Lisa pushed the door open, and before she could enter the room, she choked and sputtered due to the overwhelming cloud of smoke.
“Why’re you smoking so much, Dad?”
Lisa had changed greatly from how she used to be in the past.
Donning a long-sleeved top and long pants, her short ear-length hair made her look smart.
Coupled with the glint of resentment and hatred in her eyes, the woman sent shivers down people’s spines.
“Can you contact anyone from the construction site?” Norman asked instead of replying.
“No.”
Lisa shook her head and opened the study windows to let fresh air into the room. She sighed. “Dad, we should be thinking of how to deal with at this stage. There’s no point in locking yourself in the study to smoke.”
“What solution could there be?”
The corner of Norman’s lips twitched. “Jasper’s already arrived at Waterhoof City. He’s definitely found out what we’ve done, and considering his temper, there’s no way he’d let us go.”
“We did this with the idea to fight to the death, didn’t we?” Lisa spoke firmly.
“What was Old Master Hurlbutt’s game by assigning Jasper as the vice president? He’s obviously trying to take your power away!
“Old Master Hurlbutt was also really ambiguous when we and Uncle had a conflict with Jasper.
“Even though Jasper was the one who destroyed Uncle’s family, who knows if Old Master Hurlbutt had given him the green light to do so? Jasper wouldn’t be able to do anything if Old Master Hurlbutt was firm about protecting the Hull family.
“Now that uncle’s family is done for, Old Master Hurlbutt even had Jasper assume the position of Waterhoof City Branch’s Vice President.
“Instead of asking you, the president, to attend the asset forum, Old Master Hurlbutt even had Jasper go instead. He’s never even showed up once as vice president before. Old Master Hurlbutt’s obviously telling the rest of the Chamber that he doesn’t like us.
“We aren’t doing anything wrong, Dad. We’re taking revenge for Uncle Ian and protecting ourselves. Jasper would still attack us even if we didn’t do anything, so there’s no going back now. We just need to fight Jasper to the end.”
Norman’s expression was solemn as he heard Lisa speak.
“Did you tell Mr. Atticus about the situation?” Norman asked.
Lisa nodded and replied, “I did. Mr. Atticus told us not to worry and that he’ll act at the right time. He’s also prepared a lot of follow-up trouble for Jasper, so he won’t be able to save himself when the time comes.”
Norman nodded at the first bit of good news he had heard today, and a small smile graced his face. “Good, Mr. Atticus is reliable after all… I heard you went to Harbor City last week. Was it to be with Mr. Atticus?”
Lisa replied calmly, “Weren’t you the one who taught me to grab ahold of an opportunity with two hands no matter what the costs, Dad?”
“Did that Mr. Atticus promise you anything?” Norman asked attentively.
Norman flushed in excitement at the thought of being Mr. Atticus’ father-in-law. The Gardner family would soar if this happened.
Yet, Lisa immediately poured cold water on Norman’s excitement.
“That’s not going to happen, Dad. I did sleep with Mr. Atticus, but he’s had more women on his bed than you have cigarette butts in your ashtray. Not even I would entertain the idea of marrying into his family.”
Norman’s expression darkened and he sighed. “I don’t even know if I made the right decision sending you over to Mr. Atticus’ side.”
Lisa replied harshly, “I’d be willing to sleep with beggars and rascals if it means that Jasper will be crushed! Let alone Mr. Atticus.”
“What do we do next, then? Jasper’s definitely going to take revenge on us,” Norman asked with a frown, reluctant to continue this topic.
“We wait…”
Lisa replied grimly, “Hold on a little longer. Mr. Atticus still needs to contact another important player first. If he manages to win them over, then this person will help greatly in our plans to target Jasper. Mr. Atticus also needs to arrange for backup, so he needs some time to prepare everything.
“eMr. Atticus wants us to hold him off a little longer. This is the mission he gave you, Dad.”
Norman spoke solemnly, “We don’t have any other option now. Let’s just hold him off for as long as we can, then. I’d also like to see how Jasper plans to counter us.”
“Mr. Atticus said that Jasper would most likely attack us through the Chamber of Commerce. Since he’s going to attend the asset forum conference on behalf of the Chamber, this is a great chance he won’t ignore.”
“Mr. Atticus even predicted that? Alright, then. If he’s planning to attack me through the Chamber, then I should still be able to deal with him,” Norman spoke, energized.
…
Jasper walked out of the hotel room the next morning and was about to eat breakfast with Julian downstairs when he saw Sean exit the elevator exhaustedly.
“Did you just get back?” Jasper asked.
Sean had held a meeting with the Waterhoof City branch overnight after the real estate company’s senior executive conference the night before. The meeting aimed to relay the spirit of the head office’s conference, as well as carry out the details decided during the session.
“The meeting just ended, and all personnel transfer procedures have just gone through. They’ll be carried out immediately,” Sean replied.
Jasper nodded and replied, “Let’s eat breakfast together first. Then you can come back and rest. Don’t neglect your meals no matter how tired you feel. It’s not worth harming your own health for work.”
Sean kept the elevator doors open for them and chose the floor with the buffet restaurant after Jasper and Julian got in. Then, he turned to Jasper and spoke remorsefully.
“Mr. Laine, it’s my fault for not being negligent. I didn’t expect so many people within the Waterhoof City branch to have been corrupt.”
“Not to mention that the overall atmosphere at the branch is negligent and lazy. It’s only been a few days and there are already self-interest-serving groups and alliances forming within the company. I should’ve kept a tighter leash on them.”
Jasper waved him off. “I understand that you’re busy too. The real estate company’s growing larger and there are more things you have to overlook and head.
“Not to mention that the siege from the three other real estate companies with Softwin’s support in Southeast Province hasn’t ended yet. You can’t clone yourself, so I understand that you can’t deal with everything.
“I’ve already had human resource begin a search to get you some help. I’ll assign you two deputies to help shoulder your burden.”
Jasper’s words caused Sean’s expression to sour.
It was only natural the man did not want to share after discovering how good it felt to be in a position of power. Yet, from the way Jasper spoke, it looked like Sean did not have any choice but to accept it.
Not to mention, reality had all but proven his inability to handle everything on his own.
“I understand, Mr. Laine.”
