"Please wait for a moment. I will call the chairman’s assistant.” she quickly retreated to her desk to dial the chairman’s office. These visitors seemed less than amicable. She was at a loss. The best course of action was to pass this matter higher up, removing herself from further involvement. A few minutes later, a thirtyish woman dressed in a bright vest suit rushed out. "Hello, sir. I am Faith Byner, the chairman’s assistant. May I have your name?" "What does it have to do with you? Where is Erasmus? He was supposed to have caught the last flight back last night. How is it that he is nowhere to be seen? Is he still in outer space or something?" Brian retorted, clearly frustrated. He was beginning to get annoyed. Erasmus should have been here by now if everything was according to schedule. And yet, there was no sign of him. While the issue wasn't catastrophic, ignoring Brian's instruction was a grave matter. He wasn’t so old that he couldn’t make himself heard. How dare the
This helped Brian's mood to ease slightly. He glanced sidelong at Kieran, pointing at him: “This is your brother-in-law, right? He just told me to listen to him as a favor to you." "I, Brian, have lived for so many years, I don't need any face-saving measures, yet here I am, expected to be shown respect by others." "That Kieran guy, I'm not wrong, am I?" As soon as he finished speaking, Kieran and Gladys froze. Brian!!! It was Brian Wang!!! The former Prime Minister of the United States. Despite retiring two years ago, his influence remained as robust as the current Prime Minister! Finally, Kieran understood who this older man was. He bitterly lamented his ignorance. How could he not know? How could he utter such disgraceful words? The older man did not need his respect. Just a single sentence from him could shut down Star! "Prime Minister Wang... No, Mr. Wang, it's my fault for being as blind as a bat. Please don't consider me.” Kieran, shivering, pleaded supplicantly. If
Gladys looked up into Jonathan's eyes. She asked seriously: “How do you want me to thank you?" The many troubles of late seemed insurmountable to Gladys. Yet, Jonathan was able to solve all her problems with ease. He even went to meet Baldwin Wise of the Wise family. And Brian of the Wang family. In the end, it took the intervention of a national pillar to completely smooth things over. It was not an easy task for her to regain her innocence. So, she knew just how much Jonathan had helped her. Even so, he had not made a single request. That's why Gladys was moved, unsure of how to repay him. However, Jonathan smiled warmly, saying: “Who needs your gratitude? You must be quite weary after going through so much, right? Don't dwell on it. Take a few days off to rest and await the official news." Before Gladys could respond, Jonathan hailed a passing taxi. "Get in!" Gladys stared at him for a while before getting into the cab. They waved their farewells, and the taxi was off
"How have you been recently?" Carnelian, leaning against the back of her chair in the cafe, crossed her legs and asked. Sitting across from her, Jonathan replied: "Same as always!" "How's Mr. Wang's health?" Jonathan remained silent. How Brian's health was faring, Leonard knew better than anyone. If Carnelian was unaware, it implied Leonard didn't wish to share this with her. So, Jonathan kept silent. Carnelian chuckled: “I must have asked the wrong question. I shouldn't worry about that. Let's talk about you. I asked you here today for a reason." "Please, Miss Kyle, speak.” Jonathan gestured with his hand. After hesitating, Carnelian finally said: “I'm about to get married, but I can't let go of Orchid because I haven't found anyone suitable to manage it in my stead. I can't get married peacefully without properly sorting this out." Jonathan instantly grasped her intentions and inquired: “Miss Kyle, allow me to be frank. With your status, you do not need to be overly concern
"Ten skewers of heart, a portion of lobster, old tripe, and half a kilo of beef..." They arrived at a barbecue restaurant, where Daisy ordered a slew of dishes in one go before remembering to add: “And a crate of beer, please, boss." Once the owner had gone, Jonathan smiled and said: “Can you eat that much? Plus, barbecue isn't good for you. It can lead to heat and acne. Aren't you afraid?" "Eating it occasionally won't hurt, and my colleagues at work don't like these kinds of food. Eating alone is boring, so I come here infrequently. Today, I will indulge a bit. Is there a problem?" "Worst case scenario, I'll have a few pimples. I'm already pretty. I don't have to worry." With her calm demeanor, Daisy appeared rather self-important. It wasn't that Daisy was self-important but that she knew her advantages well. She was indeed excellent. "Ok, I'm ready to accompany the beauty tonight. Today, you can indulge without worrying about the after-effects. I'll take responsibility for g
“Who is this Mr. Wise?” After Charles and Rowena left, Daisy lost her taste for beer. She didn’t inquire about Gladys, knowing that Jonathan and the starlet had no intimate connection, they were just friends. And no matter who Jonathan was involved with, it had no bearing on her. “Charles, don't you know?”, Jonathan replied. “He's the fourth young master of New York!” Who in New York didn't know about these four young masters? Among them, Charles was the most notorious one. Not because he was particularly talented, but because he had a slew of scandals involving women. Any woman linked with him would instantly gain a bad reputation. While Daisy didn’t understand why Jonathan was acquainted with Charles, their relationship didn't seem to be a close one. Yet, she knew precisely why Jonathan acted as if they were romantically involved in front of Charles. To keep her from being the object of Charles' attention. “Oh dear, what on earth is Rowena thinking, associating with Charle
But now that he had returned, Sloane had no choice but to confront the reality. Outwardly, she was cordial because if Derek could become the family head, it would be beneficial. As a woman, she might not vie for power but at least she could enjoy better treatment. However, if Derek lacked the capacity, she would not concede defeat. Now that her father had brought it up, she had begun to ponder. Fear seemed to creep into her eyes as she gazed at her father. What if their grandfather had deliberately brought a false nephew home as a safeguard against someone? And that someone could only be Andrew - her father! At this thought, Sloane was gripped by fear. Indeed, such was the life of a wealthy family! Suspicion between father and daughter. "Father, have you sent someone to San Francisco for investigation yet?" "Alright, but it seems that my grandfather and the Northern military have sent people there, so no one has a chance to investigate Derek's identity, which is why my father
"Incredible, simply incredible. No wonder you were indifferent to the vice-president position at Orchid Corporation. To think you'd ascend straight to the CEO of Heavenly Emperor Corporation! At first, I thought you were joking! Go wash your hands, Director Wang, and let's eat." Daisy teased. A feast awaited on the table, clearly a product of Daisy's hard work. But with an apologetic expression, Jonathan replied: "I'm afraid I can't join you for dinner today." Taken aback, Daisy asked: "Has someone invited you for dinner?" Thinking about it, it made sense. Now that Jonathan was the CEO of the Heavenly Emperor Corporation and a respected figure in New York, he would undoubtedly be expected at countless social gatherings. "Um, yes. A… friend invited me for dinner, and I've already accepted. Had I known about this delicious spread, I would've declined." Jonathan responded with a touch of guilt. "Fine, don't try to sweet-talk me. If your friend has invited you, you should go." Daisy
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