Chapter 259 - 257: Giving New Year Red Packets to the Team

"Julie doesn’t seem like the type of person to ’leave things to fate.’"

Julie, however, just shook her head helplessly. "There was nothing I could do. The company’s crisis came on so suddenly. Here in Cathay, we got the news late, so it didn’t leave me much time to think. In the blink of an eye, the entire Cathay region I was responsible for became a total mess."

"There are so many handover matters to deal with. I haven’t had a moment to think about my own future yet. Right now, the Group’s affairs are my priority. After all, the company has treated me well over the years."

Cecilia could hear the sincerity in Julie’s voice and nodded in understanding.

"Julie, why don’t we exchange contact information?"

At the door to the private room, Cecilia proactively took out her phone. "I think you’re an outstanding leader. If you need anything later on, please contact me. I’d be more than willing to help."

Julie was a little surprised. "Ms. Sterling, we’ve only met twice. Why would you take pity on me?"

Cecilia quickly explained, "Julie, please don’t misunderstand. I don’t mean to pity you at all. I genuinely think you’re very capable. If you must ask why..."

Cecilia paused for a moment before saying, "We’re both women. Is that reason enough?"

Hearing this, Julie suddenly smiled. She nodded lightly. "That’s a reason I’m very happy to accept. Thank you, Ms. Sterling."

The two of them added each other on WhatsApp and exchanged phone numbers. Julie also told Cecilia her real name: Ashley Lynn.

Pushing open the door to the private room, she was met with a wave of boisterous noise. All eight members of the team had arrived and were in the middle of a lively conversation.

"Cecilia’s here!"

Seeing Cecilia, the whole group stood up in unison to greet her. Every one of them was glowing and full of energy, in much better spirits than at their gathering before the New Year.

’Success really does wonders for one’s mood.’

"Well, Ms. Sterling, please enjoy your meal. I’ll send over a good bottle of wine in a little while."

Cecilia did not refuse Julie’s kind offer. She nodded her thanks before stepping into the private room.

The seat in the center was empty; they had saved it specifically for Cecilia. Gavin Garrett theatrically ran to Cecilia’s side, playing the part of a suck-up. "Cecilia, the seat of honor awaits."

Cecilia laughed at his antics, then turned to the others. "Everyone, please sit down. Don’t be so formal. This isn’t our first team event."

Everyone grinned. Maverick said, "We all had a great New Year. And just like you said, Cecilia, after we came back, we didn’t have to chase down companies for collaborations anymore. They’re all coming to us on their own initiative. It’s only been a short while, and we’ve already signed project contracts with twenty companies."

That’s 600 dollars per company per year. With twenty companies, that’s twelve thousand dollars!

After deducting taxes, licensing fees, and other mandatory expenses, the project’s current profit was already close to ten thousand dollars, which was far beyond their expectations.

For all of this, they were grateful to Cecilia from the bottom of their hearts—both for her faith in them when she first invested in the project, and for her efforts in mediating between the two corporate giants, the Goodman Group and the Jennings Group, to secure their cooperation.

They truly wouldn’t be where they were today without Cecilia.

"Cecilia, we all want to thank you properly," said Timothy Rowe.

Cecilia quickly waved her hand. "You’ve thanked me many times already. Really, don’t say thank you again. With the project breaking into the market, as the investor, I’m the one who stands to gain the most. At best, we’ve helped each other succeed. You don’t need to praise me so highly. You’re the ones whose contributions are indispensable."

"Besides, don’t forget what an investor is. An investor is capital! And what is capital?"

’A vampire!’

Initially, Cecilia had proposed a 7:3 profit split—seven for her, three for the team.

But Timothy Rowe had insisted on signing an 8:2 split.

So if the project made a post-tax profit of ten thousand dollars, Cecilia alone would take 8,000. That’s capital for you.

The remaining two thousand would have to be split among the eight team members, so you can imagine how much each person would get.

"Everyone, please sit," Cecilia said calmly, gesturing for them to be seated. Then she took a stack of red envelopes out of her handbag.

The reason she was the last to arrive was that she had come prepared.

"A New Year’s red envelope for each of you."

Cecilia placed the envelopes on the lazy Susan in front of her and spun it to deliver one to each person. The envelopes were so thin and light they felt empty.

Many of them knew about the custom in Veridia, where New Year’s red envelopes often contained small amounts. They all accepted them politely, and no one opened theirs in front of Cecilia, but they all thanked her.

But when it was Gavin Garrett’s turn, he didn’t think twice and tore his open right away. He froze in astonishment when he pulled out the piece of paper inside. It was only when he clearly saw what was written on it that he lost control and yelled, "Holy shit!"

He looked up at Cecilia, shocked and overjoyed. "C-Cecilia... a check?"

What?

Startled, the others quickly tore open their envelopes too. They discovered that each one contained a massive check for "three hundred dollars."

Three hundred dollars! That was more than the money they had each received from the project so far!

Cecilia watched their shocked reactions with a smile in her eyes and said softly, "That’s right. This check is a personal bonus from me to all of you. If you think about it, since I’m your investor, that makes you my employees. You’ve completed such an outstanding project and brought me profits beyond my expectations, so you deserve a generous reward."

"So please, accept it without hesitation. You’ve earned it!"

Who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive such a large check?

They all looked at each other, waiting for the first person to pocket the envelope so the rest would feel comfortable doing the same.

Seeing their cautiousness, Cecilia laughed helplessly. She turned to Timothy Rowe, who was still dumbstruck. "Timothy, you go first. Set an example!"

"Isn’t this... a little too much?" Timothy hesitated.

"Too much? I was thinking it’s a little too little! How about I issue new ones for ’five hundred’ instead?"

"Oh, there’s no need for that," Timothy said quickly, tucking the envelope away. "It’s a gift from Cecilia. Everyone, let’s accept it!"

Seeing this, everyone broke into wide grins and happily stuffed the red envelopes into their pockets.

"Thank you, Cecilia!"

"Thank you, Cecilia!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and a server walked in carrying a bottle of fine white wine. "Hello, may I ask who is Ms. Cecilia Sterling?"

"I am!" Cecilia raised her hand and looked at her.

The server smiled. "Ms. Sterling, our general manager asked me to bring you this bottle of wine."

"Thank you!" Cecilia nodded lightly. She saw the others once again looking at her with shock, their gazes shifting between her and the white wine the server had brought.

’Just what kind of connections does Cecilia have?’

’The general manager of Aetherium is personally sending her wine?’