(Chapter 46) An Invitation

As a month passed, the changes within the Italian markets were huge.

Many people had heard of the Guilliano family, they were the backbone of many large companies in the country. They also were expanding internationally in recent years.

But there was a massive change, as the Patriarch officially stepped down, leaving the entire family in his grandson.

Not much was known of him. People had barely seen him in person too. But his achievements were incredible.

He had been touted as a genius since young. He finished his Harvard degree at only 17. He had also propelled the Guilliano family into relevance internationally, despite being extremely influential in Italy they had never developed outside of the country. Instead, deciding to solidify the Italian economy. And being a name that would be recognized anywhere in the country.

But, there was another shift in power in business. The Hanxi corporation had exploded in popularity with their new 'smartphones'. The technology of the phone far outmatched their competitors, and the price was similar. It completely blew away sale charts. As people realized that the smartphone was the future.

Why had a computer for emails when your phone could do it for you? Why have a bulky computer stuck at home when you could bring your phone on holiday with you?

Hanxi was just involved in online apps. So with more people having smartphones, they gained control over the apps people used.

Also, they were praised by many people for their super safe, and fast search engine they had produced. Giving them a monopoly on the entire market.

This drastic change in balance meant two things. Hanxi was now something people lived on. Their search engine was crucial for both the normal person, and even the government.

Also, people had their eyes on the company 24/7, they were extremely customer orientated. But with the explosion of money in the company meant many things for them.

They had annexed most of their competitors, or now have them under their direct control. The number of business partners skyrocketed, and some people even had their eyes on a certain company named Auxill.

There were rumors that the two were extremely close to each other, Auxill and Hanxi had given subsidies to each other as a sign of friendship. They also officially signed some deals that would give each of them a mutual pact with each other.

No one knew in fact, that the two companies might as well have been running from the same person. Astrid had planned a lot of Hanxi's expansion and made her father sway the shareholders to work with Auxill.

Her father guaranteed that there would only be profits. Seeing their own profits in the recent months, the shareholders were happy to listen to Mr. Tuhs' plans. Not knowing that they were his daughters, and the president of Auxill's plans.

Mr. Di Rui had also been given benefits from the growth of Hanxi. His shareholders all praised his foresight to make a deal with Hanxi while it was easier.

It was another uneventful day at school. As Astrid refused to move up a year, the school was in a dilemma.

Because she was getting 100% on every test she did, they eventually ran out of stuff for her to do! So Mr. Dihl recommended allowing Astrid to only come in for tests and if she felt like it.

The school decided to agree. The teachers all accepted the idea and the principal was left with no other choice. He just felt it would have been easier for Astrid to advance a couple of years. But he couldn't influence that.

This was a day that Astrid decided to turn up for. Not for any particular reason, she had nothing else to do anyway.

"Hey did you see?" Leone was sitting with Astrid with pride written all over his face.

"What?" She asked with an uninterested tone, she felt that Leone was incredibly talkative lately...

"Hmph, my brother is now a big shot! If you want him to do anything for you just ask me." Leone patted his own chest, like it was him who was the 'big shot'.

Astrid didn't say anything. Causing Leone to feel frustrated. "You must have heard of the Guilliano family right? Well, my brother is now the Patriarch! I thought the old man would choose uncle but apparently not!" Leone couldn't keep it inside, and had to gloat to Astrid.

Astrid's expression didn't change. "Oh."

Leone felt his eyebrows twitch. "Oi, is that not amazing? I tell you now, my brother passed the Harvard exams when he was 17! Has this world seen a genius like him before?"

Astrid said nothing, just remaining to look down on her phone.

"Fine, fine. I know you are in awe. Isn't that the new phone by Hanxi? I convinced my brother to buy me a limited edition version the other day." Leone moved on the topic.

Just as he said that, Winoa heard his words. She felt like crying for Leone. The boy doesn't stop talking about his genius brother. But here he is beginning to praise Mr. Tuhs for his incredible insight on making this smartphone and search engine. Not knowing that he was praising to girl who he was blabbering all this to...

Winoa walked up and sat down beside them. Despite her being trained by Astrid, she kept her outer exterior of being kind and bubbly. While inwardly she was slowly being transformed into a monstrous individual. She was being trained physically, and in terms of business by Astrid after all...

"Hey! I've got a present for you all." Francesca then came out of her lesson with some envelopes in hand.

She gave them to the three and looked at them with anticipation. Astrid was the first to open the envelope. Curious as to what was inside.

"A birthday invite?" Leone mumbled. He knew the girls all spent time at Francesca's house before. So why was he also invited?

Francesca nodded. "Yeah, my dad is inviting some businessmen some of the entertainment industry and socialites etcetera. He asked me if you guys would like to go so here I am." Francesca spoke casually, in the past she would be extremely excitable at this event to come. But with her training under Mrs. Tuhs, she could withold her emotions better.

Leone nodded with understanding. "Alright." Astrid was the first to reply, with her going, it meant Winoa also accepted. So now the girls were left looking at Leone...

"Alright, alright I'll come." Leone agreed to go, after all, he had to show some of his prowess right?

What he didn't know, was that the birthday party was something suggested by Astrid to Mrs. Tuhs for Francesca. She could get a foothold into the entertainment industry with it, and also gain some important connections if she was seen with Mrs. Tuhs.

When Mr. Di Rui heard the plan from Mrs. Tuhs he was stunned. He didn't expect her to be adept at manipulating high society. But since she gave him the idea. It must have meant she was being serious in increasing his daughter's connections.

As much as he wished he could do more. He was just a businessman of a mid-sized business. He couldn't make people bend over backward for his daughter. So she would need to make her own connections.

What he didn't know, is that his daughter had already made some of the deepest connections of anyone in the country without trying. Being friends with the heiress of Hanxi, being tutored by old Russian nobility. And being friends with someone favored by the Guilliano patriarch. He might have a heart attack if he knew!