Reborn Rich: Prices Dropped, My Savings Didn't

"But I think saying this out loud today will boost everyone’s morale. I’ll also do my best to try and get in touch with the Goodman Group."

Hearing Cecilia’s words, the team was instantly energized, their eyes shining.

Gavin Garrett said, "The Goodman Group is the country’s leader in artificial intelligence. If they’re willing to work with us, then... then it’ll be much easier to get other companies on board!"

"We can do this. I feel like I’m ready to go again!" Maverick said, nodding.

The others grew eager as well. Cecilia’s declaration was like a shot in the arm for the team, getting them all fired up.

"Alright, let’s pair up and start making contact with various corporations. I’ll get to work on my end, too."

"Alright, no problem!"

"We still have the files from when Timothy was trying to raise funds. They’ve got the addresses and phone numbers of all the big AI companies in Lorcain. We can each take a copy and retrace the steps Timothy took for the team."

Timothy cracked a wry smile at that. He still vividly remembered the awful feeling of having doors slammed in his face time and time again.

Thankfully, those bitter days were finally behind them.

Just then, Cecilia suddenly said, "I have just one condition."

All eyes turned to her. "We are not working with the Lane Group," she stated firmly.

They had all heard rumors about Cecilia and Shawn Lane. Besides, Timothy Rowe and Gavin Garrett had once been gratuitously insulted by Walter Lane and his wife.

The entire team had a low opinion of the Lane Group.

Of course, they would respect Cecilia’s wishes.

"Right, no working with the Lane Group!"

"No problem, Cecilia. We’ll do as you say."

"I heard they insulted Timothy and Gavin for no reason. We won’t go soft on them even if they come begging to us later."

Finally, Timothy took out a small hard drive and handed it to Cecilia. "Cecilia, this is the ’key’ for the project’s program. The key is 154 digits long and split into two parts. We have one 77-digit part, and I’m giving you the other 77-digit part. The program can only be activated by importing both keys."

This was a safeguard, meant to give Cecilia peace of mind. It ensured that every successful partnership would require her personal involvement, so she wouldn’t have to worry about the team making deals behind her back.

Furthermore, the 154-digit Super Key provided a high level of security for the project, making it extremely difficult for even a hacker to crack.

Cecilia accepted it with a smile. "That’s very thoughtful of you, Rowe."

*

Cecilia hadn’t been back all night. The moment she walked into her dorm room, Estelle had her in a playful chokehold. "Spill. Were you out all night getting it on with Saul Thorne?"

Hearing this, Blair, who was standing nearby, frowned. "Getting it on? That sounds so gross!"

Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Hello? Didn’t I tell you I was with Rowe? The project’s a success!"

"Huh?"

Estelle let go, asking with a look of astonishment, "A success? You mean that AI project you invested in?"

Blair also perked up. "What investment? What did you invest in?"

Cecilia nodded. "It’s a success. We ran a successful test yesterday."

As she spoke, she looked at Estelle with a sweet smile. "Estelle, didn’t you say your parents wanted to invite me over for dinner?"

"Yeah. You want to go?"

Cecilia nodded repeatedly. "I want to go. I want to go tonight!"

"Tonight?" Estelle was startled. "Isn’t that too short notice? How about next week?"

"It has to be tonight!" Cecilia took Estelle’s hand, a rare hint of pleading in her voice.

Estelle stared at her as if she’d just swallowed a bug. "What is this act?"

The next second, she suddenly realized. "You’re not aiming for my dad, are you?"

"What?" Blair gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth. "Cecilia, you have a thing for Estelle’s dad?"

Cecilia and Estelle both turned to stare at Blair, completely speechless.

Blair blinked innocently, then remembered Cecilia had a boyfriend. "My bad. Carry on."

Cecilia nodded. "I am. I want to talk to Mr. Goodman about our new project."

"Have you no backbone?!" Estelle punched Cecilia’s shoulder, exasperated. "After how my dad treated Rowe and the others, you still want to work with him? If it were me, I’d make him regret it!"

"The Goodman Group is the industry leader. We can’t afford to hold a grudge against Mr. Goodman over something like that," Cecilia explained, holding nothing back from Estelle. "Our project was just successfully tested, and right now, we need an endorsement from an industry authority. If we can partner with the Goodman Group, it will make our path forward so much smoother."

Estelle sighed at that. "Alright, fine. I’ll call my mom and have her arrange things for tonight. Look, it’s almost four o’clock. This is really last minute."

"Just a simple home-cooked meal is fine. Don’t trouble your mom too much," Cecilia said, hugging Estelle. "Thanks, sweetie."

Estelle feigned annoyance and pushed her away, but then turned around to contact her family.

Blair then sidled up. "Cecilia, what did you invest in? Did you make a lot of money?"

Cecilia knew Blair had always wanted her to guide her in investing, so she patiently explained, "It’s an artificial intelligence program. The project just passed testing yesterday, so it’s not time to make money yet. I started this project before I met you."

Speaking of which, Cecilia suddenly thought of yesterday’s film project. She asked Blair, "There’s a film project with a lot of potential. Want to invest?"

"A film project? That must require a big investment, right? I don’t have that much money," Blair said, hesitant.

’Her master’s ancestral home had been sold, but that was her master’s money, not hers.’

Cecilia smiled slightly. "These kinds of projects have channels for smaller investments, set up for investors like you without much capital. As long as the project makes money, you can earn something even with a small investment."

"Then how much would be appropriate for me to invest?" Blair was very interested, mainly because she trusted Cecilia.

Cecilia thought for a moment. "For your first time, you can try investing ten or twenty dollars. Don’t aim for a huge return, just aim for stability."

"Okay," Blair nodded in understanding. "I have ten or twenty dollars. You can help me with the process later so I can learn. I even bought several books on investing. I’m planning to really study up."

Cecilia smiled at this. "Sure. As long as you’re not fighting in any underground boxing matches, you can do whatever you want."

"All set. My mom said the housekeeper was just about to go out for groceries, so she told her we’d have a guest tonight." Estelle returned, swinging her phone. She looked at Blair with a raised eyebrow. "Blair, you’re coming too. I told my mom all my roommates are coming."

"Huh? I probably shouldn’t go. Hearthstone Villas is so far," Blair said, shaking her head to refuse.

Estelle replied, "It’s fine. We can sleep at Cecilia’s place tonight. She has plenty of rooms. We can just go back to campus together tomorrow."

Cecilia also chimed in, "Since Estelle already told her mom, it would look bad if you didn’t go. Come with us."

With that, Blair could only nod in agreement.