Ivanka's inspection tour of Hawaii soon came to an end. But although she had left, Ye Yun didn't relax in the slightest.
Before her departure, Ivanka had sent someone to personally deliver an invitation to the upcoming birthday banquet of the Hilton family patriarch, to be held next month.
To Ye Yun, this was a clear signal.
Just as Ivanka had said, in order to establish Rose Lover as a premium brand, he needed to build its reputation—and more importantly, he needed recognition from the upper class.
This banquet was Ivanka's way of testing him.
After all, she could have easily promoted Rose Lover herself at the event. But instead, she simply invited Ye Yun to attend.
The meaning behind this was obvious—she wanted to see whether Ye Yun had the ability to gain traction within this circle.
If he could, then he'd be worth supporting.
Ye Yun understood and appreciated Ivanka's thinking, and so he was genuinely looking forward to the banquet.
Rose Estate, in the winery.
"There's only one formula, but many factors affect the wine's flavor. The wine we've been producing is already top-tier, Young Master. Asking us to craft a flawless Rose Lover… it's really asking a lot."
Orn looked at Ye Yun with a pained expression, clearly troubled by his request.
Ye Yun was preparing to attend the Hilton family patriarch's birthday banquet, and the gift he had chosen was a bottle of Rose Lover.
This was a critical opportunity to break into the high-end market, so he was taking it very seriously. He wanted to bring the best possible bottle of wine.
Seeing Orn's troubled look, Ye Yun softened his tone and said,
"I know it's difficult, but you are all masters of your craft—I believe in your skills. Just do your best."
"This banquet could be the turning point for Rose Lover to make a name for itself. I hope you'll give it everything you've got."
Ye Yun spoke earnestly.
Though each batch of Rose Lover was of the same formula and taste profile, subtle differences in the winemaking process still led to slight variations between bottles.
These minor imperfections were nearly impossible to avoid, even for the finest winemakers, and that's what made Ye Yun's request so daunting.
But Ye Yun wanted a bottle without even the slightest flaw—a truly perfect Rose Lover.
After exchanging a look, Orn and the others finally nodded and said,
"We understand. This time, we'll give it everything we've got to produce the finest Rose Lover."
They knew their own reputations were also tied to this opportunity.
"Thank you, everyone!"
Ye Yun smiled with relief, his confidence rising.
…
United States, Los Santos, Hilton Manor.
Hilton Manor was built in modern times by the Hilton family's founding patriarch. It had since become the very heart of the Hilton family.
Located in the outskirts of Los Santos, the manor sat on prime real estate, though in terms of extravagance, it still couldn't compare with Rose Estate.
Under the clear blue sky, a white helicopter descended onto the estate's private helipad.
From it stepped a stunning figure—Ivanka. As she looked toward the helipad, she smiled gently and said,
"Father."
Standing there waiting was none other than her father, the current patriarch of the Hilton family—Asher Hilton.
Asher was a middle-aged man who looked energetic and approachable. His demeanor was gentle and amiable, a stark contrast to Ivanka's coolness. Only in his subtle gestures did one catch glimpses of the authority he commanded.
Seeing his daughter, Asher smiled warmly and embraced her.
"You've worked hard on this inspection trip. Now that you're back, take some time to rest."
"It wasn't hard at all," Ivanka said with a faint smile. "It was more like a vacation. Hawaii is quite nice."
She made no mention of the challenges she had encountered there.
Asher chuckled and teased,
"It's rare to see you stay in Hawaii for so long. What's the story? Did you meet someone who made your heart flutter?"
Ivanka shook her head, unfazed. "Romance isn't on my mind right now."
"Well then, you can deal with Kymons yourself," Asher said, still joking, showing none of the sternness typical of a father. Their relationship was clearly very close.
But at the mention of that name, Ivanka's expression darkened instantly. She frowned and asked,
"That guy Kymons came back again?"
"He's been around a few times, but—"
"That clingy bastard!" Ivanka snapped, her tone filled with disgust. She shot a glare at Asher.
"Father, you know full well what the Wilshere family is after. Why—"
"I know."
Asher suddenly raised a hand to stop her, the smile on his face vanishing, replaced by deep exhaustion etched into his brows.
"I'm getting old," he sighed. "And with my health the way it is… Once I'm gone, how will you manage such a vast family empire on your own? Your cousins are all circling like vultures."
"If our family could form an alliance with the Wilshere family, their support would make it easier for you to take control. So what if we give up a little profit in return?"
Though Asher still appeared youthful, the silver at his temples revealed his age. His fiftieth birthday was just around the corner.
Ivanka looked at the fine lines around her father's eyes and fell silent.
After a while, she finally said,
"I'll find another way. But I will never accept inheriting this position through a political marriage with their family."
Her voice was firm and unwavering.
Asher could only sigh again. There was nothing more he could say.
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