inside. He grabbed the portfolio, untied the string around the seal and opened it up.

Gilmore found documents detailing a 10% share in the Horizon Group, a massive corporation valued at $10 billion. This represented a billion-dollar stake. He was stunned; he'd helped the Fields, but this was excessive. He recalled Graham's invitation to consider the villa his own home, initially dismissed as a joke, now seeming far more significant. The vice-presidency offer, the 10% stake, and Helene's affections all pointed towards them wanting him to marry her. While considering returning the stock certificate, Gilmore realized Graham wouldn't accept it back, and he'd tacitly acknowledged Helene's feelings. He decided to accept the shares temporarily, recognizing he didn't need to actively manage the Horizon Group.

Ten minutes later, Lilian and her companions emerged from the hotel. She apologized for the wait, and they left together.

After returning to the hotel, they washed, turned off the lights, and the sound of clothes hitting the floor followed. Cherishing their time together before returning to Oakhaven tomorrow, they spent a passionate night.