Godly Investor: A Hundred Trillion Dollars For Investment And Donations-Chapter 304

Ethan stood, straightening his jacket before stepping into the aisle. The attendant gave him a polite nod as he descended the stairs into the warm, sunlit expanse of the terminal.

Waiting near the runway was a man dressed in a sharp navy suit, clipboard in hand. His expression was neutral but curious, his sharp eyes scanning Ethan as he approached.

"Are you the one Lady Madison sent to join us?"

the man asked, his voice steady but tinged with professionalism.

Ethan gave a single nod.

"Yes, that's me."

The man studied him briefly before gesturing toward a sleek black car idling nearby.

"This way, please."

Ethan followed without comment, his mind turning over Lady Madison's decision to keep his identity under wraps again.

'Still protecting the family name, even here,'

he thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He wasn't surprised, but the reminder of how tightly she controlled everything still rankled. Low profile it is, he told himself as he slid into the back seat of the car.

Not long after the city unfolded before them as the car pulled away, a dynamic blend of towering skyscrapers, parks, and high-end storefronts.

Ethan gazed out the window, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. Berry Rose County was alive with energy, its streets humming with the quiet luxury of the ultra-wealthy.

However The driver maintained a professional silence, leaving Ethan to his thoughts.

At that moment he glanced at the man seated next to him—the school authority figure who had met him at the terminal.

However The man seemed unfazed by the silence, content to study his clipboard as the car glided through the bustling streets.

"You're arriving separately from the others," the man said suddenly, breaking the quiet. His tone was casual, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity.

"I had some things to take care of before leaving," Ethan replied smoothly, offering no further explanation.

The man nodded, his expression unreadable, and returned his focus to his clipboard.

Ethan turned back to the window, his mind already calculating how best to navigate the social dynamics he was about to encounter. They'll want to know why I arrived late, who I am, and why Lady Madison sent me. Best to give them as little as possible.

As they neared the hotel, the car slowed, allowing Ethan his first glimpse of the Celestia Royale.

The building loomed ahead, its shimmering glass façade reflecting the hotel . Even from a distance, its grandeur was undeniable—a testament to its reputation as one of the most luxurious seven-star hotels in the world.

Inside, the other students had already arrived.

Thirty in total, they milled about the opulent lobby, their laughter and chatter filling the space. Dressed in designer attire, they exuded the kind of confidence that came from being raised in wealth and privilege.

The hotel itself was a masterpiece of modern architecture. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen raindrops from vaulted ceilings.

A grand piano stood in the corner, its polished surface reflecting the glow of an elaborate floral arrangement at the center of the room.

The students were gathered near the reception desk, some checking their itineraries while others exchanged casual pleasantries. Despite the air of ease, there was an undercurrent of competition—subtle glances, the calculated way they held themselves, and the occasional whisper behind cupped hands. This wasn't just a school trip; it was a stage, and everyone was performing.

The soft hum of conversation filled the grand hall where the class was being held, the room itself a testament to the opulence surrounding this vacation. The high ceilings were adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the polished floors, and the walls were lined with abstract art.

Despite the grandeur, Serenity's mood matched none of it. She walked into the room, her shoulders slightly hunched, her face betraying her disappointment.

"Why did I even come here?" she thought bitterly.

At that moment Ethan's promise echoed in her mind, a promise that had kept her excited about the trip. Now, with no sign of him, every step toward her seat felt heavier.

As she scanned the room, her unease grew.

The atmosphere was charged with an air of superiority. Everyone seemed to know everyone, their laughter and handshakes weaving a connections she didn't fully belong to. The students weren't just students—they were heirs and protégés of powerful families, some of whom she recognized from headlines and tabloids.

Former seniors, now thriving in industries of their own, had also joined, their very presence exuding influence.

Serenity sighed, feeling the weight of her reality. She wasn't entirely out of place—her family had some wealth—but it paled compared to the vast fortunes represented here. She could count on one hand the number of people she was better off than, and even that felt precarious.

At that moment She slid into a seat near the middle of the room, hoping to blend in and avoid drawing attention.

As she placed her bag on the floor, she couldn't help but glance at the door, hoping against hope that Ethan would suddenly appear, flashing that reassuring smile of his. But the door remained closed, and the seat beside her was still empty.

"Mind if I join you?" a voice broke through her thoughts.

Startled, Serenity turned to see a young man standing beside her. He was tall, his posture confident but not overbearing. His sharp features and easy smile hinted at someone used to getting attention.

However she recognized him immediately—Dylan Carter. His name carried weight, not just because of his family's $300 million fortune but because of his charm and reputation as one of the top ten figures to watch on this trip.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

At that moment the young man extended his hand toward Serenity, a charming smile on his face.

"I'm Dylan Carter," he said, his voice confident yet approachable.

However Serenity hesitated for a moment before accepting the handshake.

"Serenity York," she replied, her tone polite but guarded.

Dylan's smile widened as if pleased by her response.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Serenity. You've got a beautiful name."

"Thank you," Serenity said, offering a faint smile. She wasn't entirely sure if his compliments were genuine or simply part of his natural charisma, but she appreciated the effort nonetheless.

Dylan leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed yet deliberate.

"I was wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner tonight. There's this incredible rooftop restaurant here that I've been dying to try. It has the best view of the city."

Hearing what Dylan just said.

Serenity's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the sudden invitation. She quickly composed herself and shook her head.

"Thank you, but I'll have to decline."

However Dylan seemed unfazed by her refusal, his smile never faltering.

"No problem, I just thought it might be a nice way to unwind after all the traveling." He paused, studying her for a moment before continuing.

"I noticed you were waiting when they called us to board the plane earlier. Were you looking for someone?"

Serenity's posture stiffened slightly at the mention of her waiting. "Yes," she admitted, her voice softer now.

"I was waiting for a friend, but… he didn't make it."

Hearing the disappointment in her tone, Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Your friend," he began cautiously, "was he...?" He trailed off, letting the question hang in the air.

Serenity nodded.

"Yes, he's a guy."

At that moment Dylan leaned forward slightly, his expression turning sympathetic, though there was an unmistakable hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Not everyone can pull together ten million dollars on such short notice," he said, his tone light but cutting.

At that moment Serenity felt her face heat up at his words, unsure whether to be sad or angry.

His casual dismissal of her friend's situation stung more than she cared to admit.

However She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Why does everyone assume money is the only thing that matters?

Before she could gather her thoughts, the door to the room opened, drawing the attention of everyone present. The man who had picked Ethan up at the airport entered, his expression calm and professional as he surveyed the room.

"Excuse me," the man said, his voice loud enough to cut through the buzz of conversation.

"I have an announcement to make. Someone will be joining us shortly."

Immediately the room fell silent, curiosity rippling through the crowd.

Then Serenity's heart skipped a beat, a glimmer of hope sparking within her.

The man glanced at the clipboard in his hand before continuing.

"Ethan Winston."

Immediately a hush fell over the room, the name unfamiliar to most but enough to pique their interest. All eyes turned to the doorway as a figure stepped inside.

There he was—Ethan. His posture was calm, his expression neutral as if he were entirely unaffected by the stares and whispers that immediately followed his entrance. He adjusted his jacket slightly, his sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on Serenity.

Serenity's breath caught in her throat, her emotions a whirlwind of relief and disbelief. He came.

Dylan, sitting beside her, looked equally intrigued.

"Well," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else, "this just got interesting."

Ethan took a step forward, his presence commanding without him trying.