The entire Galaxy company seemed ready to explode! The events transpiring in the CEO's office couldn't be contained. In less than thirty minutes, news of the Heavenly Emperor Corporation's CEO smashing an ashtray onto Sigmund's head spread throughout the company. All the company's employees and artists couldn't stop discussing the incident. The most shocking rumor claimed that Sigmund was now at death's door. Esther and Gladys, who were together, also heard the news. Both Willow and Gladys looked at Esther, utterly speechless in their astonishment. Others vaguely speculated that the incident had something to do with Sigmund's previous assault on Esther, but they didn't understand why Jonathan would go to such lengths for Esther. Comparing his previous aid to Gladys with his actions this time, it was clear his kind-heartedness was of a different level. This was true love and protection! In Gladys' eyes, there was a speechless admiration. Finally, she understood why Jonathan a
In just half a day, the news that the CEO of the Heavenly Emperor Corporation wanted to buy twenty percent of the Galaxy company's shares had spread everywhere. Furthermore, he had the audacity to suggest an exchange of Heavenly Emperor Corporation's shares for Galaxy company's! Those in the know considered this a joke. The Heavenly Emperor Corporation was struggling, wasn't such a request akin to highway robbery? Bullying others may pass unnoticed. But who is Sherwin? Although he might not be among the top four notable young masters of New York, he hails from a renowned business family, a distinguished young master in his own right. Moreover, he's acquainted with prominent figures like Augustus and Michael. Jonathan trying to bully Sherwin is clearly a misguided choice. Naturally, the reason why this situation leaked out is not hard to guess. It's because Sherwin himself released the news! He wants to see what kind of courage this Jonathan has to dare to climb over his head in
"I have gathered information on Galaxy. They've had many significant projects this year alone, and they're profiting quite well, bringing in an unknown but undoubtedly vast amount of money, at least this year." "If we exchange Heavenly Emperor's shares for Galaxy's, we'll have three benefits. First, the Middleton family is a commercial dynasty that's one of the top in New York. Once Sherwin owns shares in Heavenly Emperor, our company would become related to the Middleton's business and might gain superior advantages." "Second, in dire times, we could use the twenty percent of Galaxy's shares as collateral for the bank, subsequently borrowing another fifty billion. With that amount of money, Heavenly Emperor would find it easier to weather this rough patch." "The third benefit, though lesser, is that we could earn a commission of about four to five billion from that twenty percent of shares within this year." Jonathan laid out the advantages all in one breath. Even Augustus was so
"To put it differently, we still have the option of collaborating with Mythicize should Sherwin not consent, correct?" Bernie queried, seeking clarification. Jonathan nodded: "Indeed. Although a share exchange with Galaxy is ideal, if Sherwin adamantly refuses, we still have an alternative company to collaborate with." Bernie fell silent, turning his gaze toward Augustus, awaiting his approval for the decision to be finalized. Augustus hesitated momentarily before declaring: "Alright, let's proceed with this plan for now! Bernie, even though Jonathan is the CEO now, his influence is not quite sufficient yet. I would like you to personally meet with Ivor and let him know that our Heavenly Emperor Corporation wants to discuss a potential partnership with them. That should give Sherwin a day to ponder." "Agreed!" Bernie gave an affirming nod, indicating his acceptance with an OK gesture. With the main matter settled, Augustus directed a complex gaze at Jonathan and inquired: "It's on
In the end, all he could do was look up at Michael's achievements. Bellamy, too, was profoundly intrigued about the woman who could entice Augustus to forsake his promising future so readily. But his thoughts inevitably drifted back to Carnelian, whom he just couldn't relinquish. Regardless of his actions, Carnelian would never become his. Bellamy wanted to flout all convention to claim Carnelian, but he dared not. He knew that such a move might not secure his heart's desire, but would undoubtedly infuriate the Wang family, ensuring his own family would not spare him. Everything he had would evaporate into nothingness. Previously, he dared to confront Derek because he had Michael's support. But now, Michael had made his position clear, urging Bellamy to leave the impending wedding of Derek and Carnelian alone and to sever his emotional ties. "Mr. Michael, I understand." Bellamy gritted his teeth, filled with bitter reluctance. His heart was truly in turmoil. "Best not cause any
Bernie, with a twinkle in his eye, said: "Augustus, what do you think would happen if Jonathan and Michael were to clash?" The question... Augustus mulled over it before saying: "It would be quite interesting, and it's not just hypothetical. It could really happen." If Jonathan had come to Crimson Ridge, it was undoubtedly for the Wang family. Confronting Michael was just a matter of time. "What if they teamed up instead?" Bernie proposed another possibility: "The Wang family already has a formidable opponent in Michael. Now, with Jonathan added to the mix, I doubt any of the young generation in Crimson Ridge can rival these two." The Wang family was already a top-tier household here. With the emergence of two more youthful prodigies, what other family could match them? "There's only room for one tiger on a mountain, that's the first issue. Secondly, Nathan Wang's death has always been murky, even after many years, the truth is unclear. Therefore, Jonathan will not team up wit
Sherwin inhaled deeply, feeling like he'd never been pushed into such a difficult position before. After a few moments of consideration, he picked up the contract. Shortly after, the food was served, but no one showed any interest in eating; all attention was focused on the contract. "The content poses no issues, but there are two points I'd like to question. Firstly, the penalty fee for the contract in the billions is rather high, but considering the spirit of collaboration, it's reasonable." "Secondly, I personally feel the need to add a clause. That is, Heavenly Emperor should not sign any stock exchange contracts with any entertainment company for the next five years." Jonathan squinted, realizing he couldn't easily deceive this man. Augustus and Bernie both nodded. They didn't see Sherwin as being unreasonable for adding a clause but rather thought it was perfectly sensible. After all, the two sides were exchanging stocks of equal value. Given Heavenly Emperor's current sit
Bellamy knew this, hence his audacity. Luckily, Bellamy's intentions were not realized. Sure, he would harbor a grudge against Jonathan, but that didn't concern him. Now he was not the newbie in Crimson Ridge anymore, and Bellamy held no sway over him. "I never thought Bellamy would be such a person!" Carnelian gritted her teeth, full of resentment. Jonathan glanced at her and smirked. In reality, he felt some sympathy for Bellamy. Yes, he had been utterly reckless in this affair, but it was because of his deep love for Carnelian. While his actions were appalling, one could somewhat understand his motives. That, of course, doesn't mean that what Bellamy did was right! His behavior was absolutely unbecoming of a man. "What are you going to do about him?" Jonathan was genuinely curious. Carnelian hesitated for a moment, then shook her head with a complex expression: "I don't know, if I tell my grandfather about this, he will definitely not let Bellamy off, he'll certainly take
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