C9 Cousin Party

"Boss, should we groom a new influencer from scratch, or directly sign this Jordan Brooks?"

Donald asked after a moment of contemplation.

He now felt it necessary to get Alex's input on such decisions.

"What do you think?"

Alex didn't answer directly, instead turning the question back to Donald.

"Jordan Brooks has a unique style and great potential. However, his current content has solidified his approach to some extent. Changing his style could be challenging," Donald admitted.

"That's true. Developing a new influencer with a suitable style isn't easy either. A high-end approach requires the right kind of personality—it can't feel cheap."

Alex smiled as he spoke.

"Got it, Boss," Donald replied quickly, understanding the direction.

"I see great potential in this guy. When we bring him on board, don't hold back. Let's aim to make him our guild's flagship star."

Alex had full confidence in Jordan. In his previous life, he had become accustomed to the influencer's style, and he doubted another person could replicate it.

Donald was surprised by Alex's high regard for Jordan, but he felt a surge of determination. Successfully managing this influencer would be a critical step for Rising Guild.

Alex then handed Donald a list of other potential influencers.

"These are all creators I want us to sign before anyone else snatches them up. They'll be the future stars of the platform."

Donald was amazed by the insight and preparation that Alex had put into this.

Rising Guild's office was now conveniently located just five subway stops from Alex's home in Bellevue. Though public transport was sufficient, Alex planned to purchase two cars: one for personal use and another for the company. By buying them under the company's name, he could legally claim them as expenses and save on taxes—a common strategy for business owners.

Even their second property at Hillside Vista Estates had been converted into employee housing, making sure it wasn't sitting idle and adding value to the business.

At home, Alex picked up his daughter, Sophie, from preschool.

"Feeling like a real boss lady yet?" Alex joked with Amelia.

"I'm getting used to it," she said with a playful smile.

Being called "Mrs. Bradford" and "Finance Director" at work had given Amelia a newfound sense of pride.

Just as they were settling down, Alex's phone buzzed with a call from his cousin, Christopher. Though close in age, Chris had always been the "golden child" of the family. He'd graduated from a prestigious university and landed a high-paying job in Seattle, with his equally successful wife, Melania.

The two cousins didn't keep in touch often, partly because of Melania's dismissive attitude toward Alex and Amelia's more modest background.

"Hey, Alex, are you free this weekend?" Chris asked.

"What's up?" Alex replied.

"I recently bought a place and want to host a housewarming party," Chris explained.

"Congrats! Where's the new house?"

"It's in Shoreline Heights Residences—9th Tower, Unit 1802," Chris replied.

Alex froze for a second. That was the same development where he lived. What were the odds?

"No problem, we'll be there," Alex said, recovering quickly.

"Bring Amelia and Sophie too!" Chris added enthusiastically.

After hanging up, Alex told Amelia about the invite, and she was equally surprised.

"Should we all go? I don't know if I want to deal with Melania," Amelia admitted.

"Come on, they're going to be neighbors now. Might as well face them sooner rather than later," Alex said with a smile.

"Good point. Fine, we'll go," Amelia agreed, though she wasn't entirely looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, across the country in Chicago, a young content creator named Jordan Shaw was struggling to make a mark. Known for his food reviews, his channel had only garnered a modest following.

Recently, several influencer agencies had approached Jordan with offers to join, but he had turned them all down. Most seemed like standard recruitments with little added value.

That's when Donald from Rising Guild contacted him. Donald's message stood out—it wasn't just about recruitment but included insightful feedback on Jordan's content and suggestions for improvement.

Intrigued, Jordan agreed to a meeting.

By the same afternoon, Donald had already boarded a flight to Chicago, shocking Jordan with his efficiency and seriousness.

When the two met, Donald presented a detailed plan to revamp Jordan's channel with a high-end angle, exploring premium dining and luxury experiences.

"I believe you can be a pioneer in this niche. With Rising Guild's support, you'll stand out from the crowd," Donald said confidently.

Moved by Donald's vision and commitment, Jordan signed a tailored contract with Rising Guild that afternoon.

This wasn't just any contract—it included provisions for heavy investment in Jordan's brand and growth, reflecting Alex and Donald's shared belief in his potential.

Alex received a message from Donald confirming that Jordan had officially signed with Rising Guild just as he and his family were at a Mercedes-Benz dealership.

Naturally, they were there to buy cars.

Alex had decided on a white Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 for family use. For the company, he selected a black Mercedes-Benz E 350.

The two vehicles together totaled over $130,000, both imported models.

The Mercedes-Benz E 350 was available in stock, so Alex could take it home the same day. However, the GLS 450 required a waiting period.

One of the main reasons Alex decided to purchase both cars under the company's name, aside from tax deductions, was that it simplified the process of obtaining vehicle registration permits. As a business, it was much easier to secure the necessary permits compared to individual buyers, who often faced long waiting periods.

After completing all the paperwork and obtaining temporary plates, Alex drove the E 350 out of the dealership.

Even though Alex hadn't driven since getting his license in this new life, his experience from his previous life behind the wheel of a second-hand Honda gave him enough confidence. Driving this luxury car felt completely different—it was smooth, responsive, and effortless compared to the clunky, well-used Honda he once owned.

"Alex, slow down a little!" Amelia said nervously from the passenger seat.

She was visibly anxious, knowing this was technically her husband's first time driving outside of a training course.

"Don't worry, I've got this," Alex reassured her.

To Amelia's surprise, Alex navigated the traffic with ease—changing lanes, overtaking, making smooth turns, accelerating, and braking like a seasoned driver.

"Wow, you're really good! If I didn't know this was your first time driving, I'd think you were an expert," Amelia remarked, visibly impressed.

Alex chuckled, but inwardly he felt a little guilty. In his past life, his first solo drive hadn't gone so smoothly—he vividly remembered the anxiety and even a minor fender bender that had cost him $800. This time, however, things were different, and he couldn't help but feel a bit of pride as he handled the luxury car with ease.

January 13, Saturday Morning

Around 10 a.m., Alex, Amelia, and Sophie arrived at Building 9, Unit 2, Floor 18 of the development.

This unit had a spacious layout of approximately 1,600 square feet.

The door was open, and the entrance was decorated with red paper bearing traditional couplets. Inside, the atmosphere was lively, with many people mingling. Most seemed to be relatives, friends, or colleagues of Chris and Melania.

Besides his aunt and uncle, Alex recognized only two people: Chris's cousin, Eric, and his younger cousin, Selena, who had traveled in from a nearby city.

"Alex, Amelia, Sophie, you're here!" Chris greeted them warmly.

Amelia handed over a red envelope as a housewarming gift, but Chris waved his hands, refusing with a smile. "No need for that, Amelia! Today's just a casual gathering for lunch."

After some back-and-forth, Amelia reluctantly put the envelope away.

They found seats while Chris moved on to greet other guests. Alex chatted briefly with Selena, who shared that she was working in a neighboring city and had taken the high-speed train to attend.

Just then, Alex's Aunt Lily walked over, smiling. "Sophie has grown so much! Here, have some ice cream."

Sophie looked up at Amelia, as if seeking her approval.

"Sophie, say thank you to your great-aunt," Amelia encouraged.

"Thank you, Great-Aunt Lily," Sophie said sweetly as she accepted the ice cream.

"What a polite little girl," Lily said, clearly pleased.

Alex greeted his aunt warmly as well. Aunt Lily was not a bad person at heart, but she had a reputation for being frugal and materialistic. When her two daughters got married, she had openly demanded specific amounts for the bride price, refusing to budge by even a penny.

Sometimes, her blunt comments could be hurtful.

"Alex, your dad mentioned last time that you were thinking of buying a house. Have you found one yet?" Aunt Lily asked, steering the conversation toward real estate.

She was proud of her son Chris's accomplishments. After all, despite working for just three years, Chris had managed to buy a home in this expensive city. Their property was worth over $600,000, with only half of it financed by a mortgage. On top of that, they had already purchased a car.

"Yes, Aunt Lily. We've already bought one," Alex replied with a nod.

"That's fast! I was just telling Chris that if you needed help with the down payment, he could pitch in," she said, feigning surprise.

Alex knew his aunt's personality well enough to recognize that such an offer was likely hollow. Still, he smiled and thanked her for the thought.

"Alex, so you've already bought a house?" Selena chimed in, clearly impressed. "When's the housewarming party? Make sure to invite me!"

"We don't plan to host a party. We've already moved in," Alex explained.

"What? How could you just move in without a celebration? That's so disrespectful!" Aunt Lily exclaimed, shaking her head in disapproval. "You young people really don't know how to do things properly. You should have consulted your parents first."

At that moment, Chris walked over, overhearing the conversation. "Alex, you've already bought a house? Where is it?"

"In this very development—Skyline Heights," Alex said with a smile.

"No way! We're in the same complex? When did this happen?" Chris exclaimed, clearly shocked.

The others nearby were equally surprised.

After all, homes in Skyline Heights weren't cheap. Even the smallest units started at over $400,000. With a minimum down payment of 30%, buyers would need nearly $120,000 upfront to sec"Just last month,"

Alex replied.

"Alex, that's not fair! You should have told us earlier so we could celebrate with you. By the way, which building, unit, and floor did you get? I'll come by to check it out sometime."

Chris sat down as he spoke.