Although he had been here several times before, Jasper still felt impressed every time he stood in front of the manor that covered such an expansive area. This old man was so damn extravagant. Only God knew how much money this old man had.
In an unprecedented act, Gale actually appeared at the door this time. It seemed that he was here to welcome Jasper.
“Old Master Hurlbutt, please be careful. I don’t deserve you coming out to receive me.” Jasper walked up to meet him quickly. He said as he bent over slightly and hunbled himself.
No matter how annoying the old man was, or even if there was beef between the two of them, this was a business matter.
If you did not know how to put up a façade while you were conducting business, then your business would not grow no matter how long you ran it.
Gale replied with a chuckle, “You sly child, I know you wish for me to be bed-ridden forever, right?”
Jasper chuckled and said, “I don’t have the guts to do that Old Master Hurlbutt, you’re my senior so how would I dare to have that thought as your junior?”
“Do you not have the guts, or do you not yet have the guts?” Gale asked.
Jasper laughed and pointed at a pair of stone lions at the entrance. He said, “These lions looked oddly formidable. These two were not here when I came last time, right?”
“The ones you saw last time were fake while these are real. When Napoleon was still in power, these were placed in front of his home. Back then, the museum wanted to display them so I borrowed them. After the exhibition was over, they returned them to me. See, I just put them back in their original places.”
Gale grinned and said carefreely, but what he said was indeed terrifying.
The statues should be at least a few centuries old if it came from Napoleon’s estate. It would be regarded as an amazing artifact no matter where it was placed. However, when it was with Gale, it was just placed casually at the entrance to his home. If the experts saw this, they would be heartbroken.
“Old Master Hurlbutt, you’re so impressive,” Jasper praised.
“A stone lion is just a stone lion even if it is old. Its purpose is still to watch over a house. So, I am using them to their full potential by placing them here. Each of them is a few hundred kilograms anyway so I am not afraid of people stealing them,” Gale said as he guffawed.
After he said that, Gale looked at Henry who had no expression as he stood next to Jasper.
“Kid, do you still remember me?” Gale asked with a grin.
Henry did not become unbridled and impudent in front of this 80-year-old man. After all, he was a Law, so as a junior, he still knew how to respect his elders no matter what.
“Hello, Old Master Hurlbutt. I’ve long since forgotten you.”
Gale laughed and said, “Of course. When I last saw you, you still had to be carried. How is your grandfather?”
Henry nodded and said, “Thank you for your concern, Old Master Hurlbutt. My grandpa is in good health. He’s always talkng about how he misses his old friends when he was young. He wonders when he can see them again.”
“No, thank you.” Gale waved his hand, “Your grandfather is too great, and I still owe him a favor, so it will be best if I do not see him.”
After chatting, Gale led the two into the courtyard. They went straight into Gale’s study without any delay.
The study was not small. It was not so much a study room as it was a library. Except for a large antique red sandalwood desk, the rest of the room were mostly filled with rows of bookshelves.
There were new books, old books, and even thread-bound books. The whole room was filled with the unique scent of paper and ink.
Ignoring everything else, just from the sheer quantity of these books, one could see that Gale was indeed different from ordinary people.
Jasper looked up and saw the calligraphy hanging behind the desk in the study.
‘Even though there were a lot of things happening around me, I am fearless as I have power. My life is carefree too, so I can spend time in my garden reading.’
