America's Road to Wealth

As the sky slowly darkens, colorful lights shine brightly around Times Square in Manhattan.

The crossroads of the world vents its prosperity to the outside world all the time.

On the main roads in Manhattan, the "heart" of New York, cars rush to and fro on both sides, like long golden dragons dancing in the night.

High and low lights and dim lights, endless traffic flow, colorful lights, complementing each other, clusters of dazzling lights.

In traffic.

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

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

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

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

But it’s such an extremely cheap thing.

In the past month, it has become something that the entire New York, and even most of the wealthy Americans are flocking to.

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

Obtaining it is, to a certain extent, getting a ticket to Wall Street.

This rough little thing was given the surname "Smith" after it was given.

It seems that owning it has become a symbol of excellence in this country.

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

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

Almost most invitations from investment companies, let alone the most important social occasion like the year-end cocktail party.

Even invitations to ordinary cocktail parties are often printed very beautifully.

There used to be some investment companies opened by nouveau riche, and their invitations would even be decorated with gold and diamonds.

It costs thousands of dollars to get an invitation letter.

Goldman Sachs’ invitations to their year-end cocktail parties are not that exaggerated, but they usually cost tens or hundreds of dollars each.

Like Smith Capital, printed invitations are as cheap as roadside advertisements.

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

Timms thought it was outrageous. Smith Capital was not without money and would only invite a few hundred people at most.

Even if it costs several hundred dollars a piece, it is only tens of thousands of dollars.

A little too frugal.

Soros is already frugal enough. But the cost of an invitation letter to Soros Fund Company’s year-end cocktail party is tens of dollars.

Soros did not respond to Timms' words. The old guy studied the handwriting on the invitation.

It looks like simple printed English text, and the printed content is very simple——

[Dear Sir or Madam, in order to release Smith Capital’s year-end financial report, a company brand promotion cocktail party is held. You and your companions are sincerely invited to attend! 】

[Time: Thursday, November 15, 2001, 7 p.m.]

[Location: 210 East 52nd Street, Midtown Manhattan, East Side, Golden Banquet Hall, Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan East, New York City. 】

[Remarks: This event is our company’s promotional brand reception. Admission with this letter is required (our company has the final authority to explain)]

【$458】

"This guy"

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

The old guy felt that he liked Abel a little bit.

Because he felt that Abel was as frugal as himself.

In other major Wall Street companies, they would hold cocktail parties at the Waldorf Astoria, Intercontinental, and Four Seasons, the top hotels in New York.

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

Soros remembers the hotel, which was even downgraded to a four-star rating this year.

This is too economical, even more economical than him. The old guy suddenly felt like "I am not alone in my path."

"BOSS. Arrived."

When Soros complained in his heart.

Seeing the Hilton Garden Inn in Midtown Manhattan appearing in front of him, Timms quickly spoke up to remind his boss.

Soros looked up and saw the hotel ahead.

He nodded.

It's the evening rush hour in Manhattan, and this is the main street in Manhattan, so the traffic is naturally a bit congested at this time.

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 has obviously been decorated at the entrance.

Beautiful flower baskets were set up at both ends of the door, and some beautiful colorful ribbons were posted. There was even new red carpet from the entrance to the guest landing area.

When Soros got out of the car, he looked up and even saw the CEO of Hilton International Hotel Group at the door.

Barron Hilton is also the patriarch of the Hilton family.

He and Melio, the president of Smith Capital, were greeting guests at the door.

Soros climbed up the stairs and when he was approaching the door, he saw Barron Hilton and Melio coming up to him with smiles.

"Welcome, Mr. Soros."

"Welcome, Mr. Soros."

Soros smiled and shook hands with both men.

After shaking hands, he looked at Barron Hilton curiously.

He didn’t know that this was obviously Smith Capital’s year-end reception.

Barron, you are such a good CEO of Hilton, why do you come to the door to greet us?

Generally speaking, this should be the job of Smith Capital’s own senior staff, right?

See this expression from the Oilers financial giant.

Barron Hilton smiled cheerfully - "Ha, Mr. Soros. You are the last one to arrive, so we will go up soon. There should be few guests behind. How about we talk while walking?"

Thoros nodded, and then, accompanied by Barron and Melio, walked inside the hotel.

Barron Hilton also gave an explanation on the road.

According to the old Hilton, during the September 11th disaster, among the more than 200 companies that Smith Capital invested in, Hilton International Hotel Group was among them.

Smith Capital now holds 5.9% of Hilton shares.

Abe Smith himself privately holds 3.1% of the shares.

Adding up these shares, Abel is currently the third largest shareholder of Hilton Hotels International.

As the CEO of the group company, Barron Hilton said that it is natural for him to do simple work for Smith Capital.

Soros doesn't quite believe this explanation.

Hilton Hotels International has so many shareholders, with more than two dozen shareholders holding more than 1% of the company.

I have never seen you, old Barron, be so attentive to anyone, but you are like this today.

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

This kind of cocktail party will be of great help in improving the style of Hilton Hotel in New York.

Barron Hilton may want to please Smith Capital so that Smith Capital will hold receptions at the Hilton Hotel in the future.

Thereby indirectly improving the brand value of Hilton Hotels.

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

Because it's cheap

Soros could only think of this for the time being.

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

I was told by someone in Los Angeles that I was almost pregnant.

Someone put the reception here out of the idea of ​​"compensation".

Naturally, Soros didn't know this, so they quickly passed through the special elevator and arrived at the golden banquet hall on the top floor.

At the entrance to the elevator hall in the lobby, both Soros and Timms saw colorful banners hanging above it.

What moved Soros's heart was the colorful banners.

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

At first, Soros thought it was a poor-quality print that had been misprinted.

But now there is this number on it, so this is not a printing error.

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

As for the reception scene, it was exactly as Melio and Barron Hilton said.

Most of the guests have already arrived, and the spacious and huge Hilton golden banquet hall is full of people at a glance.

Smith Capital is using the buffet mode tonight.

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

The good-looking male and female waiters walking through it would add drinks, take away glasses, add food, etc. to the guests from time to time.

Soros didn't care at all, he just wanted to find Abel.

"Over there." Timms, who had been following the boss, pointed in one direction and said softly.

Soros, who was not wearing glasses tonight but was wearing contact lenses, took a quick look at it.

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

With Abel, Soros met Bloomberg, Buffett, Sullivanston, chairman of PNC Financial Services Group, and others.

After hesitating for a moment, Soros did not go over immediately.

Someone discovered Soros's presence and quickly gathered around.

As the top financial boss among the Oilers.

Wherever Soros appears, there are Oilers.

The oil people will be involuntarily attracted and gather around him.

Like now, some Oilers financial capitalists and the Oilers rich people attending the meeting soon came over.

"George is here."

It may be true that oilmen attract each other. Bloomberg, who was next to Abel, quickly discovered Soros's arrival and pointed out his location to Abel.

Abel took a quick 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 as expected! Warren, get the one hundred dollars right now!"

Hearing what he said later, Bloomberg and Sullivan both laughed quietly.

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 to Abel's year-end investment reception after the Norwegian krone incident this year.

Buffett thinks not, Abel thinks it should be. And if he still says that he will not send an invitation, Soros will most likely come. If I send an invitation, Soros will not come.

The two made a bet of one hundred dollars.

"I owe it first."

Buffett glanced at Soros's direction and said expressionlessly.

"Calculate the interest." Abel said directly: "Now the Fed's benchmark interest rate is 0.75%. When calculating the normal inter-bank lending interest, it should be 4.75%."

Bloomberg and Sullivanston laughed out loud, and Buffett didn't bother to pay attention to him.

"Hi, good evening everyone. It seems that everyone is very happy. 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 saw that Paulson, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, and David Komansky, CEO of Merrill Lynch, were walking over.

The speaker was Paulson.

The false and simple exchange of greetings and greetings started all over again.

Paulson took a glass of champagne from the plate of a beautiful female student who passed by and took a sip.

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

"Mr. Smith, you will announce Smith Capital's financial report for this year anyway later. Why don't you tell us directly here now? I think David is also very curious."

Next to him, Merrill Lynch CEO David Komansky smiled reservedly.

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

He walked over and immediately smiled and said, "Yes, Mr. Smith. How about alleviating our curiosity in advance?"

As Morgan Stanley's CEO approached, more Wall Street giants subconsciously gathered around.

Among these people are 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 Fund, State Street Bank and Wellington Management Group.

There are also some rich people in other industries.

For example, Mr. Ted Lerner of the real estate industry is standing on the outside with Barron Hilton.

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

The number of guests who try their best to come is also greater.

Last year, there were only more than 100 people and less than 200 guests.

This year Smith Capital sent out 200 invitations, and exactly 400 guests came.

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

And these companions are either the top elites on Wall Street, or the rich people who came 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 were clearly on a higher level.

Like last year, the most famous guest was Buffett.

There was also George who came later, but George was not well-known at that time.

He has not officially taken office yet.

And this year, although George did not come this year, Buffett still came, and Soros also came.

In addition to these people, several other important figures came this year.

For example, not far away, a donkey and an elephant 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 dual cores of power in the country, the two giants on Capitol Hill.

All here tonight.

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

They all know that this is a symbol that the status and influence of Abel and Smith Capital are no longer the same as last year.

The final reason for all these changes is the tall, straight and majestic Abel Smith standing here in front of him.

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, after all, is of course how much money Smith Capital has made this year!

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

In the end it's all for this purpose.

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

Even the pair of big donkeys and giant elephants had their eyes on them.

Facing the gazes of the real top elites in these countries, Abel smiled calmly, his expression calm and calm.

"Well, it will be announced later. There is no need to say it now, right? The most beautiful things should not be revealed at the end, because they are the most fascinating?"

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

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

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

"Go ahead and let Mellon announce it directly."

The butler nodded, smiled and turned to leave.

Seeing that Abel had made such a statement, everyone stopped pressing him, and instead curiously looked for David Mellon.

Last year it was David Mellon who hosted the reception, and he should be the one this year.

Most of the male guests also knew the news.

Everyone is looking forward to it.

In contrast, there are not many female guests tonight, so the main focus is not here.

As the hostess, little Laura was responsible for receiving them, there were only about thirty of them.

The ratio to the number of male guests tonight is simply incomparable.

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

That was Miss Peggy Morgenthau, the eldest granddaughter of one of the most powerful families on the east coast, the Morgenthau family.

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

Peggy Morgenthau had been one of the women who had the best chance of marrying Abe Smith and becoming his wife before little Laura.

At that time, the Morgenthau family hesitated, and Abel himself was very inactive in this regard.

Finally, under the active promotion of Herbert, who seemed particularly proactive.

Little Laura just became Abel's future wife.

According to the threat ranking given by her grandfather, Peggy Morgenthau ranked first.

The second is the descendants of the Rockefeller and Morgan families. According to Herbert, those two families also had this idea at the time.

After all, the Bush family was not the only one who was optimistic about Abel Smith.

It's just that these big families move very slowly, and Abel grows too fast.

They couldn't help but take the initiative, and before they even said anything, the Bush family charged ahead.

Ranking third are several families in the Texas consortium.

At last year's reception, if Abel had accepted their solicitation.

Those families will definitely choose to marry Abel. This is a normal approach for big old American families.

Apart from these three parties, Herbert felt that the other forces behind him 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 Grandpa's eyes. Little Laura meets Peggy for the first time tonight.

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

"Hello, Miss Morgenthau. I am Laura Bush."

Little Laura smiled and extended her hand to the other person.

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