Jasper was momentarily stunned before he quickly spoke, “What? No way, you worked even harder than I did for the project. How can you not be here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony?”
Dawson pointed at the representatives of Harbor City’s richest families as well as the officials from the Provincial and City Government, then said with a smile, “You’re more suited for this kind of event than I am.”
Seeing how Jasper was about to protest, Dawson spoke meaningfully, “I’m growing old, Jasper, but you’re still young. The stage will be yours in the future, and you’re meant to reach further heights than I have!
“That’s why I’m going to help you as much as possible while I still can. I’m an old man about to retire, what’s the point in me joining this kind of event?
“I have no intention of growing the Schuler Group anymore, it’s enough for me to have managed to obtain the majority market share of the supermarket industry. This is already way past what I ever imagined achieving, but I don’t have the energy to manage nor to fight in business anymore.
“However, it’s different for you. You need this event, so let the Southface River project become a halo over your head. This halo will help you find your footing among those people quicker and easier!
“So go!”
When he heard Dawson’s moving speech, Jasper stopped protesting and nodded solemnly.
He knew that Dawson was letting him take all the glory.
If both of them went up there, then the world would remember that this project that had shaken the entire country had been completed by two people.
However, if Jasper went up there himself, then Jasper would become the mastermind while Dawson would merely be the man that worked in the shadows.
The world was cruel in that it doomed its people with a horrible memory. Thus, people would only remember the first to achieve something, but never the second.
Dawson was too well aware of such a concept, so he decided that he would let Jasper enjoy all the glory.
Jasper then officially rearranged the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Zachary stood on the left with the Provincial official on the right. Following that was Jasper and Kennedy, who were located behind the former two individuals.
Kayden had declined the invitation to cut the ribbon, which was in line with the Langdon family’s low-profile style.
Jasper had also asked Bob out of respect if he wanted to join, but Bob had merely glanced at the position at the back of the stage before rejecting him darkly.
Under countless camera flashes from the reporters and the enthusiastic voice of the prettiest female host in the television station, the bigshots stepped onto the stage together.
Everyone, including celebrities, reporters, staff, and guests invited to the topping-out ceremony, all looked up at the decadent stage.
Everyone understood that only powerful people and those with extremely distinguished statuses could step up onto the stage.
Most of the people there were destined to never be able to step onto that stage.
Suddenly, the guest in attendance realized something strange.
Among the bigshots, Kennedy was considered one of the younger ones. This was despite the fact that the man was in his forties, and was almost halfway to his fifties.
Next was Zachary who was forty-nine.
The Provincial official was the oldest, at the age of fifty-two.
Even so, he was considered young for someone who held the position he did.
However, when they came to the topic of youth, everyone’s gaze fell on Jasper.
This man, that stood behind Zachary and had stunned countless people in one year as he shot up to become one of Southeast Province’s richest men, was unexpectedly young.
Everyone then realized that Jasper had achieved far too much.
To the point that everyone seemed to have forgotten that he was just a young man.
Only then did everyone remember that Jasper was only turning twenty-three that year!
Such a young man should not have been able to achieve such success and recognition, yet reality had proven them wrong right before their very eyes.
Wendy stared at Jasper excitedly among the crowd, happier for him than she would have been if she herself were standing on that stage.
Dawson sat beside her, finally taking a break after an entire day of work. He lit a cigarette and looked at Jasper happily, before turning to his daughter and asking, “Wendy, do you know why I agreed to the two of you being together?”
“Because he’s outstanding, I guess.”
Wendy did not even turn around as her eyes remained glued on Jasper. It was as if this man had become the center of her world right now.
Dawson chuckled at Wendy’s reply and asked, “Outstanding? There are plenty outstanding people in this world and, and while Jasper certainly take them pound-for-pound, the reason why I admire him is not the same reason why I support your relationship.
“The former is an opinion I have on him as his senior, in that I hope that the business world will shine even brighter in the future. However, the latter is a consideration I have as a father. I have very different thoughts when looking at the same man but from a different perspective.”
Wendy continued to stare at Jasper as she asked mindlessly, “So what’s the reason then?”
“Because this young man remembers which woman means the most to him no matter the time or place.”
Wendy’s expression changed when she heard this, and she turned to look at her dad guiltily.
“What’s with that guilty expression? You’re not the one having external flings, he is,” Dawson spoke exasperatedly.
There was no hope for this daughter of his anymore. She was completely devoted to Jasper now, and even in times like this, her first thought was to defend Jasper in case Dawson were to reprimand him.
“Zachary’s daughter is called Anna, right?” Dawson asked calmly.
Wendy cleared her throat and said with a forced calmness, “I think so? We’re not too close.”
“Forget it, then. I don’t want to intrude into the relationship of you youngsters. I’ve thought about it, and considering his wealth and status at such a young age, I’d prefer that he finds someone with class to act as your competitor, rather than arbitrarily have relations with shady women in the future.”
“Dad! What are you talking about?!” Wendy was rather unhappy.
‘What do you mean have relations with shady women? Jasp is not that kind of person!’
