The House of Royals, an opulent estate in Cansington, was off-limits to all but the ultra-wealthy. However, many prominent figures received invitations to a lavish party hosted by Lex, prompting considerable curiosity about the mansion's interior.
Lex spared no expense on the event, exceeding his initial thirty-million-dollar budget by fifty million. The total cost reached eighty million dollars. Outside, a stage featured a live singer, creating a festive atmosphere that might have been mistaken for a Christmas celebration by an unsuspecting passerby. Inside, the living room alone spanned thousands of square meters.
Lex, clad in a red suit and confidently wielding his dragon cane, exuded an air of self-assurance. The other Callahans were equally energetic and jovial. Thea, in a stunning gown, commanded immediate attention.
A slender receptionist, herself a famous celebrity, stood at the villa's gate. She read aloud from the gift list, her voice amplified by a microphone, capturing the attention of the assembled guests. Alex Yates entered, impeccably dressed, presenting a bottle of Chateau Lafite wine with the message: "Wishing Mr. Callahan a blessed birthday."
Lex personally greeted Yates, remarking, "Mr. Yates, your presence is an honor. You didn't need to bring a gift."
Yates, after a brief survey of the room (noticing Thea but not James), replied with a laugh, "It's nothing much." He seemed unconcerned by James's absence, perhaps finding his presence uncomfortable.
Subsequently, a succession of high-profile guests arrived, bearing extravagant gifts:
- Charles Bertrand (Abundant Pharmaceuticals): An original Leonardo da Vinci painting.
- Bryan Grayson (Gourmand): A jade ring.
- Yuna (Longevity Pharmaceuticals): Ten boxes of panda dung tea.
- Jay Fallon (renowned doctor): Countless health supplements.
These individuals represented Cansington's elite, wielding significant influence. The arrival of each was announced, generating a buzz among the assembled guests.
Later, Gavin, Cansington's representative for the Five Provinces Business Alliance, made a grand entrance, presenting an astonishing gift: eight hundred eighty-eight dollars, eighteen famous paintings, thirty-eight antiques, eighty-eight grams of gold, and a villa in the Goodview Villa District. The announcement elicited gasps of astonishment.
The sheer generosity of the gift, coupled with the guest's affiliation with the prestigious Five Provinces Business Alliance, shocked everyone present. The Callahans' connection to this influential organization, previously unknown, was now undeniable. Even applications to join the alliance were notoriously difficult; the fact that Gavin attended and gave such a gift signified a momentous shift in the Callahans' status.
The guests, initially bewildered, soon realized the implications of this alliance. The Callahans' ascent to prominence, backed by the Five Provinces Business Alliance, seemed assured. Whispers of awe and disbelief filled the room: "Lex is really impressive," one guest remarked. "How did a head of a second-class family rise so high?" The event cemented Lex's position among the Cansington elite.