Chapter 69

In the Business Department on the fifth floor of Commercial Pizza Building B, a young woman in glasses and office attire welcomed Gilmore and his family.

“Nice to meet you! I’m Irene East, manager of Commercial Plaza’s Business Department.” Irene, the 24-year-old manager, stood up and introduced herself politely, smiling.

Gilmore smiled. “I am Gilmore Reed. These are my parents and my friend, Gerald.” He gestured to his family and friend.

“Mr. Reed, please sit down.”

Gilmore's group of four sat on the office sofa, as did Irene. She adjusted her glasses, looked at Gilmore, and said, “Mr. Reed, you mentioned a well-known restaurant brand on the phone. Which brand is it?”

An awkward expression immediately appeared on Gilmore’s parents’ faces.

Gilmore said, “This brand is new to Newhaven Commercial Plaza, but it will become the most popular brand in the future.”

His seemingly serious words fooled Irene. She looked at him and asked, “Could it be KFC?”

Gilmore smiled mysteriously and shook his head. “No.”

“McDonald’s?”

“No.”

“Shake Shack?”

“No.”

Irene listed several domestic and international brands not yet in Newhaven Commercial Plaza, but Gilmore continued to deny them all.

Confused, Irene asked, “Then, Mr. Reed, what is your brand name?”

Gilmore calmly replied, “Evermore Diner.”

At the name, Gilmore’s parents’ eyes widened. Gerald, seated to the side, suppressed a chuckle at Gilmore’s trickery.

Irene was puzzled. Evermore Diner? She searched her mind for well-known food chains but found no such brand. She took out her phone and searched online.

“Sorry, no information about Evermore Diner…” The Google search results read.

This time, Irene’s face turned cold. She looked at Gilmore and said, “Mr. Reed, I’m sorry, I didn’t find the restaurant brand you mentioned.”

Gilmore said seriously, “Ms. East, it doesn’t matter if you can’t find Evermore Diner. It will become the most popular brand in Newhaven Commercial Plaza.”

“Mr. Reed, I understand now. Evermore Diner isn’t a branded restaurant. You’re lying to me, aren’t you?” Irene’s tone was displeased.

Gilmore waved his hand. “No, I’m not lying. While Evermore Diner isn’t a branded restaurant now, after a month, it will be the most outstanding restaurant in Newhaven Commercial Plaza.”

“I’m sorry. Our Vice President specified that unit 10, a prime location with a large floor area, can only be rented to a well-known restaurant brand. Please leave.” Irene stood up, ending the conversation.

Gilmore remained seated. He looked at Irene and asked, “Ms. East, what’s the monthly rent for unit 10?”

Irene reluctantly answered, “Forty thousand dollars a month.”

Forty thousand dollars a month! Harlan and his wife felt anxious. Even Gerald considered it ridiculously expensive, earning only $4,000 a month as a bodyguard.

“I’ll pay sixty thousand dollars a month,” Gilmore declared, looking directly at Irene.

Irene was incredulous. Harlan and his wife were nearly shocked speechless. Forty thousand dollars was already daunting; sixty thousand was unbearable.

“Son, we don’t want it!” Harlan protested.

Gilmore smiled. “Dad, this is nothing. Once Evermore Diner is established, sixty thousand, six million, or sixty million dollars can be earned back!”

Harlan was speechless. Gerald, however, was impressed by Gilmore’s boldness. Irene, though, thought Gilmore was crazy. Forty thousand was already high; to offer sixty thousand, and boast of such profits, seemed insane.

Irene rejected Gilmore. “Mr. Reed, your vision is good, but it’s not easily achieved. Please leave!”

“Seventy thousand dollars!” Gilmore countered. “Call your vice president. I’ll rent unit 10 for seventy thousand dollars a month.”

Everyone was stunned. Gilmore had added another ten thousand! He was clearly rich and willful.

Irene, faced with a doubled rent and Gilmore's determination, turned serious.

“If you call your vice president, I’ll give you $4,000 upon signing the lease,” Gilmore said, producing two bundles of cash and placing them on the table. He knew bribing Irene was necessary.

Gilmore was right. Irene couldn't resist the easy money. She called her vice president.

A slight smile played on Gilmore's lips. Money, it seemed, did make the world go round.

(The final promotional sentence has been removed as it is irrelevant to the text cleanup and appears to be an advertisement.)