Darrel did not sit, opting to stand and speak to Jasper instead. “Jasper, did the Southface River construction site catch fire?”
There was no way such a grave incident could be covered up.
While it was still New Year’s holiday, it was not an excuse for the media not to report such a large incident.
The news of the fire at the Southface River construction site was being heavily discussed in the entire Southeast Province.
It had become the first large incident in the year 2001.
“Indeed. There was no way we could’ve foreseen such an accident,” Jasper replied calmly.
Darrel’s expression was conflicted as he spoke softly, “Jasper, this fire… You lost quite a lot because of it, haven’t you?”
“Not too much, just 100 million.” Jasper’s tone was casual as if he was talking about 100 bucks instead.
“Why? You sound very concerned about this incident.”
Jasper’s words made Darrel shudder. The latter looked up at Jasper with a deep gaze, and his knees suddenly bent forward as he kneeled on the ground. With a sob, he apologized, “I’m sorry, Jasper! Please forgive me!”
Narrowing his eyes, Jasper did not move. He did not even help the other up as he stared at Darrel kneeling before him. Jasper merely spoke calmly, “What did you do that requires my forgiveness?”
As though he had made the biggest decision, Darrel clenched his jaw and replied, “I was the one who set the fire!”
Jasper did not reply and merely stared at Darrel.
Under Jasper’s gaze, Darrel felt as if the oxygen around him was getting sucked and he was no longer able to breathe freely.
After some time, when Darrel’s forehead was filled with beads of sweat and he felt like he was about to suffocate, Jasper finally broke the silence.
“Do you know what your biggest weakness is, Darrel?”
Darrel looked up at Jasper in confusion.
Jasper smiled and continued to speak, “You can’t lie.
“That’s why I had already decided since the beginning that you weren’t going to make it as a businessman. I even decided that if you made a big loss, I’d still cover for you and pay off your debts.
“But I never expected to be the first person you’re lying to since our partnership.
“It’s a shame that I don’t plan to play along with this lie for you.”
Darrel shivered and looked at Jasper in disbelief. “Jasper, what…”
Jasper picked up the coffee cup and took a sip as he spoke calmly, “Terence was the one who set the fire, wasn’t he?”
Darrel was stricken and pale.
“And the reason why you’re willing to take the blame for him is so that I won’t look into him, correct? You could have just kept quiet and pretended not to know anything at all. After all, he’s done a very clean job and it’d be very difficult for me to hold him accountable.”
Then, Jasper smiled. “Of course, that’s before you decided to come and be his scapegoat. Now I know he’s the one who did it.”
Darrel shook his head instinctively. “No, I was the one behind it all. This has nothing to do with him at all—”
“Darrel Laine!”
Jasper shouted suddenly and slammed the coffee cup against the stone table heavily. Coffee splashed everywhere, wetting the area.
“As far as I’m concerned, spoiled brats aren’t lost causes. With enough setbacks, it’ll only be a matter of time before people like him realize that not everyone in this world is his parents and no one is obligated to help him.
“Those who are truly evil are people who still decide to let him be despite knowing that he has made a grave mistake on the pretext of protecting him. Now these people can f*ck right off!”
