55: Chapter 55 Rockefeller's "Death Gaze"

Accompanied by passionate music, all the guests spontaneously gathered at the bottom of the stairs.

A moment later, Elizabeth, looking like a little fairy, slowly walked down the stairs.

She was wearing a pure white dress, her long black hair coiled on top of her head, and a shiny ruby brooch pinned to her chest.

Her left hand was linked with a middle-aged man with a high nose bridge and a broad forehead, while her right hand held a plainly dressed woman.

Behind Elizabeth followed three older girls and a little boy wearing overalls.

Seeing the hosts appear, the guests burst into warm applause.

Lin Tian looked up at the Rockefeller Family on the stairs.

Especially Rockefeller himself; even just standing quietly on the steps, his whole body exuded the unique pressure of a business tycoon.

Seeming to notice Lin Tian's gaze, Rockefeller turned his head, his eyes locking directly onto Lin Tian, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing at the corners of his eyes.

The look in his eyes clearly conveyed a subtext: "Good lad, we've finally met. You took my precious daughter to Chicago to run wild for several days last month; shouldn't you give me an explanation today?"

Facing the tycoon's stare, although Lin Tian felt a little nervous inside, his gaze did not flinch in the slightest.

He knew clearly that once he averted his gaze, it would be equivalent to admitting defeat and bowing his head.

The words "admitting defeat" had never existed in his dictionary.

Separated by half the hall, their gazes clashed silently in mid-air.

It wasn't until the applause died down that Rockefeller looked away.

Those familiar with him could tell at a glance that this tyrant was in a very good mood today.

Rockefeller scanned the room and raised his voice to give a speech:

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to my daughter Elizabeth's tenth birthday banquet."

"Taking advantage of this auspicious day, I announce that the Rockefeller Family will donate five million US dollars specifically for education in New York!"

"I hope that regardless of whether they are white, Chinese, or black, everyone can receive a good education. Only in this way can the USA become even greater in the next century!"

"Clap, clap, clap!" The distinguished guests immediately offered warm applause.

Rockefeller picked up a glass of red wine from a waiter's tray beside him.

"God bless the USA!"

All the adults present took their wine glasses and raised them high together.

"God bless the USA!"

After downing the drink, Rockefeller held up his empty glass and announced: "Now, the banquet officially begins!"

With the speech over, the next segment was the presentation of gifts by the guests.

Rockefeller brought his family down the stairs and entered the main hall.

The subsequent gift-giving segment clearly highlighted the differences between Eastern and Western customs.

Elizabeth would open the gifts presented by the guests on the spot.

The Chinese value subtlety; they wait for the guests to leave before opening gifts.

Westerners, however, feel that opening them in front of the guests is a sign of respect.

Elizabeth received all kinds of gifts.

There were French haute couture dresses, as well as expensive jewelry like earrings and necklaces.

Everyone knew that Rockefeller hated extravagance, so the gifts were measured and appropriate, with basically nothing too expensive.

Until Pierre Du Pont stepped forward.

He handed over a box with both hands.

Elizabeth opened it in front of the crowd.

In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.

Inside the box lay a pure diamond crown!

The crown's design was exquisite, entirely inlaid with round-cut diamonds.

At the top stood thirty-one brilliant-cut diamonds, resembling upright feathers, looking extremely luxurious.

The total weight was at least between 130 and 150 carats.

"Your Highness, I specially entrusted this to the top Parisian jewelry master, Mr. Cartier, to polish by hand. I hope you like it!"

Pierre flashed a smile at Elizabeth that he thought was charming.

Hearing this, Elizabeth frowned imperceptibly.

She recognized this handsome young man and knew he was the young master of the Du Pont Family.

But she never expected him to give such an expensive gift.

Not only was the diamond quality top-notch, but he had also commissioned a Parisian master to make it; this guy clearly went to great lengths.

Under Rockefeller's long-term personal teachings, Elizabeth had been more mature and smarter than girls of her age since childhood.

She knew clearly that, aside from pure friendship, the heavier the gift someone gives, the more they intend to plot against you.

She didn't think there was any pure friendship between her and Pierre.

However, due to social etiquette, she absolutely could not refuse it in front of so many celebrities.

If she really pushed it back, it would be equivalent to slapping the Du Pont Family in the face in public.

Although the Du Pont Family's assets and reputation could not compare to Rockefeller's, they held the National Gunpowder Trade Association in their hands and were the second-largest monopoly group in the USA.

In some areas, their word was even more effective than Rockefeller's.

Elizabeth suppressed her disgust and squeezed out a polite smile: "Thank you, Young Master Pierre!"

Seeing the gift accepted, the infatuation in Pierre's eyes could not be hidden at all.

Rockefeller, standing on the steps, took it all in, his expression darkening slightly.

"This must be that old Henry's nasty idea behind the scenes! Hmph!" Rockefeller snorted coldly to himself.

Don't look at the fact that Pierre's father is currently in charge of the Du Pont Family; the real power lies in the hands of old Henry, a West Point graduate known as "The General."

As old Henry aged day by day, the power of the Du Pont Family was also on the decline.

Especially with the advent of Smokeless Powder, which was like the electric lightbulb replacing kerosene; it was absolutely a dimensionality-reducing strike against the black powder industry.

Rockefeller's vision was sharp; he had long seen through the situation.

Old Henry wanting to cling to the Rockefeller Family through marriage was pure wishful thinking.

A father knows his daughter best; his own daughter's heart had long flown to the Chinese youth.

Otherwise, how could a well-behaved girl who usually never stepped out of the house be bold enough to run off to Chicago?

Recently, she had even been so worried about the youth's match against the Polar Bear strongman that she couldn't even eat.

Rockefeller turned his gaze toward Lin Tian.

In truth, he didn't expect Lin Tian to give a gift more valuable than the crown at all.

In his estimation, this crown was worth at least one hundred thousand US dollars.

However, Rockefeller never measured friendship with money; a sincere friend is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.

He only cared whether Lin Tian had put heart into choosing a gift for his daughter.

After all the guests finished presenting their gifts, it was finally Lin Tian's turn.