Lucas Lin's room was next to Rona Muir's, while Cecilia Gu's room was directly opposite theirs, right in the middle.
Yep, it was basically a triangle arrangement.
The other bodyguards and assistants were scattered around the three rooms, occupying the spaces in front, behind, and to the sides.
There were more than twenty companies attending the bidding this time, so their event pretty much booked out the entire Livingston Hotel.
The organizers went all out and simply reserved the whole place.
Cecilia Gu's assistant, Wendy, came over to help her organize her luggage. While working, she said, "The organizers really splurged this time. I just checked the room rates at the front desk. A room like yours costs 3,888 per night, and our standard room is 1,888. The hotel has about 150 rooms, so at an average rate of 2,500 per room, that's 375,000 per night. We're staying here for several days, so just the accommodation will cost millions."
Another of Cecilia Gu's assistants was cleaning her room and said, "A few million is nothing—it's just a drop in the bucket for our young madam."
Wendy placed the last pair of shoes and said, "But the company selling the formula has been losing money for five or six years straight. If they hadn't managed so poorly, they wouldn't be auctioning it off. This is a national brand that's been around forever. Companies like this usually have bloated staff, which drags down development. Otherwise, they wouldn't have ended up like this. A few million in hospitality fees is probably their annual budget ceiling."
Cecilia Gu put down her book and smiled, "Yeah, this brand is really old. I remember my foster mother used to buy their skincare products when I was a kid—they were cheap, effective, and simple. I never thought it would collapse so suddenly."
Wendy said, "Exactly. So as soon as this company announced they were selling the brand and formula, it attracted so many bidders. I hope our company's proposal will impress them. If Danni Cosmetics merges with this national brand, we could really become a top domestic name."
"You've all worked hard these past few days. Now it's time to see the results. If we win the bid, everyone gets double salary!" Cecilia Gu said with a smile.
"Thank you, boss!" The assistants in the room replied with cheerful grins.
Cecilia Gu just smiled. She was already a pro at winning over her subordinates.
Meanwhile, in a guest room upstairs, Marcus Chow appeared in a flashy outfit that could blind you. "We're staying in this dump? Can't we get a better hotel?"
Marcus Chow's assistant explained in a low voice, "Mr. Chow, this is already the best hotel in the resort. Land for hotels here is really limited since it's a tourist spot. Look, the view from the window is amazing!"
Marcus Chow looked around the room with disdain and said, "Fine, it's not like I'm here for fun anyway. This time, I have to beat Danni Cosmetics and win the brand. I heard the government plans to support this brand, invest a ton of money, and help open up overseas markets. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't want this lousy brand at all!"
The assistant agreed, "Exactly. If it weren't for that 'national brand' golden label, why would we bother bidding for this old factory?"
Marcus Chow said smugly, "Mr. Shaw already stole Danni Cosmetics' bidding plan for me. This time, we're going to crush them."
The assistant nodded repeatedly and, as he was about to leave, reminded Marcus Chow, "Mr. Chow, I know this might be unnecessary, but the old man told me to remind you: Newport City isn't like our Xenton, and even the strongest outsider can't beat the local powers here. If you meet a pretty girl, you have to restrain yourself! Everyone at this bidding event is rich or powerful—you can't afford to offend anyone!"
"Yeah, yeah, you just love using my father to pressure me." Marcus Chow glared at him and said, "What kind of fairy could there be in this dump? Relax—even if a goddess stood in front of me, I wouldn't bat an eye!"
Only then did the assistant leave, finally reassured.
But what Zhou Mang didn't know was that it wouldn't be long before he'd be eating his words—big time.
After Mu Ruona's assistant finished organizing her luggage and left, Lin Feng came in carrying freshly washed fruit. "Try some of the fruit here. I heard it's grown on the nearby mountains—super sweet."
After Rona Muir's assistant finished organizing her luggage and left, Lucas Lin came in carrying freshly washed fruit. "Try some of the fruit here. I heard it's grown on the nearby mountains—super sweet."
"Sure." Rona Muir nodded at Lucas Lin, quickly finished her work on the computer, then said, "Just got the latest news: there are twenty-six companies bidding this time. Only three pose a real threat to Danni Cosmetics, and one of them is the Chow Family. The Chow Family is interesting—they're not staying in Xenton but have come to our Newport City instead."
Lucas Lin asked, puzzled, "The Chow Family...?"
"That's the family behind Marcus Chow," Rona Muir replied.
Lucas Lin froze for a moment, a hint of discomfort flashing across his face as he remembered the bidding plan he'd stolen.
Thankfully, he'd tampered with that bidding plan. Otherwise...
Wouldn't Danni Cosmetics be in real danger?
Yeah, time to figure out how much money I've got saved up.
With all the endorsements and ads I've taken on lately, I've got a hundred million or so, maybe two. Add in the pay I've saved from previous gigs, and if I manage my finances well, I shouldn't starve.
"What are you thinking about?" Rona Muir saw Lucas Lin spacing out and couldn't help but wave her hand in front of his face.
"Ah, nothing. I was just wondering why you all are fighting over this little factory," Lucas Lin said offhandedly. "Sure, it's a national brand, but isn't it way too small?"
"Yeah, compared to top-tier luxury brands, it's definitely small. But it's a national brand, backed by government support, and the formula is solid—tried and tested. The only reason it's in this mess is poor management and lack of effective marketing," Rona Muir said, all business as usual.
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"The factory has over two thousand employees, most of them local residents who've lived and worked here for decades, even centuries. If it goes under, they'll all lose their jobs. And this brand really is an old name—if it disappeared, it'd be a real shame. Plus, our country wants to promote its own national brands, and this factory is one of them."
"Government investment is one thing, but promotion is the key. That's why we're all fighting to get this brand. If Danni Cosmetics catches this wave, we can go from a second-tier to a top-tier national brand, maybe even go global. Who says luxury products can only come from abroad? Now we've got the confidence to make the best skincare in the world, right?"
"That's why Danni Cosmetics is focusing our bid on winning over the people—public support is everything. Whoever wins the public wins the final victory." Rona Muir trusted Lucas Lin enough not to hide her plans.
Lucas Lin's heart was pounding with excitement.
Does she trust me this much because she likes me too?
"If we can keep those two thousand people employed, stabilize the local economy, and integrate this brand into our company to go international, why shouldn't we do it?" Mu Ruona smiled. "Mo Rong once said something very true—our ancestors warned us long ago: 'When poor, keep to yourself; when successful, help the world.' We don't lack money anymore, but we haven't done enough for national honor. China is our foundation. If we don't even have our own national brands, how can we talk about real success?"
Lucas Lin gazed at Rona Muir with admiration.
There was only one thought in his mind: "The girl I like is amazing! She's my goddess!"
"There are plenty of cosmetics companies in China, but only a few can really make it big. I believe Danni Cosmetics can become the strongest in China, even the world." Rona Muir concluded, "This time, I'm determined to win the bid!"
Lucas Lin felt his heart race. "I believe you can do it!"
Marcus Chow changed into a new outfit and prepared to go out for a walk.
He still disliked how rundown the place was—it couldn't compare to the bustle of big cities—but it was passable.
The assistant wanted to complain: it's a historic district, of course it's rundown!
If it were all modernized, would it still be a historic district?
"Mr. Chow, that pretty boy Miss Muir used to keep around seems to be here too," the assistant reported quietly. "Looks like Rona Muir really dotes on him!"
Zhou Mang snorted, "He's just a plaything. He might have scored big this time, but I doubt he'll stay by Mu Ruona's side for long. If he knows what's good for him, maybe I'll give him a chance."
The assistant got the hint and quickly added, "Also, Miss Jenny Shi is asking where you are. What do you think...?"
"Ignore her."
"Okay. Then, what about that internet celebrity, Toto Bunny, whom you just met...?"
"No, no, no—just a bunch of ordinary girls!" Zhou Mang said impatiently. "They all look like goddesses on camera, but in real life, they're a letdown. Maybe there aren't any real goddesses in this world after all?"
The assistant joined in, "Yeah, maybe there really aren't any goddesses in this world. Mr. Chow, Mr. Chow, you..."
Following Zhou Mang's gaze, the assistant looked over and saw a woman with delicate features and an ethereal aura sitting under the gray walls and dark red window frames, reading a book.
She wore a flowing ink-colored dress that made her lips look even redder and her teeth whiter; her eyes sparkled like stars. She was so beautiful, she really did look like a goddess.
Zhou Mang stared at the woman for nearly ten minutes before finally blurting out, "Holy crap! I take back what I said—there really are goddesses in this world! Who is she? I want all her info in ten minutes!"
Assistant: "...Boss Zhou, you promised the old man you're here to bid, not to chase women!"