As the Alexander Corporation merged into the King Investment Group, Mike established his offices on both the high and low floors of Wall Street.
Alexander, who dealt in antiques, brought not only connections but also a substantial amount of fixed assets to the King Investment Group.
Once these assets were monetized, they powerfully propelled the King Investment Group's expansion into various sectors.
"I heard from my dad that you're really short on cash right now. He asked me to tell you that if you're willing to invest in Channing Enterprise, he can appropriately allocate some shares to you…" In Caroline's private villa, the girl, fresh from a workout, brought Mike news from her father.
"Real estate?" Mike toyed with the girl's long legs, his expression a little distracted.
It had been almost half a year since the King Investment Group's commercial expansion, and during this time, various daily necessities from the King Investment Group had entered people's lives from all angles.
Overall, the group's business expansion was highly successful.
And after the initial three months of aggressive expansion, Mike's assets were also being recouped at a visible rate.
Therefore, more than two months ago, Mike made the decisive decision to build a King's Building for himself.
There were no other requirements; the main focus was on being grand and conspicuous.
In his plan, this building would, along with him, become a future "landmark" of America.
So that whenever the King's Building was mentioned, its owner would come to mind.
It was precisely because of this consideration that the location selection for the King's Building was crucial. Ultimately, to construct this building, Mike purchased a very large plot of land between Wall Street and Broadway.
Using the original luxury villa as its center, he began constructing his King's Building.
His main purpose in coming to New York this time was to inspect the construction progress of the building on-site; meeting Caroline was merely an incidental matter.
The total budget for building the King's Building, from start to finish, would require an investment of at least over a billion in liquid capital, and this was just the beginning.
This was also why, even though the King Investment Group was always making money, Channing still thought Mike was short on cash.
"Not real estate." Caroline shook her head at Mike's guess and said, "Housing prices are already artificially high. My dad stopped doing that kind of business a long time ago. He's currently involved in the virtual economy, which is about integrating resources and then pooling them to invest in more profitable industries…"
"It's still in the initial stages. If you invest now, you'll definitely make a fortune!"
After more than two years together, Caroline had long since become Mike's, so she was very willing to help him.
Moreover, Caroline, who grew up in a wealthy family, while not interested in making money, actually possessed a considerable business acumen.
From her perspective, she could see that New York's real estate market was on the verge of collapse.
However, the girl got one thing wrong: the current state of the real estate market was created by people like Channing Family, so how could they easily get rid of it?
Mike was sure that Channing Family must have already accumulated a huge amount of debt behind the scenes.
And Mr. Channing Family, now frantically raising funds regardless of the bank's interests, was clearly at his wit's end.
In other words, Channing's current pyramid scheme-like money-making method would not last long.
And judging by Caroline's situation of falling into destitution after graduation, Mr. Channing's frantic fundraising leading to bankruptcy was only a year away.
"I'm currently involved in the real economy for people's livelihoods, and I'm no longer interested in virtual industries," Mike, who saw through everything, rejected the girl's kind offer.
He even had reason to suspect that Mr. Channing Family, desperate and reckless, had his eyes on Mike's industry and wanted to drag him down.
"Alright..." Seeing Mike's reluctance, Caroline didn't try to persuade him further, but said, "Although you haven't invested in Channing Family's business, if you really need money for turnover, you can tell me. I can go ask my dad to lend you money."
A girl's heart turns outward, and it's not just an empty saying.
Unfortunately, Caroline wasn't attentive to business operations and didn't know the current situation of her family, otherwise she wouldn't have said such naive words.
"Oh, right, the business I suggested you do before, you can reconsider it. The King Investment Group now has many small projects suitable for you." Since Channing Family was beyond saving, Mike decided to give Caroline another pull.
"I'd love to invest in you, but I don't have much cash on hand. How about I ask my dad first and then give you an answer…" Invited again, Caroline looked conflicted, mixed with a bit of embarrassment.
This little princess of Channing Family never lacked money. Similarly, she, who loved shopping for luxury goods, couldn't hold onto money either.
Although she now really wanted to "help" Mike, she was powerless.
Just then, Needy walked in, reminding Mike that it was time to go inspect the construction progress of the King's Building on-site.
"I still think you should leave home and start a small business of your own, even if it's just for experience." Before leaving, Mike reminded the girl again.
"Wait…" Caroline wasn't too surprised by the arrival of the cold woman, but seeing Mike about to leave, the girl still wanted to spend more time with him.
However, having just finished strenuous exercise, her whole body felt weak, and she could only watch Mike and her personal bodyguard leave.
"Start a business...? Forget it, it's too much trouble. Mike should be staying in New York for a few days this time, I can still go find him tonight…" Once alone, Caroline finally remembered Mike's reminder.
However, having no such needs at all, she quickly dismissed the reminder. She began to consider what to wear tonight to attract Mike's attention.
Of course, this isn't to say Caroline was love-struck; the main "responsibility" still lay with Mike.
More than two months ago, after deciding to build the King's Building, Mike sent most of the girls from the previous luxury villa to Genovia for vacation, and then he himself spent most of his time there.
So, Caroline, who had finally seen him once, naturally wanted to dress beautifully to create some wonderful memories for them.
On the other side, Mike, walking out of Channing Family's villa, saw Jessie and Lena on the roadside.
The girls' expressions made him feel a little bit "caught."
"Why didn't you tell me Jessie and the others were here?" Mike turned to look at the expressionless cold woman: "Never mind, it's pointless to ask."
Logically speaking, with the King Investment Group's expansion business back on track, Jessie, as a manager, should be quite busy.
But since they were here, Mike smiled and went to meet them, embracing the two girls and greeting them warmly: "Jessie, Lena, long time no see. You two seem even more charming/"
Over the past two months, in Genovia, the three girls from The Plastics and Princess Mia, among others, had been accompanying Mike in various ways, and he, "enjoying himself so much that he forgot to return home," indeed found it difficult to pay attention to Jessie and the other girls who remained in New York.
"More charming than Channing Family's eldest daughter?" Jessie, who had gradually developed the aura of a strong woman, rarely showed a "resentful wife" expression.
"Haha, of course you two are more charming…" Mike chuckled, then said, "It's decided, tonight I'll take you and Tina and the others out for a big dinner."
Besides Jessie and Lena, Tina and Collins, who was still in school, were among the girls working in New York.
These girls, who had "fought" together, had now vaguely formed a more fixed sister group, and the group seemed quite exclusive.
Of course, it might also be because they had a common goal, which was to keep an eye on Mike and prevent him from flirting around.
People like Caroline were their main targets for monitoring.
This time, Jessie and Lena's arrival might have been as representatives of the sister group.
In front of Channing Family's villa, after Mike's "softening" stance, the two girls naturally didn't make things difficult for him anymore.
They just made their point and stopped.
…
A little later, the group arrived at the original site of Mike's former luxury villa.
Charlie, the architectural designer and chief engineer, led the group on a tour of the King's Building under construction. Finally, he took out two blueprints and said, "Boss, the construction of the building has been planned out, and all that's left is the 'symbol' of this building, which still needs your decision…"
Of the two blueprints, one showed a huge crown sketch, belonging to the same series as the King Investment Group's logo.
The other was a figure drawing, with Mike in the drawing spreading his arms, showing a posture of embracing the world. The image was very detailed, fully showcasing Mike's grandeur and handsomeness.
"Your King's Building will definitely be very famous in the future, so I think it needs such a symbol to increase its recognition." While Mike was looking at the blueprints, Charlie explained the intention behind his design of these two drawings.
As for Charlie, although he was a renowned American architect, meeting such a generous client like Mike, who disregarded costs, felt like a meeting of kindred spirits.
Therefore, he very much wanted to build the King's Building well.
This would not only satisfy his own "vanity" but also enhance his reputation and standing in the industry.
Under this indirect "request for help," Charlie's attitude appeared very humble when facing Mike.
"If we're going to do it, we have to do it best. I'll handle the cost issues." Mike said grandly, "So, I want the crown, and I also want the statue—"
"Please wait," Charlie said with a smile on his face, "I have another design drawing there, I'll go get it for you right now…"
Before long, a drawing of a statue wearing a crown was once again delivered to Mike.
The crown was specially marked to be inlaid with dazzling crystals and gemstones.
The main focus was on luxury…
"Very good, I'm very satisfied with this backup plan," Mike gave Charlie a knowing look.
This was also a talent.