And now a waiter was telling Daniel that Edward Whitmore was waiting for him.
Vanessa returned just in time to hear the conversation.
She laughed.
"Daniel, please. You don't have to pretend to know people like Edward Whitmore."
Daniel looked at her.
"I'm not pretending."
"Of course not."
Richard frowned.
"Vanessa, stop."
But she continued.
"Do you know how difficult it is to even get an invitation to meet someone like Mr. Whitmore? Richard has spent months trying to arrange a meeting."
Daniel remained silent.
Vanessa turned toward her boyfriend.
"Tell him, darling."
Richard did not respond.
Instead, he looked toward the entrance.
A small group of people had just arrived.
At the front was an elderly gentleman with silver hair, wearing a beautifully tailored gray suit.
His name was Edward Whitmore.
He was seventy-two years old and still commanded the respect of nearly everyone in the room.
Beside him walked a professional-looking woman in a navy blue suit.
She carried a black leather portfolio containing several official documents.
Her name was Olivia Bennett.
She was the chief legal officer of Whitmore Global Holdings.
Two senior executives followed them.
The moment Edward noticed Daniel, his expression brightened.
"There he is!"
The elderly businessman walked directly toward him.
"Daniel! I've been looking for you."
Daniel smiled warmly.
"Mr. Whitmore. It's good to see you."
Edward extended his hand.
"Good to see you? I've been telling everyone that you're the reason we're all celebrating tonight."
Vanessa's smile slowly disappeared.
Edward turned toward the guests.
"Everyone, may I have your attention?"
The conversations gradually stopped.
The musicians lowered their volume.
Edward stood beside Daniel.
"I know many of you have been wondering why we organized this gathering. Some of you believe it's simply another networking event. Others think we're celebrating a new investment."
He paused.
"Tonight, we're celebrating a partnership that will change the future of our company."
He gestured toward Daniel.
"Most of you know me. But I suspect some of you do not know the man standing beside me."
Daniel looked slightly uncomfortable with the attention.
Edward continued.
"His name is Daniel Brooks. He is the founder and majority owner of Brooks Strategic Group."
A few guests exchanged surprised looks.
Edward smiled.
"His company has become one of the most successful technology and commercial property-management organizations in the country. More importantly, Daniel has accomplished this without compromising the principles that matter most."
Vanessa felt her stomach tighten.
Richard slowly turned toward her.
Edward continued speaking.
"After months of negotiations, we have reached an agreement to combine several of our major commercial developments with Daniel's technology platform. The partnership represents an investment worth hundreds of millions of dollars."
The rooftop erupted in applause.
Daniel shook Edward's hand.
But Vanessa barely heard the applause.
She was staring at Daniel.
The same man she had just mocked.
The same man she had described as unsuccessful.
The same man she believed did not belong at the party.
He was the person everyone had been waiting for.
Richard took a step toward Daniel.
"Wait. You're Daniel Brooks?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
Richard swallowed.
"Brooks Strategic Group?"
"That's right."
Richard looked genuinely stunned.
"I've been trying to arrange a meeting with your company for almost a year."
Daniel smiled politely.
"I believe your office contacted our acquisitions department."
Richard nodded.
"They did. We were hoping to discuss a potential partnership."
"Then I'm sure our teams can arrange a proper conversation."
Vanessa stood completely still.
For the first time that evening, she had nothing to say.
But the biggest surprise was still coming.
Edward turned toward Olivia.
"Olivia, would you please bring out the documents?"
The woman in the navy suit stepped forward.
She opened her leather portfolio and removed several pages.
"Thank you, Mr. Whitmore."
She looked around the rooftop.
"As part of tonight's announcement, we are also confirming the acquisition of several commercial properties previously owned by Hayes Development Group."
Richard's expression changed immediately.
"What?"