Jeremiah frowned before he asked, “As a daughter of the Wade family, why can’t you have a little more patience or endurance? If you cannot even tolerate this kind of small matter, what else could you possibly do?”As he spoke, Jeremiah reminded her again, “By the way, from now on, make sure that you do not have any more conflicts with Charlie. Stop causing trouble for him and trying to get even with him endlessly just because of all these things. Charlie has already agreed to come back to attend the ancestor worship ceremony during the Tomb Sweeping Festival. This is a good start for him to finally return to the Wade family.”Carmen asked angrily, “Dad! Why are you always favoring that b*stard, Charlie, who has no respect or regard for his elders at all?! He is nothing more than a poor boy who had been living outside for so many years. He did not undergo any formal education or attended university at all. What kind of value does he hold for the Wade family? Why are you even asking hi
The overall living experience in the hot spring villa at the Champs Elys Spa Resort was much better compared to Thompson First.This villa was located on the mountainside with extremely beautiful scenery. The scenery was not only very excellent but most importantly, it was very peaceful and quiet here as the distance between each villa was very big, and there was a strong sense of privacy.Besides, although the price of the hot spring villa at the Champs Elys Spa Resort was about half the price of the villa at Thompson First, the hot spring villa at the Champs Elys Spa Resort was actually much larger in terms of construction and courtyard area.The housing prices in the city were very expensive, mainly because of the price of the land. Since the Champs Elys Spa Resort was located in the suburbs, the land price was much lower compared to that of the city.Claire really liked the environment here very much. For her, it had been a long time since she had had the opportunity to experie
She decided to adopt a joint venture, just like an automobile company, so that she could introduce Nippon Steel’s cutting-edge technology in her steel company.Volkswagen, Honda, and Ford have basically adopted this kind of joint venture idea. After twenty to thirty years of joint venture development, these companies had indeed achieved very impressive sales results.Nippon Steel was also very interested in this collaboration. After all, coupled with the Moore family’s strength, land, and certain experience in the steel industry, they were actually a very good potential partner for Nippon Steel.So, both of them had hit it off immediately, and all that was left was the discussion and formulation of the collaboration and partnership details.Jasmine’s intention was for the Moore family to hold 51% of the shares while Nippon Steel holds 49% of the shares, but Nippon Steel’s intention was for them to hold 51% of the shares, whereas the Moore family could hold 49% of the shares.Even
Jasmine knew that what the other party said was true.In truth, a top-notch steel group such as Nippon Steel was indeed very popular in any country.This was especially so because their strength in special steels was amongst the top in the world.Take the military industry for example.The most common gun barrels and artillery had very strict steel requirements.If the material was excellent, the lifespan and accuracy of the gun could reach its best potential. However, if the material was not up to par, the lifespan and accuracy of the gun would not work out at all.Some gun barrels would wear out so much after getting fired thousands of times that it would have to be replaced.Some gun barrels could even reach the end of their lifespan after simply hitting a few hundred rounds. If they were not handled well, there was even the possibility of an explosion. If these weapons were put to use on the battlefield, this could affect the battle situation and end results.Additionally,
‘However, if I give up on the controlling interest, that would be equivalent to giving up all autonomy. In the future, Nippon Steel will be deciding on almost all of the affairs of the company, then. If that is the case, the Moore family will be in a very passive position…’When Kazumi saw her in a dilemma, he smiled as he said, “Miss Moore, we do not have to settle this issue in a hurry. You can go back and think about it first. We can make an appointment tomorrow to talk about this matter again. What do you think?”Jasmine hesitated for a moment before she nodded gently.She knew very well that she had no initiative or advantage in this round of negotiations at all.If they continued with the discussion like this, she would only be placed in an even more passive situation.This was just like buying an item inside a store. If the seller was very anxious to make a move, the buyer would naturally have more bargaining power. For instance, a seller was selling an item for one hundred
Reuben was looking out the window at the river at this time as he smiled faintly and said, “Mr. Hashimoto, I just heard my sister saying that her collaboration and partnership negotiation with you does not seem to be going well at all.”Kazumi laughed before he said, “Your sister seems to be overthinking it a little. She wants to collaborate with Nippon Steel, but she also wants a 51% controlling stake in our partnership. How could that be possible? Even if I were to collaborate with anyone, Mr. Moore, the terms that you offered me are so much better compared to hers!”Reuben laughed as he said, “Of course. Women are always so petty when they do things, so it is often difficult to please them. As long as Mr. Moore is willing to work together with me, I will give 51% of the shares to Nippon Steel at that time. After that, I will also give Mr. Hashimoto 9% of the shares out of the 49% that I have in private!”Kazumi replied excitedly, “Mr. Moore, you are truly magnanimous! If that is
Kazumi’s attitude had changed slightly compared to yesterday.He did not reject Jasmine’s proposal as simply as he had done yesterday. Instead, he started beating around the bush with Jasmine.He gave very ambiguous replies on many matters, and he neither agreed nor refused on all these points. This kind of attitude where he would neither listen to reason nor yield to force made Jasmine feel very helpless.Both parties continued their negotiations from morning until evening. Jasmine had already adjusted the profit-sharing portion for Nippon Steel to 65% for the first five years, but Mr. Hashimoto still refused to agree on her proposal.At this point, Jasmine truly had no other choice but to unveil her trump card as she said, “Mr. Hashimoto, it seems that both of us are unwilling to give ground when it comes to the controlling interest. I wonder what you will think of this proposal, then? Each of us will hold 50% of the shares, and under any circumstances, each of us will have 50% o
Jasmine was very upset at this time.She truly did not expect Nippon Steel to be so difficult to deal with.Moreover, she was placed in a very passive position throughout the entire negotiation process. She had already prepared and come up with so many plans, and she had even brought up her final trump card. However, it seemed as though she had failed to finalize their collaboration.Jasmine could not help but feel a strong sense of frustration deep down in her heart at this time.She also had a hunch that it would be very difficult for her to get the result that she wanted and was aiming for in this negotiation.Perhaps she would really have to return without any success this time.Jasmine told her family about her assumption on the way back to the hotel.Although Lord Moore was a little disappointed, he continued encouraging her as he sent a message: [Jasmine, you shouldn’t put too much stress and pressure on yourself in regards to the collaboration with Nippon Steel this time
Horrified, Jacob promptly grasped the steering wheel and brought the Cullinan back under control while not hesitating to snap, "Are you crazy?! We're on the highway—that could have killed the both of us!"However, Elaine ignored him and seized the moment to open the armrest box, pulling out the large white envelope.As she opened it, she muttered, "So, it really was a wedding invitation… You really are a terrible friend, Jacob Wilson, hiding a wedding invitation like this! What's the point? Just look at that nervous face of yours—would I suspect you of having an affair with the bride-to-be?"She flipped open the card and was experienced enough to check the names first while disregarding the usual preamble. She wouldn't care about the venue or the time either, focusing solely on the professor who had somehow made Jacob very nervous.That was how Elaine found the names in less than a second: Yolden Hart and Matilda Hall.Matilda?!The name could well be knives stabbing Elaine in th
Jacob's brain blanked out, leaving only a dull hum as soon as Walker mentioned 'Professor Hall'.Already feeling nervous in the first place, he quickly said, "Okay, okay—I got it. Anyway, I'm hanging up if there's nothing else!"With that, he promptly pressed the button to hang up.Nonetheless, Elaine was soon asking in curiosity, "Who's Professor Hall?"If Jacob had any semblance of composure, he would have said 'a colleague at Senior University' as if it was perfectly natural, and the matter would have been forgotten.But the reality was that he didn't—in fact, he was the champion when it came to dropping the ball as a casual question from Elaine left him sweating all over his brow.Even as he slid nervous glances at her face, he stammered uncontrollably, "N-Nobody…"Elaine promptly noticed his strange reaction and frowned. "I'm talking about Professor Hall. What do you mean, nobody? Who are they? And what's this about an invitation? Inviting you for what?"Seeing that he was
Jacob had really had too much to drink and couldn't remember the later parts of what had happened last night—even how he had gotten home was a blur.Naturally, he also forgot that Walker had brought Matilda's wedding invitation, and therefore didn't hesitate to answer the in-car answer button.Over the phone, Walker was positively fawning as he asked, "Mr. Wilson? It's Walker. Why didn't you come in today? Had too much to drink last night?""Uh-huh," Jacob grunted, lethargic. "I did—my head still hurts now… Anyway, what's up? Trouble at the association?""No, of course not," Walker quickly said. "I was just worried you're still hungover, so I called to ask. If you need a driver or anything, you just need to ask!"Then, before Jacob could answer, he continued, "By the way, my wife is somewhat knowledgable in Oskian medicine, and she has recipes for brews that cure hangovers and nourish the liver. I'm sure you'll need the latter since you're always drinking at social events, so I as
Fortunately, Elaine and Jacob's bickering never escalated.Even though Elaine was winning, Jacob found it tolerable.After Jacob finished his lunch and cleaned up, he never looked up as he said, "Charlie sent a text, saying Claire's flight would touch down earlier at three. We will leave at two."Elaine grumbled. "Why leave so early? She's coming back from abroad, and there'd be checkpoints she has to clear—she'd be lucky if she could leave by half past three. I'm sleeping a few winks now, and we'll leave at half past two."As she left the dining room, she didn't even look back as she said, "Clean up for me too."Jacob had a million complaints but said nothing as he kept his head down, throwing Elaine's lunchbox in the trash can as well.With Elaine gone, he sat on the couch as her hangover slowly cleared while his mood soured with the lack of alcohol.In the end, the pleasure of being fawned over at the Diamond Room was but temporary—the pain of his beloved leaving with someone
Vera kept her plan to investigate the identity of the abbess deep in her mind and told Charlie nothing.Instead, she smiled as she said, "It seems that it's both yours and Ms. Ito's good fortune that she has attained enlightenment. You've never had anyone who could attain enlightenment and master Reiki at the same time, so Ms. Ito will definitely be a great help to you in the future."Charlie chuckled and said calmly, "I'm not hoping for her to help. I'm simply happy for her with her enlightenment and excited to have another comrade in my solo ventures into the dark forests."Vera nodded in understanding, and she murmured emotionally, "I've lived for so long, and it's only when I opened my heart to you that I felt that sensation you described."There was a flicker of wistfulness in her eyes.She really did not expect to attain enlightenment before meeting Charlie.Years ago, she thought that she would eventually avenge her father.Now, she no longer hoped to murder Fleur Griffi
Vera was inwardly disappointed to hear that Claire was returning.That meant there were fewer chances of Charlie visiting the Scarlet Pinnacle Manor, as were her chances of seeing him again.Still, she didn't let it show, instead asking casually, "How are things at Champs Elys? Are the warriors improving at a rate to your satisfaction?""Well, most of everyone's improvement is within expectations…" Charlie explained, just as he remembered a certain someone. "By the way, there's something I haven't told you yet. Are you perhaps acquainted with the name Ito Nanako?""Yes," Vera smiled. "The Japanese lady who was with you. What about her?""She attained enlightenment days ago.""Enlightenment?" Vera did a double take and soon pressed, "Enlightenment in what sense? Essential Qi or Reiki?"After all, the former was the path to enlightenment in martial arts, while the latter meant enlightenment in cultivation.But despite the distinction between both domains, enlightenment was a comm
While Charlie had long since gotten used to Elaine and Jacob's bizarre marriage, being near the heart of the storm still took a toll on his senses—to the point that he felt physically sick.Leaving right away was therefore his best solution.Once he left, however, he realized he didn't have anywhere to go. Champs Elys was quite far, and it would take a lot of time.As he started to feel bored stiff, he remembered Vera for some reason and called her.Once Vera answered, she quickly asked in curiosity, "To what do I owe the pleasure? Lunch, perhaps?"Charlie chuckled. "Since you've put it that way… I haven't eaten either, so lunch it is!"Vera giggled. "Come over to my place, then. It's cold outside, and I was just lighting up a hot pot. I'll have Madam Marilyn prepare an additional portion.""Okay!" Charlie agreed to it without hesitation. "I can return her car too. Just wait, I'll be right there!"Once he hung up, he got on the Rolls Roycs he had borrowed from Scarlet Pinnacl
Charlie shook his head. "It's alright, Dad. You can go ahead if you're busy—I can pick up Claire on my own.""No way!" Elaine promptly snapped. "It's been so long since she came back. We are all going to the airport!"Jacob sighed in exasperation. "Well, I'm sticking to my schedule—first the Calligraphy and Painting Association, then I'll be back an hour before to pick you guys up before going together to the airport."Elaine was left fuming. "Is there no getting through to you? You really have to go to that stupid association, don't you? Okay, fine. If you must go, I will be going with you!""You're their honored vice president who will be promoted to president soon, no? As Mrs. Vice President and the future Mrs. President, is there an issue if I went for a look?"Jacob shuddered at the thought of Elaine going to the Calligraphy and Painting Association as he absolutely didn't want her to humiliate him with her antics. People would talk, asking how a proper gentleman like him c
Jacob yawned, stretching his arms and smacking his cheeks, before finally retorting in contempt, "For Pete's sake, woman—don't make dissing me a habit. Or does it please you so much?"Elaine pursed her lips. "You call that dissing? It's all facts—do you think I don't know you? Tell me, what qualifications do you have? Your knowledge about calligraphy is skin-deep, and even the frauds working on Antique Street could beat you.""Only you would have the audacity to take the role of vice president at the Calligraphy and Painting Association—heaven's above, how blind is the president to appoint you as his second fiddle? Still, you'll be packing your things as soon as he realizes the truth.""Oh, Elaine, poor Elaine…" Jacob grinned smugly at her right then. "I'm afraid things won't go the way you want. Mr. Bay's been chasing a promotion lately, and once he gets it, I will take his place as president. That means I'll be the top dog instead of second fiddle!""Bullshit!" Elaine snapped in