Persephone hesitated, her gaze fixed on the man who stood and bid farewell.
The autumn breeze rustled, scattering golden sycamore leaves from the ground. The setting sun bathed the man's figure, giving him an almost gilded appearance. He exuded an aura of intimidation that kept everyone at bay.
"Let's head home, Sephy," the nanny said, reaching for her hand.
"Do you know him?" Persephone asked, lifting her face.
The nanny shook her head, her fear of the imposing man evident. "Okay, Sephy, let's go! This place is pretty isolated, and we can't return here."
Hand in hand, they entered the car with the escort of bodyguards.
Before departing, Persephone instinctively glanced at where the man had been. Unfortunately, no one else was in sight besides a few scattered tourists.
-
The board of directors remained undecided about the Hamerton Group's theme park renovation proposal. Some members aimed to please Toph, urging Zuko to invest, considering it a negligible sum. Yet, others perceived it as a matter of the company's image.
The Hamerton Group had historically invested in substantial charity projects like hospitals, nursing homes, and orphanages, making an old theme park seem unworthy of their efforts. More importantly, renovating the park in a manner that yielded no profit could tarnish their reputation.
For Zuko, business rationality took precedence over familial sentiment, but he wanted to do something for his brother this time.
-
"The theme park renovation proposal didn't receive approval from the board of directors," Zuko said.
Toph deflated upon hearing the news in his office. He slumped onto the sofa, disheartened.
"But..." Zuko smiled. "I can explore other options."
"Like what?" Toph perked up.
"I can personally invest in it."
Toph's optimism faded entirely. "Hey! Do you think your situation is better than our father's? Do you have any savings?"
Zuko shot him a piercing gaze. "Are you underestimating me?"
"Do you really have savings, bro?" Toph's spirit returned, challenging Zuko.
Zuko rolled his eyes and strolled out of the office with his hands on his back, holding his head high.
Zuko rolled his eyes and left the office with his head held high, but his secretary's sudden entrance interrupted his exit.
"Mr. Zuko!"
Perplexed by the urgency in his secretary's voice, Zuko asked, "What's wrong?"
The secretary conveyed the surprising news, "Someone else has taken over the theme park renovation proposal."
"What?" Zuko was flabbergasted.
"I heard it's an investor from Cumulus City, their first investment in Centrolis," the secretary replied.
"Or perhaps it's because of this," Cordelia mused. "He discovered that a mysterious individual has taken on the theme park renovation project."
Linda's eyes lit up. "Does he know who it is?"
"Zuko mentioned it's someone from Cumulus City."
Linda was sorting coffee beans with Cordelia when her hands slipped, causing the entire bag to spill on the ground.
"Oh, I'm sorry!"
"It's fine. Let me clean it up."
"I'll do it!" Linda insisted, struggling to get up and almost toppling a boiling coffee pot.
Cordelia managed to prevent the accident and looked at Linda with concern. "What's wrong, Linda?"
"I...," Linda hesitated. After a while, she finally spoke. "I think I know who that person is."
"What?"
"It might be Daniel Quimby."
Cordelia was stunned. The name Daniel Quimby stirred in her memory, and then it all came rushing back. Linda's parents had divorced when she was young, and her father had remarried into a wealthy family. Daniel was her half-brother, over a decade younger than Linda.
Cordelia frowned. "Why would he come to Centrolis? Have you kept in touch after all these years?"
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