His expression changed completely.
“You’re Sophie Chin? The Sophie Chin who built the Grand Celestial?”
“That’s right.”
“I’ve been trying to get a meeting with you for 6 months. Your assistant keeps saying you’re booked.”
“I am booked. We’re expanding internationally.”
“I heard Singapore, Paris, Tokyo.”
“Ambitious, necessary if we want to establish the brand globally.”
For the next hour, I found myself surrounded by Derek’s associates. All of them wanting to discuss business partnerships, opportunities.
My brother watched from the side, his expression complex.
Finally, he pulled me aside.
“This is your world, isn’t it? These people, they respect you. They want to work with you.”
“Some of them, yes.”
“And I brought them here to impress them with a party at a fancy hotel. Your hotel?”
“It’s a lovely party, Derek. You should be proud.”
“I’m not, though. I’m embarrassed. All this time, I’ve been the successful older brother, and you’ve been quietly building an empire.”
“It’s not an empire. It’s a business.”
“A business worth hundreds of millions of dollars.”
“The value isn’t the point.”
“Then what is?”
I thought about it.
“Creating something meaningful. Building spaces where people feel valued and welcomed. Proving that luxury and warmth aren’t mutually exclusive.”
“You’ve done that. Everyone can see it.”
“I hope so.”
Dinner was spectacular. Chef Michael had outdone himself.
As we ate, my family asked questions. Real questions about my work, my plans, my vision. They listened to my answers, actually listened instead of waiting for their turn to talk.
“The Singapore property,” my mother said over dessert. “When does construction start?”
“March if all the permits clear. We’ve partnered with a local firm that understands the market.”
“Will you be there often?”
“During the first year, probably monthly visits. Once operations stabilize, quarterly reviews should suffice.”
“That’s a lot of travel.”
“It’s necessary. I can’t build a culture of attentiveness if I’m not willing to be present myself.”
Marcus leaned forward.
“The staff clearly adores you. How do you maintain that across multiple properties?”
“Regular communication, fair compensation, treating people like the professionals they are. It’s not complicated. Most businesses just don’t bother.”
“And the expansion plans,” Dererick asked. “Where do you see the brand in 5 years?”
“Five properties across four continents, each one adapted to its location, but maintaining our core values of warmth and excellence.”
“That’s incredible,” Amanda said softly.
After dinner, as guests mingled, the mayor arrived. I’d invited her personally.
She found me quickly, pulling me into a warm hug.
“Sophie, the hotel looks magnificent.”
“Thank you for coming, Mayor Richardson.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. And congratulations again on the entrepreneur award. Welld deserved.”
My family watched this interaction with wide eyes.
“Mayor,” I said, “this is my family. Mom, Derek, Marcus, Amanda. This is Mayor Richardson.”