Given Jerome’s status and position, he was still not qualified to know Secretary Lee personally.
However, he knew Director Sund, who was following Secretary Lee’s lead from behind, very well. After all, he was the direct supervisor of the self-regulatory council. He was in charge of managing Jerome’s council.
Jerome headed over to greet Director Sund instinctively when he caught sight of him.
However, once he noticed Director Sund, who was usually friendly toward him although they were not particularly close, sending him a harsh glare, he immediately stopped walking toward him.
At the same time, a sense of uneasiness arose within him.
“My apologies for coming late, Mr. Laine.”
Secretary Lee made his way in front of Jasper in a hurry. He extended his hand toward him from a distance away and shook Jasper’s hand politely, speaking to him with a sincere expression on his face.
Jasper chuckled and said, “You’re not late. It’s the opening of my restaurant today, but Mr. Canne from the self-regulatory council claims that our restaurant has violated the law. He’s ordering us to close down the restaurant for further rectification, so our opening is being delayed.”
Secretary Lee smiled awkwardly after detecting the dissatisfaction in Jasper’s tone. He turned around and dragged Director Sund in front of him. “Mr. Laine, this is Director Sund. He’s the office head who’s in charge of managing the office directors from the self-regulatory councils of various industries within the city,” he said.
Director Sund extended his hand at once. “Mr. Laine, it’s nice to meet you,” he said courteously.
After shaking hands with Director Sund, Jasper said, “It’s great that you’re here. Please check if my restaurant has violated the law in any way,
“If my restaurant has really violated the law, I’ll close it down at once and never get involved in the food and beverage industry ever again without any complaints. However, if nothing’s wrong with my restaurant, we will need to have a long talk about it.”
Director Sund looked at the rectification notice thrown onto the ground by his feet while he registered Jasper’s words. A look of distress formed on his face.
To be honest, he did not have to carry out an investigation to know what the results would be!
Director Sund was not favoring Jasper by using his power for personal gain. There was an extremely simple question instead.
What was Jasper Laine’s current position and social status?
He had invested in one of his cousin’s hotpot restaurants. Would he bother to use low-quality ingredients or artificial additives just to save on some costs?
If news about this broke out, everyone would laugh at it.
Director Sund felt his face heat up. It was as if someone had slapped him right across the face.
He turned around and glared at Jerome. “Mr. Canne, were you the one who issued this rectification notice?!”
While he spoke, Director Sund bent down to pick up the rectification notice and threw it at Jerome’s face.
Even if Jerome was a fool, he knew that things had escalated greatly.
He looked at Jasper and then at Secretary Lee, whose identity was still unknown to him. Finally, he looked at Director Sund while he stuttered. He could not bring himself to say anything.
“I’m asking you a question. Did you issue this notice?!” Director Sund roared in anger.
His yell shocked Jerome, causing him to tremble in fear.
Right then, Magnus, who was yet to get a grasp of the situation, joined in the exchange. “My father was the one who issued it. Is there a problem with that? My father is the chairman of the self-regulatory council. He has the authority to close down any shop he wants to!” he exclaimed.
Director Sund sneered and said, “Hah, it seems like you have an immense amount of authority!”
He pointed a finger at Jerome, who was as pale as a sheet, while he spoke. “Mr. Canne, you were elected as the chairman by the council members. Is this how you intend to use your authority? Huh?!” he questioned him.
The situation seemed to be worsening. Jerome was just about to put in a nice word when Magus interjected their conversation. He could not resist it anymore. “What do you mean by that? How dare you speak to my father like that, you b*stard? Do you know that I can put your life to an end?” he blurted out.
As soon as Magnus finished speaking, Jerome raised his hand and slapped him across the face harshly. Magnus cried out in pain and fell to the ground.
“Shut up, you unfilial son!”
Jerome shouted out loud.
He did not spare Magnus, who was completely stunned, another glance after that. He turned around and smiled at Director Sund. “Director Sund, there must be a misunderstanding. It’s all a misunderstanding!” he exclaimed.
“A misunderstanding?” Director Sund questioned with an impassive expression on his face. “However, from your son’s attitude and the notice you issued, I don’t think it’s as simple as a misunderstanding,” he added.
Jerome felt like bursting out into tears. He knew now that Jasper was leading the entire situation. He rushed in front of Jasper and begged him. “Mr. Laine, Mr. Laine, I was wrong to do so!” he pleaded.
“I shouldn’t have offended you. I was being thoughtless. Please be generous and let me go just this once. I assure you that this will never happen ever again.”
A moment ago, Jerome had been trampling all over Jasper in a haughty manner. Right now, he was begging for mercy in front of him like a pitiful loser. Everyone was dumbfounded by the theatrical scene unfolding before their eyes.
Jonas was especially stunned. He looked at Jasper like he was a deity.
Not long ago, he was still wondering if Jasper was in his right mind. He now knew the difference between Jasper and himself.
Jasper could easily crush someone like Jerome Canne by making use of some of his connections.
He had gotten worried for nothing.
Of course, Jasper did not know about the change in thoughts in Jonas’ mind.
“Don’t say that. As the chairman of the self-regulatory council of the food and beverage industry, you have so much power and authority, Mr. Canne. I’m an ordinary businessman. I would never dare to misunderstand you,” he said calmly.
“Since you claim that my hotpot restaurant has violated the law, let’s do this instead. Director Sund, please inform the relevant departments and ask them to carry out a thorough investigation of the restaurant. How’s that?”
Director Sund smiled bitterly. He would never dare to agree to a request like that. He cast a pleading glance at Secretary Lee.
Secretary Lee broke out into cold sweat as he pondered upon it. After a while, he said, “Why don’t we do this, Director Sund? Let your men carry out a thorough investigation of the restaurant in accordance with the regular procedures and see if there are any problems. Let’s continue talking after the investigation. How about that?”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Jasper said in an even tone.
