CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 2: IT’S HIS VOICE

The dining place was set on Serenity Street, located in the core CBD area in the east of the city, at Northcity’s famous Kyoro Hotel, a five-star hotel.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Kyoro Hotel was the favorite hangout for the children of high-ranking officials in Northcity. Of course, they could afford it. Those who dined here were either sons of some commander or daughters of some secretary; they all had status and background.

As time went on, they elevated the hotel’s reputation, and the hotel further highlighted their distinguished status. Whether one could enter the Kyoro Hotel became a measure of one’s solid background. Those who couldn’t enter the Kyoro Hotel were not considered true members of The Capital Circle.

Now that trend is gone. Besides the children of high-ranking officials in The Capital Circle, anyone with money can go in and have a good time.

Previously, even money might not get you in; you needed status and background too. However, back then, having money implied having a background, as private enterprises were in their development stage, and the truly wealthy were linked to "power."

"Mr. Fenton is really going all out this time. If this investment doesn’t go through, none of us will have a good time in the next six months. Money is a minor concern; the main thing is establishing a connection with Declan Donovan so that in the future, we won’t have to be overly cautious in the industry or worry about projects being stalled."

Mr. Fenton, whose full name is Evan Fenton, is eight years older than Sylvia Carrington. He is the boss of Nimbus Media and also the general director and producer of this project. He not only has to personally build the project team but also calculate operating costs and raise funds. Overall, he is responsible for the project’s overall control.

Previously, Evan Fenton sought small investments, but this time he found a big one, so big that everyone in the company thought he had struck gold.

Sylvia Carrington exclaimed, "Mr. Fenton is having a lucky year, somehow managing to connect with the second son of The Donovan Family."

Renee Winslow kept her eyes down and said nothing. Her mind was filled with questions, yet she found it inconvenient to ask anyone, including her friend Sylvia Carrington, so she kept them silently in her heart.

Sylvia Carrington glanced at her and saw her looking exhausted, assuming she was just tired from the flight. She patted her shoulder, saying, "There’s still half an hour before we reach the hotel. You should take a nap."

Renee Winslow responded softly, "Okay."

Half an hour later, the car stopped outside Kyoro Hotel.

Sylvia Carrington tugged on Renee Winslow’s arm, her voice barely containing excitement, "We’re here!"

Renee Winslow calmly glanced out the window and, upon seeing the familiar "Kyoro Hotel" sign, felt a moment of detachment.

Claiming to be unaffected would be impossible. Even the passing of a goose leaves a trace. Moreover, she had spent three years with Jack Yates.

Memories from the past years played like a rewound tape in her mind.

The first time she came here was on her eighteenth birthday when Caleb Yates brought her.

At that time, Caleb Yates was her boyfriend. They had just begun dating, and on her birthday, Caleb Yates brought her to Kyoro Hotel, renting a luxury suite with an outdoor garden to celebrate her birthday.

The second time, it was Jack Yates. Near the end of her sophomore year, on June 19th, to be exact, her nineteenth birthday.

That day, Jack Yates rented out the entire Kyoro Hotel for her birthday, inviting over a dozen entertainment industry celebrities from both coasts and regions, including five singers she really liked, who took turns singing for her as if it were a grand and exclusive concert just for her.

Later on, she frequently visited Kyoro Hotel, with the presidential suite on the top floor reserved for her all year round.

Returning here five years later, Renee Winslow felt as if a lifetime had passed.

"Look at you, looking like you’ve never seen the world before, your eyes are red with excitement," Sylvia Carrington teased as she wrapped an arm around her shoulder with a smile, "Are you overwhelmed by the grandeur of this high-end hotel in The Capital?"

Renee Winslow forced down the soreness in her throat and responded with a gentle smile, "Yes."

Sylvia Carrington released her grip on her shoulder and linked arms with her instead, "Once we secure the investment and if this drama becomes a hit, we should get Mr. Fenton to treat us all to another lavish meal here."

Renee Winslow continued to smile gently, "Okay."

"You’re something else!" Sylvia Carrington withdrew her hand from her arm and tapped her fair shoulder lightly.

"Ever since you returned from studying abroad, you’ve changed completely. You’re now entirely smooth-edged, without any temper and devoid of any down-to-earth demeanor, detached and cold, as if nothing and no one can catch your eye. The old you was gentle and well-behaved, but also lively, and your occasional little tantrums were quite endearing."

Renee Winslow lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Is there any way not to change?

Leaving aside being taken into the high-flying world of fame and fortune by Jack Yates, just being with someone as high-ranking and powerful as Jack Yates for three years is enough to erode even the sharpest edges.

The two walked to the hotel entrance. As they were about to enter, Sylvia Carrington paused and softly asked, "Bonnie, can you tell me, what exactly happened during those three years you were in Alchester?"

Renee Winslow’s eyelashes fluttered as she was about to find an excuse to deflect the question when Sylvia Carrington’s phone rang. It was Evan Fenton, asking if they had arrived.

Sylvia Carrington spoke as she walked, "We’re here, we’ve already entered the hotel. Is it the same suite as before?"

Evan Fenton: "I was just about to tell you, the suite has changed. Boss Donovan said an important guest is coming, and the previous suite wasn’t suitable. A luxury suite has been booked instead."

Sylvia Carrington suppressed her curiosity and didn’t ask who the important guest was.

"Alright, send me the room number, and Renee and I will head over right away."

Renee Winslow followed behind Sylvia Carrington by a few steps and didn’t hear what Evan Fenton said over the phone. If she had, she certainly wouldn’t have gone in.

Sylvia Carrington hung up the phone, glanced at the message from Evan Fenton, and turned to tell Renee Winslow, "Sixth floor, luxury suite. Mr. Fenton sure spared no expense!"

Renee Winslow smiled, "You have to give to gain. Mr. Fenton is insightful, and his business will only get better."

A bell chimed as they reached the sixth floor.

Sylvia Carrington walked ahead, with Renee Winslow following behind, as they entered the luxurious suite 603 one after the other.

The production team members were all present, with the two leads sitting on the sofa discussing the script.

Evan Fenton stood on the balcony with his back to the door, smoking. Hearing the noise, he turned around, saw Renee Winslow, extinguished his cigarette, smiled as he walked into the dining area, and pulled the glass door shut to keep the smoke from entering.

Renee Winslow politely greeted, "Mr. Fenton."

She never called him "old Fenton." It was always Mr. Fenton. After all, her relationship with Evan Fenton wasn’t like Sylvia Carrington’s. Sylvia was both a schoolmate and a friend, whereas Renee had no personal interaction with Evan Fenton and didn’t wish to have any.

Even though Evan Fenton felt a bit uncomfortable seeing her detached manner, he didn’t show it, smiling back at her.

"Thank you for coming."

Renee Winslow smiled and replied, "It’s my duty. I’m part of the company, and it’s my privilege if Mr. Fenton can make use of me."

Evan Fenton raised his hand slightly, "Please, have a seat."

Renee Winslow sat down quietly and demurely, with her eyes lowered.

Evan Fenton sat across from her, crossed one leg over the other, and spoke in a boss-like tone, "If it were just a small investment like before, I wouldn’t bother you. But this time, the investor’s status is extraordinary; it’s truly a member of Northcity’s capi...

He was interrupted by a familiar voice from outside, "Third brother has given me such a big favor this time; I’ll remember this generosity."

Renee Winslow recognized it as Declan Donovan’s voice.

Immediately following was an even more familiar voice, "No need to remember; I’m not doing it for you.

Renee Winslow’s eyelashes fluttered as she suddenly stood up, her heart skipping a beat, and her breathing became rapid.