Suddenly, I Am Rich

After that, Stoneworks didn’t waste any time. In the following days, after getting feedback from Gray, they started doing their revisions on the plans they presented. Thick sets of papers arrived at Gray’s desk almost every morning, sometimes paired with emails and USB files full of updated layouts and rendered designs.

Each time, Mara and Gray carefully checked every detail. Stoneworks worked tirelessly, and it showed through their designs. Their architects really listened to every comment that Gray made.

With this, they made the staff lounge big; they also added 2 small offices, and 2 big ones that were neatly placed at the back. Even the stockroom was stretched wider than before. Every time he spotted a change exactly the way he wanted, he felt a little more reassured.

By the end of the week, the plans were finally finalized.

”This is it,” he muttered under his breath as he saw the final plan. It has all the things they need and want.

”Are you satisfied with it already?” Mara glanced at him. There was a small smile playing on her lips as she looked at him.

Gray smiled faintly, then nodded.

”Yeah... this one’s good. Let them know they can lock this version in.”

”On it.” Mara nodded before quickly shooting off an email.

Stoneworks confirmed not even an hour later. With that, everything was set for them.

By next week, the second week since their permit had been released, their plans turned into action. On the very first day of the week, their groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled.

Invitations were sent out to important figures in this project. A small setup was prepared at the site, with the entire space being surrounded by a white bow. Stoneworks even set up the ceremonial shovels and banner themselves.

When Gray received the invitation, he just sat in his office for a while, staring blankly at the calendar on his desk.

’Damn... It’s really happening.’ He leaned back, rubbing his temple. In just a few days, he’d be standing in front of everyone again, with a shovel in hand.

”Guess there’s no turning back now.” Gray chuckled under his breath.

- - -

The day of the groundbreaking finally arrived. The sun was out and the sky was clear outside. It was a perfect morning to have.

At the site, the air still faintly smelled of soil and dirt, though it was minimal as the workers had already cleared the land.

Over the weekend, Stoneworks did its job. The once-empty lot now had white bows strung surrounding its every side. In front, there was a neat banner hanging.

”Groundbreaking Ceremony”

At the center, a small setup has been made. They placed a row of chairs behind the banner. Off to the side, there was a long table with several shovels on top. Their wooden handles gleamed under the sun. A gold ribbon was neatly tied around the handle of each one.

The first to arrive on the site was Gray. He stepped out of Daniel’s car, buttoning the front of his blazer as he looked over the area.

’Whoa, it seems like everything has been properly set up.’ He couldn’t help but comment on Stoneworks working ethics. They were really good at their job.

Gray looked around and saw that the setup cameras were already done, and the cameras were already getting put in position for the press. While he was looking around, Dante spotted him.

”Mr. Gray!” Dante’s voice was loud and welcoming as he walked over to Gray. Beside him was Stoneworks’ director. The director was a tall man in his fifties. He had graying hair and a calm but authoritative aura.

”Welcome, Mr. Gray. I’m pleased to finally meet you in person,” the director said as he extended his hand to Gray.

Gray shook it firmly and then put on a small smile on his face.

”Likewise. And thank you for arranging everything here.”

”We always make sure our partners are well taken care of,” the director replied with a polite nod.

”Thank you, Sir, ” Gray responded to him.

”Anyway, we’ll get going first now. We’ll call for you soon, Gray. We just need to ensure everything is set up properly first.” Dante faced Gray and tapped his shoulders.

Gray chuckled and nodded.

”Go on, I’ll wait for my assistant here first.”

Not long after, Mara arrived. Her heels clicked against the ground as she stepped out of a cab. She wore a simple cream blouse tucked into a dark skirt, her hair neatly tied back. She waved when she spotted Gray and quickly walked over to him.

”You look nice today, huh?” she teased quietly, tilting her head at him.

”Oh well,” Gray just smirked faintly and shrugged his shoulder as if confident about himself. ”You’re not wrong at all.”

Before Mara could reply, Joel showed up too. Unlike the others, he came in more casually dressed, though he did make an effort to wear a blazer over his shirt. The moment he spotted Gray, he practically jogged over to them.

”Boss! This is insane, huh? A second branch already.” He smiled happily as he bowed his head slightly, ”Our people are going to lose it when they see this.”

Gray chuckled and gave his shoulder a light pat.

”Save your excitement for the photos later.”

Then, after a few moments, Selina arrived too.

Her presence immediately drew attention from everyone. She wore a simple pastel dress paired with a blazer. It was simple, but on her, it looked like she was about to attend some gala.

Selina’s hair flowed neatly behind her shoulders as she walked on the site with calm confidence. The media figures nearby instinctively turned their cameras on her, already snapping shots even though the event hadn’t officially started yet.

Selina smiled when she spotted Gray. She softly waved her hand, ”You really didn’t tell me it would be this grand,” she said, her voice calm but her eyes playful.

”Hey, I didn’t think it would be this grand either.” Gray rubbed the back of his neck.

Selina playfully laughed at him. However, after a while, all of them proceeded to walk to the side after being called by one of the workers from Stoneworks.

At the side of the site, a few Stoneworks staff members were waiting to brief them. A young man in a clean white shirt and tie held a clipboard. He looked both professional and slightly nervous as he explained the flow of today’s program.

”Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming early,” he started, bowing his head a little. ”Let me just give you a quick rundown on how the ceremony will go.”

They gathered around him, forming a small circle. The press and photographers were still setting up near the stage, so they had a few quiet minutes to themselves.

”First, once the program starts, Stoneworks’ director will give the opening remarks,” the young man continued, glancing down at his notes. ”After that, Mr. Gray, you’ll be invited to the stage to say a few words. It doesn’t have to be long, just something about your vision for this new branch.”

”Got it. I’ll keep it short.” Gray raised his brows slightly but nodded.

”Then, Mr. Conrad will also deliver his own speech. After the speeches, we’ll move toward the ceremonial shovels. Each of you who was invited as a representative will take a shovel. You’ll pose for photos and dig together. That will mark the official groundbreaking.”

Joel, who was surprised that he would be included in this, leaned closer to Gray and whispered, ”Boss, I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of spotlight.”

”Too late to back out now. Just smile and act natural.” Gray smirked and gave his arm a light nudge

Mara chuckled at the two of them before asking the Stoneworks staffer, ”And after that?”

”After that, it’s just photos with the press, light refreshments, and free mingling. That will be the end of the program.”

Everyone nodded in understanding. The young man looked relieved that the briefing was done, then excused himself to check on the stage.

They stood there waiting. From time to time, they would talk among themselves. That wasn’t until a loud noise from an engine sounded from the road.

All eyes turned around as a sleek black luxury car appeared on the side. Its tinted windows reflected the sunlight, and when it stopped, the driver quickly stepped out to open the back door.

In there, Conrad went out.

His presence was so commanding that even the reporters instinctively shifted their cameras toward him. For a moment, the small lot fell into silence, as though everyone forgot what they were doing because Conrad Everett arrived before their eyes.

”Mr. Conrad!” Dante was the first to break the silence, stepping forward with a wide smile on his face. It was his first time meeting Conrad, so his amusement knew no bounds. The Stoneworks director followed closely, both of them bowing slightly out of respect to the man.

Conrad gave them a kind nod.

”Well,” he said, his voice calm yet warm, ”looks like I came just in time.”