Chapter 4 Judgment and Opportunity

At 3 PM, the New York Construction and Renovation Industry Association sent out a mass email: Olympus Capital updates supplier ratings, Gray family business downgraded to C-level, cooperation not recommended.

The chain reaction in the industry fell like dominoes.

A mid-sized real estate developer in Queens canceled Wilson Group's renovation contract. Three banks tightened credit lines to the Gray family. Two key technical employees started considering jumping ship.

Even the Wilson family was affected because of the engagement.

Eleanor slammed the table in fury at the family meeting, wanting to immediately cancel Victoria and Aiden Gray's engagement to stop the bleeding. But Richard smiled bitterly: "Mom, canceling now will only make outsiders think we're weaker. Keeping the engagement, at least we can still say we have marriage ties with the Gray family."

The accountant reported: After losing Olympus's endorsement, the company's annual revenue is expected to drop from eight million dollars to three million dollars. The Gray family's business fell from top three in the industry to "a barely surviving small workshop."

At that moment, on the 88th floor of Olympus Tower, Claire was reporting the results to me.

"Termination of cooperation has been executed. Industry notification has been issued. The Gray family's current situation..."

I waved my hand: "That's enough."

Claire closed her tablet. After hesitating, she asked tentatively: "May I ask something? What's your purpose in doing this?"

"Some people need to learn respect through loss." My voice was soft.

Claire fell silent.

Then she handed me a document: "Regarding the 'Manhattan Peak' project, I've drafted the bidding plan. Open, transparent, anonymous review. If your wife has the ability, she'll definitely stand out."

I flipped through the document and nodded with satisfaction.

"Well done. Your salary and year-end bonus will increase by fifty percent from the original base."

Surprise flashed in Claire's eyes, then she bowed deeply: "Thank you for your trust, Mr. Rosecrest."

I walked toward the elevator.

"Call me Ethan from now on. I don't like formalities."

"Yes, Mr. Rosecrest."

At dusk, my car crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. The sunset's afterglow spilled over the Hudson River, and Manhattan's skyline gradually blurred behind me.

I received three messages on my phone.

Victor's encrypted message: "Don Marco of the Bellano family requests a meeting regarding the Brooklyn dock territory dispute."

Dr. Reginald: "An old Manhattan family patriarch is critically ill, offering five million dollars for treatment."

Claire: "'Manhattan Peak' project announcement has been published, received 127 consultation emails from design companies within thirty minutes."

I deleted the messages and put my phone back in my pocket.

I pushed open the door and entered the villa, smelling Erin making coffee in the kitchen. She wore an apron, her hair casually tied back, flipping through a thick architecture magazine.

"You're back?" She didn't look up, her tone casual.

I took off my coat and walked over, gently hugging her from behind. Erin's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed, leaning into my embrace.

"How was your day?" she asked.

"Not bad." I rested my chin on her shoulder, "Any progress on your design project?"

Erin sighed, turning a page of the magazine: "Same old story. Michael grabbed all the best projects, I can only circle around the edges. But..." Her finger stopped on a page, her tone suddenly different, "Look at this."

I looked down. It was a bidding announcement for a construction project, Manhattan Peak, Olympus Capital, 2.5 billion dollar investment.

"Open bidding, judged only on proposal quality, not company size." There was an excitement in Erin's voice I hadn't heard in a long time, "This means independent designers like me also have a chance. Not through connections, not through background, purely on merit."

I looked at her profile. Her eyes were shining.

"You'll participate, right?" I asked.

"Of course." Erin gripped the magazine tightly, "Even if I'm not selected, I have to try. This is the biggest opportunity of my life."

I tightened my arms around her.

"You'll definitely be selected." I said.