Hollywood Zenith

After escaping, Samuel mingled with other 'normal' people. They occasionally praised him for his performance, but he played it off. He noticed the people who came with him sat in the farthest corner of the room; it was on the upper level where only a few people could be seen.

" Hannah, where is mother?" Samuel asked.

" I don't know. I was with sister Emma when I saw brother."

" That's dangerous; from now on, please don't wander off on your own alright?"

" Yes, I only wanted to help you."

" Let's go that way. You are hungry right?"

" Yes." Although she was cheerful, Samuel could see she was tired. It was way past her bedtime, so Samuel wanted her to eat a little before falling asleep.

He met up with others at the table. They had already started, knowing such prominent shot families were present at the venue, and the company had provided a unique service for them.

" Father, mother, sorry I am late." Samuel handed Hannah to Carol. Just as he expected, she was already sleepy.

" No problem, come eat. We have already ordered." Robert said.

" I already had a meal at the hotel."

" Alright, just take a few bites, then we will go down to meet some people," Laura said.

" Who?"

" The president of the studio, we could at least meet him to give our thanks," Robert said. They were already disguised, so it would be hard for regular people to recognize them.

After a light meal, while they were heading toward the central area of the party, something unbelievable happened.

" Laura, is that you? What are you doing here?" someone called out to his mother. Three people rushed in their direction. This was what Samuel feared the most.

" It's true. It really is you, but why are you dressed like that." It was an elegant woman who was about the same as his mother. A man and a kid came with her; they were also observing Samuel and his parents.

" Eh? Robert, why didn't you inform me that you are visiting the states?" The man appears to know his father.

" I didn't have time to do that; also, please keep your voice down. People are staring at us." Robert said. It was the first time Samuel saw his father speaking so informally with anyone.

" Sorry, I see, you are travelling incognito."

" Yeah."

" Wait! Isn't that Sam who played the main character? Don't tell me this is the child I have heard about?" the woman asked.

" Ah, yes, this is our child Samuel," Laura replied.

"" Eh?"" their sudden reaction started to gather unwanted attention. It would be wrong, so Samuel suggested talking at a private location.

" Sami, this is my friend Simon J. Wintringham. We go way back, and the Lady is his wife, Audrey Wintringham. This is my son, Samuel. I am sure you have heard about him by now." Robert introduced his friend.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Wintringham, Mrs Wintringham." Samuel politely introduced himself.

" Ho, such a wise kid. This is our son, Darren Wintringham; please get along with him!" Audrey said. She had a similar personality to Eleanor, carefree with some elegance.

" Nice to meet you," Samuel called out to Darren.

" Sup, I am Darren." He said nonchalantly. He was a few years older than Samuel, but he was showing hostility toward Samuel for some reason. Samuel chose to ignore it; souring the mood over a meaningless argument was not good.

" It was honestly a surprise to meet you here. I didn't know your boy was entering the industry." Simon said.

" Why shouldn't he? With those looks and talent, it will be a waste to not be an actor." Audrey said. She was very impressed by Samuel.

" What's so good about it? It was average at best!" Darren said. He was not ready to acknowledge Samuel's talent.

" Ahaha, he is right. I have much to learn, but Mr-"

" Just call me Uncle, I am sorry we have not met sooner, but you are my friend's son, so don't be too formal," Simon interjected.

" Ok, Uncle, are you by any chance related to Wintringham Corporation?" Samuel asked, changing the subject.

" You know about it?" Simon was surprised by his question.

" Don't be surprised; Sami is very talented in business too. I will tell you more about him later." Laura said proudly. She knew her son was a genius but seldom got chances to gloat about it.

" Is that so?" Audrey also looked at Samuel, it was not like she had never heard about the rumours, but she always thought they were bloated to the point of absolution.

" You are right. Our family owns that company; it makes me happy that you know about it." Simon said.

Wintringham was a United States-based multinational energy and commodity trading company founded in 1966 by Henk Wintringham and Jacques Wintringham. Two brothers of a large trading company.

Though trading, logistics and distribution were at the core of the company's business.

They were also well-versed in refining, shipping, terminals, exploration and production, power generation, and retail businesses. Wintringham has 40 offices worldwide, and its largest operations are in Geneva, Houston, London, and Singapore.

With revenues of $279 billion in 2000, Wintringham is the largest independent energy trader in the world and would be the sixth largest company worldwide as measured by revenue on the Fortune Global 500 list.

Given the secrecy Wintringham maintains around all its business activities and the limited nature of its statutory disclosures, it is excluded from rankings.

The company, however, provides some more financial information to its lenders and a few other entities with which it trades.

Wintringham Corporation was a privately held company by about 100 current partners and former employees, who are known for their intense culture of privacy and secrecy from competitors and the general public. They were reported to make a huge payout to keep the company's current structure.

Samuel told them what he knew about their corporation, which stumped the couple. His description was so perfect that they began looking at the Rothschild couple with suspicious eyes.

" Robert, I didn't know you liked to play pranks like this," Simon said while shrugging his shoulders.

" Yes, you two are mean to force the kid to memorize all this just for your amusement." Audrey's thoughts were the same.

" Woah, you make it sound like we are forcing him to do it. I don't tell him to do anything." Seeing the disgusting look on their faces, Robert tried to clarify.

" How can you say that? Who would have the heart to bully my cute son?" Laura, on the other hand, didn't mind them. She was happy with their reaction.

" Uncle, Aunt, It's just something I picked up while running my firm. You don't have to blame my parents." Samuel said.

" Nonsense! Why are you lying? You are younger than me; you are taking the joke too far." Darren was unexpectedly angry.

" Umm, I am not lying. I am telling the truth. But why are you so furious? " Samuel decided to ask. For his father's sake, he avoided confronting him, but seeing Darren's outburst, he wanted to know why.

" That-, It is impossible! I don't believe you!"