George collapsed to the floor, his eyes filled with despair and agony.The reason why he was promoted to a senior executive position at such a young age had a lot to do with the strict employment contract that he had signed on his own will.To strengthen the control of their employees, the Spikeworth Corps had issued a very demanding and biased employment contract which guaranteed a promotion after signing, but they would be fully bound by the company. The promotion was guaranteed, but they had to prove that they were worthwhile and work hard to be loyal to the company. If they failed their performance indicator or had disagreements, the company would file a huge claim against them.Many people were afraid to sign such a contract due to its harsh and stern terms and condition, but at that moment, George was a fresh graduate who was full of ego and strived to succeed. Hence, he had signed the contract decisively despite the somewhat unfair consequences. Indeed, he had been promoted
Claire sighed heavily and said, “It’s hard to get a job now. I can only keep looking and see where my luck brings me.”“How about Emgrand?”Claire shook her head. “Are you kidding? Emgrand is not a supermarket. I can’t come and go as I please. Besides, they have a very strict employee evaluation and grading system, it would be awkward and embarrassing for me to start from the bottom.”Charlie heaved a sigh and said in a suggestive tone, “Dear, I think that maybe you should start your own business!”“Start my own business?” Claire asked in surprise. “But how?”“Well, you’ve been in this industry for many years, I bet you have your own professional network and connections now. I see that Doris Young of the Emgrand Group seems to be very fond of you. Moreover, Zeke White is counting on me to observe and manipulate his luck, I think he will be very supportive.”Claire chuckled in a self-mocking way and said, “Dear, we have to have at least two to three million dollars in capital to s
Because of Charlie’s instigation and encouragement, Claire spent the whole night tossing and turning, thinking about her business. She looked rather exhausted and fatigued the next morning due to the lack of sleep.After waking up, Claire hurriedly freshened herself up. Charlie frowned at the sight and asked, “Dear, why don’t you sleep in? What’s the hurry?”“I’m going to Millenium Enterprise. I must not be late.”“Millenium Enterprise? Another interview?”“No.” Claire shook her head and said gingerly after a short pause, “I’m going to try to look for some projects for myself.”“Great!” Charlie smiled happily. “If you start a construction company, I’ll be your first employee.”“Do you think that starting a construction company is like making dinner? Funds and connections are the main criteria for the business to strive and survive,” Claire said. “I want to start from a small office and draw design drawings for the construction company. When I’ve built a significant network for my
Charlie quickly slipped out of the house while the quarrel was still going strong inside the house.It would be best for him to stay out of the annoying domestic disputes.Charlie went into a small cafe, ordered some snacks, and decided to spend his leisure time there until the evening.It was a famous gourmet street in Aurous Hill with people bustling around.Charlie was enjoying his meal when he suddenly spotted two figures on the opposite side of the street, one of them looking extraordinarily familiar.That was Claire, wasn’t it?Across the street was a very lavish restaurant. Charlie saw Claire sitting by the huge window on the second floor, and opposite her was a middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes wearing gold-framed glasses. Claire was holding a folder and talking to the man non-stop as if she was showing her portfolio and her new role as a freelance designer and hoped that the man would invest in her new establishment.Despite her enthusiasm, the man didn’t se
Claire didn’t want to shake Peter’s hand, but since he had offered it, it would be rude to refuse him. Thus, she pursed her lips and extended her hand reluctantly.Just as Peter was silently thrilled and was about to grab Claire’s fair hand, suddenly, a large hand came out of nowhere and grabbed his hand firmly.Peter was stunned for a moment. Looking up angrily, he growled, “What the hell!? Who are you?”Claire lifted her gaze as well and was a little dazed at what she saw.“Charlie! When did you come?”She then quickly turned to Peter and explained, “He is my husband.”Peter’s face turned gloomy as if a dark cloud hovered above his head when he heard the word ‘husband’.“I just arrived.” Charlie smiled at Claire and then turned to Peter, pretending not to see the change of his expression, and then said, “You are Peter Murray, aren’t you? The boss of Millenium Enterprise?”Peter said in a sullen tone, “Yes, that’s me. So what?”“Nothing. It’s just that you’re quite a lecherou
Claire was in jitters as she listened to their banter and interjected, “Mr. Murray, Charlie helps out a lot at home. Also, please call me Miss Wilson. Calling me by my first name sounds very unprofessional.”“What does he do at home, anyway? Go to the market? Cooking? Laundry?” Peter laughed sarcastically. “Claire, if your husband has a hard time finding a job, my company happens to be recruiting security now. You can let him try.” Then, he continued with a mocking grin, “Claire, if I were you, I would not have married a man who doesn’t even have a secure job. I would have divorced this loser a long time ago.”Claire frowned in dismay, but before she could speak, she felt an abrupt chill coming from beside her.She turned around and saw Charlie stand up with a smile on his face as he said to Peter, “Mr. Murray, your reputation precedes you. Now that I finally have the honor of meeting you, indeed, your personality matches your reputation perfectly. I also have something to say to
Charlie opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he shut his mouth and walked out of the restaurant when he looked at Claire’s enraged face.How dare the boss of a small company be so brazen in front of him? He had decided to go all out with his luck, hadn’t he?Claire even had to tiptoe around that b*stard! Didn’t she know that her husband was the most powerful of them all?Right at this moment, he wanted to reveal his true identity to Claire so desperately. He wanted her to know that she didn’t have to worry about their future and that she didn’t need to be bullied and tormented by a lowly boss of a mediocre company.However, he held back the words that came to his lips.Exposing his identity would mean that he had officially accepted the Wade family and would return to their embrace.No, he didn’t want to go back.Standing outside the restaurant, Charlie looked up toward the second floor, and then retrieved his phone and called Stephen, the Wade family’s butler.“Chec
Peter was stunned as he covered his cheek with his hand. After a short while, he yelled at Charlie.“You piece of thrash! How dare you hit me!”Charlie sneered before he said, “Why? Why wouldn’t I dare hit you? If I want to hit you, you’ll just have to deal with it.”After that, Charlie raised his hand and slapped Peter again. At this time, Peter’s cheek was already swollen.Even though Claire was also very disgusted with Peter, Charlie had already slapped him twice. Therefore, she was a little worried and she hurriedly said, “Charlie, what are you doing? Didn’t I tell you not to recklessly start a fight with anyone?”She was not worried about herself but she was worried that Peter would exact revenge on Charlie. After all, Peter was still the boss of a reputable company. How could he possibly keep calm after getting hit by Charlie?True enough, Peter was completely annoyed and irritated at this time. He pointed his finger at Claire before he said, “You, the one with the last nam
The cabbie chuckled. "You're a local yet you're heading to Antique Street right away as soon as you land instead of going home? And you're still saying you're not trying to pick up a killer bargain deal?"Come on, man—it's not just you, I want that too. We cabbies work ourselves to death only for ten thousand per month at best while our friend over there made twenty million in one night. I could keep driving cabs for the rest of my life and still not make that much money."Jacob knew that the cabbie must be talking about Raymond and became even more miserable then, grumbling unhappily, "I'm going to Antique Street for business—I'm not trying to pick up some missed bargain.""No? Then you didn't hear what happened yesterday?"The cabbie was immediately curious, and without waiting for Jacob's answer, he exclaimed happily, "Look, man—it was so ridiculous not even Hollywood would put it in their script. There were these fools who were trying to sell an antique trader a replica, but th
It was nighttime in Dubai as Jacob dragged his weary body from the hotel back to the airport.As he was flying economy this time, he was left sitting at the hard bench near the boarding terminal, waiting for it to open.While he waited, his heart was torn as he tapped into the website of the Aurous Hill Charity Fund, found their donation account, and wired the entire 300 thousand he had made over to them.He had picked the Aurous Hill Charity Fund because the circles of antique collectors in Aurous Hill were all discussing how Raymond had donated half of the 20 million he had made to that same charity fund.After Raymond skyrocketed to prominence in Antique Street and became a star, it could not be denied that people admired his profound ability.However, there were also people who envied his skill in turning the tables just as there were those who were jealous he had made twenty million in a single night.Still, Raymond moved fast—soon after word spread that he had made twenty m
Elaine quickly asked, "Well, what if you can't get it done?"Jacob was apprehensive even as he sighed. "If they really pressed the issue, guess I can't even stay at the Calligraphy and Painting Association now… We will see. If things get bad, I'll just resign. I won't ask for much right now, just as long as I don't have to go to jail."Elaine nodded. "Then you should try to reason things out with Raymond Cole or ask for Charlie's help if push comes to shove. Being humiliated is still better than prison.""Okay!"-It was nighttime at Aurous Hill by the time Elaine and Jacob arrived at their hotel.Charlie and Claire had just had dinner, and Claire pulled out her phone, saying, "I just checked my flight app, and it says my parents should have landed two hours ago. They are probably at the hotel, so I'll check in on them with a video call."She had yet to open her WhatsApp when Elaine called her on a video call.Jacob was planning to check in with Claire and Charlie to put their
Hearing what Jacob had said, Elaine became anxious and pressed him as he hung up, "What's going on? You're leaving? But we just got here! My shoes have just caught Dubai dirt, so why are we leaving so soon—"However, Jacob was wiping the sweat off his brow as he mumbled quietly, "Well, at this point, I have to leave or I won't be vice president anymore."Elaine immediately fumed. "We've been married for half our lives, and this is supposed to be our honeymoon, yet we're just leaving? I've posted about this on social media too—there are plenty of people who're waiting for more posts on our trip!"And don't forget—we spent a lot on our flight tickets and our hotels! The hotel bookings can't be refunded either!"Jacob scowled dolefully. "Well, what can we do? Why don't you stay? I'll go home and get this sorted out first….""Well, how long would that take?" Elaine asked."How should I know?" Jacob sighed, uneasy and annoyed. "Don Albert is saying I have to go back and donate the 300
"But I spent 98 thousand on that bronze sculpture!" Jacob exclaimed in agitation before he knew it. "I made 300 thousand from it, and that means my profit was 200 thousand at best, but I'm supposed to return that to him as well?! That means I'd have lost my own capital too!""I can't help you if you can't bear to part with that money, Mr. Wilson," Don Albert said quietly. "In that case, you'll just have to handle it yourself.""Wait, wait, wait!" Jacob immediately became antsy and cried out right then, "Please, Don Albert! I'll return the money! I'll return it, alright?! The entirety of my profits—202 thousand, okay? At least let me keep the money I spent, okay?""By that reasoning, Mr. Wilson, when a phone scammer is told by the cops to return the money they've made from defrauding, should he be allowed to keep the money he spent on telco charges? ""Oh, I…" Jacob was left stumped and could not come up with an answer.Don Albert then pressed on, "Mr. Wilson, I've offered a prom
"Mr. Wilson, what you boys did was truly heinous!" Don Arnold growled. "I scolded Zachary myself when I found out, and I was the one who told him to post that statement!"Jacob was shocked. "But why, Don Arnold? Are you friends with Raymond Cole?""Never met the guy," Don Arnold replied.That left Jacob even more confused. "Then why are you taking his side?""I've been doing my best to clean up my image over the past couple of years," Don Albert replied coolly. "I rarely get involved in mob business or anything illicit, and everyone in Aurous Hill knows that Zachary is my right-hand man, yet he confessed to committing such a heinous crime behind my back. What is that if not sullying my reputation?"Jacob was left reeling as he didn't expect Don Albert to be so serious, but he quickly explained, "I'm sorry. I didn't expect it to affect you so terribly… It's all Zachary's fault! I wouldn't have been aware that Raymond had returned at all, but he just had to tell me and come up with
At this point, Don Albert could very well be Jacob's personal messiah.Even if he did threaten Zachary with calling Charlie persistently, he actually wouldn't dare call Charlie.After all, how would he start explaining that he was involved in a crime? And telling Charlie was basically telling his daughter—what would they think of him after this? Would he ever be able to hold his head high in the family again?As such, his only option now was to ask Don Albert and see if he would help.What he didn't know was that Don Albert was with Charlie, who had already anticipated Jacob's move.When Jacob realized he couldn't stop Zachary, Jacob would find someone who could, and Don Albert was the best man for the job!To no surprise, Don Albert's phone soon started ringing with a call from Jacob.Don Albert didn't answer right away, however, instead turning toward Charlie as he asked gingerly, "So, shall I stick to your script, Master Wade?"Seeing Charlie nod, he pressed on, "Should I
As soon as Jacob sent the voice message, Mr. Bay called.Jacob quickly answered, asking nervously, "How are things over there, Mr. Bay?""How, you ask…?" Mr. Bay sighed in exasperation. "The entire Calligraphy and Painting Association was demanding your dismissal as soon as Zachary Evans posted his statement, thinking that you have no business being the administrative vice president let alone have a place in the association."Even those officials came asking me questions, and you know how they are—gossipers, every last one of them, always finding out about the juicy stuff instantly even if it's really no big deal. The only excuse I have to stop them is that we don't have the facts, but this issue still needs to be taken care of."So, be straight with me. Were you a part of this? If you don't, do you have any definitive evidence that can refute Zachary's claims?""I… Uh…" Jacob stammered, unable to answer.He certainly wanted to say no, but he had no evidence to back himself up.
Jacob bellowed furiously, "Raymond Cole made over 19 million dollars! From my bronze sculpture! Yet you're telling me to refund that 300 thousand too?! You're just fucking with me, aren't you?!""Well, if you don't like it, just do what you like, then," Zachary replied calmly and quickly hung up before Jacob could answer.Jacob was left twitching and shaking endlessly, and there was no telling if it was from rage or fear.Beside him, Elaine quickly asked, "What did Zachary say, dear? Can he get that bronze sculpture back?"Caught by surprise at her question, Jacob flinched, and his phone slipped out of his grasp.As it seemed to hover in the air, he tried to catch it twice but failed, but Elaine managed to grab it.It was then that she noticed that he was sweating all over his face, and she promptly asked, "What's wrong, dear?"Coming to his senses, Jacob's eyes went wide with rage. "Zachary is trying to kill me! He leaked the whole thing to his Twitter page—it's like he's pulli