Jasper’s negotiation before the forming of the partnership was a success.
The experts and professors then introduced themselves and exchanged name cards with him. Every single one of them, even those that had nothing to do with the project, was filled with confidence as they shook Jasper’s hand.
After the meeting was over, Jasper returned to the dean’s office alongside Patrick.
“Dorian, could you make us some tea?” Patrick was in a great mood. After instructing Dorian to make them tea, Patrick turned to tell Jasper kindly, “We’d be elated if there were more courageous and responsible youths like you in the country, Jasper.”
Jasper waved his hand and smiled. “It’s nothing much. I’m just doing what I think is right.”
Patrick sighed and said, “These things that you consider as nothing much are almost impossible feats to many others.”
“Please don’t be too kind, Mr. Marshman, otherwise I won’t know to bring up my small request.” Jasper smiled.
Patrick had a great impression of Jasper by now, and he laughed and said, “Do tell. As long as it’s within my powers, then it won’t be an issue.”
Jasper replied, “What a coincidence, then. A word from you would actually solve this little issue of mine, Mr. Marshman.
“So basically, I have a distantly related sister. She…”
Jasper proceeded to tell him about Tiffany’s situation.
“She’s very hardworking and she loves to study. She’s talented as well, but her family conditions have been too harsh, and she has to take full responsibility for her brother’s expenses.
“What she lacks is an opportunity, which I was hoping Hoofmorn University could give to her.”
Patrick frowned slightly after he heard Jasper.
As a morally conscious individual, Patrick would never agree to anyone trying to enroll in his school through private connections. However, he could not help but consider this deeply since Jasper was the one who was requesting it.
“I don’t see why not. Compile her documents and send them to the admissions office. I still have two special offers on hand, and I can give one of them to her.”
After a short moment of thought, Patrick replied with a smile.
Jasper sighed in relief as well after he heard Patrick agree.
While Jasper did have other methods to achieve his goal, and he could always have just sent Tiffany to another university, resorting to those methods would only fracture his relationship with Patrick.
Patrick was a reasonable and suave man, so he did not put Jasper in an awkward position by declining.
After a dozen more minutes or so, Jasper received a phone call and got up to bid farewell.
Patrick shook Jasper’s hand again after walking him to the office doors.
“Then I shall await your good news, Jasper,” Patrick said seriously.
“Rest assured, Mr. Marshman. I’ll send someone here tomorrow to sign the official framework agreement of our partnership.
“Of course, for confidentiality’s sake, I do hope that Hoofmorn University will keep the specifics of our research project a secret from the outside world.
“Otherwise, the situation could potentially end badly. We might have to face a lot of unnecessary trouble if other countries got wind of this.”
Patrick nodded and replied, “Don’t worry. I’ll make the necessary preparations on my end. That Tiffany girl you spoke of, perhaps you could bring her over in a few days. It would be difficult to arrange her for admission once the timeframe passes.”
“Alright. Thank you for your trouble then, Mr. Marshman,” Jasper thanked him sincerely.
With a chuckle, Patrick patted Jasper’s shoulder affectionately and said, “Don’t let me delay you from your work any longer, then. I’ll see you off here.”
After walking out of the administrative building, Jasper turned to tell Julian, “Jul, I’ll have to trouble you to go back to Nauritus City and bring Tiffany over… She’s never been out the city before, and I worry that she’ll get lost the moment she leaves the house if I have her come on her own.”
Julian replied with a smile, “Sure, Jasper. Then I’ll get going… Should I send you back to the hotel first?”
“No need. Go back immediately. The sooner you go, the sooner you get back. I can return to the hotel myself since it’s not too far–less than a twenty-minute ride if I hail a taxi.”
Jasper was in no rush to return after Julian left. Instead, he took the nearest subway to the beach.
Jasper strolled along the beach and stared out at the expansive view before him, filled with tourists.
Hiding in a sea of tourists, Jasper let himself be engulfed by all sorts of dialects as they expressed excitement and yearning for the bustling city life.
Jasper felt that it had been ages since he had lived the life of a normal person. He soon found a random stone platform and sat down on it before pulling his phone out to dial a number.
“I was dealing with something at Hoofmorn University just now, and so I couldn’t talk too much with you. Is something up?”
Henry’s voice then sounded from the other end of the line.
“You’re at Waterhoof City too?”
“What’s with this ‘too’ of yours? I thought you were pursuing love over at Swallow Capital?” Jasper joked.
“Don’t remind me. Jill’s not interested in me at all. I spent a few days there and watched her practice at her training center every day. Her coach and teammates don’t like me since I was there for so long, so I came back first.”
Henry replied despondently.
“You’ve got to take these things slow. Jill isn’t the kind of girl you can win over with money, and I doubt you’d cherish her if she was that easy,” Jasper consoled.
Henry snickered and replied, “You’re right about that. The more she ignores me, the more interested in her I become.”
“You know, there’s an adjective that describes you perfectly right now,” Jasper claimed.
“What is it?” Henry asked curiously, “Infatuation? Or maybe handsome? Something like a rare man?”
“Cheap.”
“…”
Half an hour later, Henry found Jasper on the beach drinking a cup of bubble tea.
“You drink things like this?” Henry exclaimed in shock, as if this was the first time he was meeting Jasper.
“This is called living life. It’s not something sordid trust-fund children like you can understand. Anyway, what was so important that you had to rush over and tell me in person?” Jasper asked lazily.
Henry snickered before he answered, “Nothing much. I was meeting an old friend here in Waterhoof City, so I thought I’d share some intel when I found out you were here too.”
“Fabian’s been going to lots of places to cause you trouble lately. The sinister little sh*t wouldn’t challenge you directly, so he’s been silently contacting your enemies. It seems like he’s already found quite a few.
“My sources are definitely reliable, and I had to use my dad’s channels to understand exactly what he’s doing. You’ve got to be careful, or he’ll find everyone you’ve offended in the past to seek revenge against you at the same time. After all, you aren’t an easy opponent.”
Jasper frowned slightly and narrowed his eyes. “I remember receiving news before that Conrad’s left the country to relax.”
“You think Conrad and Fabian are in contact?” Henry asked.
“It’s hard to say,” Jasper replied heavily.
