Chapter 328: Chapter 328 - Empty Boasts
When Juan Diaz heard this, he erupted in laughter. "Not time yet? It’s already ten in the evening. Will they show up after midnight?"
I chose not to waste time arguing with Juan Diaz, so I stayed quiet.
Following that, additional guests began filtering into the hotel one by one.
All these visitors wore expensive clothing and clearly held important positions.
Nearly every one of them had come specifically for Juan Diaz.
"Mr. Diaz, I represent Sunrise Real Estate. I’ve brought a modest present for you. Please take it."
"Mr. Diaz, I’m with Harrison Enterprises. I’ll be counting on your assistance once the New Year passes."
"Mr. Diaz..."
The stream of people coming to offer New Year wishes made Juan Diaz even more arrogant.
"Our family truly struck gold with this marriage! Look at all these executives coming to show you respect!" Juan Diaz’s family members couldn’t stop praising him.
"Absolutely, Juan is definitely our family’s most successful member!"
"You’re so fortunate to have such an accomplished husband!"
With all the flattery flowing, Juan Diaz responded casually: "They’re just minor business owners, nothing special. After New Year, we’re planning to work with Conrad Schroeder."
"Conrad Schroeder? Who might that be?" someone inquired.
Juan Diaz gave a slight smile. "Conrad Schroeder is an influential figure from Shiglance City. Calling him Chuzzle’s wealthiest man wouldn’t be stretching the truth."
Juan Diaz wasn’t a martial artist and understood nothing about Conrad Schroeder’s true power, but he knew the man had serious money.
"Juan can really partner with Chuzzle’s richest person?"
"I’m certain it won’t take long before Juan overtakes this Conrad Schroeder!"
Juan Diaz laughed. "I wouldn’t go that far, but Conrad and I go way back. He even wanted to visit me for New Year, but I turned him down."
Listening to Juan Diaz’s boasting, I couldn’t stop myself from bursting into laughter.
What a fantastic real estate firm—I’d never even heard of it. In Shiglance City, it probably wouldn’t even rank as a second-tier company.
Working with Conrad Schroeder? I seriously doubted Juan Diaz had ever laid eyes on Conrad Schroeder.
Juan Diaz shot me a sharp look, snapping at me, "What’s so amusing? Is it that hilarious?"
I raised my hands. "My apologies, I just couldn’t control myself."
Juan Diaz huffed and said, "Where are these people who are supposed to wish you a Happy New Year? Why haven’t they shown up yet?"
I considered for a moment and replied, "They’re all in Shiglance City, I guess it requires some travel time to reach here."
Hearing this, Juan Diaz broke into laughter once more. "So you’re claiming someone from Shiglance City will come to wish you a Happy New Year? It’s not your security buddies, right?"
When they heard this, the people around the table couldn’t help but chuckle.
I didn’t take offense. In my view, Juan Diaz was simply a fool not worth my attention.
Right then, Woods Walters suddenly showed up at the hotel entrance.
He positioned himself at the doorway, looking around the room before quickly locating me.
Then, Walters grabbed the presents and rushed over.
"Mr. Raymond, why didn’t you mention you were back? It took me forever to track you down," Woods Walters said, dabbing the perspiration from his brow.
"This is a little something I brought for you. They say it’s a century-old medicinal herb!"
I took a whiff, and it genuinely was a hundred-year-old herb.
"Woods Walters, that’s very considerate of you," I said as I accepted the gift box.
Juan Diaz looked at Woods Walters and asked offhandedly, "Who’s this character? Another security guy?"
Juan Diaz’s wife quickly grabbed his arm and whispered, "This is a major underworld figure in River City, don’t mess with him!"
Still, Juan Diaz didn’t seem bothered.
He smirked. "So, just some thug who operates in the shadows."
When Woods Walters heard this, his expression shifted immediately.
With mild irritation, he asked, "Mr. Raymond, who is this person? A friend of yours?"
I shrugged. "He runs a major corporation in Shiglance City, we can’t cross him."
Woods Walters was somewhat puzzled by the circumstances, so he held back his anger.
Juan Diaz sneered. "So, this ’Mr. Raymond,’ you waited all this time for just one criminal to wish you a Happy New Year? That’s pretty pathetic, isn’t it?"
I was about to respond, but suddenly several people carrying gifts appeared at the entrance.
They rushed to me and said with respect, "Mr. Raymond, we finally located you!"
I examined these people, feeling like they were somewhat strange to me.
"Mr. Raymond, I’m Mr. Massy from Der Group in Shiglance City. I’ve been wanting to meet you, but I worried you might be too busy."
"I’m Phillip Maryann from Goldford Technology in Shiglance City. You can call me Phillip."
"Mr. Raymond, I’m Ruben from Runi Group. I made a special trip to wish you a Happy New Year."
Listening to the introductions, Juan Diaz’s expression shifted slightly.
These companies were all famous, and in Shiglance City, they were major players!
"Mr. Raymond, I’m Qiue Ohli’s assistant. He’s extremely busy and couldn’t make it, so he sent me to greet you in his place." At that moment, a young man wearing a traditional Chinese jacket spoke respectfully.
Hearing this, Juan Diaz’s face suddenly became much worse!
Qiue Ohli’s assistant? He actually came to wish me a Happy New Year?
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! They must be performers this kid paid!" Juan Diaz thought to himself.
Before Juan Diaz could say anything, Conrad Schroeder appeared at the doorway.
He approached me, looking tired from travel and said, "Mr. Raymond, why didn’t you remain in Shiglance City for New Year? Many people have been missing you."
I smiled. "River City is my birthplace, after all."
At this moment, I gestured toward Juan Diaz and asked casually, "This guy claimed he was going to partner with you. Do you recognize him?"
Conrad Schroeder glanced at Juan Diaz and frowned. "Who are you?"
Juan Diaz replied impatiently, "I should be the one asking you that!"
I said with a half-smile, "Didn’t you mention wanting to work with Conrad Schroeder? He’s standing right here and you don’t even know him?"
