Chapter 13

Without Korah and Wade around, Ekialde and the others were abnormally obedient and respectful toward Cyrus.

“Do you know about the International Prosperous Project?” Cyrus asked.

Ekialde was slightly stunned before he asked, “Don’t you know about it? The company has been preparing for this project for around five months.”

“Is the probability of them getting the project high?” Cyrus asked.

“That, I don’t know. But I think the probability is quite low. I heard that they have already decided on who is getting the project. The person with the greatest support will be the one getting it.”

“Does Haco Corporation have someone supporting it?”

“Of course! I heard that the person supporting Haco Corporation is quite powerful. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been avoiding going up against Haco Corporation over the years of development.”

Cyrus then thought about what Eos had said and asked, “Is Gardner Corporation going to go bankrupt if it doesn’t get the project?”

“That’s an exaggeration, Cyrus. Gardner Corporation isn’t a small business. It won’t go bankrupt so easily. It’s just a project. If they can’t get it, then they can just do something else!” Ekialde said.

“But what if they can’t get the other projects as well?” Cyrus asked.

“Um…” Ekialde scratched his head. “I don’t think that’ll happen…”

Cyrus gave up on asking for Ekialde’s opinion. This rich boy clearly did not understand these things very well.

“In any case, these things have nothing to do with us. Even if the company collapses, the higher-ups will handle it. Let’s just leave it to Uncle Lufian and the others!” Suddenly, Ekialde became really excited. “Do you know Marino Hunt? That man is one of the leaders of Fliton City, but he died today!”

Cyrus’s facial expression cracked, and he smiled. “Why are you so excited?”

Ekialde became even more excited. “You don’t understand, Cyrus. Since Mr. Hunt has died, his position will be up for grabs, and plenty of people will want to take his place!

“Why do you think Haco Corporation can develop so smoothly in Fliton City? It’s because Mr. Hunt obeys them and has done plenty of their dirty work for them.

“If the person who replaces Mr. Hunt is from Gardner Corporation, we’ll have a much easier time…”

As he spoke, he grew a little melancholy. “But I don’t think it’s possible. Mr. Lufian has always looked down upon that sort of people!”

Cyrus smiled a little wider. ‘Mr. Lufian, huh? He is indeed a just and righteous person.’

Once it was time to clock off work, Cyrus went back home with Wade and Korah.

It was clear that the father-daughter pair did not want to talk to him.

After they returned to the mansion, Lufian excitedly called Cyrus over to play chess.

But Wade suddenly said, “You can play chess later, Dad. I have some company matters to discuss. It’s about the company.”

Lufian was taken aback for a moment, but he nodded immediately afterward and said, “Alright. Let’s talk in the study room.

“Cyrie, wait downstairs. I’ll come down once I’m done.”

“Alright,” Cyrus answered.

After they went upstairs, Cyrus wanted to go into the kitchen and see whether Delilah needed help, but Truman called him.

“Cyrus, someone is hosting a birthday party for Mr. Penn the day after tomorrow. The party will be at the western suburbs’ Jade Manor. Do you want to go?”

Cyrus was not interested in it, but since Truman asked, he could not refuse.

Clearly, the Penn father and son wanted to invite him over, but they asked Truman to do it on their behalf because they were worried that Cyrus would reject the offer.

“I have nothing to do, anyway. I’ll go.” Truman was a good man, so he should pay him this degree of respect.

“Hahaha! As long as you agree to it, I don’t mind. Should I come pick you up?”

“No need. I’ll head to Thousand Medicine Pharmacy and go with you.”

“That works too!” Truman was elated.

Cyrus did not think much about it even after he hung up. He got up and went into the kitchen. “Mrs. Gardner, let me help.”

“Huh? There’s no need, Cyrie. Just sit outside!”

……

Lufian’s eyebrows were scrunched up as he sat in the study. He was really troubled. “It’s so hard to get the Penn family’s help!”

“Dad, the day after tomorrow is Mr. Penn’s 70th birthday, and someone is hosting a birthday party for him at Jade Manor. Plenty of people will be attending it, and we can’t miss it.”

Lufian sighed. “I’ll make a call.”

Then, he called an old friend.

“Daxon, it’s me, Lufian.”

“Lufian! You haven’t contacted me in a long while! How are you?”

“I’m alright, but I can’t compare to you, though.”

“What on earth are you saying?” Daxon guffawed. “Did you call for something? I won’t ever forget how you saved my life in the past!”

Lufian said, “You make it sound so serious, Daxon. I won’t keep it a secret from you. I am in quite a bit of trouble.

“I want to get my hands on Fliton City’s International Prosperous Project, and I need some guidance from Mr. Penn, so I’ve come to ask for your help…”

Daxon’s voice gained a serious lilt. “Mr. Penn…? Alright, I’ll definitely speak on behalf of Gardner Corporation when I go to the birthday party the day after tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Daxon. I’ll buy you a drink next time!”

“You’re welcome.”

They ended the call.

“Who is the person you called, Grandpa?”

“Daxon Ostwald.”

Wade and Korah both looked shocked.

“It’s Mr. Ostwald…?” Naturally, Wade knew who the person was. He might have retired, but his influence remained.

“I saved him twenty years ago, but I’m a businessman, and it’s not good for him if he gets too close to me. Even so, he still remembers and treats me as his friend.”

“Then, what about the invitation for the birthday party…?” Korah asked worriedly.

“If Daxon is willing to help, we will get the invitation. Otherwise, do you really think that Redmond Penn will help us without doing some research on us, just because he asked?” Lufian shook his head. “Let’s just wait. If he’s willing to help, we will get the invitation tomorrow.”

Wade and Korah nodded.

Wade then said, “Dad, news of Marino Hunt’s death has spread. Eos Giulio is the one who killed him! Right now, Eos is gathering all of Marino Hunt’s former subordinates and intends to take over his position.”

Lufian frowned and asked, “Eos Giulio? Is that boy even capable of killing Marino Hunt?”

He did not think it was possible.

……

Meanwhile, an old man with white hair let down his hair while he stood in a mansion located in a suburb somewhere in Fliton City. He said, “Lufian Gardner… is really greedy. Looks like Haco Corporation has him cornered!”

A middle-aged man in a suit said, “Dad, Mr. Penn will likely not help me. Also, I heard that it’s already been decided that the International Prosperous Project will be given to Haco Corporation.”

Daxon scoffed and said aloofly, “I’ll just humor Lufian with a random excuse later. I’m not dumb enough to incite Mr. Penn’s wrath for Gardner Corporation and offend the person supporting Haco Corporation!

“Does Lufian think he’s some hotshot? It’s been twenty years, and he wants me to help just because I owe him a small favor? What a joke.”