Conrad, who was sitting on the other end of the podium, had a slight smile on his face. No one could tell what was running through his mind now.
“Be happy now, Jasper Laine. Be as happy as you want to be now. The happier you are now, the more miserable you’ll be when you realize you’re trapped!”
After taking a deep breath, Conrad was just about to walk toward Jasper and the two supervisors so that they could exchange pleasantries and answer any questions the reporters might have when Valentine hurried over.
“Mr. Monty, the money for the loan has been approved,” Valentine said solemnly to Conrad.
When Conrad heard a reporter calling out to him, he immediately turned and smiled as he waved. His great mood made him exceptionally cooperative, and the reporter was delighted as they pressed wildly on the shutter.
Conrad, who was heir to one of the richest families in Southeast Province, would rarely treat such insignificant reporters so well.
“That’s a good thing. Why do you seem so panicked?” Conrad’s smile widened as he parted his lips to whisper to Valentine.
It was only then Valentine said, “But the bank didn’t do what we previously agreed on. They transferred it right into Cloud Rider’s account.”
Conrad frowned slightly as he said, “Didn’t we agree to have the money transferred into the personal account I provided? How could they have made such a mistake? Have you clarified things with them?”
“Yes, I have.”
Valentine lowered his voice and said, “The bank explained that headquarters has been tightening security measures lately, so it’s difficult for them to go around the rules.
“Moreover, they needed to report back to the headquarters because of how large the loan is, which means the higher-ups were paying even more attention to where the money was going. Thus, the only thing they could do was transfer the money into the company’s account. After all, we applied for the loan using the company’s name.”
Conrad narrowed his eyes. With his keen senses, he had managed to detect something deeper going on through this seemingly insignificant detail.
His gaze turned instinctively to Jasper who was being surrounded by a crowd.
He watched Jasper, who was surrounded by a crowd of clamoring people and flashing lights, who had a familiar smile on his face as he calmly spoke to everyone who came forth to speak to him.
He was not overly humble, nor was he domineering. The adjectives ‘gentle’ and ‘elegant’ could be used to best describe Jasper Laine.
However, Conrad only thought that Jasper was most dangerous and horrifying when he seemed unable to harm anybody.
It was as though there was a bloody gaping mouth behind his smiling face that was ready to pounce and swallow Conrad whole.
“Find a way to have the money transferred out immediately,” Conrad said determinedly.
“That money must not be left in the company’s account. It doesn’t matter if it’s a scheme to do with Jasper or not. The minute he knows we’ve transferred the money into the company’s account, he won’t let us have it transferred out easily.“
Conrad had fast reflexes and came to a decision within a minute of receiving the news.
However, no matter how fast he was, he would never be faster than Jasper who had begun making plans and arrangements a few days ago.
“I’m worried we won’t make it.”
Valentine smiled bitterly and said, “The people from Agricultural Bank just told me that when Cloud Rider was established half a minute ago, someone had already made a copy of the account’s documentation in the bank’s system.
“The company’s legal representative must sign off any transactions above one million dollars!’
Crash!
The sound of a chair being flipped caused many people who were present to look toward where the sound had come from. They were surprised to see that it was Conrad who caused that loud crash.
At that very moment, Conrad had an ugly expression on his face!
Conrad, who had caused the chair to flip over when he abruptly stood in shock and anger, did not seem to notice that people were staring at him. He glared intently at Jasper.
Jasper just happened to turn around.
Their gazes met and collided in mid-air.
Taking a deep breath, Conrad forced himself to suppress the chaotic and complicated emotions rushing through him. He knew that both the timing and venue did not allow him to lose control of himself no matter the situation.
“Let’s go!” Conrad said before he turned and walked off.
“Hey… Mr. Monty? We haven’t finished taking pictures!” the reporter yelled in panic at Conrad’s retreating figure.
However, Conrad had no time or patience for them. He did not even bother turning around as he walked off.
The reporter sighed, mumbling to themselves about how temperamental and hard to please these public figures were.
As he mumbled and lowered his head to look at the photos he took, he realized he had managed to take clear shots of how Conrad’s expression changed from one of happiness to confusion, and finally, to suppressed rage.
“Hello. Do you mind selling those photos to me?” A voice rang out by the reporter’s ears.
Startled, the reporter jumped and whirled around to find Jasper standing beside him.
“Mister… Mr. Laine!” The reporter’s voice trembled with excitement. He never dreamed that Jasper Laine would talk to him one day!
“Can you?” Jasper asked with a smile. “Those photos are very meaningful and will become sentimental items to me, which is why I’m interested in buying them. Name any price you want.”
“Of… Of course! I can give them to you right now if you need them, Mr. Laine. I don’t need money, but will you agree to do an interview with me?”
The young reporter had graduated barely two years ago and knew to hold on to opportunities that came his way.
Jasper chuckled and said, “No problem, but I might be busy lately. Why don’t you give me your card and I’ll have someone get in touch with you in a bit?”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Laine!”
The reporter did not seem to worry that a public figure like Jasper would lie to him as he excitedly took his name card and passed it to Jasper with both hands.
Jasper took the card and glanced at it. His name was Kennard Fraley and he was a reporter for the Southern Financial Times.
Jasper put the card in his pocket after reading it.
It was a seemingly insignificant gesture, but Kennard felt as if he was being respected by the other party. His heart bloomed with gratitude as he hurriedly fiddled with his camera and gave the roll of film to Jasper.
He swore that Jasper Laine was the only tycoon who could make others feel this charmed throughout his career as a journalist.
Kennard was feeling charmed, but Conrad felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave!
