Suddenly, I Am Rich

The signing had ended, but the day wasn't over yet.

Reporters weren't dismissed this time.

Instead, Conrad had something bigger planned. He asked his secretary to arrange a lunch for all of them at his hotel's restaurant.

They had closed the place for the day, turning it into a private hall. When they entered, what greeted them first was the setup.

It was filled with round tables, with white tablecloths and flower arrangements on top. A chandelier hung in the middle of the restaurant, and the lighting was warm and dimmed, giving a cozy feeling.

Inside, waiters moved with precision. They carried trays of water and glasses filled with wine. The sound of conversations filled the space as reporters mingled around each other. All of them were asking about each other's lives, while some talked about the contract signing that had just happened.

Cameras weren't flashing nonstop now, but some were discreetly snapping photos between each other just for their own copy to keep or share on social media.

Gray walked in with Conrad at his side. Mara followed close behind, her eyes already scanning the room. Owen and Conrad's secretary was also behind them.

"Mr. Adams," one of the reporters greeted warmly as they passed. "Congratulations again. Big step today."

"Thank you." Gray smiled politely, shaking a hand here and nodding there. He was just casually greeting the people as if they hadn't bombarded him with questions earlier.

Still, after a few minutes, his stomach growled in silence. It reminded him that he hadn't eaten all morning.

'I can't wait to eat…' Gray sighed as he continued to smile back at everyone who smiled at him.

'But I can't even just go straight to the food…' He didn't realize how tiring it was to be in front of the camera. He didn't want to do this again now that he thought of it.

"Gray, come here.'

Conrad led him toward the long table at the center of the room, where the key and most important figures sat. At the head, Conrad naturally sat. Gray was guided to sit beside him, while Mara and Owen took the other side.

The silence of the room softened once everyone was seated. Just then, a faint clink from the sound of a spoon hitting against a glass rang out. It was Conrad's doing.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Conrad began as he raised his glass. All attention turned to him as his voice filled the space easily.

"Thank you for joining us today. The signing you just witnessed earlier is only the beginning. Consider this lunch not just a celebration, but a chance to enjoy yourself, as I say my gratitude to all of you for coming here. "

Polite applause followed after that short message. The reporters, press, and staff looked at each other and chuckled a little.

Gray sat straighter as he caught a few cameras turning toward him again. He adjusted his cuff subtly, making sure to keep his expression calm and steady. He knew they were taking pictures

Then, just as the first course was being served, the doors opened.

A familiar figure stepped inside, causing a few to whisper among themselves. Some even glanced in Gray's direction as if wanting to see how he would react.

The girl who stepped inside was wearing a formal smile on her face. She was wearing a mid-length dress that hugged her body gracefully. As silence ensued around her, she walked with confidence. Her heels clinked softly against the floor as she took a step.

"Whoa, she's pretty."

"Is that Conrad Everett's granddaughter?"

"It's my first time seeing Selina Everett."

"Selina has graced us with her presence today!"

"I didn't expect to see her here."

"I guess the rumor about Selina and Gray is true."

"I can't wait to see how this will unfold.

The heads of several reporters turned instantly, whispering to one another. She wasn't just any guest. She was the granddaughter of the most influential people in the room.

"Grandfather…"

Gray's lips parted slightly. He hadn't been told she would be here.

"Ah," Conrad said smoothly, rising halfway from his seat to greet Selina.

"And here comes my most precious granddaughter." His voice was loud enough, ensuring every reporter heard him. "Please, Selina, join us."

Selina smiled, graceful and composed, before taking the seat Conrad had clearly saved. It was right beside Gray.

Gray felt the press's gaze shift onto them like a spotlight. Mara caught his eye from across the table, her face perfectly neutral, though her eyes had an unknown look in them.

"You didn't expect me here, did you?" Selina leaned slightly toward Gray, her words soft enough to be private.

Gray cleared his throat quietly. He chuckled and nodded.

"I have to admit that you did."

"Good," she said with a small curve of her lips. "Surprises make things interesting."

Gray chuckled again, shaking his head slightly as if to ease the tension. Selina's smile too, and for a moment, it almost felt like they were just two friends sharing a small joke.

Then, the faint sound of camera shutters clicking reached his ears. It was subtle at first, but once he noticed it, he couldn't unhear it. Reporters had shifted their attention to them again, their lenses angled toward him and Selina.

They were capturing the way the two leaned close in conversation.

Gray's shoulders stiffened instinctively.

"Don't mind them," Selina murmured smoothly, her voice low enough that only he could hear. She didn't even glance at the cameras, keeping her expression composed and light.

"If you say so." Gray let out a soft breath, forcing a smile back onto his face.

He adjusted in his seat, trying not to think about how those photos would look once shared around.

From the head of the table, a deep chuckle rose. Conrad, of course, was happy. His sharp eyes had not missed the moment.

"Kids these days," Conrad said, amusement in his tone. He raised his glass ever so slightly.

"Quite fond of each other, aren't they?"

The people seated around them laughed along politely. A few even nodded, exchanging looks that carried the look of gossip.

"Yes," one of the reporters said lightly. "Your granddaughter seems very close to Mr. Adams."

"Indeed. They look good seated together," another added, earning a few murmurs of agreement.

"The two of them match each other well," someone else chimed in, smiling as though they had just been given the opening scene of a story to write about later.