The fall of the Hanks family caused an uproar within the entire Southeast Province.
It was abrupt and under the intervention of the Provincial High Court where all courthouses in prefecture-level cities within the province were to investigate all of the Hanks family’s assets.
Seeing the red tape that sealed off the Hanks family’s properties, people could not help but remember how the Hanks family had blindly attacked JW Real Estates’ projects. In the end, JW Real Estates stood strong while the Hanks family had fallen.
Everyone could not help but look in the direction of JW Real Estates. No one dared to look down on this company anymore.
They knew that change was about to hit Southeast Province.
At Nauritus City in the provincial capital, in the study of Monty Manor.
Conrad had his hands under his chin as he listened to his subordinate’s report.
“Mr. Monty, that’s basically the situation now. All members of the Hanks family have already left Southeast Province last night. They’ve all gone to other places and some even left the country. It seems like it’s truly over for them.”
Conrad was unfazed, and there was no sign of mirth nor anger in his eyes.
“What about Sirius?” he asked faintly.
“Unreachable. He’s completely dropped off the grid and our people are unable to find any traces of him,” the subordinate replied carefully. He was afraid that his inability to trace Sirius would irk his employer.
Conrad separated his hands and pulled out a cigar from his drawer. Cutting it carefully, he spoke with his head still down, “It’s not your fault. Sirius had spent decades working in Southeast Province, after all. It’s only normal for him to have a few methods to save himself at such a time. If he truly wishes to run, then there’s no holding him back.”
“Should we continue searching for him?” the subordinate asked, exhaling a breath of relief.
“No need. The Hanks family is over.” Conrad sighed unexpectedly.
Not even the man himself remembered when was the last time he sighed, but it must have been years ago. He had lived his life confidently since he made a name for himself at a young age, and nothing nor anyone seemed to be worthy of his sighs from then on.
However, Conrad could not help but feel a wave of exhaustion wash over him now.
“Jasper has dealt me a heavy blow and he’s not giving me the chance to take a breather at all. Should we borrow money to help the Hanks family at such a time? Then we’d surely lose when it comes to Skyward Aluminum’s shares.
“He has already foreseen that we won’t give up Skyward Aluminum just to help the Hanks family, so I have no other choice but to take the hit. I have to say, this hit hurts.”
Conrad slammed his palm on the mahogany table as he spoke, and there was a cold glint shining in his eyes.
“So what if this is the end of the Hanks family? We’ve already wrung them dry of their use to us anyway… How’s the progress with Colin from Southeast Province Mining Co., Ltd going?”
The subordinate’s expression changed slightly and he looked down, not daring to look at Conrad’s expression. He spoke softly, “Mr. Monty, Colin claimed that he had left Nauritus City for a business trip… but our men saw him in the city yesterday.”
“This fellow knows that there’s another party also seeking his mining company’s support, so he’s only agreeing to whoever pays the higher price then?” Conrad spoke coldly.
“Call him again. Tell him that I’m treating him to a meal and ask if he’s free enough to talk. If he can’t come down to the city, then I’ll look for him where he is. He’s just a general manager. We can find someone else to take his place if he’s unwilling to listen. No matter what, I will not let Jasper get his hands on this.”
The subordinate hastily replied, “Yes, I understand.”
“Go, then.”
With a wave of his hand, Conrad had the subordinate leave. Peace returned to the study, and Conrad walked toward the window with his hands behind his back. Staring at the newly sprouted grass downstairs, he murmured, “The year 2001 sure is filled with hardships!”
…
In a hotel, Jasper was currently treating someone to a meal.
It was none other than the general manager of Southeast Province Mining Co., Ltd, Colin Walter.
Even though Jasper was hosting, the main character of the night was Henry instead.
This little brat had indeed brought Jasper a surprise.
“Here, a toast to you, Mr. Law.” Colin raised his wine glass and stood, leaning over lightly as he proclaimed courteously.
Henry beamed as he knocked his glass with Colin’s. “Don’t worry about your daughter and son-in-law’s businesses in Harbor City, Mr. Walter. I’ll call them in a bit and put my name in. I’ll make sure they earn a lot.”
Colin brightened up immediately. “Mr. Law, I’ve lived more than half my life and the most important part of my life is this daughter of mine. I’m not too outstanding myself, so I sent both her and her husband to Harbor City.
“It’s not easy for those from the Mainland to make a living in Harbor City, and I’d be very grateful if you could look out for them, Mr. Law.”
Henry gave Jasper a weird look when he heard Colin claim that it was hard for those from the Mainland to make a living in Harbor City.
“Don’t worry about it, I already promised that I would help.” Henry grinned and then spoke intently, “But about my friend’s situation? What do you think we should do about it?”
Colin’s expression changed slightly as he looked at Jasper with a smile. With a conflicted look on his face, he replied, “Mr. Law, Mr. Laine, I’m not trying to decline you, but there really isn’t much I can do.
“You should know that even though I’m the mining company’s general manager, it still isn’t my company. It’s the higher-ups who decide what happens and they’ve already told me we will remain impartial to the situation between Mr. Laine and Mr. Monty.
“Both you and Mr. Monty are formidable men, Mr. Laine. I’m merely someone who survives on a salary. I cannot afford to offend anyone.”
Henry’s expression darkened instantly at Colin’s words.
It was a rare chance that he got to show his abilities in front of Jasper, yet this *sshole was about to screw him over.
“Now, this, Mr. Walter, I don’t like hearing. Don’t pull the higher-ups into our conversation now. I’ve promised to help your daughter and her husband, so I will. I have no complaints. But the moment I ask you for a bit of help, you start giving me excuses and whatnot. Are you looking down on my abilities?”
People like Henry mainly came in contact with other big shots. Even in situations where Henry’s existence was just as an insignificant youth, he was still much more formidable than nobodies like Colin.
Colin’s words had also ignited Henry’s spoilt temper at that moment and he exploded.
“Look, there’s no point in saying nonsense now, so let me just get straight to the point and tell you what’s going to happen.
“If you promise to help, then everyone will be happy and I promise that your daughter and her husband will live a sophisticated life worthy of the upper class. You know my family background, so I’m sure you know that I have the power to make that happen.
“But if this really is out of your hands and you can’t help, then that’s alright too. I don’t like forcing people to do things. But I also can’t promise what’s going to happen to your daughter and son-in-law in Harbor City. As I said just now, I have the power to make anything happen.”
With that, Henry then clapped a hand on Colin’s taut shoulder while grinning. “Understood?”
