Ch. 1071..1080
Life at the Top Chapter 1071
“I’m, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. Sorry…”
“What’s the use apologizing? Just look at how poor you are, you village girl. Who gave you the right to come to high-end places like this? What’s with this department store anyway? How can you let cheap and inferior people in?”
“I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean it. I… I can have it cleaned if you want?”
“Have it cleaned? Seriously, you really are a village girl that knows nothing of the world! Do you know that expensive clothing these can’t be washed? It has to be sent to professional places for maintenance, with each round costing a few hundred bucks! Can you even afford that?”
A few salespeople stood awkwardly by the side.
The man and woman stood arrogantly in the middle of the shop. There was an obvious patch on the alluringly dressed woman’s cashmere top as well as a cup of spilled coffee by her leg.
Tiffany was flushed and her eyes filled with fear and tears as she stood in front of the woman and apologized profusely.
Just then, Jasper and Henry walked into the shop.
The moment Tiffany saw Jasper, it was like she spotted her hero. All the fright and unjust she had bottled up immediately flowed from her eyes.
Anger flared between Jasper’s furrowed brows when he saw the lady trembling as she hid by his side and cried unjustly. Jasper looked up at the couple.
“You?!”
The man beside the woman had spotted Jasper by now, and he shouted instinctively. His expression was sinister and cruel.
This man was none other than Dudley, whom Jasper had taught a lesson to the day before.
Dudley had not expected to meet a nemesis like Jasper when he had come to buy clothes with his new sex friend. Countless ruthless plans he had thought of the night before surfaced in his mind as he glared at Jasper, wanting nothing more than to rip the man’s flesh from his bones.
Dudley was much more confident when he saw that beside Jasper stood an unfamiliar young man instead of Julian, who had previously left a terrifying impression on him.
“Son of a b*tch, I was just getting frustrated thinking about where to find you when you served yourself to me on a silver platter!” Dudley stared at Jasper resentfully.
Henry arched a brow when he heard him, smelling the familiar scent of an idiot with a death wish. His gaze slightly deadly dangerous as he looked at Dudley.
Young Master Law loved brainless trust-fund children like this the most.
This man seemed like a pure imbecile and the perfect person to step over.
“Looks like your mouths healed,” Jasper said calmly, causing Dudley’s expression to immediately sour.
Jasper then ignored Dudley and turned to Tiffany. “What happened?”
Tiffany replied softly, “I was standing there waiting for you when she knocked me from behind.”
Tiffany pointed at the woman by Dudley’s side and continued, “She had a cup of coffee in her hands so knocking into me caused the coffee to splash and dirty her clothes.”
“I already apologized but she was very angry and didn’t want to accept my apology.”
“Since she’s the one that knocked into you, then you don’t have to apologize for anything,” Jasper said.
Tiffany looked down and fumbled with her fingers. “But… but I don’t want to cause trouble.”
“It’s good that you don’t want to cause trouble, but if they’re bullying you, then there’s no need to keep giving in. Many people in the world will only take advantage of that.”
Jasper’s words completely irked the woman by Dudley’s side. She shrieked, “Stupid girl! You think you’re so powerful now because someone came to help you, huh?
“You’re implying that I knocked into you?! Take a look at how poor you are, I’d feel tainted just touching you, so why would I knock into you, huh?!”
Jasper glanced at a salesperson and asked gently, “Excuse me, but who knocked into who just now?”
The salesperson looked conflicted, but she cautiously glanced at the infuriated woman.
While she had not answered outright, her actions had indicated enough.
The woman pointed at the salesperson angrily and said, “Do you want to get fired?! Why are you looking at me, huh?! Are you saying that I made a mistake?”
“Will you shut up?!” Jasper suddenly shouted.
The woman was shocked by Jasper’s roar, and she looked at Jasper dazedly, falling silent for a long while.
“Ignoring the fact that you were the one who knocked into her, even if she had knocked into you, she already apologized. I’ll compensate for how much your top cost but was there the need to embarrass a little lady?
“All you know is to call her a stupid girl and a poor and cheap person, but how much do you think you’re worth?”
The woman paled at Jasper’s words and she turned to pull Dudley’s sleeve while wailing, “Look at him, Dudley, he’s bullying me. You’ve got to help me.”
“Don’t worry.”
Dudley patted the woman’s hand and stared at Jasper, scoffing. “I was going to get rid of him even if this didn’t happen today.”
Dudley then walked toward Jasper and sneered. “Enough with all these grandiose words, Laine. How do you want to deal with this matter today? Tell me.”
“Easy, have that woman next to you apologize to her,” Jasper replied coldly.
Dudley reacted as if he had heard a large joke and replied exaggeratingly, “Are you fcking crazy? You want my woman to apologize to the btch next to you? I’ll fcking kill you two, btch and b*stard!”
“Pfft.”
Henry could not help but laugh.
Henry turned to Jasper in excitement and asked, “Which huge businessman or high-ranking official is this stupid fcker’s dad? How can he be so fcking dumb?”
When he heard this, Dudley was utterly infuriated.
“This has nothing to do with you, you little sh*t, so you best shut up. Don’t you know that being careless with your words will get you trouble? Don’t end up offending people you can’t afford to, or it’ll soon be too late to cry about it.”
Henry was in awe. “Damn, you know how to use proverbial sayings?”
Henry still had a stunned expression on his face the second before his expression suddenly darkened. His expression was dark and devilish as the man raised his hand to slap Dudley across his left cheek.
The slap rang out clearly, stunning everyone present.
Dudley staggered from the force of the slap and almost fell onto the floor.
“Motherf*cker!
“I’m always the one that threatens others, so who the f*ck do you think you are to talk to me like that?
“Think well and give me the name of the most powerful elder in your family. If it’s not powerful enough, then you’re screwed, you moron!”
Life at the Top Chapter 1072
Every word and punctuation in his sentence was filled with presumptuous arrogance.
This was Henry’s true form.
As the most powerful trust-fund child in the country, Henry did not pay respect to anyone but the Law family and Jasper when he was angered.
The words and the slap stunned Dudley.
He cupped his face and paled in anger.
As a trust-fund child himself, he had never been trampled over. He immediately roared, “Who the fck are you?! Give me your name, I dare you! Fck you!”
“F*ck me?”
Henry smiled wretchedly.
“The name’s Law, from Harbor City. How about you f*ck me yourself if you’re so powerful?”
Dudley spat out a mouthful of foam. “Law? Your motherfcking bullsht, I’ve never heard that name before! So what if you’re from Harbor City? This is the f*cking Mainland, not Harbor City which so small that the entire City can hear you when you cough.
“Even a dragon listens to my call here!
“I’ll f*cking remember this slap and I’ll make you pay for it tenfold!”
Without another word, Henry raised his right fist and punched Dudley in the stomach.
This was not a light punch.
Henry won during in his amateur fights with three to five people, so an unfit trust-fund child like Dudley was no match for him.
Dudley did not even have the time to avoid the punch so he took the full brunt of it. He curled over like a cooked prawn and heaved as he laid on the floor, his eyes and mouth wide open.
That was not all, for Henry then lifted his leg to step on Dudley’s head as he laid on the floor. Dudley almost ended up crawling on the ground.
“To be honest, I love people like you the most. All you spout is nonsense. You’re stupid, and you know jack sht. All the other fckers who understand the natural order of things surrender the moment they hear that my family name’s Law. It’s not fun beating them up at all, but you, you’re good. You can still spout sh*t.”
“F*ck you!”
Dudley immediately erupted after all the humiliation he had been forced to endure. He flipped around to throw off Henry’s foot before he got up to pounce on Henry.
Henry scoffed and slapped Dudley’s right cheek with the back of his hand as the man pounced.
Dudley’s face lost its shape from the force of the slap, and he spat out a small mouthful of bloodied foam. With a bloated face, he roared, “How f*cking dare you slap me again?!”
At that moment, the woman following Dudley was terrified and she shrieked. She ran out of the store and shouted, “Help! Someone come help! They’re killing people in here!”
At that, half the department store was cast into motion.
The few bodyguards accompanying Dudley rushed over from their previous positions by the elevators.
Dudley let out a sigh of relief when he saw this. Thank goodness his sex friend was not completely useless.
After Jasper taught him a lesson yesterday, Dudley did not forget to have his bodyguards follow him whenever he walked out thereafter. He only had the bodyguards wait outside because he was buying clothes for the woman today.
Seeing his bodyguards run over, Dudley pointed at Jasper and Henry resentfully and roared, “Hit them! Beat them up! I don’t care if you kill them, I’ll take responsibility for that!”
At that, the few bodyguards looked at Jasper and Henry fiercely.
“Hide behind me,” Jasper told Tiffany calmly.
Tiffany had never seen such a sight before, and in utter nervousness, she suddenly did something no one had expected.
She mustered up the courage to step in front of Jasper and spoke loudly, “I won’t let you hit Jasper! If you want to hit, hit me!”
That sight had Henry, who was focused, solemn, and ready to fight, almost breaking out of character and laughing.
Life at the Top Chapter 1073
Jasper did not know whether to laugh or cry at the sight of this.
He was shocked but also touched.
Not every girl could be so brave.
This had at least proven that he had not treated Tiffany well for nothing. She was a good lady that knew how to repay someone’s kindness.
“What use is there standing in front of me, silly girl? This is an issue between men.”
Jasper pulled Tiffany to stand behind him. Turning his head, he grabbed a shirt from a mannequin by the side and ripped it into two halves.
He passed Henry one half and wrapped his half around his right hand so that it functioned as a simple boxing glove.
“F*cking hell, what are you doing just standing there? Go on! I’ll give each of you 5000! Anyone who doesn’t hit hard gets fired immediately!” Dudley roared in anger.
The few bodyguards shared a look as they rushed toward Jasper and Henry without further thought.
The fight began immediately.
The four bodyguards were well-trained and professional. It was evident from the way they fought that they actually knew how to fight and were more than just men who looked like they fit the part.
They split work among themselves clearly, two of them against one of Jasper or Henry, separating the two immediately.
Henry was fine. He landed a few punches and immediately struck back when punches landed on him.
Jasper, however, was not a novel’s male protagonist who happened to be a great fighter, so he immediately began to wane against two professional bodyguards alone.
Tiffany felt her heart lurch when she saw a bodyguard push Jasper, causing the man to stagger two steps backward.
She turned her head and looked around until she saw a fire cabinet at the entrance of the store.
She summed up all the courage in her life and ran straight to the fire cabinet. She opened it and pulled out a fire axe with difficulty. Then, she turned and rushed to Dudley without another word.
Dudley was still laughing gleefully the second before.
“This is what you two get for being arrogant you fckers! Fcking hell, I’ll crush you two to dust or I’ll change my damn surname!”
Just then, he heard the terrified shout of the woman beside him. His eyes locked on what was Tiffany’s tiny figure less than five meters away, running toward him with a fire axe.
“I’ll kill you for asking someone to attack Jasper!”
This lady that could only apologize vigorously and endure mistreatment when she was getting bullied had completely let go of all inhibitions. She was currently running toward Dudley without hesitation and a fire axe in hand, ready to swing it at his head.
If she swung it, Dudley would surely lose his life today.
Dudley screamed in extreme fear and he took an instinctive step backward. Only to knock into the woman who had by now jumped behind his figure, using him as her shield.
Dudley did not have the time to scream profanities when he tripped and fell on the floor.
Still, Tiffany was just a puny lady. She only had the strength to raise the fire axe, but she could not control its trajectory. Dudley stepped backward, fell, and Tiffany closed her eyes as she swung the axe down.
It fell with a loud boom…
Dudley sat on the floor, his legs spread open and the fire axe lodged right between them. It landed a few inches away from his vitals.
Had Tiffany stretched out her arms, Dudley would have lost his chance for children forever.
Under immense terror, Dudley paled and shook uncontrollably.
Before relief could flood him, he felt his butt heat up and a warm gush of liquid leak out from under him.
Everyone was shocked when they saw the pungent yellow puddle.
Dudley had peed himself in fear.
Life at the Top Chapter 1074
The sudden turn of events immediately quieted the messy scene.
Forget everyone else, even Jasper’s eyes were widened, and that terrified Tiffany.
Had it landed anywhere else, then today would become much more interesting.
Tiffany stood blankly as she stared at the axe in her hands as well as the disgusting liquid flowing around the axe head. The courage Tiffany had mustered up completely disappeared and she let go of the axe as if she was electrocuted. Then, she immediately dashed to hide behind Jasper.
“Good job!”
Henry was panting from laughter and he gave a flushed-red Tiffany a thumbs up. Young Master Law was extremely intrigued by the fierce side of this seemingly cowardly lady had.
Dudley, the victim, paled in shock and had yet to realize what had happened.
“Fck. motherfcker. F*cking hell!”
Dudley was both terrified and angry. He felt like he had been utterly humiliated and he did not have the will to meet anyone’s gaze anymore.
Just then, the woman who had hid behind him ran out and screamed, “Ah! Mr. Ball, you, you peed yourself?”
The woman, who had a knack for bringing up things she should not have, immediately fell silent when she saw Dudley’s dark expression.
“Fck you, you stupid btch!”
Dudley slapped the woman, which had her immediately falling to the floor. He scolded, “I wouldn’t have fallen on the floor if you didn’t stand behind and block me, you stupid b*tch!
“You hid quickly once things took a turn for the worse! How dare you take me for your shield?!”
In a fit of anger, Dudley vented everything he felt onto this woman. He even stepped on her a few times and as she shouted out in agony, Then, Dudley suddenly turned his head.
His dark and devouring gaze drilled into Tiffany as the latter stood beside Jasper.
Tiffany was terrified and she grabbed Jasper’s clothes. She hid half her body behind the man, trembling slightly.
“It’s okay.”
Jasper comforted, meeting Dudley’s gaze as he asked, “Do you want to continue?”
No matter how shameless Dudley was, there was no way he would continue to trouble Jasper with a wet patch between his legs.
Upset and furious, Dudley felt the weird gazes from the onlooking crowd pinned onto him. This made the man’s pale-from-infuriation complexion turn fuchsia.
“Just you wait!”
Dudley roared pitifully as he glared at Jasper and the other two with utter hatred. Then, he ran out of the store whilst surrounded by his bodyguards.
Henry narrowed his eyes and made a move to follow.
Henry had never been a man deterred by threats.
However, Jasper immediately pulled him back after he took his first step.
“Let’s stop here. He’s going to fight with everything he has if you run after him,” Jasper explained.
Henry pouted and said uncaringly, “So what? As if I’m afraid of him. At the end of the day, he’s going to be the one that risked his life while I come out completely unscathed.”
“I know you’re strong, but we’ll have more chances in the future. How’re we supposed to play if we drive him insane now?” Jasper said intently.
Henry arched a brow and calmed down. He asked interestedly, “You mean the forum?”
“Yo, I see you’ve grown smarter, hmm?” Jasper stated in shock.
Henry immediately replied pridefully, “Of course. People improve all the time. You invited me to go to some forum before and you promised me some fun. Now you’re telling me we’re going to play, so when else could you mean but then?”
Life at the Top Chapter 1075
“Not bad. But we’re going to deal with more than just Dudley by then. He’s still just a trust-fund child with no respect and won’t be shown off in public settings like this. It’s his elders that are difficult to deal with,” Jasper said.
“So what? If that old man knows what’s good for him, fine. If he doesn’t, then I’ll beat both father and son up!”
Jasper and Henry brought Tiffany away as they spoke, leaving the woman Dudley had aggressively beaten up to squat and wail on the floor. Even so, no one looked her in the eye.
At the same time, Dudley ran into the car surrounded by his four bodyguards. He had just sat down when he felt something cold under his butt.
The damp and chilly feeling was accompanied by something smelly, causing him to feel like he was about to go mad.
One of the bodyguards by his side had a frozen expression on his face as Dudley suddenly slapped the bodyguard in rage.
“Are you f*cking complaining that I’m smelly?”
“I would never, Mr. Ball.”
While the bodyguard was very much capable of ending Dudley’s life with one hand, he had no other choice but to lower his head and apologize. A clear handprint appeared on his cheek, but he still did not dare to fight back.
Dudley said icily, “I wouldn’t have to be so humiliated if you few trashbags were capable of protecting me!”
Dudley felt the urge to kill everyone who knew of the incident once he thought back to how he was almost forcibly castrated and had peed his pants in public.
“We’re going back!” Dudley growled, frustrated and furious.
The car quickly started moving as it left the department store.
Dudley pulled out his phone to make a call in the car. Once it connected, he began to wail, “Dad, someone almost killed me today!”
…
While an unexpected incident did occur, it did not affect Jasper’s schedule too badly.
After helping Tiffany get her clothes and a few other daily necessities, Jasper and Henry brought her to Hoofmorn University.
This was her first time arriving at one of the best academies in the country. Tiffany knew that she was going to have to spend the next few years here, so she looked around curiously.
Jasper was relieved to see that Tiffany was starting to grow more confident. She no longer looked fearful and inferior.
“Ah, university girls sure look pure and innocent.”
Henry suddenly spoke beside them, completely ruining the atmosphere.
“Thinking back to when I studied abroad, there was never anyone wherever I went. I don’t know why, but it’s like everyone was trying to run as fast as they can when they saw me coming, like I was a ghost or something,” Henry said unhappily.
“Because you’re annoying,” Jasper concluded with three words.
Henry rolled his eyes and said, “You guys do what you need, I’ll go flirt with university girls.”
“Don’t cause trouble,” Jasper said to Henry’s disappearing figure.
The latter waved Jasper off while turning around, vanishing a moment later.
“Who is he, Jasper?” Tiffany asked as she stared at Henry’s back.
“The most powerful trust-fund child in the country,” Jasper replied casually as he walked Tiffany to the administrative building.
“Trust-fund child? I thought that was a derogatory term?” Tiffany asked in shock.
“Depends on who you’re describing. For him, it’s a neutral adjective. He’s not bad.” Jasper smiled.
The two arrived at the administrative building as they spoke.
From afar, Jasper saw Dorian jog over with a familiar and polite smile. Jasper immediately shook Dorian’s hand and said, “Thank you for the trouble today, Mr. Clem.”
Life at the Top Chapter 1076
With Mr. Clem’s help, and Mr. Marshman’s promise as the Dean of Hoofmorn University, Tiffany’s admission papers were quickly processed.
Almost no time was wasted as Mr. Clem took Tiffany’s documents and went to the relevant departments to finalize her admission.
All while Jasper and Tiffany sat in the lounge. Half an hour later, Mr. Clem returned with a stack of materials in his hand.
“It’s done. As a special recruit freshman in Civil and Commercial Law in our Law Department, you will study full-time for four years, Tiffany. Your diploma will be the same as the other students who enrolled via the traditional entrance exams.
“Should you wish, you can also take the postgraduate entrance exam for further studies.”
Dorian smiled as he told Tiffany, “Welcome to Hoofmorn University, freshman.”
Tiffany was respectful and understanding, so she immediately bowed to Dorian once she heard the man’s words. “Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Clem.”
Mr. Clem smiled widely. He could tell that Jasper cared for Tiffany after this series of events. He did not know what relationship the two shared, but that did not matter to him.
As long as Jasper was Hoofmorn University’s partner, then there was nothing wrong with these ‘privileges’.
“Not at all. This is my name card, you’re free to look for me if there’s anything you don’t understand in school.
“The lecturer arranged to head your tutorial class is in a lecture right now, so I’ll bring you to meet him after he’s done later. Most of your time here in school will be spent with these lecturer and other classmates,” Dorian said.
Tiffany took the name card with both hands and replied with pursed lips, “Okay, I understand. Thank you, Mr. Clem.”
Jasper got up and shook Dorian’s hand with a smile. “I’ll have to trouble you to help Tiffany from time to time, Mr. Clem.
“I’m not always free, nor will I always be in Waterhoof City. Tiffany’s studying all alone here in Waterhoof City, so I’ll have Tiffany see you as an older brother to turn to. I’ll put her in your care.”
Dorian quickly replied, “It’s no trouble at all. I’m very happy to help.”
Mr. Marshman was in a meeting, so Jasper did not go to visit the man. After processing Tiffany’s admission, Jasper and Tiffany followed Mr. Clem as they arrived at Tiffany’s assigned dorm.
“Tiffany, our school provides single dorms. Are you sure you don’t want them?” Dorian asked.
“No, thank you. Jasper told me that I should socialize more, and I like making friends too,” Tiffany replied softly.
Dorian nodded, feeling that Tiffany was indeed an understanding child.
After they settled Tiffany in, Jasper then pulled out a bank card and placed it into Tiffany’s hand.
“I’ve already pre-deposited your living expenses in this card, and there are many ATMs on campus. Use it when you have to–there’s no need to be frugal. This bit of money doesn’t matter much to me.
“I sent you to school so you can study, so don’t starve yourself of things and experiences just because you’re unwilling to spend the money.”
Jasper reminded, fully aware Tiffany’s character.
Tiffany pursed her lips but did not reject it. She took the bank card and looked down as she said, “Thank you, Jasper.”
“There’s no need to thank me for this,” Jasper huffed a laugh, “I’ll be going, then. Look for Mr. Clem if you need anything. You can come talk to me too, as I’ll come and visit you from time to time. If you’re free, you can also go back to Nauritus City to visit your big sis Schuler.”
Tiffany nodded heavily as she watched Jasper and Mr. Clem leave.
Life at the Top Chapter 1077
Tiffany sighed slightly as she watched Jasper leave with his head held high while Mr. Clem followed with the slight desire to please on his face. An indescribable feeling surfaced in her innocent and pure heart.
Jasper and Dorian spoke happily among themselves as they exited the dormitory. The two men ignored the woman running the female dorms as they walked out openly, garnering the attention of many female students.
Some of them had even recognized Mr. Clem and were immediately stunned. Why would the dean’s secretary come all the way to visit the girl’s dormitory?
Hoofmorn University had a huge campus with a great environment. A short distance away from the dorms, Jasper pulled out a pre-prepared check and handed it to Dorian.
Dorian was stunned by the act. ‘What is Jasper doing?
‘Bribery?
‘Since when do people bribe in broad daylight so openly?
‘In broad daylight, in school where teachers and students are everywhere?’
Dorian frowned and did not take the check. He turned to look at Jasper with a rather stern look in his eyes.
Jasper knew that Dorian had misunderstood, so he explained himself with a smile, “Mr. Clem, I realized that one of Hoofmorn University’s libraries is long due for reparations.
“As a businessman with few achievements, I wish to contribute to the maintenance of Hoofmorn University’s campus.”
“This money is my donation to Hoofmorn University so it can build a new library.”
Dorian’s doubts vanished when he heard Jasper’s explanations. He asked with elation, “Really, Mr. Laine?”
To repay Hoofmon University for their quick process of Tiffany’s enrollment, coupled with the fact that they were also research partners, Jasper would not be stingy when it came to doing things that would both better his reputation and improve their relationship as partners.
“Why would I lie about this? It’s just a library. I plan to donate even more in the future, mainly to beautify the campus and to improve the living and learning environments of the staff and students,” Jasper said with a crescent-eyed smile.
Jasper sure knew how to talk to ensure his own benefits!
Dorian was well aware of what Jasper was trying to do and took the check. He looked at the sum that was more than enough to build a new library and was impressed. “This is a huge donation, Mr. Laine. A ceremony should be held for this.”
“There’s no need.”
Jasper looked around at the youthful and romanticized students as he thought back to the low-ranked university he had graduated from in his past and present life. It could not compete with Hoofmorn University, but it was still his, so he felt that he should go back to visit from time to time.
Emotional, Jasper turned to Dorian and said, “I’m mostly busy with work, so there’s no need for any unnecessary formal ceremonies. Just relay it to Mr. Marshman later, he’ll understand.”
“You’re a noble man, Mr. Laine,” Dorian said genuinely.
Any other person, wealthy businessman, or Hoofmorn University’s successful alumnus would have liked telling the entire world that they had come to donate something.
While they called it donations, the ceremony and everything made it seem more like a chance to show off. Yet, Hoofmorn University had no other choice but to play along exasperatedly with them as they were one of the best academies in the country.
Even if they were a university where teaching and research took priority, people still had to make a living and there was no escaping worldly customs.
However, while Jasper’s simple donation was of the largest amounts Hoofmorn University had seen in decades, the man had not said anything nor did he plan to broadcast his contribution.
‘What else, if not noble?’
Life at the Top Chapter 1078
After bidding Mr. Clem goodbye, Jasper then called Henry only to find that the latter had turned his phone off.
Perhaps he had managed to find a female university student and was trying his luck with her.
Jasper was too lazy to care about what he was up to.
After all, there was no need to worry about Henry’s safety when they were in a place like Waterhoof City.
Only madmen would seek out Henry to cause trouble. Not to mention that Henry was well-versed in the ways of trust-fund children and he would be the first to back out when he knew that he could not beat them in a fight. After this, he would either look for Jasper or his family to take revenge for him.
After leaving Hoofmorn University, Jasper and Julian went to pay a visit to the construction site.
Even though the matter was over, Sena’s heart still hurt whenever he thought back about the incident. Therefore, he would take a trip to the site whenever he was free. The site also became much more orderly after what had happened.
However, Jasper was surprised to find that he was warmly welcomed by the workers.
“Are you here to see our progress, Mr. Laine? Don’t worry, we’re all doing our parts well and I’m sure we’ll be able to finish construction before the targetted date!”
“That’s right, Mr. Laine. I heard from everyone that you’re a great employer, how you not only give us workers a good salary, but you always pay us on time too. The catering’s fine and I heard that the site even gave Bo ten thousand bucks in advance when his dad got sick!”
“All of us remember the good that you’ve done for us!”
Jasper acknowledged each of the workers with a smile.
“I had no idea about Bo, nor was I referred to when it happened. But I did advocate for a more humanized management to look out and be considerate of each other since it’s not easy working out here.”
Sean sighed as he followed Jasper. “The country’s real estate industry has been growing lately, Mr. Laine, and the worker’s treatment has improved too. But with that also comes more messy situations.
“There are a lot of companies who owe wages to migrant workers and a lot of issues have arisen from this. There’s a lot of conflict and lack of trust between workers and us enterprises as well.
“But our JW is about to become a huge brand. While the other construction enterprises are looking for workers, our JW has workers taking the initiative to contact us for work whenever we put up notices about new projects.
“This happened back in Southeast Province and now in Waterhoof City. It fills me with joy to see such a thing.”
Jasper replied, “These are the benefits of an enterprise with more people-centric management. These are all pitiful people born from poverty-stricken families. There might be a few difficult ones among them, but most of them are honest folks trying to make a living.
“We can’t be too cold-blooded when doing business, and wages have to be distributed on time and according to the agreed upon standard. If there are any complications, then we should also look out and care for them.
“People have feelings, and this amount of money means almost nothing to JW, but it’s powerful enough to influence an enterprises’ public image.
“JW Real Estate’s image has to be shaped and established from the very beginning. Otherwise, it’ll be very difficult to change the horrible impression people have of us in the future.”
Sean nodded solemnly and replied, “I understand, Mr. Laine. I’ll make sure to carry our your instructions!”
Jasper laughed out loud and said, “You’re starting to sound more and more like you’re placating me just so I’d shut up, Sean.”
Sean replied aggrievedly, feeling misunderstood, “I meant what I said though.”
Jasper made his way around the construction site and found himself satisfied with the situation. He had preliminarily approved of this new construction team Sean had formed.
Jasper and Julian did not stay for long, opting to leave for the hotel once they ate something simple at the construction site.
The asset forum conference was to be held the next day, and Jasper had to make his preparations.
…
Some unknown time ago, a piece of news began to circulate and affect the hearts of many people in Waterhoof City.
Life at the Top Chapter 1079
The opening ceremony of an asset forum conference was about to begin.
This was the year 2001, and ridiculous high-end events had yet to become as common as they would be more than a decade later.
The asset forum, for example, was a concept they had taken from the West. Most people initially did not know what such an event entailed.
Basically, this was an event where a group of successful entrepreneurs would sit down with a few fake economic experts as they proceeded to predict and discuss their hopes for the country’s financial situation or the industry’s developments.
If the people attending were not powerful enough, then the forum became a joke.
However, this asset forum conference in Waterhoof City was held by Seatreasures International Group, and the person invited was a renowned financial expert in the country. Large companies in Waterhoof City’s financial industry were also present.
The most well-known attendee would be the vice president of Haddock’s Chamber.
Everyone knew that the symbol of Teo Chamber of Commerce was Seatreasures International Group, which was worth tens of billions on the market. The Teo and Haddock Chambers of Commerce also had many conflicts and they were at great odds with each other.
Therefore, this forum, with so many inter-connected figures, was already incendiary before it even began.
Especially when word got out that Haddock’s Chamber of Commerce’s vice president was Jasper. People were in an uproar when they did a background check on Jasper.
The majority shareholder of JW Company.
JW was no longer the small company that no one knew of in the past.
With its subsidiaries involved in the dot-com, electronics manufacturing, real estate, and entertainment industries, JW was starting to look more like an established group.
Especially to people in Waterhoof City, where Jasper was leading the construction of the future tallest building in the world.
The strangest part of all was that Jasper’s birth and path to entrepreneurship had nothing to do with Haddock’s Chamber of Commerce.
Some more knowledgeable people also knew that Jasper was in confict with the previous president of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce Waterhoof City branch. In fact, Jasper was also directly involved in the other’s downfall.
So why did Jasper suddenly become the vice president of the Chamber’s Waterhoof City branch?
Under countless curious and confused gazes, the asset forum proceeded anyway in Waterhoof City’s W Hotel’s main conference hall.
The car slowly drove toward W Hotel’s lobby entrance, and from afar, Henry exclaimed as he sat beside Jasper whilst observing the frenzied atmosphere in front of them. “It actually looks legitimate.”
The hotel’s lobby entrance was already surrounded and packed with reporters while a large group of suited workers with identity cards draping from their necks tried to maintain order.
Under the continuous flashing of cameras, the event had the atmosphere befitting of an important conference.
“Seatreasures International Group wants to use this forum to crush Haddock’s power in Waterhoof City so that they can get a foothold in the Waterhoof City, the country’s financial center’s financial industry. It’s only normal they would arrange such a grand event.”
Jasper was unsurprised as he replied.
Henry’s eyes suddenly lit up and he snickered, pointing at a young man who was speaking to someone darkly not too far away. “That’s the stupid f*cker from that day, no?”
Jasper looked up at the young man and realized that it was Dudley.
“His father, Alban Ball, is the founder of Seatreasures International. I guess you could consider Dudley as its heir, so it makes sense that he’s here.”
“This is going to be fun!”
Henry rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Let’s make it clear now, don’t pull me back if that stupid f*cker jumps up. I’ve been holding it in these past two days and I’m at my limit.”
Life at the Top Chapter 1080
“It’s JW’s Mr. Laine’s car!”
“Mr. Laine is here!”
One of the sharper reporters had spotted the vehicle and shouted. In a flash, almost all the reporters flooded to approach the car.
Their gazes were filled with excitement as they all wanted to interview Jasper to obtain first-hand information.
At the same time, reporters still engaged in interviews with other people grew awkward and unsettled.
One reporter from South Somer Commercial Post stared at the old man they were interviewing, who was still speaking endlessly. The excitement of getting a chance to interview this renowned financial expert in Waterhoof City disappeared, quickly replaced with impatience and anxiousness.
Seeing how the side of Jasper’s car was already flooded by his competitors, the reporter was beginning to feel hasty since there was almost no space left.
“Of course, an expert’s opinion would definitely be more significant…”
The reporter could not hold it back any longer when he saw how Professor Mack was not done speaking yet.
“Alright, Professor Mack. Thank you for your explanation today, I look forward to more financial knowledge from you in the future! Thank you!”
The reporter interrupted Professor Mack and made his way to Jasper’s car. They did not even notice Professor Mack’s constipated and sour expression.
The balding Professor Mack was dazed.
Reporters would normally be extremely grateful when they had a chance to interview him, treating him with the utmost respect. Yet, this reporter had just interrupted him and cast him aside!
The furious Professor Mack glanced over resentfully. He sneered when he saw Jasper getting out of his car.
“You’re just an immature youth. A child. What economic and financial knowledge can you possess when you’re so young? You just happened to be lucky and made a bit of money! Just you wait, I’m going to make you pay when the forum starts!”
Jasper had just gotten out of the car when he was flooded by reporters.
Jasper smiled wryly at the microphones that might as well be forced into his mouth as he listened to all sorts of questions directed at him.
“Everyone, please calm down. Your safety is the most important thing now. I’ll answer each and one of your questions in a bit. Please forgive me as time constraint forbids me from answering every single one of you.
“This reporter over here, you can ask first.”
The reporter from South Somer Commercial Post was elated when Jasper picked him. He thanked the heavens for throwing away the imbecilic Professor Mack, or he would have lost such a great opportunity now.
Under the envious gazes of their competitors, the reporter asked.
“Mr. Laine, is the skyscraper in construction right now in Waterhoof City one of JW Real Estate’s properties? Have you thought of a name yet? Is it really being construction with the intention of it being the tallest building in the world?”
The questions voiced out the majority of the reporters’ thoughts.
After all, all the news thus far had merely been rumors among civilians and there had never been any formal response to the skyscraper’s construction progress from JW Real Estates.
Jasper gave it some thought before he replied, “You’re right. JW Real Estates is indeed the sole proprietor of the skyscraper in construction.
“Since its initial design, its goal has been to become the tallest building in the world. What I can tell you is that it was designed to be 666 meters tall, and that preliminary construction of the building is estimated to finish within the year. Its name is also confirmed. It will be the World Financial Center.”