At the far end of the room sat Conrad Everett.
The old man looked perfectly at ho. His hair was combed back neatly, and he was wearing his usual designer suit. He was seated in a cushioned chair, surrounded by a few known personnel.
A uniford guy inford Conrad of their arrival. His gaze imdiately flew to the door’s side. When he saw Gray, his lips stretched into a knowing smile. He rose from his seat with authority that made every cara in the room instinctively turn toward him.
"Ah, there you are," Conrad’s deep voice echoed across the hall as everyone beca silent when he stood up. He spread his arms lightly as though he were welcoming family into his ho.
"Our guests of honor have arrived."
"..." Gray stiffened under the sudden attention. He could feel eyes turning towards him. A few photographers took pictures of him. He saw the flashes of caras and heard the subtle clicks as they adjusted their caras’ focus to him.
Gray kept his face neutral, though on the inside, he was feeling awkward. He wasn’t used to this kind of attention.
Mara, who was beside him, also subtly straightened her posture. She had a professional smile plastered on her face. Still despite her calm look, Gray could see the way her hands trembled.
Conrad didn’t give them much chance to settle down. He walked forward to et Gray. The two of them politely shook hands before Conrad gestured toward the table on the side where reporters were currently gathered.
"Ladies and gentlen of the press," Conrad began smoothly. His tone was formal and authoritative. "Allow to introduce the man beside . This is Gray Adams. He’s a new face in our industry, and my partner in a venture that will reshape the future of retail in this country."
Gray smiled as he saw the interest and curiosity flickering in the reporter’s eyes. He just silently sighed. He hadn’t even sat down yet, and Conrad had already turned him into the centerpiece of today’s show.
Conrad’s hand extended toward him with its palm open. He was inviting Gray to step forward. The flashes of caras grew sharper, and the murmur of reporters rose like a tide ready to swallow him whole.
For a brief mont, Gray considered cursing Conrad under his breath. However, all he did was exhale softly, square his shoulders, and take that one step forward.
Gray cleared his throat softly. He knew there was no escaping this part, not with all the caras and eyes aid at him. He adjusted the mic that had been pushed toward his side and spoke in a calm and simple tone.
"Good morning, everyone. It’s nice to et all of you. My na is Gray Adams," he formally introduced himself.
"I’m grateful for the opportunity to work on this venture. I believe it’s sothing that will benefit not just our businesses, but also the people we’ll serve. Thank you."
It was a short introduction. It was nothing flashy, but still enough so that the people would know slightly about him.
The mont his words left the mic, the room stirred chaotically. So reporters leaned forward. Caras shifted more to him, their lenses zooming. Suddenly, the reports spoke one by one.
Their voices overlapped each other. They threw questions, greetings, and even a few short follow-ups after his introduction.
"Mr. Adams! Mr. Adams! Over here!"
"Can you tell us how you t Mr. Everett?"
"Is it true you’re being backed for multiple projects?"
"So people are calling you a rising na in retail. How do you feel about that?"
"We heard that your store is located in West Arcadia. Can you tell us sothing about it?
"Are you close with Mr. Everett?"
"Did Mr. Everett initiate this partnership?"
The swarm of questions was fast and suffocating. Microphones pushed closer to his face and caras clicked in a storm of flashes. Gray instinctively tightened his jaw, his polite smile stiffening.
For a brief second, he thought about stepping back. He was getting overwheld by the surge of questions. Still, when he looked to the side, he saw that Conrad was still right beside him.
The old man was smiling. He was watching everything like a proud man who had set everything up. Conrad raised a hand to disrupt the flood of questions. However, it was not to calm the reporters.
"Gentlen, ladies, I’ll let Mr. Adams handle your curiosity. I’ll step away for now to check on the preparations. We’ll be starting shortly." It was almost like he was presenting Gray to them fully.
Laughter echoed soon after. It was as if everyone knew Conrad’s intention. After a while, they said their goodbyes out of respect. A few reporters even thanked him directly before putting back their attention to Gray.
And just like that, Conrad slipped away toward the far end of the room. He let Gray have his mont as they prepared for the contract signing.
Now all eyes were on Gray.
The air felt heavier without Conrad’s presence to soak up the spotlight.
’Damn... I am left here.’ He tried looking at Mara for help. However, the woman also slipped away and acted as if she were busy. She didn’t want to be put in the spotlight too.
"..."
’I guess I am alone now.’ Gray pressed his lips together.
He could see it clearly in their eyes. They weren’t just curious about him. They were hungry to ask questions and get to know him.
The people in front of him weren’t just business reporters. There were lifestyle magazines, independent dia personalities, even a few that looked like they ca from gossip outlets.
To them, this wasn’t just a normal story of a partnership. It was the story of why Conrad Everett, a man known for rarely attaching his na to anyone, would publicly call soone not only his partner but speak of him like an equal.
And more dangerously, it looked like the tw knew each other more than just business.
Now that Conrad was away, the reporters swamped over him more. Their questions were getting more personal now.
"Mr. Adams, may we ask about your background?"
"What is your current aspirations right now?
"What made Mr. Everett trust you enough to partner in such a major project?"
"Are the two of you close outside of business?"
"What is your hobbies?"
"Can you tell us about your upbringing? Your connection to the city? Your family?"
One by one, microphones angled higher toward his lips. Gray’s chest tightened at it.
This was a whole new beast he had to overco. These reporters were eager to peel layers off him until they found sothing that could explain what Conrad saw in him.
For a mont, Gray’s eyes flickered to the side of the hall where Conrad had gone. He caught a glimpse of the old man in the distance, speaking with staff. He was calm as ever, as though this entire chaos had been his intention from the beginning.
Gray exhaled slowly through his nose. The old man had practically handed him over to the wolves.
But wolves or not, Gray wasn’t about to back down.
He straightened his posture just slightly, feeling the weight of every cara pointing at him. The smile he wore on his face softened into sothing smaller and more reserved.
"All I can say," he began, careful with every word, "is that Mr. Everett and I share the sa vision. We’re aligned in wanting to create sothing that lasts, not just for us, but for the people who walk into our stores. That’s the foundation of our partnership. As for personal ties..." He gave a faint shrug. "I respect him a lot."
Of course, that only stirred their curiosity more.
Reporters leaned more closer. Those on the side scribbled fast on their notes as if not wanting to miss any details of his answer.
"Respect, Mr. Adams? Could you clarify what you an?"
"Does this an you see Mr. Everett as a ntor?"
Gray’s lips pressed together for a second. Inside, he sighed. He could already feel the kind of story that would show up tomorrow.
Still outwardly, he kept his calm.
He knew Conrad had just left him a stage to prove whether he could handle pressure on his own.
Gray took in a slow breath, his eyes flickering toward the press for a mont.
"Yes," he said, voice even. "I do see Mr. Everett as a ntor. He’s been generous with his ti and guidance, and I’ve learned a lot just by being around him. Business isn’t easy. It’s full of challenges, mistakes, and uncertainty. But having soone like him, it changes how you see things. He doesn’t just guide with the numbers, but with vision. And I trust that vision."
The room instantly stirred again. Reporters scribbled faster, others pressed microphones closer to his lips.
"What part of his vision do you share the most?"
"How does his guidance reflect in your own business?"
"Are you implying your partnership is more long-term than just this project?"
The questions ca rapidly and relentlessly. Gray felt his jaw tighten as the flashes of caras grew more frequent. He kept his smile faint but steady, buying himself ti as he filtered what he should say and what he should absolutely avoid.
He opened his mouth, ready to give a answer, when a louder voice cut across the noise.
"Sir," a female reporter called out clearly. "Are you in a relationship with Mr. Everett’s granddaughter?"
Gray blinked, caught off guard.
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