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Chapter 44
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The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 45
Soren sat high above us all, yet he still nodded and smiled at me.I felt as though I had been pulled back to life. I was in ecstasy.I flashed him my brightest, most grateful smile. I might have not obtained the bracelet, but I was happy that it had ended up with Soren."40,000,000 dollars! Going, going… Gooone!" the auctioneer screamed with such excitement that his voice broke. "The white nephrite bracelet is sold to Mr. Soren Kenway!"The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, turning their gaze toward the VIP box while Soren remained serenely in his seat like a king looking down on his subjects.A man stood next to him.I overheard someone whisper, "That's the boss of Swedbury, right?""Yeah, that's him!""Who is this mysterious man? The boss is standing next to him like a servant!""It's a Kenway, man. Kenways are like… They're like royalty, man! You wouldn't believe me even if I told you…"I returned to my seat as the crowd's chatter continued. Thoughts swirled in my m
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 46
I could not imagine what kind of news this would become on the Internet. I couldn't even tell if it would be a good or bad thing for me.What I did know was that I won. I fucking won. I hadn't lost my dignity in this bidding war, and I had just delivered a metaphorical slap in the face to Edward and Maddison.I would have died for Soren just for the help he had given me. Seriously.Maddison could barely afford to put on airs anymore."When did you become friends with Mr. Kenway, Taylor?" she demanded, envy dripping from her voice.I held the box close to me and smiled smugly. "Why do you care?""You b—"I turned away, ready to leave the auction before it ended.Maddison knew she had lost and turned to Edward in a fit. "We're fucking leaving! What are we still here for?! The thing I wanted is already gone!"Edward just stared ahead, dazed, as though he hadn't recovered from his shock.I wasn't interested in them. Instead, I raced toward the entrance as quickly as I could. Mayb
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 47
Edward glowered at me before running off, Maddison in his arms.I froze, confused. What had just happened?It seemed like he resented me—why? Was it because he failed to spend 27,000,000 dollars?I had no idea what happened to Maddison afterward. I returned to Metropolis, happy to have my mother's bracelet, and went straight to her grave. I told her everything.It wasn't until late at night that I realized I had a new problem: how was I supposed to repay Soren for this?!I had to find time to talk to him. I needed to repay him, or this would haunt me forever!-Unfortunately, trouble arrived before I could do anything.When I walked into the office the next day, everyone was knee-deep in gossip.They tried to act serious and politely greeted me when they saw me. I even thought their smiles seemed a bit too buttery.I summoned Cherry into my office to ask what was going on. "You went viral, Tay-Tay!" she exclaimed."What? Why?""The auction! Mr. Kenway spent 40,000,000 dol
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 48
To Soren, it was probably as easy as taking candy from a baby.I hesitated. Should I contact him to express my gratitude?I thought about it for a while and decided to stick to my usual principle: a little gratitude could never hurt. Whether he accepted it or not was up to him.I sifted through the stack of business cards I had collected and found the one Michael had given me.Michael answered the phone. "Miss Jones, hello."This must be Soren's PR office's number. Someone like him wouldn't hand out his personal contact details so casually."Hi, Mr. Kidd. I'd like to thank Mr. Kenway for his help yesterday. Is this a good time?" I asked, getting straight to the point."Of course, Miss Jones. Just a moment," he replied."Got it."I remembered how he had addressed me—Fair Miss Taylor Jones.It sounded like something a lord's retainer might say to a lady in a medieval tale. I had a feeling Michael had used that formality because Maddison was there.Now that it was just the two
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 49
How could someone so perfect exist?Soren was such a gentleman—a truly stand-up guy.He was supposed to be way too busy for me, and yet he didn't look down on a girl from a lower social status inviting him to dinner. He didn't even reject me.He agreed with his characteristic courtesy.Okay, back to reality. Where should we dine?He was a very important person, and I was sure he had high standards for everything, including food. I doubted the usual upscale restaurants would be good enough for him.Luckily, Jeannie's family operated upscale restaurants, so I had help.Me: [Jeannie, I've invited a super important VIP to dinner to thank him for a big favor. Any recommendations? I need a place that's super sophisticated and classy.]Jean: [?? When?]Me: [Tomorrow night.]Jean: [Come to the Oriole. The Pride Room!]I knew I could rely on her!The Oriole was the finest, most upscale restaurant her family owned. The Pride Room was reserved exclusively for VVIPs.Naturally, it was
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 50
I could not believe this woman. She wasn't going to leave my office unscathed!I grabbed my phone to call the cops. Maybe my father needed his wife to keep him company in his cell!Cameron heard me addressing the police and went wild. She circled the desk and grabbed another folder. She began launching attacks on me."How dare you call the cops again, you bitch?! You've already locked your dad up! They charged him with prostitution! He has to be inside for 10 days!"You blackhearted bitch! You're worse than even your mother! You've torn our family apart! How could you still be alive?!"How could God let you live like this? Why aren't you the one with cancer? Why aren't you the one dying? I bet your bitch-ass mom is waiting for you!"Why is my precious darling… the one who has to die so soon? She's so young…"She was hysterical, hitting me and shouting until, somehow, she started crying too.I protected my head as best as I could. I needed to make sure my face was at least fine, but she
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 51
After having my head examined, I told the doctor to wrap my injury—just a scrape—with extra white linen. I even got a medical cap!Then I showed up at the station with my slightly exaggerated injury.The police had finished questioning Cameron by that point.The footage from my surveillance camera had made it clear who was in the wrong, too. In the end, Cameron was charged.Her legal punishment was ten days in a detainment facility, a 2,000-dollar fine, and an apology to my face.She was much more subdued by then, glaring at me while gritting her teeth."Well? Are you going to apologize now, or do you want a few more days in your cell?" a police officer asked.Cameron was visibly nervous. "No, I can't stay in there for too long. My daughter has cancer. I need to be with her as long as possible. She could be gone at any time!""Then why did you spend your time beating someone else up? That's time you could have spent keeping her company!" the police officer retorted.Cameron looked desp
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 52
Well, whoever that hottie was, I bet he paled in comparison to the handsome young man I was about to see!Laughing, I sent her a voice note."Did you throw your arms around him and only let go after he gave you his social media handles?""No! I'm actually a little wary of doing that! He seems courteous and approachable, but there's something about him that makes him… I don't know, like he's above me. I feel like I have to behave myself!"I flashed a smile. I thought I was the only one with that attitude whenever Soren was around.I didn't know there was a man in this world who could make a feisty, confident tease like Jean feel “demure” too!I giggled."Did you take a picture of him?""I did. And then I didn't. One of the people with him noticed and politely asked me to delete it."No way! I was about to respond when someone knocked on the door.The Oriole's manager pushed it open and announced, "Miss Jones, your guest has arrived."I looked up to see the ever-elegant Sore
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The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 202
"Good evening, Taylor." Soren's voice was low and soft.The way he enunciated his words made him sound so proper and gentlemanly. It was so refreshing that I felt as if the cold had left me.My mind started to blank. I suddenly realized I could not speak. In the end, I could only squeeze out lamely, "So… had your dinner?"He chuckled. "Yes. You?""Me?" I suddenly felt like my soul had snapped back into my body. "You really don't know?""Huh? Is that something I should know?" Soren asked, confused.Wait. So Richard didn't report anything to Soren after all! I had been fooled!"Oh… damn it," I muttered, smacking my forehead. "Mr. Rockefeller played me like a fiddle…""Huh? You mean Ritchie? What did he do?"I sat up straight and forced myself to calm down. Well, I started the conversation, so I had to finish it myself."I had dinner with that colleague after we finished discussing work. We were eating at a seafood hotpot place. Then, when we were about to finish, we saw Mr. Roc
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 201
When we were almost finished, I heard someone call out, "Miss Jones! Fancy seeing you here!"I looked up, stunned. It was Soren's best friend, Richard!"Mr. Rockefeller, hello!" I said, rising to greet him.He nodded. "Hello to you too."Richard then glanced at the man sitting opposite me."This is my newly hired General Manager, Jamie Young," I quickly introduced. "Mr. Young, this is Richard Rockefeller of Rockefeller Media. He's one of the city's elites. Who knows, we might work with him one day."Jamie stood and extended his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Rockefeller!"Richard shook his hand. "Likewise!"He turned back to me. "It's the weekend today, so why aren't you hanging out with Soren? It's the first snow of the year. People are in a pretty festive mood."I knew exactly what he meant. The snow had blanketed the city in white, and people were out enjoying it, taking pictures, playing, and simply reveling in the change of season."We met earlier today, but I have thin
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 200
When someone cared about another person, they were mindful of everything that person possessed. Even the smallest pain was worthy of concern.Real life wasn't like fiction. Most people didn't experience cataclysmic events or life-threatening situations. Thus, where else could we show our care and love, if not through the mundane sufferings of daily life?The more I thought about it, the more I regretted how I'd spoken to Soren. I really needed to apologize."Miss Jones? Miss Jones!"I snapped out of my thoughts. "Oh! Yes?"Jamie fixed me with a questioning look. "Are you alright? We can always talk about this on Monday.""No, let's do it today. I'm free today." I forced myself to sit up, holding the ice pack to my forehead while flipping through the documents with my free hand. "What are your questions? I'll answer them."This company was the culmination of my blood, sweat, and tears. And now, I had found someone just as invested in making it better as I was! How could I be a de
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 199
Jamie started toward the pantry. "What would you like to have, Miss Jones? Tea? Coffee? Or perhaps milk and juice?""Coffee will be good.""Got it."As he prepared my drink, I rubbed my forehead.To my dismay, I could feel the swelling! I quickly tried to cover it with my bangs.Jamie brought two cups of coffee over. "These coffee beans were gifts from a friend from Oz. Have a taste.""Thanks!"I took a sip.Before I could even savor it, Jamie suddenly asked, "Miss Jones, is your forehead alright? I think it's… swollen…"I gulped down the coffee and tried to cover my forehead with my hair. "Oh! It's, uh, nothing! I just bumped into something, haha.""It'll recover faster if you put some ice on it," he said, heading toward the fridge.This office used to belong to Edward. He rarely stayed in his office for long, but it was well-equipped regardless. The pantry, fridge, lounge, and bathroom were all included.Jamie found an ice pack and started looking for a clean towel to wra
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 198
The loud "thud" I made nonetheless startled both the people inside the escalator and Soren."Taylor?" he called out suddenly.But I was so embarrassed that I quickened my pace.As people entered the escalator, I pressed my forehead and called out to them, "Hold the door!"I dove into the escalator, and the doors closed.I breathed a sigh of relief. My heart was pounding, and my mind was still reeling from the shock.I couldn't imagine Soren's reaction to my "near-miss." He must think I was the clumsiest woman on Earth. Or perhaps he thought I was so taken by his confession that it had broken me, leaving me incapable of functioning properly.-I entered my office, and as I passed by the General Manager's room, I was surprised to see someone inside.I peeked through the window. It was my new recruit. He was working overtime today.He noticed me too and looked up in surprise. "I didn't expect to see you here today, Miss Jones!"I smiled. "That's my line! It's the weekend, and y
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 197
Soren's gaze was soft and calm. After a while, he finally said, "I can wait. It doesn't matter how long you'll need. I can wait."I felt a bolt course straight through my veins. I could faint.Just like that—without warning or any plan—he tore down the wall between us and spoke his mind candidly!I had no idea what expression I might have been wearing, but I could tell my heart was beating at warp speed.How the hell was I supposed to respond to this? Reject him again or say, "Well, I hope you like waiting!"?"Look, M-Mr. K-Kenway—""Don't call me Mr. Kenway."I froze, my mouth still open. Just that interruption alone made my mind go blank.Soren got out of the car, circled it, and came to me.I turned mechanically toward him, my eyes wide enough to fall out of their sockets. I stared at him helplessly."I couldn't bring it up before because, firstly, you were still legally tied to someone else. Secondly, I couldn't tell if you liked me. If I made my feelings known too soon,
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 196
I froze. "Oh, I'm not sleepy!"And then I cracked a yawn.Soren laughed. "Just take a nap. It'll take an hour to reach your office anyway."Well, here were my options. If I chose not to sleep, this silence between us would feel awkward. If I chose to talk, what happened when our topics veered into certain territories, and we're back to being awkward again?You know what? A nap was the best choice after all. Even if I had to pretend to be asleep."Sounds good," I replied.I intended to pretend to sleep. I thought I could close my eyes and imagine some designs and arrangements for the fashion show in Medhelanon next year.What I didn't expect was Soren pressing a button and adjusting my seat to the most ergonomic position. I was reclining way too comfortably!I stared at him. He flashed a smile. "It's more comfortable this way.""Ha, okay… Thanks…"God, the embarrassment was killing me. Could you imagine what this felt like?It felt like we were a couple. A married one, even!
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 195
Lisbeth rose and simply said, "I've finished my meal and would like to rest in my room. Please, enjoy your meal. Taylor, please visit me from time to time."I thought for sure I must have offended her enough that this would be the last time I'd sit here. But instead, she extended an invitation for the next time!I was moved. I rose from my seat politely and replied, "It'd be my pleasure, Madame Kenway.""The pleasure is all mine," she replied, smiling faintly, before heading toward the stairs.Soren noticed I continued to stand and called out, "You can sit down now, Taylor."I looked at him with downcast eyes. "I'm fine. I need to get back to my office.""Hey now. Did what my mom said startle you?" he asked gently. "She didn't mean any malice. It was her way of expressing sympathy—she seems to think you've always been alone in everything, and she hopes you can find a reliable partner to weather the storm with you soon.""I know she means well.""Phew, that's a relief to hear!"
The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer! Chapter 194
I breathed a sigh of relief. My eyes met Soren's, and he offered a faint smile, as if reassuring me not to be nervous.But how could I not be? The ambiguous tension between us—were we or weren't we?—had only grown more intense.I shouldn't even be this close to a family of such blue-blooded stature. I was no match for them. Yet, as the owner of my own company, I couldn't afford to turn away a valuable client like Soren. Social connections had become more crucial than ever.Having a powerful and elite friend like Soren was undeniably beneficial—not just for me, but for my company and the people who relied on it. This connection could open doors to endless opportunities and revenue.Some might see my actions as undignified, as if I were constantly accepting handouts. But this was simply how the world worked.It wasn't as though I was leeching off him—he was the one offering his generosity. And who could fault me for accepting it?Finally, I managed to calm myself down, at least a
