"Ha ha ha. Jonathan, we have nothing more to talk about. A man must stand by his word, so if you don't get the contract, be ready to write your resignation! And Adela, she can stay in the company." Hearing Jonathan hadn't secured the contract yet, Edgar immediately showed his true colors, laughing mockingly. His eyes were filled with desire as he looked at Adela. With Jonathan gone, who would protect Adela now? Everyone suddenly heard Jonathan's statement: "But what if Adela managed to secure the contract with Near Department Store?" Everyone was confused. Had Jonathan actually secured the contract or not? "Is this some kind of joke? How could Adela possibly get the contract?" Edgar couldn't believe it. "Show it to Director Raphael." Jonathan instructed Adela. Adela immediately took out the contract documents and placed them before Raphael. She finally understood Jonathan's intention; he wanted her to take the credit for securing this contract, and she was deeply moved. Raphae
Meanwhile, Jonathan and Adela entered the CEO's office, one after the other. "Jonathan, I want to resign!" Adela suddenly blurted out. Jonathan was slightly surprised. Why would she do this? But he quickly understood: "Because Raphael questioned your education in front of everyone? Adela, why are you so fragile?" Adela bit her lip, feeling incredibly frustrated, and remained silent. Raphael's single question about her education had negated all her efforts and trampled on her dignity! Jonathan continued, unconcerned: "First, others don't know, but both of us are aware that you had no part in the Near department store contract; I did it all. So don't feel frustrated. Forget about education; you don’t even have the necessary skills!" "Whether it's Raphael or Edgar, if you want them not to target you, not to discriminate against you, then excel at your job, achieve so much that they can't threaten you!" "Second, do you think I haven't persisted in getting Edgar out of the company b
Jonathan and Adela frowned, seeing a disheveled man in his thirties approaching, his clothes dirty and unkempt. "People wish for their sons to support them in their old age, yet I have to bend over backward to support my son! Basil, I just gave you five hundred USD last night, and it's gone already?!", Mrs. Jones irritably looked at her son. "Ah, this is Adela, I heard you're working at a big company now. Oh, and this is..." Basil Connor, Mrs. Jones’s son, in his thirties and yet with nothing to his name. His eyes heated up upon seeing Adela, completely ignoring the matter of taking money from Mrs. Jones. Before Adela could speak, Mrs. Jones coldly said: "This is young master Wang, Adela's boyfriend!" Basil Connor's face darkened, casting a rather unfriendly glance at Jonathan. Adela was about to object, but she suddenly understood Mrs. Jones' intention. Basil had always shown interest in her, which she knew. Mrs. Jones said this to make Basil give up entirely. So, she took Jon
At night, when the street lights just started glowing. The night scene of Elite Summit was dotted with countless bright lights, dazzling and splendid. Yet, even in such a bustling place, there were dark, gloomy corners. In the slum area on the northern outskirts of the city, the scenery was starkly different. Decrepit buildings from the sixties and seventies were dimly lit by a few faint lights. Basil, drunk, pushed the door open and stumbled into the small four-walled room, leaning over the water purifier and pressing the switch, hot water gushing into his mouth. "Phew, phew, phew!" Scalded by the boiling water, Basil jumped up, cursing: "Damn it, who left the hot water on? I'm burnt!" "Damn, so unlucky, even getting burned drinking water!" Bang! In his anger, he kicked the water purifier. The machine made a crackling noise and then broke down completely. Hearing the noise outside, Mrs. Jones hurried out of her room, scolding loudly: "Basil, have you lost your mind? If you
Reaching an unoccupied restroom, Basil stopped. He pulled out a crumpled, cheap cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a few deep drags. "Jonathan, I've had the doctor check your prescription, and it's not from any legitimate hospital. Now, my mother's critical condition is due to your medication! Tell me, if I hand this prescription to the police, how many years in prison will you get?" Basil seemed confident of his victory. "Is it a disease-inducing drug from the black market?" Jonathan suddenly asked. Basil's eyes flickered with panic. How did Jonathan know? Only the black market would have disease-inducing drugs mixed with a small amount of pesticide and other substances, designed to trigger relapses of existing illnesses. Of course, Basil didn’t admit it and soon feigned calmness, shouting: "I don’t know what you’re talking about. My mother is seriously ill because of you. What do you think should be done?" Jonathan didn’t expect Basil to confess: "So, what do you prop
Jonathan wandered the streets until three in the afternoon before returning to the company. As per his schedule, he first picked up Adela from work, then went to the nursery to pick up Carla. “Dad! Dad!!” Standing near the school gate, Carla saw Jonathan outside and waved. Seeing the bright smile on Carla’s face, Jonathan felt the joy of having a daughter, though her smile still held a hint of sadness. His time was running short. Becoming the master of Top-Sky House, he had wealth and power many could only dream of. But this also meant he had to shoulder the responsibilities of Top-Sky House and face its enemies. Those enemies were so formidable they were almost insurmountable. The most feared was a man known as Lord God, the strongest enemy of Top-Sky House. Jonathan, sooner or later, would have to confront this man, the world’s most powerful titleholder. Elite Summit City, Jonathan couldn’t stay too long. When Carla came out of school, Jonathan put all his complex thoughts a
The Fairies Mountain in the night was filled with an eerie vibe, as if thousands of spirits were dancing chaotically. The car lights snaked through the mountain passes, with wild screams and the shrill sounds of racing cars blending together. "I am honored to introduce Mr. Tremblay. Everyone must know the Tremblays, one of the three major families of Crystal Cove, right? Mr. Tremblay is from the Tremblay family!" At the mountain's peak, Asher's subordinate was introducing him to the young masters of Elite Summit city. Upon learning that Asher was a descendant of the Tremblay family, one of the three major families in Crystal Cove, the young masters became overly cordial, fawning over Asher. Among them, a few pretty young women flirted with inviting glances, but Asher stood still, indifferent, as if he didn’t even notice them. Being a scion of a prestigious family controlling the economic veins of Crystal Cove, his gaze naturally became lofty. Women like these were beneath his not
Adela maneuvered the 488 around a curve, asking curiously: "How do you know so much? I mean about Fairies Mountain's course." Jonathan explained as if to a novice: "Shouldn't I gather information before racing? Like when we have a five million dollar order at our company, wouldn't you research the client before meeting them?" Alright then, Adela had nothing more to say. Adela, coerced by Jonathan to join the race, didn't ponder too much. She just familiarized herself with the car in a short period and then drove the 488 up the mountain for the race. "Fine, I'll do as you say! Jonathan, even if I lose, I won't get into his car!" This wasn't about playing tricks; Adela knew Asher's intentions well and couldn't consider getting into his car. The term 'lightning fast' perfectly described her current state. A hundred yards was nearly the limit speed for driving in a place riddled with curves like Fairies Mountain. Of course, a professional could manage an extra forty or fifty yards,
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