“Over four billion…”
It was a figure that would raise blood pressures and burst arteries. Jack felt his scalp go numb at the sight.
While his current boss was Charles Granger, the richest man in the world, and four billion dollars was only a fraction of his wealth, it was only because Charles was his boss.
As a professional manager, Jack’s annual salary was already considered to be one of the country’s top-paid occupations. Still, Jack’s mouth dried at the sight of such a terrifying figure.
“If you still have any doubts, Mr. Tanner, you can come with me to Commercial Bank to verify it,” Jasper spoke plainly.
Jack smiled in embarrassment and could hear the jab in Jasper’s words. “That’s alright. I’m sure you have no reason to joke about something like this, Mr. Laine.”
“Indeed. Both our time is too precious for that.” Jasper gestured back at the seat Jack had sat on before. Understanding what he meant, Jack sat back down.
Jack recollected his emotions and spoke, “If I may ask, Mr. Laine, is all your capital yours or your family’s, or is it a joint venture?”
Jasper smiled. “Are you updated with the futures market, Mr. Tanner?”
Jack nodded. “I haven’t dabbled in it myself, but I do know that two mysterious retail investors have recently appeared in the futures market.
“One of them earned tens of millions worth of revenue with just a few hundred thousand as capital in the domestic bean futures market not too long ago.
“While the other took a step further with international crude oil futures, earning a whopping few billions… Wait. Were both retail investor accounts yours?”
Jack was stunned by his own deduction as he stared at Jasper in disbelief.
“Precisely speaking, I didn’t have even a dollar to myself a month ago. I got myself an 800-million-dollar loan with my house’s mortgage, and that 800 million has become this much.”
There was no hint of boasting in Jasper’s tone. In fact, the man sounded like he was retelling a normal occurrence.
Dazzled, Jack muttered to himself, “People in the financial circle have been looking for the identity of these two mysterious retail investors this entire time. I never thought that it’d be you. It’ll be thundering news should the public come to know that both accounts belong to the same young man.”
“Now isn’t the time to make it public.” Jasper smiled and asked, “Well then, Mr. Tanner, is there anything else you’d like to know?”
Jack asked, “I have no doubts about your abilities, Mr. Laine. But I’m curious about which industry you’d like to venture into.”
Ordinary employees tended to ask about wages and benefits, for a good boss was one who gave a high salary.
Jack, however, was more concerned about the boss’ ideals. He would not entertain the idea at all if their ideals did not align.
Such a level of cooperation was essentially a mutual inspection between the boss and their professional manager, as opposed to the boss interviewing employees one-sidedly.
In response to Jack’s question, Jasper replied with utter certainty, “The internet.”
With memories of what would happen in 20 years, Jasper knew very well that the internet would be an industry that would create the most miracles in this era.
Both Abbylon Inc. and Terizone Inc. in the future were companies that dealt with the internet. Those were the true giants of the industry.
Jack’s eyes shone as he looked at Jasper intently. “Let’s not talk about the domestic market. Not even investment groups overseas are optimistic when it comes to the internet. They see the current trend of the internet as something fragile that would easily shatter. Are you confident, Mr. Laine?”
Jasper gave a small smile. “It all goes down to the ability to profit when it comes to making an industry prosper. The only reason why internet companies around the world right now can’t make money is that they haven’t found a method to monetize website traffic.
“As a result, most of the upward trend in this market you see now is due to capital speculation. I wouldn’t fault anyone for calling it fragile at all since it will shatter. But I also firmly believe that the internet will affect our way of life as a whole within the next 20 years.”
Jasper pointed at Andros’ bustling nightlife outside the coffee shop and spoke in a tone so confident it was borderline maddening.
“Look, the country’s filled with chances and gold right now. I’m going to create a world so prosperous and then I’ll stand right at the top of this world. Are you willing to miss out on this, Jack?”
Jack remained quiet for two minutes before he finally made his mind and reached a hand out to Jasper. “I look forward to working with you.”
Jasper laughed and reached out to shake Jack’s hand. “You won’t be disappointed.”
Now that they had decided on working together, Jack asked, “When do you plan to start the company, Mr. Laine? I have to submit my resignation with Weresoft first and that’ll take around a week.”
“A week’s enough. Come to look for me in my city in a week.”
With the partnership established, Jasper left the coffee shop with the other two in tow. The three of them went to an Italian restaurant and got to know each other better while they ate.
Jack and Jasper talked a lot during dinner, mostly exchanging business ideals with one another.
Jack was surprised to find that despite Jasper’s young age and the fact that he had spent his entire life within the country, he had a sharp mind when it came to business planning and looking out for trends. Not to mention that the young man’s vision was extremely long-term and many of their ideals coincided.
Jack’s expression was filled with excitement and anticipation by the time they parted ways. He could not wait to start at Jasper’s company and work up a storm.
Getting into the car, Wendy sighed in admiration. “Sometimes I just want to open up your brain and take a look at what goes on inside, Jasp.”
“For a professional manager like Jack with his eyes set on the sky, I don’t even think he’d agree if it was my dad who invited him, if I’m being honest. So why would he listen to you?”
Jasper smiled. “How much he gets paid annually doesn’t matter to people like Jack, because realizing his goals and ambition is what’s more important to him. What he needs is a platform and an opportunity to do so.”
“Then why would he resign from Weresoft? That’s the company with the highest market price in the world. His boss is the richest man in the world,” Wendy asked curiously.
“That’s because Weresoft’s too big. Jack knows that no matter how outstanding he is, it won’t change the fact that he’s still just an outsider. He won’t get to make use of his best abilities with Weresoft, but he can with me. That’s why he’ll join us.”
Wendy nodded as if she understood and looked out the window to stare at Andros’ bustling nightlife, sighing. “Andros sure is flourishing.”
“Our country is in for rapid development in the future. What you see now is just Andros getting started. Skyscrapers will fill the land before you know it and Andros will become Alexandria’s as well as the entire world’s economic center.”
Jasper’s tone was confident. “By then, my name will be spread by countless people across the city, as well as the entire world.”
Stunned, Wendy stared blankly at Jasper for a moment. She must have thought of something, for she broke into a beautiful smile. Her beauty resembled hundreds of flowers blooming at the same time. The inside of the car was suddenly tinted in a warm and amorous color.
“I believe you!”
