The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 200: You Are The Most Outstanding Of All

Chapter 200: You Are The Most Outstanding Of All

Aryana felt a surge of warmth from her heart. She was focused on reading Erik’s text message.

"But you are the most outstanding of them all."

She could feel the sincerity of those words. Erik did treat her very well and though he never said the word, Aryana could feel Erik’s love for her.

"Aryannnaaa, aren’t you listening? Your name was called on stage. You won! You won!" Elaine went crazy. She stood up and was pulling Aryana out of her chair.

"Huh, what are you saying?" Aryana was pulled out of her daze.

The clear voice of the host was heard over the banquet hall. "Requesting Miss Aryana Jones from CoChi to come up the stage to receive the award of the Most Promising CEO for the unprecedented performance of her company."

Aryana was frozen in her spot. She thought she was dreaming. The constant prodding of Elaine, Vince, and Jessa and the loud applause from the audience told her that everything was real. She took a tentative step forward, then she walked gracefully to the center aisle and toward the stage.

Erik met her halfway. He offered his arm for her to hold unto. If there is one person who was the happiest for her achievement, it was Erik. He was all smiles as he led her to the stage. They looked like a couple walking to the altar on their wedding day.

"Congratulations! You made it and I am so proud of you." Erik spoke gently. His eyes were focused on the stage in front.

"Thank you, Erik. I can’t believe I won. I am so happy." Aryana was indeed beaming with happiness. Her dimples were more beautiful and her eyes sparkled with so much pride.

"Wow, I thought I am attending a wedding." The audience crackled with laughter. "What a sight to behold to see the Most Outstanding CEO escorting our Most Promising CEO to the stage."

Cassie felt as if her eyes stung. The first time she heard the host called Aryana Jones the awardee for the Most Promising CEO, she thought she heard wrongly. The host of ceremonies repeated it two more times. Cassie was forced to swallow the bitterness in her heart.

’How can she be the CEO of CoChi? Why her? Erik must have helped her. That’s it. Since she is together with Erik, he must be working in the background and she is the CEO in name only.’ Cassie felt better after convincing herself that Erik was the real man behind the success of CoChi.

Gram Ham glared at Clark. "See? You let go of a wonderful woman. She just recently graduated and she already bagged the Most Promising CEO of the Year."

"Dad, I think you are getting senile. No matter what I do, I cannot win against Erik. He used to be his guardian but I think they are together now." Clark sounded impatient.

Gram Ham only hummed.

The Lees were seated together at one table. When Aryana’s name was called, the five sons of George Lee looked at him with a big question marks written on their faces.

"Dad, is the real CEO behind CoChi Erik? How can that woman be good in business? How can she win the most promising CEO? Did Erik pull some strings or he is the actual CEO behind the scene?"

"Erik has nothing to do with CoChi. I already have someone investigate it because I thought Erik was throwing money at her. Erik doesn’t have any stocks in CoChi. The working capital is very small. They started small and gradually expand as they get more money from their sales. They have a high margin because their operating expenses are very small."

"I suppose, Erik must have coached her." The eldest of George’s sons spoke.

"Maybe. But that is not Erik’s style of doing business. Erik is a risk-taker. He would start big. CoChi is very conservative, though they tapped the e-commerce platform, their capital infusion is conservative."

"What made them so successful that Aryana was awarded most promising CEO?"

"Isn’t it very obvious? Just look at their brand ambassador. She is very beautiful and has a great sense of fashion. People who see her clothes will be tempted to buy them." Jax interjected. It seemed that his father and uncles were all idiots.

Jax’s father was livid. If they were not in a public place, he will definitely punish Jax for retorting them. It has been only a few months since he became the CEO of Lee Financials, and he already became arrogant. If not for the fact that he has no other son, he should not have given him Lee Financials.

Jax stared at the couple walking down the aisle. Aryana was indeed a capable woman. "She is really ’beauty and brains’ and the only woman worthy of standing beside me when I reign the business world of Central District," Jax muttered to himself.

"Father, do you no longer oppose their relationship?" Henry Lee asked.

"Hummp. No matter what she does, she cannot erase the fact that she will always be a chauffeur’s daughter."

"Oh common, Grandpa! It is the modern era. The past is not important. What matters is her current status."

Their conversation was interrupted by the host announcing the arrival of the awardee.

Erik and Aryana have arrived at the foot of the stage. Erik did not make an attempt to go up the stage. "It is your time tonight. I don’t want to steal the limelight from you. Go up and receive the award." Erik commanded her. He extended his hand and Aryana grabbed it and use it as support to go up the few steps of the stairs.

Aryana received the plaque and took the microphone from an attendant who passed it to her.

"This award is for my father. He is an ordinary chauffeur who believed so much in me. It is unfortunate that my father is no longer able to see this. Many looked down on me because of my background as a lowly daughter of a driver. But this is my motivation to become better. I want to prove that one’s background is not a hindrance to one’s success." her voice was filled with exultant gladness and pride.

Aryana fleetingly looked at the table where Erik was seated before her twinkling eyes darted back to the camera.

"I also dedicate this award to someone very special. You have protected and saved me a few times. Even if you didn’t know, you are the meaning and the color of my life, the daffodils in my winter. I am finally worthy to stand beside you!"

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