Jasper looked at Ian coldly. The man was growing more arrogant by the second. “You really do think that you can devour all my assets, don’t you?”
Ian snorted and returned to his chair. Picking up his wine glass, he laughed loudly. “You’re telling me you have another trick up your sleeve? Look around you, Jasper. This isn’t Swallow Capital, nor is it the Southeast Province. I’ll show you just how powerful the Hull family is!
“You drove my son mad! I’m going to make you kneel before him and prostrate in apology! I’m going to destroy you!”
Ian glared at Jasper through the transparent wine glass and scoffed. The latter was expressionless. “And this is only the first wave of my plan! I’m only going to continue attacking you from here on!
“So are you here to show off or are you here to mock me?” Jasper looked at Ian calmly as if whatever the man said was not enough to faze him.
“Or perhaps, you’re here to compromise?”
Ian’s expression froze.
His eyes drilled into Jasper, and at that moment, Ian wanted nothing more than to take a look at Jasper’s brain to see what was going on inside.
Jasper had got it right. Ian did not come over to boast or mock Jasper at all.
Such things were normal for youths like Ben, but for Ian who had seen his fair share of business struggles, he knew that he had to be careful until the last moment before victory was confirmed.
The only reason he would compromise was due to the importance of the two ships that were detained in Harbor City!
Ian scoffed and replied meaningfully, “It’s always better to resolve conflicts than add to them. You’ve seen what I’m capable of, and to speak the truth, maybe I do need to put in a little more effort to completely crush you. But there’s no way you’ll ever be able to crush me.
“This is the difference between the both of us. We’ve got completely different foundations.
“You’re just representing yourself, and Dawson Schuler too, at most.
“But I have the businesspeople of Haddock on my side. You screw with me, you screw with the entire Haddock Chamber of Commerce. Forget you, not even the Law family is powerful enough to counter them!”
Ian took a deep breath and stared at Jasper icily. Slowly, he began, “Leave my two ships in Harbor City alone and I’ll consider not killing you.”
“Why? You’re scared?”
Jasper’s three words had caused a drastic change in Ian’s expression.
Glaring frostily at Jasper, Ian snorted. “Scared? Did you forget who’s territory you’re standing on right now?”
“Of course, I know that this is the Hull family’s territory, but so what? I’m here anyway, aren’t I?”
Jasper shifted to a more comfortable posture and looked at Ian before continuing plainly.
“Let’s be honest. These tricks you’re playing, they’re nothing grand at all but that’s because this is the best you can think of within such a short period of time, correct?
“I can tell that you’re panicking, or you wouldn’t have come to me so hastily and tell me so much right after pulling out those small tricks of yours.”
Jasper then slightly leaned forward and chuckled, looking at Ian. “Just what are you so panicked about? Let me take a guess, shall I?
“Could it be the two detained ships of yours in Harbor City? And the charge for smuggling goods?”
Jasper’s every word cut into Ian’s heart like daggers.
Ian felt his heart clench painfully.
Jasper’s words were the truth.
Ian was well aware that he had smuggled goods.
In those two cargo ships were a total of 100 million Somer Dollars worth of smuggled goods.
Considering the huge value, Ian was utterly screwed if it came to light.
Despite the flurry of emotions within, Ian’s expression remained indifferent.
Staring nonchalantly at Jasper, Ian scoffed. “What a vast imagination you have there. Do you think I’d be sitting here unharmed if I really smuggled goods?
“You’re too naive, Jasper. The world is more complicated than you think. Everything you see is just the image others want you to see.”
Jasper nodded in agreement. “You’re right, the world really is complicated. Or at least, your acting skills have opened a new world to me. I would’ve gone and turned myself in or fled long ago if I were you.”
Narrowing his eyes at Jasper, Ian replied calmly, “So you’re really going to fight until one of us gets completely crushed, then?!”
“I’ve already told you this back in the Southeast Province.” Jasper’s expression was still devoid of emotions.
“Then just wait and see! Even if I lose everything in the process, I’m still going to drag you under me when I fall!” Ian shot up and growled wretchedly.
“I’ll increase my attacks on both yours and Dawson’s businesses right away. How long do you think you’ll last, hmm? One week? Two weeks?”
Jasper remained unaffected and carefree in the face of Ian’s aggressive words.
Just then, Ian’s phone rang.
Ian rejected it irritatedly but the other party only called again.
Frustrated, Ian picked up the call and growled. “I’m busy now!”
“Mr. Hull, I’m the person in charge of loan transactions in ICBS’ Waterhoof City branch. I’ve called to tell you that our bank has found out about your company facing a severe financial and legal crisis.
“To ensure the security of our branch’s loan, we’d like to officially inform you that our branch’s contract with your company is to be fully terminated. You are to repay the two billion Somer Dollar loan within three business days!”
A strained voice echoed impolitely from the other end of the line.
Ian was rooted blankly in place before he suddenly roared angrily. “There’s a one-year loan repayment period stipulated in the contract! There are still a few months before the deadline! You have no right to terminate the contract now!”
“Please read through the contract carefully when you have time, Mr. Hull. The bank has the right to request repayment in advance if your company has participated in any illegal activity that could cause a problem with the bank’s loan!
“In addition to this phone call, an official letter will also be faxed to your company. We request that you treat the situation cautiously.”
Then, the person hung up on Ian.
Infuriated, Ian glared at Jasper with utmost ire. “You’re behind this too?!”
