Qiao Yu, Iris’ financial manager, raised an eyebrow in both surprise and intrigue before taking out a small notebook and a pen from his suit’s breast pocket to jot down some notes during her presentation. Atty. Hong Shoaqiang didn’t have much of a reaction from Iris’ declaration but he leaned slightly forward and listened more attentively.
Jin Liwei remained silent but his presence alone was enough for Iris to feel supported. She drew out more confidence from him in addition to her own belief that her business plan would be successful.
At the moment, it was Grandpa Lu—no, it was Professor Lu who had the most intimidating presence out of everyone. Even Iris couldn’t help but feel pressured. However, she didn’t allow the pressure to overwhelm her. Instead, she used it to propel her confidence during the entire presentation.
While she spoke about her official business plan, the digital presentation she prepared with the assistance of Ketchup and Bacon began playing on the huge TV monitor behind her. She wasn’t holding any controller but the digital presentation played in time with her words.
Apart from Jin Liwei, the others only thought that the digital presentation was well-timed. They had no idea that a highly-advanced and sophisticated AI, a.k.a. Ketchup, was controlling the digital presentation to match her mommy’s verbal presentation. This was Ketchup’s forte. Bacon was also on standby just in case his mother needed his help in any way during the business presentation.
“Except for Atty. Hong, all of you already know about my ambition to become a global billionaire,” Iris said. “Based on this country’s currency and standards, I’m already a billionaire. Mr. Qiao Yu helped me to achieve that status. But what I really want is to be a true global billionaire like my husband.
“Technically speaking, I became a global billionaire the moment I married my husband because we now share all our wealth together as stated on our comprehensive pre-nuptial agreement. LX Estates hold our matrimonial assets which are worth billions of dollars. As a wife, I’m content with this arrangement, but as a businessperson myself, I want more.
“I want to become a global billionaire in my own right as President Long and not just rely on my status as Madam Jin, CEO Jin’s wife. My husband has Jin Corporation which is also a multinational holding company that oversees many other subsidiary companies. As my business mentor and one of the original founders of the company now known as Jin Corporation, Grandpa—I mean Professor Lu knows best all about this route that I’m choosing to take from now on.”
Professor Lu nodded while stroking his perfectly groomed white mustache. Unlike his usual boisterous self, he was quiet and extremely serious right now. It was obvious that he was here as an evaluator of Cross Academy for his student’s important business presentation and not as a doting grandfather for his pregnant granddaughter.
Iris had no idea what was going through the old man’s mind. She didn’t waste the time fretting about it. Instead, she focused on giving the best presentation that she could to her audience despite the time constraints of her preparations that morning. There might still be many areas that needed refining but that could be done much later. Right now, the most important thing was for her to convey her core ideas and convince her audience that her business plan would work.
“I’m inspired by Jin Corporation, that’s why I plan to establish my own holding company. I want to name it as Eve Holdings.”
Jin Liwei’s smile softened. Both of them knew the significance of the company name.
After being reborn as Long Xiulan, she had lost her identity as Evelina Vetrova. Even her memories of her past life were slowly fading away as time passed. She wanted to create a more concrete reminder of her past identity in her new present life even if it was just in the name of her holding company.
“Eve Holdings will become the parent company of all my companies including Orchidia Beauty, Planet Monkey, Gold Heights, Liberté, and all other companies that I will own in the future. And trust me, I plan to have more companies in the future.”
She continued to explain how she would structure Eve Holdings and how much capital she planned to inject into it. When Qiao Yu heard the amount, he almost had a heart attack. The financial manager immediately took out his laptop from his briefcase to check on the ledger holding all of Iris’ accounts that he was in charge of. He was busy calculating while listening to Iris’ financial strategy.
For the first time since the presentation started, Professor Lu finally spoke. “You are not allowed to ask your husband or any of your family members for financial assistance to fund your holding company. Although I always tell you that it’s okay to be shameless when it comes to family, I have decided that you aren’t allowed to practice this principle this time. This is an official test for you. I challenge you to rely on your own resources to finance Eve Holdings.”
Jin Liwei glanced at the old man. The calm aura emanating from him showed his full trust of his wife’s abilities.
Iris nodded. “I accept your challenge, Professor Lu.”
“Hah! Don’t forget your words, my girl. Don’t disappoint your teacher! I have high hopes in you!”
She smiled and bowed her head.
Then she looked at the sweating Qiao Yu who was still poring over the numbers in her accounts. “I already did the Math and concluded that my plan is feasible. Yes, it’s risky but I don’t shy away from high risks. You all know that.”
Everyone nodded, especially Professor Lu. Like Iris, he had an aggressive business style. On the other hand, his former partner, the late Grandfather Jin, had a more conservative business leadership. Both of them were sly foxes, though.
Individually, each of them were a force to be reckoned with. Together, they were legendary and literal history makers. Their legacy remained strong until today and was expected to continue for many generations to come.
Iris finished up her presentation. Professor Lu immediately started quizzing her about many aspects of her plan. As someone who had been studying under his tutelage for quite a while now, she answered with strong confidence, great eloquence, and sound knowledge.
