Regardless of what the two wished, Jasper’s request was extremely difficult to fulfill.
“Mr. Laine, we’ve accepted 20 million US Dollars worth of investment from Softwin. They’ve financed us three times in total, and they hold 41% of Abbylon’s shares. I’m afraid that your request is unrealistic,” Jose said.
“You’ll only know if it’s realistic once you try. Moreover, wouldn’t it be more trustworthy to work with a fellow Somer descent as compared to a Sunriser?” Jasper asked.
Jose frowned and said briskly, “Mr. Laine, nationality doesn’t matter in the business world, and capital is international.”
“I understand where you’re coming from, Mr. Salazar. After all, you were born in Nawait and you grew up overseas. It’s only normal that you are more progressive.”
“But you must understand that while capital is international, capitalists are not. Especially not with Somerland. There are some things we should not forget. If everyone was equal, then how do you explain the capital and technological blockade other countries have imposed on Somerland?”
Jose was about to argue when Wayne pulled him back.
“Jose, you might not know about the situation in the country since you grew up overseas, but Mr. Laine is right about this.”
Jose shook his head after listening to Wayne and replied, “Alright. But even then, how are we supposed to remove Softwin as a shareholder? It’s impossible.”
Wayne looked at Jasper and said, “It’s getting late, Mr. Laine, so we won’t delay your rest any longer. We need to give this some thought and discuss it with everyone else as well. Perhaps we could talk another time.”
Jasper got up and replied, “Then we’ll stay in contact. I await your good news.”
Wayne nodded. He shook Jasper’s hand and left with Jose in tow.
Jasper stood by the office’s entrance and watched as Wayne and Jose’s figures vanished into the night. His brows remained furrowed the entire time.
“Should we return as well, Jasper?” Julian’s voice broke Jasper out of his stupor.
Jasper glanced at the time in surprise, “It’s four already? Let’s go home, then. It’s going to be daybreak soon.”
Julian glanced at Jasper through the rearview mirror as he drove. Seeing how the latter remained deep in thought, he could not help but ask, “What did the two of them say, Jasper? You seem frustrated and you haven’t smiled once the entire ride.”
“I’m not frustrated.”
Jasper smiled and replied, “It just hit me how talented some people can be.”
He was referring to Wayne.
Jasper replayed the entire process in his mind after the negotiation ended and realized that the suggestion for TH’s concept was the only time Wayne seemed stunned. Excluding this momentary lapse, the man had kept his true emotions concealed the entire time.
In comparison, Jose, who seemed more experienced, had lost his composure several times.
The ability to control one’s emotions was a necessity every successful top-notch businessman needed to have. Sure, this could be learned, but the nature of this trait was more innate than learned.
As for the promises Wayne had made during the discussion…
There were none.
Which meant the three of them had spoken for hours only to come out empty-handed.
“Wayne Marlon will always be Wayne Marlon,” Jasper murmured to himself.
The car whizzed down the roads and time ticked on as they headed home. Jasper suddenly smiled when he realized that the lights in Wendy’s room upstairs were still switched on.
“Oh well. There’s no use worrying about it. The smarter he is the better; Only smart men make the correct decisions.”
As things took a turn for the better, the first ray of sunlight broke across the horizon.
