Ch. 1171..1180

Life at the Top Chapter 1171

Jasper’s worries were not unwarranted.

The day after the conference, before Jasper could officially announce the establishment of his new company, Soha made their move.

Soha made an official announcement to establish Soha Payments, which had arrived at a strategic cooperation agreement with the three gaming companies Netsy, Ideal World, and Senator.

At the same time, the three gaming companies also released public statements.

They announced that the online games under their respective companies would integrate an online payment system, and all players would be able to utilize the bank system and buy points cards online.

As far as the outside world was concerned, these three gaming companies appeared as though they had taken note of how Sena managed to earn huge profits through selling points cards online for United Legends and decided to replicate their success and enter the market as well.

On the other hand, an extremely small group of people could see the true danger lying underneath this sliver of information.

This was a two-pronged attack across two industries.

The first attack was Soha Payment’s open challenge toward Jasper’s existing payment platform. The second was that this represented a revolt from other online gaming companies in the country against Sena after United Legends had blown up.

Due to the butterfly effect, Senator had actually gotten the agency rights for another exciting online game that had been developed in Coreana.

Miracles.

This was another online game that had once blown up within the country. This was an online game Coreana had developed to counter United Legends once they saw its hype.

In the present timeline, due to United Legends’ popularity being moved forward, Miracles also fell under the public spotlight earlier. The game was also greatly sought out by a large group of players.

Miracles was not the only game that had appeared earlier.

So did Ideal World Co., Ltd’s representative game, Ideal World.

Even West Fantasyland had hit the markets earlier, a long-standing online game also known as a miracle on par with World of Warcraft.

Jasper’s appearance resulted in many future well-known and outstanding online games appearing sooner than they had in his original life. However, these premature games were no match for United Legends, the best online game in the country which was currently at its peak.

“Mr. Laine, even though United Legends’ current player base and revenue are decreasing, we still control at least 60% of the country’s online market share.”

Jack, who was fully presiding over Sena’s business, reported to Jasper through a video call.

Jasper nodded. He was unsurprised by the data.

One of the reasons behind United Legends’ eventual weakening in his past life was Senator’s heartless cash-grab tactics. This resulted in explosive growth on their side.

A simple monster and player fighting game had been forcefully turned into a game of token exchange. This money-minded operation had also sped up the game’s demise.

However, Senator did not have much of a choice at the time. They were facing the issue of overly high protection costs, as there had been a leak in server source codes overseas, which spread to private domestic servers.

At the same time, other online games also began to arise. Coupled with the fact that United Legends had reached the end of its version’s lifespan, Senator had no other option but to quickly wring United Legends dry of every dollar it was worth.

Jasper had taken precautions against this and bought ownership over United Legends. All follow-up development and agency rights were decided by Sena themselves in order to make sure the possibility of a leaked source code would not occur.

“We have to speed up the content creation of the version. Among Miracles, Ideal World, and West Fantasyland, the last one will be our biggest competition.

“But that is still a 2D turn-based game and it’s unimportant to our target audience. You still have to watch out for the other two games, especially Miracles.”

“And I heard that cheat codes have appeared as well?”

Cheat codes were essentially coding software that skilled programmers wrote to hack into the players’ accounts. When it came to online games, the most important things to look out for after private servers were cheat codes.

When it came to danger levels, cheat codes were even more dangerous than private servers.

Life at the Top Chapter 1172

After all, not everyone was brave enough to risk being sued by the gaming company and potentially face life imprisonment just to steal a source code.

However, anyone who was even slightly familiar with technology could code.

Jack looked embarrassed when he heard Jasper’s question and replied, “We’ve already gathered the relevant reports and handed it over to the technical department for urgent repairs.

“Being constantly on guard is a waste of resources and has no guarantee. Just contact the legal department and suspend all accounts that used the cheat code once they’ve been detected. We’ll sue everyone that wrote the code. Do I need to explain something so simple to you?” Jasper asked distastefully.

Jack smiled wryly and replied, “Mr. Laine, I don’t know if you know this, but it costs almost nothing to write a cheat code. However, it costs a lot for us to protect our rights.”

“We can only use technical methods to suspend accounts that are using cheat codes, but we have no right to trace the physical addresses of the players who used the codes. We’ll have to contact the police for this and have them investigate the matter. You know how difficult this is, Mr. Laine.”

“I am confident that I can do this.”

Another voice suddenly rang out on Jack’s side of the video call.

The camera turned and Jasper saw a familiar person appear on the screen.

Dane Warren.

Sena’s previous chairman and its true founder.

After completely losing against Jasper in a fight for shareholder rights, Dane opted to stay in Sena’s internal ranks when the former gave him the choice to.

It was an act that required a lot of courage, but Dane continued bravely despite the weird looks the other employees gave him.

Jasper initially worried if the man had ulterior motives, He even asked Jack to keep a close eye on him.

Yet, the truth remained that Dane truly wished to make Sena into something great. Even if this Sena was not the same one he had founded.

Dane had worked diligently all this while and he did not contact any of his previous confidants. He carried out his own role clearly and well.

Dane must have possessed his own strengths and capabilities to create Sena by himself and turn it into the best web portal in the country.

He might not have been an outstanding chairman, but he was an exceptional senior executive.

Dane looked nervous in the video call as he looked at Jasper intently. There was an almost pleading look in his gaze.

“Uh…”

Jasper did not know how he should refer to Dane.

It had been a long time since he paid Dane any attention. After all, the difference in status between the two was just too large.

“I’m currently the manager in charge of maintaining the web portal’s forum,” Dane said calmly with a wry smile.

“Mr. Warren,” Jasper nodded. Pondering for a bit, he asked, “This is a difficult and ungratifying job, something that you could put tons of hard work and effort into only to come up empty-handed. Are you sure you’re willing to do it?”

Dane replied sternly, “I am. Please give me a chance, Mr. Laine.”

After a moment’s silence, Jasper answered, “You still have a small portion of the initial shares when it was previously diluted. I can give special approval for you to cash all of it out at Sena’s current market rate.”

Jasper’s words implied that Dane could become a multimillionaire at any given moment.

Dane replied calmly, “Money isn’t the most important thing to me anymore.”

Jasper nodded and said, “Alright. Then I’ll pass this responsibility over to you. I view all capable people the same. so as long as you do well, I won’t be stingy with your dividends and bonuses.”

Life at the Top Chapter 1173

Ex-enemies could one day become intimate partners. Dane’s wish was for Sena to grow strong, and so was Jasper’s.

People who had the same goal could fully move on from the past with a smile on their face.

Only children talked about who was good or bad. Adults focused on gains and losses.

This gain or loss could be about their interests or their dream.

Dane felt his chest lighten when he heard Jasper’s reply. Frankly speaking, it took a lot of courage for him to volunteer for this, and he felt immense pressure to say what he did today.

Dane had stayed even after he lost his identity as the company’s founder and chairman, and ended up as a maintenance manager for a small forum. He had no reason not to fight one last battle for himself.

Even so, he could bet that Jasper was not a narrow-minded person.

Thankfully for him, he had made the correct bet.

This incident would spell a huge change in Dane’s career and life, but it was just a small act of leniency on Jasper’s side.

After deciding this, Jasper immediately moved on.

“Jack, have everyone in the company be taught on the importance of anti-cheating. Give Mr. Warren the appropriate resources as well…”

“I understand, Mr. Laine.”

“Alright. Now moving on…”

The entire video conference lasted almost two hours. Jasper had to be more cautious with this.

The current situation was clear. Prince had used the power of Clear Seas’ capital and managed to bring Netsy, Perfect World, and Senator together. This was all for the purpose of obtaining United Legends’ market share in the country. However, Prince’s primary goal was still the online payment industry.

United Legends might be able to hold its ground now, but these three gaming companies were not easy to deal with either. Jasper was not arrogant enough to believe that the world lacked talents that could defeat him.

Not to mention that history told a clear truth. After United Legends met its end in his past life, these three games then started to grow, eventually absorbing a large number of United Legends’ previous players.

This time, with Prince supporting them, the three companies that had been oppressed by Sena thus far were instantly rejuvenated. It would not be wise for Jasper to look down on their combined strength.

Looking down on one’s enemies was the first step to self-destruction. This was a rule Jasper had always been very well aware of.

After ending the call with Sena, Jasper went to look for Wayne, who was still in Waterhoof City.

Payments for gaming points cards were only a small portion of the online payment feature. It was something Jasper used to accumulate experience whilst simultaneously testing out the technology behind it.

With the advantage of memories of his pre-reincarnation life, he knew that online shopping was the immense energy that would truly open up this space.

Online shopping itself was a hundred-million Somer Dollar market. It was a huge industry that would put Abbylon and Wayne onto the pedestal.

However, Wayne was currently in a meeting with the eighteen founders far in Harvey City. After Jasper instructed them to launch their shopping platform online as soon as possible, Wayne became busier than anyone else.

Hudson, strangely, had returned first.

There were not many follow-up procedures he had to handle. Terizone Inc had thousands of employees, but it was currently going through the golden age of company development. Thus, as a leader, Hudson could not be absent for too long during this period.

“Alright, then. Come over after you’re done with your meeting. I just got off communications with Sena, and there are a few details I need to confirm with you.”

Jasper was about to get up after he hung up the call with Wayne when someone knocked on his hotel room door.

Gerry had come to look for Jasper.

“Take a seat.”

Jasper was unfazed by Gerry’s cautiousness.

Since the beginning, Jasper had planned to use Gerry to monitor the Gardner family and cause them trouble.

However, after the unexpected negotiations with the little prince, the Gardner father-daughter duo ended up leaving the country. It was likely that they would not return after leaving this time, so Jasper moved on from the issue as well.

Hence, Jasper did not really care about Gerry’s relationship with other people, including Prince.

It was only natural that people went to places where they would benefit most. Not to mention that Jasper had never seen Gerry as one of his own, so there was never any resentment over a possible betrayal.

Instead of feeling happy, Jasper’s attitude and kindness terrified Gerry further.

As far as the man was concerned, Jasper’s kindness could be a prelude to his downfall.

At that thought, Gerry truly believed that he had made the correct decision to seek Jasper out before the man personally started hunting him. His life would truly be over when Jasper started his attack.

“Mr. Laine, I actually came here today bearing news,” Gerry did not dare to withhold information. Hence, he immediately stated his intentions upon sitting down.

“Oh?” Jasper looked at Gerry with a crescent-eyed smile, waiting for the other to continue.

Jasper’s reaction further solidified Gerry’s belief. ‘Indeed, Mr. Laine is going to end me!’

Jasper had the same crescent-eyed smile when he faced Norman and Dudley before the branch dissolved.

Then… Norman was completely defeated while Dudley ended up fleeing. Gerry heard that Seatreasures Group had also taken a huge blow and it take at least four to five years for it to recover.

Gerry thought back to himself and his small business. Forget Dudley, even Norman used to be one of his pillar’s of support before Jasper appeared. Thus, there was no way Gerry could remain unaffected when he saw Jasper’s smile.

“Basically, Mr. Laine, when I had dinner with the crown no, with Prince, it was through the connections of a friend. I had no idea that you had conflicts with him, Mr. Laine, otherwise I’d never…”

“It’s alright. That’s a small issue. Did you come to tell in e this, Mr. Heron?” Jasper interrupted him, not in the mood to listen to Gerry’s apology.

Gerry smiled awkwardly and replied, “Sorry, that was too much nonsense. Basically, I’ve been in contact with Prince twice, and he seems to want me to use my contacts in Waterhoof City to help him do something.

“He gave me a few missions, one of which was to spread rumors on the market about how unsafe your payment platform was, Mr. Laine.”

“And there’s also something especially important. Prince seems to have dirt on Vita Layne, the ICBS’ Waterhoof City branch’s vice president!”

Jasper remained calm and unfazed when he heard the first piece of information.

There was nothing new about spreading rumors since it was just a dirty trick that held no value in official settings.

The rumors could be extremely exaggerated and widespread, but as long as there was nothing wrong with the payment platform itself, then there would be no cause for alarm.

However, Jasper immediately frowned when he heard the second bit of news.

‘This won’t be easy to deal with!’

Life at the Top Chapter 1174

Dirt on Vita!

Were Jasper and Vita close?

Not really.

Jasper had only met Vita through John.

At the beginning, Jasper had only wished to acquaint himself with one of ICBS’ Waterhoof City branch’s internal personnel. This would help him with his purchase of the plot of land for the World Financial Center.

What happened after proved that Vita was a good and capable man.

Because of this, Jasper decided to help the man move up the ranks of the system.

The higher Vita’s ranks, the more power he held, and the more conveniences Jasper enjoyed.

Of course, he would not exploit Vita’s position to do something illegal. Jasper had no need to pursue such a thing, nor did Vita have the courage for it.

Their partnerships henceforth had been joyful all this while.

Take the online payment incident, for example. Vita played a crucial role in its development as the man had used his contacts to aid Jasper.

After partnering for a long time, Jasper had begun to consider Vita his friend.

Only when their relationship was mutually beneficial and their interests intact could their friendship last.

Most importantly, once the online payment policy was issued and carried out, Jasper’s partnership with the bank would only grow more intimate. Vita played an important role in this future.

Now that John had changed jobs to work for the Agricultural Bank, Vita was the only person within ICBS who could deliver crucial information to Jasper.

Be it out of logic or personal relationship, Vita had to be protected.

“What dirt?” Jasper asked solemnly.

Gerry smiled wryly and replied, “This I have no idea of. I only found out about this from eavesdropping on Prince’s call with someone else.”

“If I have to guess, Prince’s people should have contacted Vita about this already. But I don’t know what the two talked about specifically.”

Jasper frowned sternly.

Jasper would be affected negatively if something happened to Vita right as the online payment industry was about to open to the public.

Prince seemed to have realized this too, which was why he did not attack Jasper directly. Instead, he chose to attack someone as vital as Vita. Absolutely ruthless.

If Vita was removed from the equation, then all Prince had to do was use Clear Seas’ contacts and strength to block Jasper from forming a partnership with the ICBS.

Everything Jasper had planned for the online payment industry would be over then.

Jasper immediately thought of this severe repercussion and said sternly, “This is a very important piece of information to me.”

Gerry let out a long sigh and quickly replied in a pleased tone, “I’m glad that it helped you, Mr. Laine. I’m glad.”

Jasper looked at Gerry intently and asked, “To tell me something so important… Aren’t you afraid that Prince will cause you trouble?”

Gerry chuckled wryly and replied, “To be honest, Mr. Laine, I’ve thought about this deeply before.”

“Prince is powerful, but his power isn’t based in Waterhoof City. It’d take him quite a bit of effort if he wanted to get rid of me. In comparison to him, it’s more important that I don’t offend you, Mr. Laine.”

Jasper asked with a crescent-eyed smile, “My power isn’t based in Waterhoof City either, though. My properties are gathered in the Southeast Province.”

Gerry laughed dryly. “After being shown the Gardner family’s tragic end, I would never dare to offend you, Mr. Laine.”

Jasper suddenly understood. Gerry was not terrified of Jasper, he was terrified of the little prince.

The man also seemed to have misunderstood his relationship with the little prince.

However, Jasper was happy to let this misunderstanding continue. After all, Gerry’s information this time turned out to be priceless.

“Alright. Don’t worry, since you gave me such an important piece of information, then there’s no reason for me to cause you any trouble. I’ll keep the secret for you.”

“I also remembered that the Gardner family had a restaurant on Southwest Veil Road. The seafood restaurant you invested in closed down, right? I can give this one to you if you’re interested.”

All of Norman’s property had been auctioned to other people. However, considering who Jasper was, it was not difficult to get what he wanted. After all, everybody made seemingly profitable decisions.

Jasper was uninterested in Norman’s company, but he did use certain methods to procure a few properties, restaurants, and hotels that would appreciate in value in the future.

The aforementioned restaurant was one of them.

Gerry’s eyes lit up when he heard Jasper. Southwest Veil Road was an important piece of Waterhoof City’s future development, and even an idiot knew that the land there would appreciate. Not to mention that the restaurant had good business too. It would be a huge source of profit if he got ahold of it.

Seeing this only furthered Gerry’s belief that he had made the right decision in coming here. He quickly smiled and replied, “That would be nice, very nice. Thank you, Mr. Laine.”

Jasper patted Gerry’s shoulder as he replied with a crescent-eyed smile, “I’m always generous when it comes to my friends.”

Gerry got up and said, “Since you’re busy, Mr. Laine, then I will get going so as to not disturb you. There’s no need to send me off.”

Jasper walked Gerry to the door and said, “Then about Prince…”

Gerry was an experienced man in the industry, and he immediately understood what Jasper was implying. Before Jasper could finish speaking, he patted his chest and said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Laine. I’ll make sure to tell you right away if I obtain more news.”

Gerry had originally come to notify Jasper for the sake of repenting. He did not expect Jasper to give him such a huge reward.

Not even Norman or Prince rewarded him so well before, so Gerry would naturally swear his loyalty to Jasper.

Jasper nodded with a crescent-eyed smile and watched Gerry leave.

He knew that while individuals like Gerry were fickle people driven solely by benefits and interest, they were also much more reliable than a majority of ingenuine people who made empty promises.

They were cowards who were easily motivated by benefits. This made them much more useful.

People like them could be immensely useful once you instilled fear or rewarded them.

After Gerry left, Jasper returned to the study in the hotel room. He paced deep in thought for a long while before he picked up his phone to call Vita.

“This is a sudden call, Mr. Laine. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Vita’s tone on the phone was casual and relaxed.

Jasper smiled and replied, “I was thinking of treating you to dinner tonight. Are you free?”

Vita hesitated and said, “It might have another meeting tonight.”

“Is it important?” Jasper asked.

Vita clenched his jaw slightly and replied, “Perhaps I could treat you tomorrow instead?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Jasper beamed and replied understandingly, “Tomorrow’s fine too.”

“Alright then.”

After a few seconds of silence, Jasper ended the call.

His smile instantly disappeared and his expression turned calm.

Jasper had obtained an important piece of information from the call.

‘Something is indeed wrong with Vita!’

Life at the Top Chapter 1175

Business-wise, Jasper was currently Waterhoof City branch’s top-notch VIP. JW Real Estates’ Waterhoof City branch’s account alone brought them a cash flow of billions a month due to the World Financial Center’s construction funds.

As the vice president, Vita had to win over this important client.

Personally speaking, Jasper and Vita had known each other for almost a year and their friendship had always been great. The fact that Vita could be promoted from a small asset management office manager to the most authoritative vice president in a year was also thanks to Jasper’s support.

There was no way Vita could reject Jasper’s invitation for a meal.

That was how their relationship always worked. Despite this, today, Vita’s hesitation and struggle had Jasper’s heart sinking slightly.

He was unsure if Vita had betrayed him yet or not. This was something he had to verify himself.

With that thought, Jasper called Julian over.

They arrived at a normal apartment building in Waterhoof City’s Golden Garden, Open Seas Road, Peace District. As a middle-income area that could be seen from any vantage point in Waterhoof City, it was not an extravagant place. This fit Vita’s current salary as vice president of an ICBS branch.

The house door opened with a creak as a rather attractive middle-aged woman opened the door. She looked at Jasper who held a gift in his hands confusedly.

“You’re… Jasper… Jasper Laine?”

Daphne was Vita’s wife and she had met Jasper during a gathering with John. Thus, she could recognize this dignified guest her husband spoke of.

Jasper smiled and said, “I was in the area so I thought I’d come and visit, Mrs. Layne. I’m not disturbing you, am I?”

“No, no, not at all. Please come in.” Daphne may have been confused but she did not dare to make Jasper wait.

She had heard from her husband how Jasper was more than an extremely wealthy man. He was also someone important who helped her husband get promoted, so she did not dare to inconvenience him..

Jasper looked at the ordinary decorations in Vita’s house after walking in and said with a smile. “I don’t remember there being so many rewards on the wall the last time I was here. Did Valerie get first place again?”

The last time they met was during a family gathering. Jasper brought Wendy with him, and John and Vita each brought their own families.

The gathering was held in Vita’s house.

That was when Jasper met Daphne and Vita’s daughter, Valerie. She was a smart girl.

Daphne beamed at Jasper’s words and replied, “Yeah. Valerie doesn’t disappoint. But she’s playing at her friend’s house tonight so she’s not home. Vita should be off work soon, I’ll call him and tell him to come home quickly.”

“No need, Mrs. Layne. He should be on the way home already so it wouldn’t be wise to urge him while he’s driving. He’ll be back soon anyway, I’ll just wait for him here,” Jasper said with a crescent-eyed smile.

Daphne felt that something was off with his behavior, but she did not go against Jasper’s wishes. Instead, she quickly poured Jasper a cup of tea and sat by his side carefully, chatting with him.

She kept trying to probe Jasper about why he had come to visit so suddenly. She wondered about why he was here, especially while her husband was not home. However, considering who Jasper was, the man kept the conversation about domestic trivia. His mouth was tightly shut when it came to the specifics of his visit.

…

As of this moment, Vita was not in a meeting nor was he on the way home.

He had actually arrived home long ago and his car was parked in the underground car park. The man smoked furiously in his car.

Beside the car were more than ten discarded cigarette butts. The already horribly ventilated basement was now filled with a mist of smoke, yet Vita and his deeply knit brows seemed unaware of it all.

Just then, a car drove into the car park and stooped beside Vita’s.

An average-looking man stepped out of the car and walked behind Vita’s car over to the passenger side. Opening the car door, he then got in.

“Heh. Even though you’re a vice president of the ICBS, you’re quite down to earth to live in such an old district while driving such a cheap car,” The man said as he pulled down the visor and played with it casually.

Vita tossed away the cigarette that almost burned to its butt and asked grimly, “What do you people want?”

The man smiled and replied, “Simple. Just push for the termination on your branch’s partnership with Jasper.”

“Impossible!”

Vita’s first reaction was to reject the man.

Disregarding the fact that Jasper was a huge client of his, the man’s help before this was enough to deter Vita from doing such a thing.

“Impossible? Nothing’s impossible in the world. Just like how a dignified vice president of a bank branch like you, a person of the upper class with quite a bit of power at hand and a beautiful family, can also have another child outside.”

“I suppose others wouldn’t believe me either if I told them about this. But it’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Vita’s expression paled at the man’s casual voice. He replied painfully, “It was a careless mistake I made back then.”

“Careless?” The man scoffed, “I don’t think you were careless when you had fun lying on top of that female student’s stomach, though.”

“Mr. Layne, as vice president of your branch, I’m sure you’re very aware that this is an issue of conduct. If no one pays attention to it, then no one cares. But if someone refuses to let it go, then this beautiful family of yours and your position as vice president will come to a premature end.”

“What would your superiors think of you? What about your colleagues? Your wife, your kids? What would they think?”

“Would you still be the greatly envied vice president by then?”

The man’s words were like a curse as they drilled into Vita’s brain. He replied painfully, “Could you change your request? Anything else is fine. But I, Vita Layne, refuse to be a treacherous b*stard!”

The man scoffed and replied, “You’ll never know how powerful my boss is. A small vice president of a bank branch like you doesn’t even have the right to talk to my boss.”

“You think he can’t do other things himself? We just need a bit of effort from your side on this.”

“You don’t even need to suggest a termination. Other people in the branch will. All you need to do is shut your mouth and make the correct choice during the final vote.”

“Oh, right. And we’ll also need all the details of Jasper’s online payment businesses. Their online payment business is conducted with your branch, so it shouldn’t be difficult for a vice president like you to get your hands on it, right?”

Vita’s head shot up as he stared at the man. “Online payment? You’re Prince Chavez’s men!”

Vita was slapped across the face.

“Who are you to call out the crown prince’s name? Do it again and I’ll cut your tongue off!”

Life at the Top Chapter 1176

This slap was both without warning and extremely forceful.

Vita had spent his life climbing up the social ladder and he had never experienced such humiliation.

Caught off guard, this slap almost had him dazed.

Vita glared at the man with extreme levels of anger. Ignoring the burning pain on his cheek, the anger was more driven by the unjust and indignance he felt.

“What are you looking at me like that for? Be grateful that you’re still useful, otherwise beating you to death would be too light a punishment!”

The man looked at Vita and scoffed, “You think you’re some powerful person just because you’re some bullsh*t vice president of a bank? People like you aren’t even qualified to hold the crown prince’s shoes!”

“Think carefully and don’t be stupid. Make the correct decision, or even death might end up being a luxury for you.”

“The crown prince doesn’t have much patience. He’s already being exceptionally lenient with you. You better give us a reply tomorrow. Don’t forget.”

The man then patted Vita’s reddened cheek and laughed arrogantly before he opened the car door and left.

Vita clenched his jaw as he stared at the extremely insolent man’s back. The man got out of his car bossily and left in the car he first arrived in. From start to finish, all of Vita ’s anger and indignance could only be vented through his balled fists.

He punched the steering wheel and roared. Both his hands grabbed his hair and he moaned painfully with his head kept down.

“It’s all destined to happen…”

More than ten minutes later, Vita left the car park like a zombie and returned home upstairs.

Upon opening his house doors, he heard the sound of happy chatter and looked up in confusion. He quickly saw Jasper sitting on his sofa and looking at himself with a small smile.

Vita was stunned and was rooted in place the moment he saw Jasper.

The last thing he expected was for Jasper to appear at his house.

“Jasper had just arrived too, Vita. He’s been waiting for you to come home here, Why’d you come back so late?”

Vita’s wife Daphne approached to greet him and squatted down to put slippers in front of Vita for him to change into. Then, she took his briefcase with practiced ease whilst simultaneously explaining.

Vita looked at Jasper and was rendered speechless. “Why, am I not welcome, Mr. Layne?”

Jasper asked with a crescent-eyed smile.

Daphne also realized her husband’s abnormal behavior today and glared at him, facing away from Jasper. She lowered her voice and said, “He’s greeting you. Why’re you acting like you’re dumb?”

Vita suddenly snapped back to reality.

“Oh, you’re here, Jasper. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming in advance?” Vita smiled forcibly.

“You said you had a meeting today and I just happened to be in the area. So I thought I’d come by and visit,” Jasper replied with a grin.

Jasper looked at the clock on the wall as he spoke and continued meaningfully, “Doesn’t seem like a long meeting at all.”

Vita felt extremely embarrassed.

The meeting was just an excuse, but he did not expect Jasper to wait for him at home.

His lie exposed, Vita did not know what to say.

Daphne must have realized the unusual atmosphere between the other two and said, “You two sit here first. There aren’t many groceries at home, so I’ll go buy something from downstairs. Do stay for dinner, Mr. Laine. I’ll go make the preparations now.”

Jasper did not reject her and smiled. “Thank you for the trouble, Mrs. Layne.

Life at the Top Chapter 1177

“Hey, there’s no need to be so polite. You two talk first, I’ll go buy groceries downstairs.”

Daphne said while nudging an abnormal Vita. Then, she took her wallet and keys and went downstairs.

After Daphne left, Jasper’s smile vanished as he looked at Vita calmly.

Vita was not an idiot. With the situation progressing to this point, he knew that he could not hide it from Jasper anymore.

Sighing deeply, Vita turned to the other man. “Will you come to the study?”

Jasper got up and followed Vita there.

After closing the door, Vita patted his pockets for a smoke, only to pull out an empty box of cigarettes. Jasper then pulled out a pack of his own and tossed it to Vita.

Vita smiled wryly when he looked at the exquisitely packed 1916. “What a nice brand of cigarettes.”

Jasper sat on the chair and said calmly, “Look, Vita. I came here today to do one thing only, to hear the truth from you. If you’ re facing difficulties or you need help, then tell me. We’ll deal with it and come up with a solution together.”

“But, if you say there’s nothing wrong at all, then I’ll get up and leave.”

“I see you as a friend but if it’s not mutual, then I’ll take it as me being over passionate. I don’t have many friends but you are one of them. Still, the basis of friendship comes down to being genuine and sincere. There’s no reason for me to continue to act dumb when you’re evidently setting me up, correct?”

Vita smiled wryly when Jasper showed his hand. The former replied, “I already made my decision when I saw you sitting in my home.”

“Whether you choose to believe me or not, I’ll come clean, Jasper. I’ll tell you everything as it is since I’m older than you and I see you as my friend too. I’ve never done anything that could cause you harm.”

Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Vita. He realized that the other’s cheek was slightly bruised and Jasper replied calmly, “Go ahead then. Tell me everything you want to say.”

Vita clenched his jaw and spoke slowly, as if letting go o f all his inhibitions, “Three years ago, I found out that my girlfriend from university died of cancer.”

“I also found out that she had a child, and that it was mine!”

“But I’d already gotten into a shotgun marriage with my wife by then. She’s never told me about this before, and she’s been taking care of the child until she died.

“After her passing, her brother and his wife took custody of the child.”

“I felt like I owe it to her, but I can’t lose my own family in the process.”

“So all I could do was help the kid out financially. I helped her brother’s family set up an account in Waterhoof City and I got them a home to live in. I’ve also been visiting the child over the past three years…”

Jasper nodded after hearing the story and said, “That’s a very dramatic plot.”

Vita smiled wryly. “You don’t believe me?”

“I do.”

Jasper replied without hesitation.

“Considering your character, I believe that you would do such a thing.”

Vita did not care whether Jasper was mocking him or if he meant it in another way. He simply sighed deeply and continued, “I thought that I’d be able to keep doing this peacefully…

“But someone suddenly found me two days ago and wanted to report me for extramarital affairs. You know how sensitive the nature of my position is, I don’t want to lose my business and my family.”

“It’s Prince, isn’t it?” Jasper said calmly.

Vita nodded and replied, “One of his men came to look for me downstairs. They ordered me to help them terminate the branch’s partnership with you, and give them all of your online payments’ important information and account data.”

Jasper narrowed his eyes as they filled with a certain fire.

Life at the Top Chapter 1178

The truth began to surface as Vita recounted the details of the incident.

The truth would always come out in the end.

Vita thought that he had been stealthy enough, yet Prince’s ministrations had easily detected his little secret. It was like a fly over white snow.

Jasper was relieved to hear Vita’s words.

He was grateful for Gerry’s information before this. Even now Jasper could not be completely certain that Vita would never betray him. This was not a risk Jasper could afford to take.

He could not risk the entire future of online payment and even the whole business of Abbylon’s online shopping platform on Vita’s conscience.

Even if Vita showed no signs of betraying him up until now.

“I don’t have any other choice, Jasper. I never expected Prince to find out and hold this over my head.”

Vita said, pulling at his hair painfully.

“I’ve never planned to do anything against you or your interests!”

“I already rejected his men when they told me what they wanted me to do just now. But they want me to give a final reply tomorrow.”

“I don’t know what to do. I’m well aware that once I listen to them, I’ll become their puppet completely and they’ll never let me go!”

Jasper got up and patted Vita’s shoulder. “It’s actually not as severe as you think.”

Vita looked up at Jasper with a sliver of hope and asked, “You’re willing to help me?”

“Helping you is helping myself too,” Jasper replied.

After some thought, Jasper said, “Can you still contact your ex-girlfriend’s brother’s family?”

Vita nodded. “I can!”

Vita then pulled out his phone without further prompting and asked, “Should I contact them now?”

However, Jasper put his hand over Vita’s and replied, “Not yet. You can’t take the initiative to contact them. Give me their address and contact details.”

Vita had no other plan in mind, meaning Jasper was his only source of hope. Thus, he immediately gave the younger man the contact details.

After jotting down the number and address, Jasper then asked Julian to come up.

Jasper handed the woman’s contact details and address he had written down to Julian and said sternly, “Bring them to a hotel tonight and check them into a room. Make sure that they are safe for the next two days.”

Julian nodded and replied, “If they’re still at the address after this period, then I’ll bring them back safely.”

Jasper smiled. “I’ve never doubted your capabilities. But things won’t be so easy this time.”

“Prince’s men will definitely have a close eye on them. So, in addition to bringing the people over, Jul, you’ll need to find two similarly aged people to impersonate them and have them act as though they’ve never left home.”

Julian frowned slightly. “It won’t be easy looking for doubles.”

“It is.”

Jasper chuckled and handed Julian Gerry’s number. “Tell him what kind of people you need.”

Julian understood.

It would be extremely easy for a local power like Gerry to find two qualified actors.

“The only problem is if Prince’s men are living with them. Things will be difficult if that’s the case,” Jasper said.

Vita quickly replied, “They’re not. I went over this afternoon and Prince’s men were only watching them from downstairs in the district. They made sure that I didn’t bring anyone away.”

“That makes things easier then.”

Julian immediately spoke up, “I have a way of bringing the impersonators up whilst simultaneously bringing the targets down.”

Life at the Top Chapter 1179

“Alright then. Go quickly, this is very important,” Jasper told him sternly.

Julian nodded and left immediately.

After Julian left, Vita then looked at Jasper hopefully and said, “So the issue is resolved, then?”

“It won’t be that simple,” Jasper shook his head.

“Your franticness blinds you. Prince definitely has direct evidence of you and that child’s contact, meaning he has information that proves that the two of you are related.”

“All I can do now is guarantee her brother’s family and the child’s safety. You’re still at risk.”

Vita suddenly understood what was going on. “Then what should I do?”

Jasper paced in the study for a moment before he replied, “There’s only one way to handle this situation now, and that’s to drag it on.”

“Prince’s final target is me, after all, not you. So just agree to everything he asks.”

Vita was stunned by Jasper’s words and asked, “But what about you?”

“All I said was agree to his requests. The point of all of this is to buy time, I never said anything about carrying out what he asked.”

“He wants to bring up the termination of my partnership with the branch, but you need time to talk to people and convince them, right?

“If you’re going to follow his requests and give him my account data, that’s also going to take time, no?”

“If we have time, then I’ll be able to create a new copy of data for you to hand over to him. The moment he brings up termination of my contract with the bank is when I will truly face off against him.”

“By then, all that will matter is who wins between him and me. What happens to you won’t matter anymore.”

“If I win, then all is well. If he wins, then we’re both in trouble.”

Vita nodded bitterly when he heard Jasper and replied, “Indeed.”

Jasper sighed again and patted Vita’s shoulder before saying, “Don’t blame yourself too much, Vita. Many things are beyond our control.”

“It’s my fault… I planted the seed for today’s trouble. I had this coming,” Vita said with a sorry smile.

“Think about your wife. Even if I win against Prince this round, you’re still going to have to resolve the issue with that child. Are you planning to hide it from your family for the rest of your life? Is it fair to them?”

Vita looked down silently upon hearing Jasper’s words. At that moment, the house door opened from outside and Daphne returned from doing the groceries.

“There weren’t many groceries left at the market, so l got a few dishes to cook some food. I had the restaurant prepare a few dishes too which they’ll deliver in no time. Do you two want to come out and eat something first?”

Daphne’s voice drifted over from outside.

Jasper glanced at Vita and said, “Mrs. Layne is a great wife. Don’t hurt her.”

Jasper then responded to Daphne, who was outside the study, and opened the doors to leave.

Vita let out a deep sigh.

He was still frantic and at loss, but his chest felt significantly lighter now that he had told Jasper everything.

“Thank you, Jasper.”

At the dinner table, Vita raised a glass of white wine as he thanked Jasper, then he tilted his head back and downed the glass.

“Hey, why are you drinking it like that?”

Daphne quickly shouted, not knowing what had happened.

Jasper smiled. “Let him drink, Mrs. Layne. He and I are happy tonight.”

Jasper also grabbed his wine glass and toasted Vita, “Cheers. We’ll drink until we drop.”

“Yes! Drink until we drop!”

Life at the Top Chapter 1180

It was already midnight when he left Vita’s home. Jasper did not ask Julian to fetch him, opting to hail a taxi back instead.

He knew that no matter how heartless and crazy Prince was, he knew better than to pay gangsters to cause bodily harm.

This was an unspoken rule in formal business fights.

People could fight for their own interests and benefits. However, everyone was also part of the upper-class society. It would be against this unspoken rule to physically harm someone under the table.

Jasper had people supporting him too, so Prince had to first think of the Law family’s stance on the matter before he could do anything. Not to mention that even without the Law family, Jasper was no longer the nobody he used to be.

Many people depended on him to make a living, and his properties were responsible for a lot of economic development. Besides this, a majority of his subsidiaries were also leading enterprises in their respective industries.

If anything happened to Jasper, many companies and industries would erupt into chaos.

These factors ensured Jasper’s personal safety and made sure nothing would happen to him under normal circumstances.

Jasper smiled once he returned to the hotel, as he saw Julian waiting for him at the door.

There was no way this man would relax unless he saw Jasper return safely in one piece.

Julian smiled as well when he saw Jasper.

“Did you fetch them back too?” Jasper asked.

Julian nodded and replied, “Everything went well. They’re currently staying in a room next to mine. Nothing will happen to them.”

“Good. ”

Jasper nodded. “This façade won’t last for long and Prince isn’t an idiot that would easily fall for this lie. But we won’t have to keep lying to him either. The results of our little ploy will be out in another two days, and the victor will be determined by then.”

The following day, the release of a few announcements silently triggered many hidden movements.

Abbylon Inc’s new c2c shopping platform, Treasurehunter, was officially launched.

There was nothing new about this piece of news though, as huge Internet companies in the country like Sena and Terizone had already advertised this a few days ago.

It was worth noting that with Jasper’s all-around support, Treasurehunter had attracted much attention right after it launched.

This completely new method of purchasing and selling of goods had attracted the attention of many people.

Coupled with the support of Terizone and Sena, the platform’s business volume skyrocketed moments after its announcement

This completely new shopping method made it extremely convenient for both buyers and sellers. The trading volume had exceeded 100 thousand Somer Dollars on the day of its launch.

In comparison to the future trading volume that would amount to hundreds of billions, this 100 thousand was very insignificant. Still, it was a perfect first step.

Meanwhile, another announcement was made by JW Capital about the establishment of a new subsidiary.

JW Payment Co., Ltd.

This company only had one business, and that was the JW Online Payment System.

As things stood, JW Payment’s platform only supported payment of bank cards from ICBS. The platform was launched at the same time as Treasurehunter, and it supported all payment businesses within the three companies Treasurehunter, Sena, and Terizone.

These three companies also simultaneously announced that JW Payment would be the only online payment channel they officially recognized.

Ordinary citizens would focus more on Treasurehunter, while people within the industry knew that JW Platform was Jasper’s true primary attack.