Hollywood Zenith

The convoy soon arrived at the Hydrick Hotel. The hotel guests and the crowd stopped to look at the impressive collection of luxury supercars constantly entering the premise.

It was great publicity for the hotel, too, as one could argue if so many young rich people went to a place, it was bound to have some value. Paige might not have thought about it, but Samuel was impressed by her decision to hold the party here.

Soon, the parking lot and other open areas were filled with supercars. It looked like some car convention with many rare cars mixed between \'normal\' cars.

There were not many five-star hotels where one could find such an impressive number of cars, and what did Paige need to pay? Just a few chump changes garner the support of all the second generation of the city, ensuring her unique position in the circle.

People were starting to gather when the news that a group of wealthy individuals swarmed into the hotel circulated on the internet. It helped with a free advertisement for the hotel, and for the next couple of weeks, an impressive number of guests visited the establishment.

Paige had already called the hotel manager and explained the situation. She reserved the entire third-floor open dining area for her guests. Upon some consideration, she decided to go with a barbecue.

It might have been a crude choice not for the exquisite meat collection topped with premium lager beer that was often in short supply. It was made by a German brewery with a limited quantity production line.

After settling in, they were gracefully eating the meals prepared by the hotel chefs while having a few barrels on the side that were chilled perfectly for the occasion.

" Everyone, sorry to interrupt your meal. Can I have your attention, please?" Joseph stood up and roared, which made everyone else take notice. He could be said to be second in command and often took the leading role in Paige\'s absence which was a lot.

" Let\'s collectively offer a glass for young master Samuel. If not for him today, we must face the ground in shame!" His voice vibrated around the hall, making everyone realize how they came to have such a party on such a dreadful day!

" Mr. Samuel!" His appeal was unanimously echoed by all others present here. Both men and women raised their glasses and said his name out loud.

" For the love of the car and the sport that gives these beasts justice!" Samuel also stood to raise his glass. He didn\'t think much about what he said, but it was the best he could come up with.

He might have gained their favour but taking too much credit would make him look like a snob, besides he didn\'t really do this for them. He was curious, and Paige was also in trouble. It was only lending a hand to someone he cared about.

Everyone drank their beer glasses; some were brazen enough to ask for wine glasses to drink beer as they were most comfortable with its design. After which, everyone returned to their meal with rejuvenated vigour; it was the party\'s official start.

" Young master Samuel, you were on fire today. Did you know that we all had our hearts in our throats at every turn when you started drifting? We didn\'t know what would happen, but by the end of it, we were sure you would win! You are a world-class driver!" Joseph showered him with praises while sitting beside him. He kept on going, but Samuel only nodded and appeared like he did some trivial thing.

Paige squinted her eyes, looking at him; she knew he was secretly pleased by his performance today but didn\'t want to show them.

But whatever he was doing worked. His mannerism had won the heart of many young adults present here. The more he was indifferent toward them, the more they admired him. Human nature was indeed a strange thing.

But they knew it would be impossible to reach Samuel\'s level even if they practised for years. There was no guarantee that some would be able to do it; looking at Samuel, who was a few years younger than them, they knew he was a genius.

How else could they explain it? He was barely an adult. It was impossible to learn such a technique if one was not an absolute master. They couldn\'t find any fault with him; his new persona attracted them to him.

If they knew what Samuel was feeling, they would probably beat him up. Samuel felt a little giddy inside; he had to say it was a surreal experience being praised by so many people in person.

Of course, there were many girls present who were coming on to him at every chance they got. These girls would surely eat him alive if Paige hadn\'t been on his side! Samuel practically felt their lust!

Samuel was very cautious in the presence of Paige; he knew she could be a little hard-headed when it came to being jealous. He was sure she would fight a deathmatch if she found Samuel messing around with these girls. 

But what could the other girls do? They had seen how handsome he looked and his stellar driving skills. The people they were with couldn\'t hold a candle to him!

The \'boyfriends\' were stuck with their nagging eyes, but they couldn\'t possibly hate today\'s hero. , Besides, they didn\'t want to commit career suicide by provoking him unnecessarily.

...

...

...

After the meal, they again surrounded Samuel, throwing flattering words like someone was paying them. Paige tactfully stepped aside, not bothering to even address it.

" Young master-"

" Samuel, please."

" Oh, Samuel, I heard you would stay in Los Angeles for some time?"

" Not necessarily, I have to move around a lot, but I will be here for at least a week this time," Samuel said.

" That\'s a shame."

" Don\'t believe him. He just bought a new apartment in the central city. You know the new penthouse, right?" Paige said from the side.

" What! Are you serious?" one of the girls exclaimed.

" Why are you shouting like that?" Her boyfriend said while covering his ears. Was it that impressive to buy a house? Others were also curious about her reason for shouting.

" Don\'t tell me; you guys don\'t know? Paige is talking about the hottest property in the market right now. Last time I heard that they were selling it for forty million dollars!"

"!!!"

" That\'s not the impressive part; it\'s the money he had earned himself without the support of his family. Isn\'t that great?" Paige was airing out Samuel\'s dirty laundry without a care in the world. Why was she so proud when she said it?

Thus another fever of compliment besieged Samuel.

" That means he plans to stay in the city for some time?" They looked toward Samuel for answers.

" Umm.. you could say that." Samuel could only sigh. They didn\'t understand how uncertain his life was.

Later when the conversation is geared toward Paige meeting the Princess. When it came to the fact that she was accepted into a prestigious university, they began praising her too.

" What\'s so great about that University? Don\'t you know I am attending the same place?" Paige couldn\'t help but retort. They already knew about it, but they never praised her.

The second generation all looked in different directions and then looked at Samuel. He could instantly tell what they were thinking about, Sister Paige. Everyone knows your grades are average at best! Are you looking down on us nerds?\'

Paige was a fashionista and had a great business mind, but one had to admit she was not very bright in other fields. Her beauty compensated for most of it, but she would never be called a genius.

Looking at their expressions, Paige became a little depressed. Were they really think she was stupid? She downed the glass of beer, staring at this group of bastards!

The girl was angry, and what was better to do than annoy Samuel? Who started it? He became the unexpected victim and suffered unreasonable disaster for a while.

" Samuel, before I forget, you must come to another Open day to race with us if you have free time. That way, you can personally coach us!" Joseph suggested.

His proposal was unanimously echoed by others present here. How cool would it be if they could learn even just one or two skills from him? A self-made car god! He could take their skills to the next level.

Maybe they could finally pick up some girls while showing their drifting skills! For them, the end goal justified the means!

" Do you guys like racing so much?" Samuel asked back. They were really pushing him to teach.

" Of course! It\'s the same for everyone here, the feeling of soaring adrenaline pumping through your veins... there is no feeling like it. Without that thrill, life gets boring very soon." Why did it sound like they were some kind of junkies looking for new highs?

But he didn\'t reply sarcastically; he was thinking about something. From what he had seen, they were still without any direction in life; most of them would go on and join the family business and would lose this strange youth.

He had a perfect idea for them.

"So, why don\'t you guys set up a club?" He said tentatively after a few seconds of thinking.