“You sounded so urgent over the phone. I had to rush here as soon as I dropped off the call. What is the problem?” Blade said immediately that he got to Jack's office and relaxed a bit on a seat.Jack was short on words. He looked at Blade and handed the letter to him without saying a word.“You can actually let me know what is there rather than giving me to go through it.”“I think it's better you read through,” Jack replied.Blade took a brief look at the paper and then raised his head. “Who could have reported to the board that you fabricated the license for your firm?”“My brother, it seems it's quite unbelievable what people could wake up and think of doing,” Jack responded.“Well, I think you only need to counter them with wisdom. If you bounce hard the way you feel about this, you might end up getting on the board’s bad book, and you know what that means.”“I fully understand. I will present my licenses and permits to them. But my only problem is that they have canceled my resu
Jack got to the New York State board of public accounting early enough, when most of the staff had not come to work.His eyes were red and puffy, like overpriced berries. The thought of the allegation weighed heavily on him; he had a sleepless night.Jack had called his company’s lawyer, and he gave him the reason he couldn't come, explaining he was out of town.The lawyer happened to be a general lawyer; most of them who owned an accounting firm patronized his services.So he knew he had to face this alone with his head held high.Jack inquired and met the licensing board investigator, who questioned him about the accusation. And then he gathered all the necessary documents that he would present as witness statements of evidence to the accounting license unit.He asked Jack to go and have a seat while he waited on the judgment from the board.After some moments, he heard a low, menacing tone that lingered in his ears, just behind where he sat. “Who do we have at the mercy of the Boar
Jack adjusted his shirt as he stepped into the studio to have a seat. Across from where he sat was Mr. Jones, with a smug grin plastered across his face.A woman with a perfectly silver-coiffed mane showed up. She happened to be the host, “Welcome to 'Financial Face-Off'! We have a serious allegation. Mr. Jones Cloud here claims that you, Mr. Jack Ford, have been operating your accounting firm with forged licenses and permits.”With the revelation, everything was beginning to make more sense to Jack. It was clear that Mr. Jones was the mastermind behind the accusation. He knew there was more to the public audit; it was a calculated attempt to destroy his career. With the thought of that, his blood ran cold.Jones leaned forward, his voice dripping with mock concern. “Indeed, he is.”“Hold on, we didn't ask for your opinion for now,” the host interrupted him and continued. “The integrity of the financial sector hinges on qualified professionals. I believe a live demonstration of your
Later, as Jack exited the studio, a group of people approached him, their expressions filled with newfound respect. He recognized them as those who came with Mr. Jones earlier; they happened to be Mr. Jones' clients and investors.“Mr. Jacks,” one remarked, “your explanation was excellent. I'd be very interested in discussing my financial needs with your firm.”Jack, vindicated and buoyed by the turn of events, offered a genuine smile. “Thank you. I'd be happy to.”The other inquired, “I hope you don't mind if I switch my company to the winning team’s accounting firm, sir?” Others nodded simultaneously at his request.It all sounded hilarious to Jack that they referred to his firm as the winning team, and he let out a wild smile. “Of course, I don't mind.” Jack replied, and they left the spot with high expectations.The ordeal had not only cleared Jack’s name but also transformed a potential allegation into an unexpected opportunity.As Jack approached his car to leave, he heard his n
Immediately, Jack walked into his house and said, “Congratulations, Jack!” Jasmine exclaimed, holding up a tablet displaying news articles that read, “Accountant Excels in Public Audit Demonstration. Jackal and Co. Enterprise’s president wins over a rival.”“I think they're calling you the 'financial explainer extraordinaire,'” Jasmine teased.Social media was flooded with praise for his clear and insightful explanation.Jack chuckled, a wave of excitement washing over him. “Extraordinaire, huh? Maybe a bit much, but I'll take it.” Subsequently, he made himself comfortable in his favorite spot in the sitting room, where he collapsed onto a couch.“Please, let's have a drink. This calls for celebration.” Blade, who couldn't contain how happy he was over his boss' victory, ordered the maid, who served them two bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grand Cru.“Young master, you killed the show. I watched everything play out from the beginning until the end. You are indeed a genius. To
“I came to congratulate you on your victory, boss,” Kate said as she sat on the seat offered by Jack in his office.“I didn't get to know about it earlier; I would have watched it as I heard it was displayed live on national TV, but I got the news later online after that.”“Thank you, Kate,” Jack replied with a wave of a smile across his face as he sipped from his mug of coffee.“Indeed, you have taken the company's name to the highest phase. I can confidently say that I am a proud worker. All thanks to your brave approach to the whole problem,” Kate praised her boss and continued. “The last time you were asking me if I had a hand in the issue, and the next thing, you scaled through it all.” She narrated as she remembered when his boss asked her about having anything to do with the board, saying he had some forged license, but she has gotten to understand that Jack had to react that way. “Once again, congratulations, boss.”“I am impressed with your words. Thank you.” He knew he at
Kate asked for Jack’s personal office computer, and Jack slid it to her side, while he and Blade were right behind her with their seats to watch what she was about to do. The alluring fragrance that escaped from her was just the right scent, but it was the most inappropriate time to think about that.She tried to log in after Jack put in his password and noticed the computer was malfunctioning, as it continuously displayed corrupted financial data and error codes.Everyone was panicked, including the one who said she was helping to fish the hacker out, Kate. This was more than what she expected; she never knew the extent to which the hacker had gone. It was written all over her that she got a bit tense and confused as her fingers kept panicking, but she would rather not give up; she believed she could try out something.Jack slumped back in his chair, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. This wasn't a random attack. Someone with a clear motive was trying to destroy him, h
Jack and Blade were in a mask of anticipation as they waited for their encounter with the elusive anonymous contact at the city mall.Fifteen minutes from the time that they arrived there, a young man, barely out of his teens, slid into the booth at the mall where Jack and Blade were seated.He was clad in a hoodie that seemed a size too large, with a worn baseball cap.“Bazz,” the message indicated. How he got to know the exact place they were seated to locate them was astonishing to them.Bazz exuded a nervous energy that clashed with the reputation of a skilled hacker. Just then, a decision simmered within Jack. He could expose Bazz to the authorities there, potentially putting the young boy's future at risk. But then, that wouldn't fetch him any good, nor would the young boy. So he was moved to talk some senses into his skull.“How can a young guy like you, who is barely eighteen, engage himself in hacking into people’s digital data and compromising their security system? Don’t y