The charity gala, co-hosted by the New York Chamber of Commerce and the East Coast Business Chamber, kicked off in grand style at a five-star luxury hotel in Manhattan. Stepping into the hotel ballroom, the luxurious atmosphere hit you immediately. Gleaming crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting bright light across the entire space. The walls were adorned with priceless works of art in a variety of styles, from Impressionism to Modernism, each one worth a fortune, silently showcasing the hosts' impeccable taste in art and significant financial power. Waiters in formal attire weaved through the crowd, carrying silver trays filled with exquisite hors d'oeuvres and champagne, offering impeccable service to the guests.
Guests at the gala had to enter with a beautifully crafted invitation. The invitations featured the Chamber's distinctive emblem, along with the event's theme, schedule, and dress code. This wasn't just a social gathering—it was a golden opportunity for the business elite to network, exchange ideas, and form valuable partnerships. Everyone hoped to meet potential collaborators and create new opportunities for their business ventures.
Grace Li looked stunning in a sleek black V-neck wrap dress that perfectly accentuated her figure, with the skirt flowing gracefully behind her. Every step she took radiated confidence and elegance. Since driving in this dress would have been a hassle, she happily accepted Tom Wilson's invitation to ride with him in his luxury sedan to the event.
Tom Wilson was sharp in a perfectly tailored gray suit, paired with a carefully selected cobalt blue tie. His presence radiated charm and sophistication. Together, they entered the ballroom arm in arm, drawing the attention of many guests. People couldn't help but assume they were a couple, as American social events often led to such conclusions based on appearance, body language, and interactions.
The ballroom was packed with guests from industries like finance, tech, healthcare, and fashion. Laughter and conversation filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere. Grace had done her homework in advance—she knew exactly what she was after. Her goal for the evening was clear: help Tom Wilson make valuable connections and build partnerships that would propel Hengyue Technology's future growth.
Grace gracefully picked up a glass of champagne from a long table near the entrance and took a sip, her eyes scanning the crowd. The ballroom was enormous, nearly the size of half a football field. Groups of people were gathered based on their industries or social circles, engaging in animated conversations. Finding the right person in this sea of people wasn't going to be easy. She turned to Tom Wilson and whispered, "There's a lot of people here. We need to stay focused. Did you remember what the people in the photos I sent you look like?"
Tom Wilson nodded confidently. "Don't worry, I've got a good memory. I can spot them."
"Great. Let's take a stroll, keep our eyes open, and make sure we don't miss anyone important."
"Got it, I'm following your lead."
Tom Wilson followed closely behind Grace as they slowly made their way through the ballroom. On the outside, Grace seemed calm and composed, not obviously scanning the room. But her eyes were sharp, like a hawk searching for a target in the crowd.
Tom had absolute trust in Grace. For instance, for this event, she had done thorough research and gathered detailed information on around ten entrepreneurs from various sectors—medical equipment, pharmaceutical R&D, e-commerce, and large retail chains. These individuals could become crucial partners in Hengyue Technology's future development.
Looking at Grace, poised and confident, Tom couldn't help but be impressed. "Grace, I've got to say, I feel like there's so much I could learn from you. Your expertise and experience in these matters really blow me away."
Grace smiled, her expression warm yet humble. "Don't put me on a pedestal. There are plenty of talented people out there. You should look to the industry veterans, learn from them."
"But to me, you're the best. If it weren't for all the prep you did, I wouldn't even know where to start tonight."
Grace smiled but didn't dwell on the compliment. Suddenly, her eyes locked onto a familiar figure, and she came to a stop. He was standing nearby, chatting with some guests, his champagne glass swaying slightly as he gestured.
She leaned in closer to Tom Wilson and whispered, "That's Christopher Clark, president of Stellar Medical. Once his crowd clears out, let's go introduce ourselves."
"Sounds good. I'm with you."
"They own over 200 chain pharmacies, making them one of the largest pharmacy chains on the East Coast. They also sell a wide range of medical devices. If we can convince him to partner with us, Hengyue Technology's offline sales channels will grow significantly. This could be a game-changer for the company."
Tom nodded thoughtfully. "Got it. This is definitely a prime opportunity, we need to make sure we capitalize on it."
Once Christopher Clark's group dispersed, Grace seized the moment. With elegance, she approached him with a warm, genuine smile. "Mr. Clark, good evening! It's a pleasure to meet you here."
Clearly, he didn't recognize her, and his face showed a brief moment of confusion. "And you are?"
"I'm Grace Li from Verve Capital," she said, pulling out a sleek business card from her purse and handing it over with both hands. "Here's my card. I look forward to connecting with you."
Christopher Clark glanced at the card, quickly scanning the details before replying politely, "Nice to meet you, Ms. Li."
Tom Wilson handed over his business card as well and said, "Hello, Mr. Clark. I'm Tom Wilson from Hengyue Technology. Our company focuses on developing and producing smart medical devices."
As soon as Christopher heard "smart medical devices," his eyes lit up. "Oh? What kind of products do you make?"
"Right now, we mainly produce smart wheelchairs. These wheelchairs use cutting-edge technology to adjust to the user's needs, providing a more convenient and comfortable experience for people with disabilities. We also plan to release a smart wristband that tracks multiple health metrics to help people manage their health."
"Oh, that sounds interesting. Do you manufacture in-house, or do you outsource?"
"We have our own state-of-the-art factory, and all of our products are backed by proprietary technology. From R&D to production, every step is closely monitored to ensure quality and performance."
"Very impressive. It sounds like you've put a lot of effort into R&D."
Grace added, "Hengyue Technology is a company that Verve Capital is very excited about. Even though it was only founded a year ago, it's growing rapidly and already has 16 patents. Verve Capital, along with the leading AI company MECO, participated in Hengyue's Series A funding round, which really demonstrates the company's potential and value."
Christopher Clark's interest was piqued. "Why don't we exchange contact info? You can send me your product materials and business plan. If everything aligns, we could explore a deeper partnership."
"Absolutely, I'm looking forward to working with you, Mr. Clark," Grace replied, handing over her phone number and email. "Feel free to reach out anytime."
Grace and Tom quickly exchanged contact details with Christopher, who then asked more about product technology, market positioning, and sales channels, deepening his understanding of Hengyue Technology. Their conversation lasted a solid 15 minutes, and the atmosphere was warm and engaging.
Suddenly, Christopher's phone rang. He answered it and listened for a moment before apologizing, "Sorry, an old friend needs me for something urgent. Let's pick this up later."
After Christopher Clark left, Tom Wilson eagerly asked, "Do you think he's really interested? He seemed pretty into our products and company."
"Definitely. You could tell from his reactions and the questions he asked. He's genuinely interested. Tonight was just the first step, but we need to follow up, send him the materials, and work on making that partnership happen."
"Got it, I'll take care of it and make sure everything's in order."
"Great. Now, let's keep moving. There are plenty of other opportunities tonight, and we've got to stay sharp."