Fletcher replied grimly, “No matter what the actual situation was, he did break Ned’s arm. The Adkins family can forget about working in Reed City if I’m not even going to get justice for my son.”
Nodding, Len replied, “Alright, it seems like we’re on the same page, then. The Coine and the Adkins families have been close since our father’s generation. There’s no way I’d stand still and watch as someone bullies Ned.”
“Dad, Uncle Adkins, I don’t plan on giving the city government that 950 million,” Marcus spoke darkly.
“They’re obviously targeting us. The past few years of work would’ve been for nothing if I just gave them that money.”
Len was about to speak when Marcus’ phone rang.
“It’s Mr. Powers from the city government.” Marcus’ expression changed as he accepted the call.
After a moment, Marcus hung up the call angrily and spoke, “Dad, Uncle Adkins, Mr. Powers wants me to pay the 950 million bidding price within three business days as per the regulations. What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t spout nonsense!”
Len glared at Marcus who did not seem to know how to choose his words properly and growled. “There are some things that you can just keep to yourself, okay? You don’t have to exclaim every single thought that comes to your mind! How old are you, huh? Can you still not tell the difference between what you can and cannot say?”
Marcus replied angrily, “Mr. Powers sounded really stern on the phone. He said that if I don’t pay up, the city government will then sue us and we’ll be brought to court. By then, they’ll even investigate and charge me for defrauding state-owned property! It’s not even that big of a deal and they’re blowing this out of proportion!”
At that, Len’s expression changed as well.
He looked at Fletcher and spoke grimly, “It’s that person who newly took office in the city government, isn’t it?”
Fletcher sneered, “It has to be. He’s the only one who doesn’t like us. They’ve made quite a few moves against us recently so there’s no way they’d let go of this opportunity.”
“Hmph, the Coine family isn’t their punching bag.” Len scoffed and turned to Marcus, saying, “You have three more days, right? So before those days are up, I’d like you to get something done.”
“What is it?” Marcus asked.
“You said Jasper bribed this man called Chad? Then go and think of a plan to get him fired.”
…
The Coine and Adkins families were terrifyingly powerful in Reed City. The following night, Jasper received a phone call from Chad.
Walking out from the hotel, Jasper and Julian arrived at a skewers stall and saw Chad smoking by the road despondently.
“You’re here, Mr. Laine.” Chad quickly snuffed out the bud of his cigarette when he saw Jasper walk over.
While just as polite as before, Chad was also speaking to Jasper with a shred of respect and caution now.
Jasper pretended not to realize this slight yet important change and glanced at the small pool of cigarette buds on the floor beside Chad with a smile. “Is something bothering you, Mr. Wright?”
Chad smiled bitterly. “You don’t have to address me so politely anymore.”
“Come sit, I’ll tell you as we eat.”
Under Chad’s lead, Jasper and Julian sat at the table. Chad smiled at Jasper and spoke, “I love skewers, Mr. Laine, so much that I’d eat it every few days. So forgive me for not inviting you out to a high-class restaurant.”
“My parents were farmers. I don’t care much about how cheap the food is, especially when it comes to supper. Nothing’s better than lamb skewers.” Jasper chuckled.
“Nice!” Chad’s eyes brightened and he turned to shout at the owner, “I’ll have ten more lamb skewers, please!”
Chad cracked open two bottles of cold beer. He also handed Julian a few bottles of non-alcoholic drinks since he knew that Julian was Jasper’s bodyguard and did not drink.
“So tell me, Mr. Wright. What happened?” Jasper asked.
“My boss talked to me when I clocked out today. He said that he’s going to transfer me to a small village south of Reed City,” Chad explained with a deep sigh.
“From working in a city to being demoted straight to a small village? Not even to a town first? That’s unusual,” Jasper commented meaningfully.
“Haha. It’s the Coine family’s work.” Chad scoffed and downed a large gulp of beer roughly.
“So I banged my hand on the table and gave up. I exploded and vented all the unjust I’ve been keeping bottled up inside of me. If the Coine family wants to oppress and dominate, then I’d rather not work there anymore!
“I’ve been thinking about working with you, Mr. Laine. So I was wondering if I still had a chance?” Chad glanced at Jasper with a look of extreme anticipation.
If Chad was ever reluctant to leave his job because he had grown attached to this job he had done for more than half his life, he was not anymore now that he had seen through the truth behind the working system. He was ready to give it his all.
“I would want nothing more.” Jasper grabbed his bottle of beer and clinked it with Chad’s.
Chad grinned and spoke, “Alright then. I’m going to start working for you now, Mr. Laine. I’ll be your loyal subordinate!”
“You’ll realize how smart this decision is very soon.”
Jasper was truly grateful to Marcus for this incident alone.
After all, it was not easy to get such a talent in the management field like Chad on his side, and Marcus had easily done it for him.
Despite having the advantage of being reincarnated with memories of the future, Jasper knew that not every skilled person in the management industry was suited to work in a company like JW Capital.
Chad, though, was different. While Chad was not a famous man in Jasper’s past life, this short period of time was enough for Jasper to recognize this man’s potential.
The two were in a great mood now that their frustrations were resolved. Time began to tick by as they two drank and talked.
Just as they started the third round of drinking, two vans suddenly halted by the road and more than ten men dressed in black jumped out with machetes. All of them rushed toward Jasper’s table.
The sudden development caught everyone off guard.
It resembled a scene from a movie, and the other customers who were eating around them all screamed while running away.
Julian reacted extremely quickly.
“Jasper, watch out!”
