When everyone learned that Jason was the owner of the Grand Hotel, the entire mood shifted.
The man who had taken Shenna away was no longer some unknown outsider — he was someone far more complicated.
Of course, that realization didn't ease Mr. Reeves and Ms. Reeves's anxiety. Since they still couldn't reach Shenna by phone, they had no choice but to turn to the hotel management.
Ms. Reeves voice was tight but controlled as she addressed Manager Drew. "Alright, Manager Drew, since you've clarified that Jason Carter is your boss, I'll stop blaming you for this. But in that case, your boss should be responsible for my daughter's safety, shouldn't he? I think it's fair for us to have his phone number."
Manager Drew exchanged uneasy glances with the other executives standing nearby. Then he gave a small, polite smile."I'm afraid I don't have Mr. Carter's direct number either," he said. "But I can contact his personal secretary for you."
He took out his phone and pretended to send a message. After a brief pause, he looked up apologetically."I'm sorry, Mrs. Carter. His secretary, Olivia, says the boss's personal number isn't shared publicly — even with business partners. I can forward any urgent message on your behalf, but I'm afraid that's the best I can do."
Ms. Reeves expression hardened immediately. "Unbelievable," she muttered, her tone edged with anger.
Mr. Reeves let out a low whistle and said under his breath, "Well, isn't he full of himself."
Even if Jason owned the hotel, the Reevess weren't exactly nobodies. Their family's total assets were worth over three billion dollars. And yet this young man wouldn't even share a phone number?
But then again, Mr. Reeves thought grimly, the same guy had just walked off with his daughter — arrogance clearly wasn't something Jason Carter lacked.
Liam and Chase, who had been standing by, exchanged dark looks. Both were fuming internally.
This guy's really something, huh? Chase thought bitterly. He plays by his own rules, doesn't even bother showing respect to people like us.
Just as Chase opened his mouth to speak, Liam cut him off. "Actually," he said sharply, "I already have someone looking into him. His information should be coming through any moment."
As if on cue, his phone buzzed. A message had arrived.
He smiled slightly, trying to hide his eagerness. "There we go," he said, turning the screen toward Ms. Reeves. "Aunt, take a look."
Ms. Reeves leaned in, as did Mr. Reeves and the others.
The message read:
Mr. Reynolds, the person you asked us to investigate isn't an ordinary man. Normally, a background check like this would take minutes, but in this case, all his public information is locked down. We finally managed to dig up one lead through our partners at Horizon Advertising. Jason Carter is listed as the new co-owner of Vision Media Group — one of our major clients.
The moment those words sank in, the Reeves went completely silent.
Vision Media Group — a media conglomerate. And Jason Carter was one of its owners?
He didn't just own a luxury hotel worth two hundred million. He was also half-owner of one of the biggest media companies in the city?
That wasn't simple wealth anymore — that was influence.
They exchanged a stunned glance, both trying to process the weight of what they'd just read.
Liam, noticing their looks, frowned. "What? Why are you two staring at me like that?"
He glanced back at his phone — and his face instantly drained of color.
"Wait… Vision Media?" he stammered. "Our Vision Media? The same company that handles all our ad campaigns?"
Ms. Reeves nodded slowly. "Looks that way."
Liam's mind reeled. He remembered hearing not long ago that Vision Media had quietly changed hands, though no one knew who the new owners were. The company had still been managed by Luwis, so everyone assumed the ownership was just a restructuring.
But now, realizing who the buyer was, he felt his stomach twist.
This wasn't some random coincidence. Vision Media worked with nearly every major firm in the state — including his own.
Jason Carter wasn't just rich. He was powerful.
Liam leaned back, utterly deflated, his earlier arrogance gone. "So the guy who ran off with Shenna is not only my client but also owns the hotel we're standing in…" he muttered, half in disbelief. "How the hell am I supposed to compete with that?"
He wasn't the only one speechless. The entire group — from Ms. and Mr. Reeves to Chase and Liam — stood there, trying to comprehend just how deep Jason's reach went.
The boy they thought was a reckless twenty-something was turning out to be someone much, much more dangerous.
Chase was equally shocked when he learned about Jason Carter's other identity — but a media company wasn't really something that concerned him.
Pulling out his phone, Chase quickly sent a text message, urging the investigator on the other end to hurry up. He had, after all, asked someone to look into Jason Carter earlier that week.
But he got shook of his life.
A few moments later, his phone buzzed. Chase's brows lifted in anticipation, but the moment he opened the message, his expression froze solid.
"Mr. Chase, the person you asked us to investigate… might not be someone ordinary. Every channel we've tried is blocked. No one dares to sell any of his personal information."
He had always felt that, while he might've lost to Jason in terms of charm or relationship with Shenna, at least he still had a sense of superiority in his career and background. But right now, that fragile confidence was being crushed to dust.
"What's wrong?" asked Grace, noticing how Chase froze mid-action while handing over his phone. "Didn't you find the information?"
Chase's face twitched, but he dared not ignore her. Wordlessly, he handed the phone to Grace.
Mr. and Ms. Reave leaned over to read the message. As their eyes scanned the lines, their faces stiffened.
A twenty-year-old man, owning a luxury hotel chain worth hundreds of millions, a booming media company, and a cutting-edge tech firm valued at another few hundred million — what did that even make him?
By the rough math, Jason Carter's personal net worth already exceeded seven to eight hundred million dollars. Considering his other likely assets — properties, vehicles, and investments — his total wealth probably crossed a billion dollars.
That alone meant his personal fortune rivaled a third of the entire Shen family's assets.
Grace suddenly remembered the words she had thrown at him earlier:
"Come back and lecture me when you've achieved something."
Now, looking at this revelation, those words seemed pathetically ironic.
Because at twenty, Jason Carter had already achieved more than she ever had — or ever might. Even if he had relied on his family, wasn't she doing the same? In the end, the reason didn't matter. Only the results did.
And by every measurable result… Jason had already left her far behind.
As for Chase and Liam, both men looked utterly deflated — like two proud roosters who'd just had their feathers plucked clean.
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