Araceli POV
In fact, I didn't expect Raphael to really come, and to come alone.
I froze for a couple of seconds when I opened the door, but quickly calmed down.
Royal Group was the largest group in New York. I thought Raphael probably didn't have time to come over.
I did get a little angry at the time, but then I regretted it after I said that.
As a result, he came.
This was proof that he did value me as a partner.
I made him a cup of instant coffee.
Raphael sniffed it, frowned slightly, and said, "Ms. Chancey, I'll have a coffee machine sent over tomorrow, as a gift from me to you."
"Thank you, Mr. Lancaster."
I didn't feel embarrassed in the slightest and accepted with a smile.
I took the file over and handed him a copy. "A year ago, I did a project on machine learning. The results at that time were approved by the research institute I worked for, but the research was not successfully implemented because we lacked funding. In the past year, technology has evolved so quickly that the research I had at the time was out of date. I have redrafted a design report based on my experience. Mr. Lancaster, you can read it first."
He nodded and flipped open the file.
The file was only three or four pages long, but it contained a complete vision and blueprint for my AI design.
"Currently, the difficulties in installing AI software on cell phones include several aspects such as computing power limitations, storage space limitations, energy consumption and heat problems, data privacy and security. We can use..."
I spoke eloquently for half an hour. He looked at me with a little more appreciation.
After that, we talked about some details of the collaboration. He looked very satisfied.
The whole process was very pleasant. I suddenly felt vaguely that he looked a little different from his appearance. He was actually very friendly, but he usually looked like a walking ice sculpture.
"Mr. Lancaster, do you have any more questions?"
I sat down and scanned the man in front of me with a clear, cold gaze.
Raphael nodded his head. "Let's sign the contract."
He held out several contracts and said, "You will get a twenty-five percent share of the profits. "
I was slightly shocked. That was a high percentage, something I hadn't expected.
"Ms. Chancey, you don't have to be surprised. Without you, this project would not have been possible," Raphael said calmly.
He signed his name without hesitation.
I smiled, nodded, glanced at Raphael, and also signed.
Raphael took a sip of water and asked me, "Ms. Chancey, are you free tonight?"
I shook my head and said apologetically, "Sorry, Mr. Lancaster, I have to go pick up my kids from school and cook dinner for them."
He leaned back on the couch and said casually, "Let me give you a ride. Then we can have dinner together as a celebration of our partnership today. What do you think?"
I frowned slightly, thought about it, and nodded. After all, this man was now my boss and my partner. He invited me warmly, so I should join him for a meal.
"All right. Thank you, Mr. Lancaster."
I took the elevator downstairs with him and went to the garage. Along the way, we talked about some details of the collaboration. He asked me for some expertise in artificial intelligence, and I answered them all for him.
Suddenly, the phone rang.
It was Reynaldo.
I answered the phone. Before I could speak, a howling voice came over the phone.
"Araceli, help me! Someone is trying to kill me..." Reynaldo cried, "I've been kidnapped! I'm in Unilan Bar!"
I suppressed my inner rage and asked him in a low voice, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, for now. Araceli, listen, they want 50 thousand dollars or they'll kill me! Araceli, I beg you to help me. You are the only person I can turn to in New York...."
Just as I was about to speak, his phone was suddenly snatched away. A gruff male voice rang out. "Bring 50 thousand dollars to Unilan Bar in half an hour, or I'll kill him."
The man hung up as soon as he finished speaking.
I frowned, my eyes were full of anger.
Raphael saw my expression and asked me, "What's going on? "
I didn't want to get him involved, so I had to make an excuse and say that I had a sudden family emergency and had to go back. He didn't say anything and asked if I needed a ride from him. I shook my head and ran quickly towards my car.
Fortunately, my car was also parked in the garage and was not far from his car.
I got in, stepped on the gas, and drove out of the garage with a drift. The tires rubbed on the ground, making an ear-splitting sound.
Before I left the garage, I glanced at Raphael. He was still standing in the same place, looking at my car with mixed emotions in his eyes.
I didn't have time to think about it and drove fast towards Unilan Bar.
I drove for a few minutes and then glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned slightly.
A car had been following me.
It was Melany's people again?
I sneered, put on my sunglasses, kicked off my heels, and stepped on the gas hard.
The car's speed soared. My car seemed like a shot arrow, rushing forward.
I kept overtaking and drifting. After a few blocks, I finally lost the car, and it only took five minutes.
Were Melany's hired killers all losers?
It was a piece of cake.
I said to the car's navigation system, "Creaty, locate 'Unilan Bar'."
An elegant female voice came through. "Yes, Ms. Chancey. I have located 'Unilan Bar'. The map has been sent to the screen."
I glanced at the screen and accelerated toward my destination.