As the sky slowly darkens, Manhattan's Times Square is lit up all around.

At the crossroads of the world, its prosperity is vented to the outside world all the time.

On the main roads of Manhattan, the "heart" of New York, cars on both sides are rushing back and forth, like a long golden dragon dancing in the night.

The high and low lights are extinguished, the traffic is endless, the ambilight is colorful, and the clusters are bright.

in traffic.

George Soros sat in the back of his car, spreading out the cocktail invitation.

The material of the invitation is very ordinary, that is, a black print with some gold English fonts printed on it.

This kind of thing can probably be made by any printing shop on the side of the road.

It was very rough to the touch, and Soros estimated that ten dollars could buy at least fifty copies.

But it's such a letter that costs extremely cheaply.

In the past month, it has become the stuff of New York and even most of the American billionaires.

This is an invitation to Smith Capital's year-end investment reception.

To get it, in a way, is to get a ticket to Wall Street.

This little crude, after it was given the surname "Smith".

It seems that having it has become a symbol of the people of this country.

Tims looked at his boss and stared at the invitation letter from Smith Capital, and the general manager couldn't help but whisper-

"It's too cheap. This invitation is too cheap. Smith Capital doesn't take it seriously."

Invitations from almost most investment companies, let alone the most important social occasions such as year-end cocktail parties.

Even if it's an invitation to a regular cocktail party, they're often beautifully printed.

There used to be some investment companies run by nouveau riche, and on their invitation letters, they would even engage in gilded and diamond-encrusted flowers.

It costs thousands of dollars to get an invitation.

Goldman Sachs' year-end invitations to their year-end parties are not so exaggerated, but they usually cost tens or hundreds of dollars a piece.

Print-based invitations like Smith Capital's, which are as cheap as small roadside advertisements.

It is usually only found in those street shops that have just opened, and it is the one that they were customized to attract customers at the beginning.

Tims thinks it's outrageous, and Smith Capital is not out of money, at most it will only invite a few hundred people.

Even if it costs a few hundred dollars a piece, it's only tens of thousands of dollars.

Frugality is a bit too much.

Soros is already saving enough. But the Soros Fund Company's year-end reception invitation letter costs dozens of dollars.

Soros didn't respond to Timms's words, and the old guy looked at the handwriting on the invitation.

It is written in English that looks like a simple type, and the content of the print is very simple-

[Dear Mr. or Ms., in order to release the year-end financial report of Smith Capital, we specially hold a company brand promotion cocktail party, and we sincerely invite you and your companions to participate!] 】

[Time: Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m.]

[Location: Golden Ballroom, Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan East, New York City, Midtown Manhattan, 210 East Manhattan East. 】

[Note: This event is our company's promotional brand cocktail party with this letter to enter (the company has the final interpretation authority)]

【$458】

"This guy"

George Soros, who has always been frugal, after reading this invitation.

The old guy thinks he likes Abel a little bit.

Because he felt that Abel was as frugal as himself.

In other big Wall Street companies, it's hard to have a drinking party at the top hotels in New York, such as Waldorf Astoria, InterContinental, and Four Seasons.

This time, Smith Capital chose a very ordinary Hilton hotel, which will undoubtedly save a lot.

Soros remembers this hotel, and it even has this year

Downgraded to a 4-star hotel.

It's too provincial, more economical than him. The old guy suddenly had a feeling of "I am not alone".

「BOSS。 It's here."

When Soros complained in his heart.

Seeing the Hilton Garden Inn Midtown Manhattan that had appeared in front of him, Tims hurriedly reminded his boss.

Soros looked up and saw the hotel ahead.

He nodded.

It's rush hour in Manhattan at night, and it's the main street of Manhattan, so it's natural that the traffic is a bit congested.

Soros stayed in the car for more than ten minutes before he got out of the car and walked to the hotel.

Today's Hilton Garden Inn is clearly laid out at the door.

Beautiful flower baskets were erected at both ends of the door, and some beautiful colorful ribbons were pasted. From the entrance to the take-off and landing area for guests, there was even a new red carpet.

Soros, who got out of the car, looked up and even saw the CEO of Hilton International at the door.

He is also the patriarch of the Hilton family, Barron Hilton.

He was greeting him at the door with Merio, the president of Smith Capital.

Soros climbed the stairs, and when he reached the door, he saw Barron Hilton and Merio smiling and greeted him.

"Welcome, Mr. Soros."

"Welcome, Mr. Soros."

Soros smiled and shook hands with the two.

After shaking hands, he looked at Barron Hilton curiously.

He didn't know that this was obviously Smith Capital's year-end party.

You, Barron, a good Hilton CEO, why do you run to the door and act as a greeting.

Generally speaking, this should be the work of Smiths Capital's own senior staff, right?

Seeing this expression of the oilman financial giant.

Barron Hilton smiled—"Ha, Mr. Soros. You're the last to arrive, and we're on our way. There shouldn't be a few guests in the back. Why don't we talk as we walk?"

Soros nodded, and then, accompanied by Barron and Merio, walked inside the hotel.

Barron Hilton also gave an explanation on the way.

According to the meaning of the old Hilton, during the 911 disaster, among the more than 200 companies in which Smith Capital took shares, there was Hilton International Hotel Group.

Smith Capital now owns a 5.9% stake in Hilton.

Abel Smith himself privately holds 3.1% of the shares.

Combined, Abel is now the third largest shareholder of Hilton International Hotels Group.

As the CEO of the group company, Barron Hilton said that he did some simple work for Smith Capital, and it was only right.

Soros is not very convinced of this explanation.

There are so many shareholders of Hilton International Hotel Group, and there are more than 20 shareholders with more than 1% of the shares.

I've never seen you old Barron be so attentive to anyone, but today.

Soros feels that it is most likely because today's cocktail party may be the reason for the highest-level cocktail party Hilton has ever hosted in New York.

This drink will go a long way in enhancing the style of the Hilton Hotel in New York.

Barron Hilton may be trying to curry favor with Smith Capital so that Smith Capital will put all the cocktail parties in the Hilton Hotel in the future.

Thus indirectly improving the brand value of the Hilton Hotel.

After all, before that, only Hollywood in the United States generally chose to hold banquets at Hilton.

Because it's cheap

Soros only thinks of this for the time being.

What he didn't expect was Barron Hilton's granddaughter.

In Los Angeles, someone is about to get pregnant.

Someone put the drink party here because of the idea of "compensation".

These Soros naturally didn't know, and several people quickly passed through the special elevator to the golden banquet hall on the top floor.

Elevator in the lobby

At the entrance of the hall, both Soros and Tims saw a banner with color stripes hanging on it.

What moved Soros's heart was in these colorful banners.

There are a few conspicuous places with the same number as the [$458] at the end of the invitation.

At first, Soros thought it was a bad print.

But there is also this number on it, so it is not a typographical error.

The suspicious old guy couldn't help but guess because of this detail.

As for the scene of the reception, it was really like what Merio and Barron Hilton said.

Most of the guests had already arrived, and the huge Hilton Golden Ballroom was full of people at a glance.

Smith Capital used a buffet model for cold food tonight.

There are no tables for guests, but there are sofas, tables and chairs everywhere for guests to rest temporarily.

Male and female waiters who look the same as each other walk through it, from time to time they add drinks, take away cups, add food, and so on.

Soros doesn't care about any of this, he just wants to find Abel.

"Over there." Tims, who had been following his boss, pointed in one direction and whispered.

I didn't wear glasses tonight, but Soros, who was wearing contact lenses, looked at it at a glance.

Sure enough, in the crowd, he found Abel who was surrounded by a group of people.

At Abel's side, Soros met with Bloomberg, Warren Buffett and Sullivenston, chairman of PNC's financial services group, among others.

After hesitating, Soros did not go over immediately.

Someone discovered the existence of Soros and quickly surrounded him.

As the top financial tycoon in the oil man.

As long as there are oil people where Soros appears.

The oilers will be involuntarily attracted to him and gather around him.

As now, it was not long before a number of oil man, financial capitalists, and oil tycoons who were present at the meeting.

"George is here."

It may really be that the oil people attract, and Bloomberg, who was next to Abel, quickly discovered the arrival of Soros and pointed out his location for Abel.

Abel took a look and saw that Soros was surrounded by many oilmen.

Abel smiled and whispered to Bloomberg:

"I deliberately didn't invite him, and he came! Warren, get a hundred dollars!"

Hearing him say that later, both Bloomberg and Sullivenston burst out laughing.

It turned out that a month ago, Abel and Buffett made a bet in front of the two of them.

Bet on whether Soros will come over after this year's Norwegian krone incident, Abel's year-end investment party.

Warren Buffett thinks not, Abel thinks it should be. And if he still says that he doesn't send an invitation, Soros is very likely to come. If you send an invitation, Soros will not come.

The two made a bet of $100.

"I owe it first."

Buffett glanced at Soros's position and said expressionlessly.

"Calculate interest." Abel said directly: "Now the Fed's benchmark interest rate is 0.75%, and if you calculate the interest rate of your normal inter-bank peer lending, it will be at 4.75%."

Bloomberg and Sullivenston laughed straight out, and Buffett didn't bother to pay attention to him.

"Hi, good evening, everybody. It seems that everyone is very happy, and it seems that Smith Capital is going to shock Wall Street again tonight!!"

A gentle voice sounded next to several people.

Everyone looked over and found that it was Paulson, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, and David Komansky, CEO of Merrill Lynch, who came over.

The one who spoke was Paulson.

The false and simple greetings and greetings to each other are all over again.

Paulson took a glass of champagne from the plate of a beautiful woman passing by and took a sip.

The CEO of Goldman Sachs couldn't help but say:

"Mr. Smith, you'll be announcing Smith Capital's earnings report for this year later. Why don't you be here right now and tell us directly? I think David was curious too."

Next to Merrill Lynch CEO David Comansky smiled reservedly.

At this time, the CEO of Morgen Stanley came over, and Philip Purcell heard Paulson's words from a long distance.

He immediately laughed as he walked over, "Yes, Mr. Smith. How about easing our curiosity in advance?"

As the CEO of Morgen Stanley approached, more Wall Street giants subconsciously surrounded him.

These people include the heads of the five major investment banks on Wall Street, as well as the heads of large fund investment institutions such as Vanguard Group, Fidelity International Investment Funds, State Street Bank, and Wellington Management Group.

There are also some other tycoons in other industries.

For example, Mr. Ted Lerner of the real estate industry is on the periphery with Barron Hilton at the moment.

Compared with last year's first year-end investment reception, Smith Capital invited more guests to this year's event.

The number of customers who are trying to come by all means is also higher.

Last year, there were just over 100 and less than 200 guests.

This year, Smith Capital sent out 200 invitations, and the number of guests who came happened to be 400.

However, there are very few guests who bring female companions, and most of them choose to bring other companions.

And these companions are either the top elite of Wall Street, or the rich people who have come from all over the United States, or the local rich people in New York.

Compared with last year's Smith Capital Cocktail Party, the scale and specifications of the guests at this year's cocktail party are obviously several grades.

Like last year, the most famous guest was Warren Buffett.

There was also George, who came later, but George was not very famous at that time.

He hasn't decided to officially take office yet.

And this year, although George didn't come this year, Buffett still came, and Soros came.

And in addition to these people, there are several other important figures this year.

For example, not far away, a pair of donkeys and elephants are talking to each other.

One of these two is the president of the Senate this year, and the other is the minority leader of the House of Representatives this year

In other words, one of the twin cores of power in the kingdom, the two giants of Capitol Hill.

It's all here tonight.

This change was noticed by the guests who attended last year's reception.

They all know that this is a symbol of the status and influence of Abel and Smith Capital compared with last year.

The ultimate reason for all this change is because of Abel Smith, who is standing here in front of him, tall and majestic.

He can make money, he can make money for Smith Capital, and Smith Capital can make money for the rich!

What everyone is most concerned about is, of course, how much money Smith Capital has made this year!

Paulson asked, and Philip Purcell followed, and everyone gathered around.

Ultimately, it's all about that.

This change also caught the attention of the other guests at the reception.

Even the pair of donkeys and giant elephants, their eyes were cast.

Facing the eyes of the real top-level elites in these countries, Abel smiled unhurriedly, his expression calm and calm.

"Well, it's going to be announced later. There's no need to say it now, right? Shouldn't the most beautiful thing be revealed at the end, but it's the most fascinating?"

Seeing that Paulson and Philip Purcell were about to speak again, Abel smiled and raised his hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay. I know how you feel right now. Then let's announce it in advance."

Abel beckoned directly to David Jones, who was standing not far from him.

"Go and let Mellon announce it directly."

The butler nodded, smiled and turned to leave.

Seeing that Abel had expressed his position like this, everyone did not

pressed him tightly, but curiously looked for David Mellon's figure.

Last year, it was David Mellon who presided over the reception, and this year it should be him.

Most of the male guests also knew the news.

Everyone is looking forward to it.

In contrast, there are not many female guests tonight, and the main focus is not much on this side.

As the hostess, little Laura was in charge of receiving them, and there were only about thirty of them.

There is no comparison with the number of male guests tonight.

Among these female guests, little Laura, who was accompanied by Li Xinyu, was actually the only one who was most concerned.

That's one of the East Coast righteous, the eldest granddaughter of the Morgenthau family, Miss Peggy Morgenthau.

According to little Laura's grandfather, Herbert, who once revealed to her the information about the women around Abel.

Peggy Morgenthau was once one of the women with the best chance of marrying Abel Smith and becoming his wife before Little Laura.

At that time, it was the Morgenthau family who hesitated, and Abel himself was very inactive.

In the end, Herbert, who seemed particularly proactive, actively promoted.

Little Laura became Abel's future wife.

According to the list of threats given by her grandfather, Peggy Morgenthau is in first place.

The second were the descendants of the Rockphiles and the Morguns, who, according to Herbert, had also had the idea at the time.

After all, the people who are optimistic about Abel Smith are not only the bush family.

It's just that these big families are very slow, and Abel is growing too fast.

They couldn't pull their faces to take the initiative, and before they could say anything, the bush family charged ahead of time.

In third place are several families in the Texas consortium.

At last year's reception, if Able had accepted their offer.

Those families will definitely choose to marry Abel, which is a very normal practice of old American families.

In addition to these three parties, Herbert felt that the other forces in the back were irrelevant.

For example, the daughter of the Hearst family, the granddaughter of Hilton, the daughter of Ted Lerner, etc

Peggy Morgenthau is the most threatening in the eyes of her grandfather, and little Laura is meeting Peggy for the first time tonight.

This cheered her up, and from the very beginning, she was very serious and serious.

"Hello, Miss Morgenthau. I'm Laura Bush."

Little Laura smiled and reached out to the other.

"Hello. Miss Bush, I'm Peggy Morgenthau." Peggy shook hands with her, her expression quiet and gentle.