When Aiden Thompson arrived at the restaurant, Benjamin Harris was already waiting in the private dining room. Benjamin had placed great importance on this dinner and had specifically chosen a luxurious French restaurant in the Upper East Side. Known for its high-end offerings, the restaurant blends New York's diverse culinary traditions, providing classic French cuisine alongside Italian-style pasta and creative dishes infused with various global flavors. The room was elegantly decorated with vintage crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow, and art pieces adorned the walls, creating an atmosphere that was both classy and fitting for hosting a distinguished client.
As soon as they entered, Benjamin immediately gave instructions. "Remember, we're meeting with the head of a major group today. You two young folks, make sure you're on your best behavior at the table. In New York, when you're dealing with clients at this level, the details make all the difference."
"Got it," Aiden Thompson replied succinctly.
Scarlett Harris, curious, asked, "Dad, which big group is this? If it's a major one in New York, I should've heard of it."
"The CEO is from Los Angeles, the head of Silverstone Group," Benjamin replied.
Aiden Thompson felt a jolt inside but quickly regained his composure, casually asking, "Mr. Harris, which CEO is from Silverstone?"
"He shares your last name, Thompson. His name is Rex Thompson. Just call him Mr. Thompson when you meet him."
Aiden Thompson couldn't help but smirk inwardly, thinking to himself: So, this guy's father finally couldn't hold back.
Benjamin Harris continued, "Aiden, you'll be sitting to Mr. Thompson's right, and I'll take the seat on his left. Pay attention during dinner. We'll definitely discuss the AgroTech project, so don't be too casual with your answers, but don't make things overly complicated either. You need to be clear—clear communication is key to success in New York's business world."
Aiden Thompson took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. No matter who showed up tonight, they were all potential investors. He just needed to do his job well. After all, his conflict with his father hadn't been resolved yet, and it was unlikely Rex Thompson would acknowledge him as his son in a setting like this. In American culture, while family is important, personal choices and independence are highly respected. He wouldn't let his father's stance sway him.
Five minutes later, Rex Thompson entered the room with his assistant. Rex was tall, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and despite being 55, he looked sharp as ever. His expression was stern, making him seem unapproachable unless he was smiling, which was rare.
Benjamin Harris immediately stood up and greeted him warmly, shaking his hand. "Mr. Thompson, welcome!"
Rex Thompson offered a faint smile. "Mr. Harris, it's a pleasure."
"You've had a long journey from Los Angeles. Please, come in and sit down," Benjamin said.
As Rex Thompson settled into his seat, his eyes swept over Aiden Thompson. Aiden politely greeted him, "Mr. Thompson, I'm Aiden Thompson, Associate at Nova Capital."
Rex Thompson gave a slight, almost mocking smile. "Associate, huh? That title sounds pretty impressive."
Aiden Thompson responded without hesitation, "It's just an entry-level position, Mr. Thompson. Don't mind it. But in New York, even at an entry level, you can make a real impact if you've got the skills."
Rex Thompson didn't say anything else, sitting down with a neutral expression. Aiden took his seat beside him.
Benjamin Harris gestured for the waiter to bring the food. One by one, expensive, exquisite dishes were brought to the table. The five of them had ordered eight dishes, totaling at least five or six thousand dollars, showing just how important Benjamin considered this dinner.
"Mr. Thompson, try some of our local specialties. This French seafood bisque uses the freshest ingredients in New York, prepared with the finest techniques. I'm sure you'll love it," Benjamin eagerly recommended.
One of the dishes was a French seafood bisque, served in five delicate porcelain bowls placed neatly in a silver steamer. Aiden Thompson picked up one of the bowls and gently placed it next to Rex Thompson.
Rex Thompson glanced at the soup and asked, "What kind of soup is this?"
Aiden Thompson lifted the lid, glanced at the soup, and said, "It's a classic French seafood bisque, made with the freshest seafood and a rich, creamy broth. It's a staple of French cuisine and one of the most beloved dishes in New York's diverse culinary scene."
Rex Thompson nodded slightly but didn't say anything. He waved it off, showing no interest in the soup. "I've been having some high blood pressure lately, so I'll pass on the soup."
Benjamin Harris quickly apologized, "I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Thompson. We'll change the soup right away. Our restaurant offers a variety of dishes, and we'll find something that suits you."
Rex Thompson waved his hand dismissively. "No need for that, Mr. Harris. I won't drink it, but the rest of you go ahead and enjoy. I'll try something else."
Aiden Thompson moved the soup bowl in front of himself.
After eating for a while, Rex Thompson finally brought up the project. "Mr. Harris, the vertical farming project you mentioned, I'm quite interested. But I understand that vertical farming requires a huge upfront investment, which makes the produce much more expensive."
Benjamin Harris explained, "That's true, at the moment, the cost of vertical farming products is higher than conventional farming. But Mr. Thompson, you know as well as I do, the cost of labor and land in the U.S. keeps going up. Vertical farming greatly reduces the volatility caused by these costs. Plus, once we scale up and stabilize operations, the benefits of high yield, high quality, and high efficiency will really shine through. In a city like New York, full of innovation and opportunity, this emerging industry has massive potential."
"And where are you currently in the process?" Rex Thompson asked.
Benjamin Harris turned to Aiden. "Aiden's managing the project. He's got all the details. He's deeply familiar with the project and has been making strides in the New York financial world with his solid skills. Let him walk you through it."
Rex Thompson's face darkened. "Mr. Harris, for such an important project, you've got a junior associate handling it?"
Benjamin Harris laughed and explained, "Of course not. We take this project very seriously. I've put in a lot of time myself, and we also have a senior investment director involved—she just couldn't make it today. Aiden is the next best person to discuss the project with you. He's been outstanding in his work, and I have complete faith in him."
Rex Thompson looked at Aiden Thompson, his tone full of skepticism. "I see, a young man like you, probably with less than a year of experience."
Aiden Thompson remained calm. "My knowledge of this project comes from extensive due diligence, Mr. Thompson. I assure you, you can trust me. In New York, age is never the only measure of capability."
Benjamin Harris, seeing the tension between them, quickly stepped in. "Mr. Thompson, don't underestimate Aiden. He graduated from one of the top schools in the world, holds a master's degree, and has shown outstanding performance in New York's financial industry. I have no doubt about his abilities."
"Oh?" Rex Thompson looked skeptical. "Well, let's hear it then. How well do you know the project?"
Aiden Thompson understood that his father was intentionally trying to make things difficult for him, hoping to embarrass him and force him into submission. But he wasn't about to back down. Suppressing his frustration, Aiden Thompson began explaining the AgroTech project in detail to Rex Thompson. He spoke calmly, with clear logic, breaking the entire project down in a way that was easy to follow. Even Benjamin Harris couldn't find any flaws.
Rex Thompson picked up his tea, took a small sip, and slowly said, "You've covered a lot, but still haven't gotten to the point."
Benjamin Harris was slightly taken aback, not expecting Rex Thompson to be so critical. He quickly asked, "Mr. Thompson, what else would you like to know?"
Rex Thompson didn't hesitate. "I'm most concerned about the return on investment for this project. What kind of ROI can we expect?"
Benjamin Harris smiled and replied, "Mr. Thompson, we're very confident about this project. If it successfully goes public in five years, we anticipate an ROI of 17 to 20 times. Of course, as you know, high returns always come with high risk. In New York's investment environment, opportunities and challenges go hand in hand."
Rex Thompson raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'll need to take this back to my team and analyze it further before making a decision."
After the dinner, Benjamin Harris personally escorted Rex Thompson to the parking lot, watching as he got into his car and drove off.
Benjamin Harris turned to Aiden Thompson, his voice adopting a concerned, almost fatherly tone. "Aiden, how do you feel about today?"
Aiden Thompson shrugged slightly. "It was okay."
Benjamin Harris spoke with a touch of gravity, his smile softening the words. "You're still young. There's a lot you need to learn. A guy like Mr. Thompson, running a big group like Silverstone, has a strong style, but he's earned that position. We've got to know when to dial it back a bit and adjust to the situation. It's important not to come off as too arrogant. In New York's business world, flexibility and professional humility are crucial."
Although Benjamin Harris smiled, Aiden Thompson could tell he was subtly pointing out that he had come across as a bit too proud earlier. While Benjamin's approach with his daughter wasn't always ideal, as a leader, this advice actually made sense.
Aiden Thompson couldn't help but wonder if Grace Li had ever gone through something similar when she was working with Benjamin Harris. He responded thoughtfully, "I'll learn from you, Benjamin."
Afterward, Benjamin Harris and Scarlett Harris each drove off in their own cars. Aiden Thompson stepped out of the parking lot and stood on the sidewalk, waiting for a cab.
Just then, a man in a gray suit, about forty years old, walked up to him—it was Rex Thompson's assistant. "Aiden, Mr. Thompson asked to see you before you go."
Aiden was surprised. Didn't expect him to still be around.