Far away in the study of a huge manor in Suesville, Gale was brooding silently with a telephone handset in his hands. The man had lost all trace of drowsiness since he received the call from Harbor City.
“No, no, not at all. The older people get, the less they sleep. I already had a nap in the evening so I am not sleepy at all now.”
Gale replied with a crescent eyed-smile.
“You should really take good care of your health, Old Master Hurlbutt. Who knows how many people are relying on you to make a living. Not to mention that old seniors of the business are truly valuable treasures to us youths. You must take good care to ensure that nothing goes wrong with your health.”
Jasper’s calm tone sounded over the landline.
Gale furrowed his snow-white brows but his tone was still joyful and relieved when he said, “You’re still the most understanding person out there. Unlike other people who only know to anger me every day. Wouldn’t it have been great if I met you earlier?”
Jasper replied with a smile, “You’re too kind, Old Master Hurlbutt. I can’t even defend myself with the little business I have now. Had I met you earlier, Old Master Hurlbutt, I’m sure I would’ve been devoured whole and alive.”
Gale calmly commented, “Are you angry at me, sly child?”
“I had just gotten out of the forum conference and it’s only right I report to you regardless of how good or bad the outcome is. It would be a lie if I told you that I wasn’t angry. I’m still young after all, so I’m not as well-rounded and generous when it comes to many things.”
Gale suddenly chuckled.
“Haha, well then, sly child. You said that you’re here to report, so how did it go?”
Jasper replied calmly, “To you, Old Master Hurlbutt, it’s bad of course. But to me personally, it’s neither. Still, I’ve got to thank you, Old Master Hurlbutt “You’ve taught me a very valuable lesson, one that I will remember so that I don’t make the same mistakes again.”
Gale’s tone was calm and relaxed. “It’s great that you think that way. Nothing’s completely smooth-sailing in society, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing to make mistakes and lose a few times while you’re still young.”
“You’re right, Old Master Hurlbutt. I’m still young and I can afford to make mistakes. But I don’t think it’s the same for you, Old Master Hurlbutt,” Jasper said calmly.
Gale replied with a subtle smile, “So you’re planning to do something against me, then?”
“Not exactly. And even if I did have something in mind, it wouldn’t make sense for me to tell you in advance so you could prepare yourself, right?”
“Not to mention that the situation within the Haddock Chamber of Commerce is rather complex. No matter how insolent I am, I doubt I’d be arrogant enough to think that I can fight against the whole of Haddock Chamber of Commerce alone right now.”
Gale replied grimly when he heard Jasper’s claim, “So you’ll still remember what happened tonight even after you’ve grown up? Do you not think that I’ll pluck out a potential weed like you from my garden before you manage to overgrow?”
“You keep calling me a sly child, Old Master Hurlbutt, but if you allow me a moment of disrespect, you’re also a sly old man to me. Since we’re both sly, then there’s no need to keep pretending like our intentions are sincere.”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you I’d leave the matter be, would you? Nor would I believe you if you told me that you wouldn’t be wary of me.”
“Since neither of us believes the other, then there’s no need for lies and fake pleasantries either.”
“I called tonight for a very simple reason. Firstly, to report that the forum conference has come to an end with an outcome that is unfavorable to you but impartial to me.”
“Secondly to inform you that Alban and I have made a bet. He claimed that he has a weakness of yours I can exploit, which I am very interested in.”
Gale did not react for a long time after Jasper was done. While the latter could not see Gale’s expression from where he was, Jasper could almost guess that the old man was rather pissed now.
“It’s as he said. The Haddock and Teo Chambers of Commerce are opposing parties, and each side hopes for the downfall of the other.”
