At the moment, Jessica is following Jonathan on the sparkling neon-lit street at night. People are passing by, and many couples are walking hand in hand together.“Hey, don’t you think I have any intentions towards you? Why would you dare to follow me?” Jonathan put his hands in his pockets and tilted his head while smiling.Jessica walked along happily and laughed: "I’m just a salesperson at a small supermarket. If someone who can buy a K.O calligraphy worth hundreds of thousands of dollars notices me, I will struggle just to be pleased!”Jonathan blinked: "Do you trust me?”“Well, I trust you, and I also trust Mr. Kieran’s character. He likes you and has mentioned you many times since you left school. But Mr. Kieran will not harm other students’ reputations to care about your reputation!” Jessica pursed her lips and said.Jonathan laughed wryly, not knowing whether to feel happy or not. At least someone trusts him.“Hey, you’ve been in jail, but your company still has money. If not,
The next day, at the old building in the West of Slab!The owner of the Moonlight jewelry store, Mr. Edsel, personally came to visit.“Mr. Edsel, why did you come to our run-down place?” Phoebe asked in astonishment.It’s not surprising that she was surprised. Mr. Edsel regularly deals in jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why would he have the time to come to their old and worn neighborhood?Edsel’s chubby face wrinkled, and his small eyes shone with the opportunism of a businessperson.“Mrs. Phoebe, do you remember the piece of Nephrite that you brought to me for appraisal last time?”Of course, Phoebe still remembers. At that time, Edsel offered $500,000, and she almost sold it.But people in business are always deceitful. Edsel casually offered such a high price, so the gemstone must be worth even more. Therefore, she hasn’t decided yet.Anyway, the gemstone is in her hands. She can turn it into cash whenever she wants! As for what kind of gemstone it is, she forgot.
Half an hour later, Jonathan arrived at a coffee shop where he saw his younger sister, whom he hadn't seen in years, just as he had wished. He raised his hand to stroke Milcah's head, joyfully saying, "You've grown taller and more beautiful! I almost didn't recognize you!"Today, Milcah wore a yellow goose feather jacket with her fair and pretty face. Her cheeks were rosy due to the cold weather, making her look more beautiful and charming. Indeed, his little sister was still graceful and lovely!"You haven't changed a bit. Still handsome as ever!""And you're still as talkative as before!"Jonathan laughed out loud, feeling extremely happy. "That's right, and I heard you say earlier that you're now a teacher at a high school, right?""Yes, just a teacher at a small high school!""After all, you're both nurturing the future generation of our country, and there's no difference, is there? Oh, and speaking of which, you're 24 now. Do you have a boyfriend?"Milcah's face stiffened momenta
The two drank for just over half an hour and had almost finished a crate of beer.Jonathan waved his hand and called the server to bring up another crate.But by now, Duncan's face was also flushed. He was drunk and started to slur his words: "Jonathan, I... Thank you for inviting me to drink beer!""Don't talk about that. If you have something to say, say it. I don't want to hear drunken ramblings." Jonathan suddenly said.Although he also liked to drink, he disliked people who got drunk and acted unruly."So let me ask you, for example, if you saw your girlfriend getting into another man's car, and you called her to ask where she was, and she said she was home. She even asked if you had prepared two hundred thousand USD for the dowry for her family! What do you think?!"Jonathan furrowed his brow. He could determine that Duncan was not asking him about someone else but rather himself.This was also the reason he was so depressed."Breaking up is the solution. In a long life like thi
Jonathan said: "We don't even have to talk about the possibility of you regaining your dignity, but at least let's solve this mess, okay? If we don't deal with it today, what if you start obsessing again and killing her? The next time I come to Slab, I won't have anyone to drink with, will I?"Duncan pursed his lips and said: "Are you only helping me because you want to find someone to drink with?"But deep down, he knew that Jonathan had good intentions. So he didn't refuse anymore and took out his phone. After hesitating for a few seconds, he dialed a number.He glanced at Jonathan, then turned up the speaker."Why are you calling me?" A woman's voice on the other end was loud and disdainful.Hearing this voice, Duncan involuntarily recoiled. But when he thought of Jonathan being here, he couldn't afford to lose face, so he tried to sound firm: "Sigrid, do you know why I'm calling you?""Breaking up? I can't follow you for three years and end up with nothing. You should give me that
"This matter... Director William, is there a misunderstanding?" But the bar manager not to comply with Dermot's request, instead asking."Don't you hear what I'm saying? I said call the police now!" Dermot was completely out of control. Could he not even command the manager of a bar?Although a director, he was completely different from a small bar manager like this!"Then, the matter... Sir, what happened?"The bar manager was in a difficult position. On the one hand, he was a regular customer. As he knew Dermot, he was a somewhat notorious figure in Slab.But the young man had a VIP bank card from the national bank, he had already paid 100,000 USD upfront, and if he didn't have a bank balance of over 100 million USD, he wouldn't have been able to obtain the card from the national bank.But he had personally swiped the card given to him by the employee, knowing that a regular person couldn't have this kind of card. This was a dispute between the locals and the rich outsider!How was
The Southwest region had already entered winter, and Slab couldn't escape from it.Therefore, the streets are very empty of people.Jonathan walked aimlessly on the street, letting the raindrops fall on his face, but he didn't feel cold at all.No matter how cold the rain was at night, it was not as hard as he felt inside at the moment.'Brother, I'm getting married soon.''The wedding will take place on December 28th, only five days left. You'll know then.''Brother, I'm not hiding anything from you. And your little sister is getting married, aren't you going to congratulate me?'Remembering Milcah's hesitant words when they met last time, Jonathan muttered: "Why didn't you tell me the truth? Why didn't you tell me that Mom forced you to marry Jethro?"Jonathan intended to call Milcah to ask for clarification, but in the end, he decided not to.Her constant evasion of the issue showed that she had some personal struggles. Asking her repeatedly would be pointless.Jonathan didn't know
Jonathan sighed silently and stood up. His voice was heavy: "Mom, whether you forced Milcah or not, you know it in your heart. I also know you sell the Nephrite I owned for one million and two hundred thousand USD. Sometimes I doubt, is money really that important?"Phoebe widened her eyes. How did Jonathan know about her selling the Nephrite and the price she traded it for? Had Jonathan met Edsel of Moonlight jewelry store?But her eyes still showed denial: "What, Nephrite? I told you that your Nephrite was lost, don't you understand?!"Jonathan shook his head and laughed. He knew too well the stubbornness of his foster mother. Even if he showed her the Nephrite before her, she would not admit it. He was too lazy to argue."You take care of it yourself."Jonathan left with those words.In the room, Derek couldn't remain calm any longer: "Mom, do you feel like Jonathan is different from before? Also, how does he know about the Nephrite you sold and the price you sold it for?"Phoebe h
At the Moonlight company's neighboring cafe. Jonathan and Juliette sat secluded in a dim corner. Juliette, shedding her pretense, took a sip of coffee before saying: "I've arranged to dine with Feagan tonight. What's our next move?" "How do you find Feagan?" Jonathan inquired earnestly. "Handsome, even more than you. And oozing charisma! If I were Adela, I'd choose him and kick you to the curb." Juliette quipped. Jonathan: "..." "Heh, just teasing!" Seeing Jonathan's knitted brows, Juliette laughed: "But seriously, Feagan seems like another wolf in sheep's clothing. He's no match for you! I entered his office and he stared at me for minutes. I've seen that type of gaze in Crystal Cove all too often. He's not a catch." "You've got the right hunch. Feagan is no pillar to lean on. If your old friend is by his side, she's bound to regret it." Hearing this, Jonathan hesitated: "Tonight, carry a mini-camera. Entice him to reveal his true colors. If you succeed, make a swift exit."
Katherine swiftly dismissed with a flick of her hand, her face etched with profound disagreement. "How can you suggest such a thing? If in the next two years you don't marry her and by some chance you decide to part ways with my dear Juliette, then what?" "If such were to occur, you would've squandered the best years of her youth! Absolutely not! It cannot be so." "Yet, for now, Juliette and I are not in a position to wed." Jonathan feigned discomfort, an aura of unease surrounding him. In a sudden whisper, Katherine interjected: "Even if marriage isn't immediate, there must be some assurance you can provide, mustn't there?" At this, both Andres and Wyatt, father and son, shifted their eager gazes toward Jonathan. Juliette inwardly smirked, thinking to herself, 'Mother is starting her games again.' It was clear the reason her parents were here tonight was solely for this imminent matter. They hadn't raised a daughter, but rather, it seemed, a mere commodity. "What assurance d
Once Tryphena was out of earshot, Juliette burst into giggles: "So Jonathan, that beauty is really your sister-in-law? Are you some kind of beast?" Of course, Juliette was jesting. Initially, she'd assumed the beauty Jonathan had turned down was just a stranger, and his mention of her being his brother's girlfriend was surely playful. But who was she kidding? Being a seasoned veteran in Crystal Cove' entertainment industry, Juliette had encountered countless personalities. Tryphena posed no threat. A few words were all it took to send her packing, all while maintaining her own clandestine identity. "Let's drop it. Since we've met, let's go somewhere." Jonathan said, steering the conversation away from Tryphena. "Agreed." Juliette cheerfully responded. As they strolled through the streets, their charisma was undeniable. The frequency with which heads turned to steal glances was remarkable. "How long are you staying in Elite Summit this time?" Juliette inquired with genuine interes
"It's rare to run into familiar faces in Elite Summit." Tryphena mused, her words a flurry of excitement: "Would you join me for dinner tonight? If you're busy, tomorrow is fine too. Let's exchange numbers and connect on social media first!" Although initially hesitant, Jonathan found himself swayed by the genuine warmth in her eyes: "Tonight it is." With contact details exchanged and plans set, the two bid each other a temporary farewell. That very evening, as the city's lights began to shimmer, Jonathan received an investigation update from Roger. Adela was seeing someone. Moonlight Corp, where she worked in Elite Summit, was primarily managed by her and Deputy CEO Vera. However, recently, a charismatic new CEO named Feagan William, reputedly a returnee from overseas studies and rumored to be the scion of some top executive from M & N, took the helm. Since Feagan's arrival, he seemed relentlessly smitten by Adela. He often accompanied her to business outings and ensured she ret
After a while, Jonathan broke the ice, initiating a topic of discussion. Moonlight, Adela's brainchild, was now the talk of the town. "Our autumn collection has been a great success, both in terms of sales and profits." Adela began: "But to claim the top spot might be premature. Despite the backing of renowned domestic and international fashion houses like Wind & Fire and M & N, we can't be overly confident in becoming the flagbearer of our nation's fashion industry." "We'll truly know our standing after assessing the sales for the next three seasons. Only then can we truly earn national recognition." Truth be told, Adela was not overly concerned about Moonlight's position or its future; her worries had nearly evaporated. But she shared this perspective nonetheless. Jonathan silently rejoiced, noting Adela's growth and maturity. She was no longer the fishmonger he once knew from the market; she had blossomed into a successful businesswoman. In a time not so distant, Adela would,
Tommy shook his head, his words hastening to fill the air between them: "My sister-in-law is doing well; she's thriving in her job. Not too long ago, she even moved to a new house." “But when I visited Curtis last, there was a man at her place.” Tommy, flustered and scrambling for words, replied: "Oh, he must've been just a business partner, discussing some contracts with my sister-in-law. Nothing more.” Jonathan's face darkened in thought. A man? From what he knew about Adela, she would never entertain business at her private residence. Could it be? Had Adela found someone? It was possible. After all, when he had left Elite Summit, she had suggested they take a year apart. This perhaps hinted that their time together might eventually come to an end. Though Jonathan's relationship with Adela had blurred past friendship, their bond, in essence, was only maintained by Curtis. They never really became lovers. So, it was perfectly normal for Adela to have a boyfriend. Yet, the very th
Mammon's lips curled into a gentle smile: "If gratitude is to be given, direct it to Jonathan. While Mr. Moore and I might be acquaintances, our bond isn't as profound. Had it not been for Jonathan's plea, the Moores wouldn’t have found me in their corner." "Yes, indeed!" "Now, Mr. Moore, we must expedite matters. The sooner we seal the agreement, the better." "Let us restart the project and alleviate our shared anxieties." Business attended to, Mammon shared a few parting words before departing in the company of Jonathan. Their venture could truly be described as a fruitful one. Barring unforeseen tribulations, the peril that threatened the Moore family was seemingly defused. Their reputation, however, was something they'd have to mend on their own. Considering their current scenario, evading a declaration of bankruptcy due to piled debts was almost a miracle in itself. To hope for more would be sheer fantasy. All agreements were set in stone. Soon, Mammon would dispatch his
"Come now! Don't be like that! We've been childhood playmates, remember? Regardless of circumstances, our bond persists." Wynstan responded, pouring two glasses of wine with an exaggerated flourish. "This is a vintage from my personal collection. A true delight for the palate. Try it." Given there were just the two of them, the spread wasn't overly grand. Yet, countless esteemed businessmen from Crystal Cove would give an arm and a leg to be part of this dinner. However, to Nora, the invitation felt more burdensome than honorary. A toast always called for full glasses. And business often demanded the libations flow freely. Seeing Nora's thoughtful gaze, Wynstan chuckled: "Finding my wine lacking, are we? I suppose, being the magnate you now are, this might not match your status." Truth be told, the wine wasn't cheap, retailing at over a thousand. Yet to Nora, it was mere triviality. The wine wasn't the issue. Even if Wynstan had offered a commonplace wine worth mere tens, its
Jonathan remained silent, not swayed by Dieter's hollow compliments. For Jonathan knew, of all places, Elite Summit was hardly a theater of illustrious figures. Were it Crystal Cove, perhaps he might've begrudgingly conceded the point. But Elite Summit? What did it offer? Still, empty flattery was better than none; it lent a certain sweetness to the air. "Jonathan, there's a favor I'd like to ask of you." Dieter finally disclosed his intentions. Jonathan wasn't surprised. The Moore family was in a state of disarray, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Why else would Dieter squander an evening over dinner with him if not to seek some favor? "Speak, sir." Jonathan invited, his voice tinged with resignation. Though he had stretched himself thin helping the Moores, he couldn't guarantee the extent of the impact he could make. "In recent days, I've tallied up the debts of the Moore Corporation. The sum exceeds 65 billion." Dieter elaborated: "We've acquired raw materials for project