“I heard the Hanks family has been doing business in the electronics industry. It seems that business is great and you’re earning quite a lot?” Jasper asked calmly.
Sirius’ expression darkened. “What are you implying here?”
“Nothing much. It’s just that the biggest electronics trade in the south is mostly in the hands of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce Waterhoof City branch, no? I’m sure that you’re working with someone from there, aren’t you, Mr. Hanks?” Jasper asked with a wide grin.
Sirius scoffed and spoke, “Are you telling me you’re going to steal my business now? I’m not looking down on you, Jasper, but aren’t you overestimating yourself here? This is a business cooperation that makes a couple of billions every year. Who are you to steal it from me?
“I can generously tell you that yes, my boss is the largest electronics company in Waterhoof City and they’re indeed from the Haddock Chamber of Commerce. But so what? Do you think they’ll agree to work with you instead?”
Jasper smiled. “My apologies, I must’ve forgotten to tell you. I’ll be going to Waterhoof City in a few days when the New Year’s holiday is officially over. I have a new identity now, the vice president of Haddock Chamber of Commerce’s Waterhoof City branch. I’m sure you’re well aware of what this position entails, right, Mr. Hanks?”
Sirius’ expression changed drastically. He looked very uncomfortable as he stared at Jasper. “Bullsh*t. You’ve never been a member of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce, so what makes you think you could be the vice president of its Waterhoof City branch, huh?”
“I’d say the fact that Gale himself asked me to take on the role is reason enough.” Jasper shrugged as if he was dissatisfied by the fact.
“I didn’t really want to take the role considering how I already had a lot on my plate, but it’s hard to refuse someone when they’re so sincere about it. He’s an old man, and it wouldn’t be right of me to continuously disrespect him by rejecting his proposal, would it?”
Sirius’ eyes shone with disbelief as he gasped. “You were the one who overthrew Ian?”
“Oh! I’m surprised to see that you’re so knowledgeable, Mr. Hanks,” Jasper commented.
“Don’t act so proud!”
Sirius now regretted ever being blinded by the prospect of gaining benefits and agreeing to join Zayden in this scheme. At this moment, he had no other choice but to bow down to Jasper.
“The chamber is no more than a loose business organization. What makes you think a vice president like you will be able to convince someone to drop a partnership that makes them a couple of billion Somer Dollars each year? You’re too naive!”
Jasper looked at Sirius intently and spoke, “What if it was for a trade that guaranteed ten billion Somer Dollars per year?”
Then, without looking at Sirius’ aghast expression, Jasper and Julian walked toward the door.
“Jasper!” Sirius called out.
Jasper’s figure halted just by the door but he did not turn around.
“Are you really going to go so far? How about we talk about this?” Sirius sounded aggrieved.
“Even if you agree, will Sylva?” Jasper asked.
“I’m the head of the family here,” Sirius frowned and uttered distastefully.
“But from what I’ve seen, Sylva was much smarter than you and Zayden put together. After everything that’s happened, have you ever seen him put himself in the spotlight?” Jasper asked calmly.
Sirius seemed to have been enlightened and was stunned by the revelation.
“As long as Sylva is still here, I have no other choice but to completely crush the Hanks family.”
By the time Jasper’s words reached Sirius, the man himself had already left.
“You leave me no choice, Jasper!”
Sirius roared embarrassingly in the empty house.
