Chapter 206: Carter, the Bait

"Fair point."

Carter chuckled, realizing he had been overthinking things.

While these people were wealthy, there weren't many involved in the entertainment industry.

The rumored women seemed to be after something more than just money—it was fame. Carter refrained from judging their actions in the cutthroat world of Hollywood.

At present, these individuals might come from various backgrounds, and there might even be some in the entertainment industry or with related resources. However, opportunities here were far fewer compared to events in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills.

Why come here to seek fame when Hollywood offered better prospects? As for material gain, as Julian had suggested, a phone call could easily arrange such matters. Why bother coming here to demean oneself?

"Alright, I have something else to attend to. Remember to thank Mr. Lynch for his help, and then you can manage your time as you wish. Speaking of which, it's about time you found yourself a girlfriend. See those girls around your age? Most of them are here for you. If you find someone you like, go ahead and strike up a conversation. They won't refuse to talk to you!"

After delivering this message, Julian departed, with Carter trailing close behind.

Julian's words were straightforward. At a gathering where the principle of reciprocity prevailed, the children brought along by guests were invariably of similar age to Carter.

The youngest was 15, and the oldest barely reached 20. Those over this age were conspicuously absent. Carter couldn't help but realize the reason behind such targeted arrangements.

It must be because they knew about the major shareholder and largest investor of the Tiger, a 17-year-old. With such massive capital investment at just 17, whether from his family or himself, this young shareholder was the most sought-after figure tonight. Carter even suspected that the large number of attendees today was partly due to Julian's intentional or unintentional promotion.

After all, where were they? New York! Manhattan! Wall Street!

Every day, numerous financial firms, asset management companies, and all sorts of funds were established here. Without the Tiger, there would still be lions, kittens, and Hello Kitty. Before making a name for oneself, who knew what onion they were?

Compared to this relatively unknown Tiger, the "17-year-old eligible bachelor" seemed more enticing! Whether it was with malicious intent to fleece or to guide the lambs, or with sincere intentions for cooperation or even marriage.

Carter suddenly realized that he had unwittingly become Julian's bait!

No wonder Julian had been mentoring him at every turn. Now, contrary to his usual behavior, Julian hadn't introduced him to those people. Instead, he had given Carter complete autonomy, even suggesting he approach some girls.

Was Julian feeling guilty and trying to compensate with these cost-free beauties?

As for malicious exploitation, Carter hadn't considered it. If Julian had such intentions, he wouldn't have said those things to him yesterday, right?

"Mr. Blake, hello! My grandfather said you're a brilliant investor and hopes I can learn something useful from you. Would you have time to chat with me?"

While musing over how Julian had inadvertently sold him out, Carter was suddenly accosted by someone. Before him stood a young lad in a tailcoat, seemingly not yet fifteen.

This direct approach made Carter chuckle. While the adults spoke, did they not realize this kid was being so honest? Did he just tell Carter outright that his grandfather wanted him to talk to him?

"Of course, how should I address you?"

Finding it amusing, Carter didn't refuse the invitation. This lad, though still young, didn't seem like he was fifteen.

Nevertheless, appearances aside, this lad's speech didn't match that of a fifteen-year-old. A person's maturity was closely related to their experiences. Children born into wealthy families often matured earlier than ordinary middle-class families, whether due to their "early involvement" or exposure to such social environments. And of course, it was the same for those from lower-class families.

But while children from lower-class families matured early because "poor children must grow up early," those from wealthy families grew up in environments where they had to understand such superficial pleasantries, knowing that the smiles they received could easily turn into derision behind their backs.

"Thank you, I'm Ken Griffin. You can just call me Ken! I, uh..."

Ken, having pursued Carter in his nervousness, faltered a bit. His grandfather had asked him to talk to Carter, but he hadn't been told what to say if Carter agreed to talk to him. Perhaps in Ken's grandfather's eyes, he hadn't considered that Carter would actually communicate with this kid.

Had the "successful people" lost their allure? Or had the girls lost their charm? What could he possibly talk about with this little kid?

Even Ken himself didn't harbor any expectations of success. But unexpectedly, he had achieved his goal, leaving Ken feeling even more embarrassed.

"I like math and computers, Mr. Blake. Do you like them too?"

In his panic, Ken tried to find a common topic from his interactions with his classmates. In Ken Griffin's young mind, anyone capable of making successful investment decisions must be good at math!

However...

"I have to admit, I hate math! It's my least favorite subject, hands down!"

Carter's eye twitched. Suddenly, this kid didn't seem cute anymore!

How could this rosy-cheeked lad dislike math? Blasphemy! Absolutely blasphemous!

"Oh? You don't like math? Why not? Math is so interesting. The sense of achievement when solving a difficult problem..."

Carter's unexpected response made Ken, already nervous, even more so. Waving his little hands, he tried to steer Carter back onto the path of mathematical enlightenment.

"I admit you have a point, but the problem is, I simply can't solve real math problems! If I can't solve them, where's the sense of achievement for me?"

Leading Ken to a nearby vacant table and chairs, Carter placed the two drinks he had picked up from the waiter on the table.

"How old are you? Although there's no drinking age restriction now, if you're too young, I can't let you drink!"

"I'm 12 years old, Mr. Blake! I'm not that young. I've had beer at my grandfather's house! It was terrible. I prefer fruit juice."

"Haha, fair enough! Beer is indeed terrible!"

As expected, just a little kid!

Carter laughed and placed the two glasses of juice on the table before diverting the conversation. Talking about math would be too challenging.

"I heard you came here with your grandfather. What about your parents? Didn't they come with you?"