The fact that he was dabbling in the real estate industry was also because Jasper had given him the idea. After investigating and realizing its potential, he immediately started up a company for it.
In comparison to him, there was indeed much Jim had to learn.
Jim gave it some thought and realized that Jasper was right.
He smiled. “That’s just the kind of person he is. I can only attribute our years of tight friendship to fate. I must say that you two are very alike.”
Jasper smiled. “I’d like to think that we’re more skilled at discerning. There are some things that you just can’t give in. You take one step back and you’ll end up taking more until you fall off the cliff when you run out of steps to take.
“No one’s going to pity you right now if you’re not willing to fight.”
Jim fell deep in thought at that last remark and nodded in agreement. “Yeah… After meeting so many people of such influential family backgrounds in Swallow Capital all these years, I’m starting to feel a little lost as well. I’m always afraid that I’ll accidentally offend someone.”
“I think your profession plays a part in this too. You’re a business consultant, after all. It wouldn’t be good for you to offend your customers.” Jasper smiled and gave Jim some kind words so that he would not feel embarrassed.
“Oh, Jasper! No wonder Dawson, that old fella, likes you so much. No one’s ever been as successful as you at such a young age! I wouldn’t say that your ability is any less than Dawson’s back then. Yet I can’t even find a tinge of an arrogant flame in you at all.”
“This old fella has truly found himself a treasure this time!” Jim exclaimed enviously.
“Haha, you’re too kind, Uncle Yapp. There’s not much to me for me to be arrogant about, since there are definitely people much greater than me. They’re just keeping an even lower profile, that’s all…” Jasper stated with a slight smile.
It was not an act, for Jasper truly believed from the depths of his heart that he was just a speck of dust in the world right now. His goal was to become a worldwide conglomerate.
All he had accomplished up to this point was nothing in comparison to those conglomerates. After all, what these conglomerates controlled were the economies of multiple countries!
Those were the true big shots, and Jasper refused to live a simple and plain life now that he got to start all over again!
He had to grasp every opportunity there was so that he could make his way to even more sophisticated levels step by step!
“You’re too humble, Jasper. But it’s not a bad thing. It’ll do you youngsters no good to be so arrogant anyway…”
Jim nodded, sighing internally in admiration. He did not dare to imagine how much more sophisticated Jasper could get if he kept on going at this rate!
As they spoke, the two arrived at a luxurious-looking structure next to the Workers’ Stadium.
“We’re here, Uncle Yapp.”
The four-story building was not tall, but it did take up a large flat of land. There were three entrances and exits to the garden behind it. The mere building itself was extremely pricey.
On the door were the words ‘Hoary Stock’ and there were two servers at the door.
“The Hoary Stock is not open to the public, gentlemen. Please show your membership cards,” a server requested courteously.
Jasper glanced at Jim. There was no reason for him to have a membership card at all.
“Hector told us to come in,” Jim stepped up to speak.
The server was stunned for a moment before an eerie smile graced his features. His attitude was no longer as polite when he replied simply, “You must be Jasper and Jim, then. You can just go inside. Mr. Combe has already informed us of your arrival.”
Jasper did not delve into the change in the server’s attitude and entered the doors.
On the other hand, Jim glared at the servers who were looking down on them before he quickly followed Jasper inside.
“Jesus, why on earth are those two even pretending to be cool? They’re already dead men walking,” murmured the server who had been glared at with his head down.
Behind them, Julian suddenly halted and turned to look at the servers indifferently. He was smiling as he walked through the doors.
The server was about to speak only to be shocked when he found that the solid bronze handle had been bent out of shape from Julian’s abnormal strength.
His complexion paled, and the server was too taken aback to speak. All he could do was watch as Julian followed Jasper and walked farther away.
Jasper entered the doors only to come to a halt just as he entered the large living room.
A stream of water suddenly fell from above without warning and splashed the area just before Jasper’s feet.
Had Jasper not stopped in time, he would have been drenched by now.
Jasper looked upward unfeelingly and saw Hector with a hand on the second-floor railing and an upturned bottle of mineral water.
Hector laughed mirthfully as he threw the bottle right before Jasper. He spoke in neither a bright nor sinister tone. “You’re in luck today. Come on up, I can’t f*cking wait for you to present your head on a silver platter!”
