Ch. 501..510
Life at the Top Chapter 501
Jasper smiled. “This is of great importance. Tell me the truth, how’s your relationship with him?”
John patted his chest and spoke, “I was the one who helped his daughter enroll in school. We’ve been friends for over 20 years. It’s no problem if you’re asking about something normal.”
“That’s great, then. Could you help me ask if their branch is intending to sell a piece of land around Pearl Tower?” Jasper chuckled.
In his past life, the ICBS branch in Waterhoof City had made a loss trade.
By the shore of Harpoon River, right next to Pearl Tower, was a piece of commercial land owned by ICBS’ Waterhoof City branch.
With the piece of land next to Pearl Tower, which was a significant structure in Waterhoof City, an awkward situation emerged because no one dared to buy it despite their praises on how nice that plot of land was. Mainly, it was because no one could predict Waterhoof City’s future.
Therefore, the ICBS decided to shift and sell the land to a state-owned real estate company at an extremely low price in the year 2002.
One may ask how much it was sold for.
230 million Somer Dollars.
This was the renowned Z3-2 land.
Construction to build the country’s tallest high-rise building began in the year 2008. In Jasper’s past life, everyone who went to Waterhoof City would undoubtedly take a look at the magnificent skyscraper.
It was Waterhoof City Financial Tower, which had a height of 632 meters and a whopping 119 stories.
There it stood, in Waterhoof City, looking at the opposite shore while rooted on the other shore of Harpoon River. It had Pearl Tower on its left and the building in a shape of an upward spiral on its right.
The building, before Jasper reincarnated, had collected up to a few million Somer Dollars worth of rent annually.
One would be an idiot to see an advantage and not take it.
Not to mention that Jasper had always wanted to build a large building for JW Company.
There was nothing more suitable than Waterhoof City’s significant structure and what would be Waterhoof City Financial Tower in the future.
In addition, Jasper had asked about the plot of land at such a time for another important reason.
While that piece of land had yet to be sold off, it was still a plot of land next to Pearl Tower in Legends District. It was far from an unwanted plot of land.
There were also a few office buildings on it.
Those buildings were, coincidentally, Ian’s and Norman’s office buildings as well as the base for Haddock Chamber of Commerce’s Waterhoof City branch!
As long as he successfully got hold of that plot of land, then he could easily uproot the Hull family and the Gardner family of Waterhoof City. He could also break up Haddock Chamber of Commerce’s Waterhoof City branch.
He would earn a fortune while completely crushing the Hull family. This was Jasper’s innermost intention.
Just then, John’s call to his old colleague was connected.
A few minutes later, John looked at Jasper confusedly. “I’ve asked him, and there is a plot of land like you said. But my old colleague was curious since their branch had only just held a meeting deciding to sell it out. How did you know about this?”
Jasper smiled. “I have my ways, John. if you could help me all the way, I’d like you to come with me to Waterhoof City tomorrow and meet with this old colleague of yours. If possible, I’d like to sign that contract as fast as possible.”
John grinned. “No problem. The branch has been wanting to sell that piece of land long ago, but you know how it is with systems and protocol. Now that they’ve finally had a meeting and decided to sell it, I’m pretty sure you can even negotiate for a lower price if you’re adamant about buying it. I’ll come with you tomorrow!”
Life at the Top Chapter 502
In Suesville, while Jasper and John were meeting.
As one of the two renowned older cities in Riversloth, Suesville’s air of grace was a quality that most other cities did not possess.
In a gray-bricked manor hidden within the mountains and rivers in the outskirts of the city, Ian stood courteously in the middle of the traditional-styled main hall.
A few servants were waiting soundlessly at the hall’s corners, waiting for orders.
Soon later, footsteps approached and were followed by a strong-looking old man who entered the hall from a room inside. The man had a head full of white hair and was wearing traditional clothes.
The man who seemed no different than any other old man who did daily morning exercises was Gale, the spiritual leader of the country’s Haddock Chamber of Commerce
Despite being in his 80s, Gale was still very lively and full of vigor. While he did need a cane to walk, his pace was not slow at all.
“Mr. Hurlbutt…”
Ian felt his body become taut at the sight of Gale. He nodded and bowed courteously when he greeted.
Gale nodded and sat on his grandmaster’s chair. He pointed at an empty chair beside him and spoke, “Come, sit and speak.”
However, Ian did not move and only clenched his teeth to continue speaking. “Mr. Hurlbutt, forgive me for my shameless behavior, but I’ve come to ask you to get justice for me!”
Gale’s white brows furrowed slightly.
While Gale had retired, his students could be found all over the world.
Ian was merely one of his many students, and as hardworking this student was, he was not one of the outstanding ones in comparison to the rest.
Yet to see Ian, a man in his 40s, tattle to him like a mistreated child, Gale immediately realized that something was wrong.
“What happened? Sit first and speak slowly,” Gale spoke gently and notified a servant to bring coffee over.
Ian finally sat and told him what had happened.
However, instead of Ian screwing with Jasper’s building materials, the story had changed to Jasper being arrogant and cornering them.
Then, it turned to the Hull family begging for mercy and giving in every time.
Ian had very rationally hidden the relationship between Jasper and the Law family since it was a significant relationship. After all, Gale might not wish to offend the Laws.
Ian also did not say anything about what Ben and Hans did to Wendy.
He claimed that he had started a small project in the Southeast Province and Jasper had stolen it from him with sheer dominance since they were in his territory.
“Not only that, but he also tortured my brother and my son. Now one of them is crippled while the other has gone mad!
“Oh, my poor son, Ben. Sure, he’s not some handsome youth, but he was still a polite, humble, and understanding boy. Now, he’s been driven mad!
“And my brother too! That Jasper just destroyed any chances my brother has of having children!
“Mr. Hurlbutt, he’s ending my Hull family bloodline here!
“And he still doesn’t plan to stop. He said he’ll come to Waterhoof City and crush all of us Hulls to death.
“I’m a man in my 40s. How am I supposed to just let him do what he wants? But Jasper and Dawson Schuler are very powerful while I’m all alone with no one to hang on to. I had no other choice but to come to you, Mr. Hurlbutt.”
Facing Ian’s agony, Gale remained silent as he heard the tale and did not comment.
Life at the Top Chapter 503
Having lived for more than 80 years, Gale had seen too many of such power struggles ever since he began to do business in the last era.
He did not need to think into it to guess that there was more to the story than Ian claimed.
While he did not know what kind of people the rest of the Hull family were, he knew very well what kind of person Ian Hull was.
“You are my student, Ian. You followed under me for seven to eight years before you made a name for yourself. I would like to think that I know you well.
“Perhaps in this incident, this young man called Jasper and Dawson Schuler have done you wrong, but can you be true to your conscience and claim that you were in the right this entire time?”
In face of Gale’s question, Ian clenched his teeth and replied, “I was doing my business properly, Mr. Hurlbutt. If I were to have offended them, then it would be taking that project in the Southeast Province and taking their benefits.
“But that’s just normal business competition. If I lost, then, of course, I wouldn’t be saying anything about it. I’d accept my failure.
“But they’re not following the rules here and they’re even using dirty tricks. Not only did they use their resources and power in the Southeast Province to pressure me, but they even crossed the line and hurt my family. They’ve ended the Hull family’s bloodline.
“This is more than just disrespect to me! They’re disrespecting all the businesspeople from Haddock!”
At that, Gale only laughed and looked at Ian intently. “So you are forcefully dragging the Haddock Chamber of Commerce into this?
“You mean to say that if I do not help you today, then it will be the fault of everyone in the chamber? That it will be my fault?”
Ian immediately stood. “That’s not what I meant, Mr. Hurlbutt…”
Gale waved a hand dismissively and sighed. “I think I know very well whether that was what you meant or not, but I have decided that I do not wish to care so much about such matters anymore.
“Many of your classmates and seniors have come to me when they found themselves in trouble over the past few years, but when have you seen me helping them?
“You must understand that I’m a retired old man. I no longer involve myself in business, nor do I wish to care so much about matters of the later generations.”
Ian felt his heart sink along with Gale’s words.
Finally, Ian clenched his teeth and turned to Gale. “Mr. Hurlbutt, my father told me before he passed that you owe him a favor.”
Gale’s expression darkened.
The entire atmosphere in the hall froze along with his words.
Ian felt his heart clog his throat.
In front of his old teacher, Ian was well aware of how powerful this old man was.
One mere command from him was enough to turn Ian into a street rat the moment he walked out of those manor doors. Everyone would shun him.
Unless necessary, he did not want to threaten Gale.
After a long while, Gale spoke, “In specific, I owe your father two favors. The first was repaid when your father asked me to take you in as my student. The second favor, I never had the chance to repay him. Are you certain that you wish to use it?
“Think carefully, for I will help you should you decide to use the favor, but you will no longer be a student of mine after this is over.”
Ian’s threat had evidently angered Gale, but an old man like him seemed to consider a promise heavier than his own life. As such, he let Ian make the decision.
Ian did not think too much of it and looked up at Gale with his jaw set. “Please help me, Mr. Hurlbutt!”
Gale did not seem surprised by Ian’s choice. Both his eyes closed partially as he asked indifferently, “Very well. What do you want me to do?”
Life at the Top Chapter 504
Excitement and glee flashed through Ian’s expression at Gale’s words.
“I know that you’ve already retired for many years, Mr. Hurlbutt, so I wouldn’t dare to request that you deal with this in person. Not to mention that Jasper’s just a mere junior. He isn’t worth you entering the business world again just to deal with him.
“Which is why I hope that you could ask a few of your students, my seniors, to spread the word so that they can support my next move.”
Ian’s understanding attitude slightly smoothened Gale’s expression.
After all, considering his age, Gale was no longer as enticed by the prospect of money or benefits after experiencing so much of life.
However, his reputation mattered a lot to him.
Otherwise, he would not change his mind just because he owed someone a favor.
At the same time, the last thing Gale wanted to happen was for Ian to threaten him to reenter the business world.
Otherwise, Gale would truly turn into a huge joke in the business world. An old retired man in his 80s reentering the business world just to deal with a young man in his 20s.
“What is your plan? Tell me what you have in mind first, then I will think about who I should help you contact,” Gale spoke calmly.
Ian took a deep breath to suppress the bubbling excitement within and replied, “Mr. Hurlbutt, I originally planned to use commercial tactics to win Jasper, but that method takes too long. When dealing with vile scum like Jasper, the only option is to match his vile tricks.
“I’ve thought about it, and what I need first is three billion Somer Dollars worth of funds. These funds will be used to attack Jasper.
“We have to account for Jasper’s father-in-law, Dawson Schuler, as well. According to what I know, Dawson’s Schuler Group is currently the largest supermarket chain group in the Southeast Province. Schuler Group has been expanding exponentially lately, and it has even acquired the largest supermarket business in the country.
“That means their supermarket company will currently be tight on cash flow. I remember that one of my senior classmates also works in the supermarket business. I can use the funds and the help of my senior to crush Schuler Group!
“Jasper will be even easier to deal with. With enough funds, I’ll be able to get rid of all his assets in less than half a month.
“After all, there’s too big a difference between his and Dawson’s foundations. He’s just a young brat in his early 20s. How could he have any backup plans or connections?”
Ian’s words were filled with hefty amounts of confidence and pride.
However, he kept the most important plan to himself.
With the funds and support from the businesspeople of Haddock, he would be able to use all these connections to dismantle Jasper’s capital chain in the shortest amount of time.
By then, both Dawson’s and Jasper’s businesses would suffer attacks from all sides. Their capital chain would rupture. After that, he would appear and forcefully acquire all the businesses and assets under their names at the cheapest price.
In other words, he was planning to make the Haddock Chamber of Commerce into his weapon and pierce Jasper with it in the most heinous and abominable way. Then, he would sit and reap the rewards of others’ hard work.
Ian did not feel an inch of guilt with his plan since he truly believed that he was entitled to these rewards and Jasper deserved these consequences.
Gale neither agreed nor disagreed after listening to Ian’s entire plan.
Gale did not know, nor did he care, who Jasper was.
All that mattered to him was to go through with whatever Ian had planned so that he could return the favor he owed the Hull family.
Gale did not care who would end up suffering losses in the process, let alone the fact that Ian’s plan was abominable and sinister.
“I will get you the three billion in funds you need and contact the people you require for this plan of yours.”
Life at the Top Chapter 505
Beneath Gale’s pure white brows were a pair of wise and experienced eyes. He looked at Ian indifferently and spoke.
“Like I said. After this, you will no longer be my student.”
Ian replied calmly, “But you’ll always be my most respectable teacher, and I will continue to be a member of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce.”
“Haha…”
Gale smiled ambiguously and picked up the coffee cup by his side before speaking faintly, “The help you require will appear by tomorrow.”
Ian secretly clenched his fists to hide the excitement in his heart.
However, he could tell from the way Gale drank his coffee that he did not want to entertain him as his guest anymore.
Now that he had gotten what he wanted, Ian did not dwell and courteously bade Gale farewell. He quietly exited the century-old manor.
Returning to the car, Ian turned his head back to see the subtle silhouette of the old manor hidden away in a land of green. His expression was no longer courteous but rather wretched and fierce.
“Just wait, Jasper. Tomorrow, I’ll show you how stupid your actions are in the cruelest way possible!
“I’m going to make the three of you—you, that Dawson, and his daughter Wendy—kneel before Benny after I snatch everything from you, Jasper. I don’t care if Benny has gone mad and won’t be able to understand you, but you three are going to apologize and repent!”
He had already contacted the people for hire for that.
After he had prepared everything on his side, Ian would immediately attack Jasper’s and Dawson’s properties from all sides.
“You think you’re vile? You’re too young to know what’s truly vile!”
Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, Ian shook excitedly at the thought of his impending victory.
Just then, Ian’s phone rang.
The urgency of his ringtone broke through the silence in the car and Ian’s brows furrowed slightly at the sound.
Seeing the display, he realized that it was from his company’s second-in-command.
Ian accepted the call without thinking too much.
“It’s me. What is it?” Ian asked straightforwardly.
His current priority was to get rid of the b*stard, Jasper. As for happenings within the company, he could push off whatever he could.
“Something big has happened, Mr. Hull. Two of our cargo ships were seized by customs inspectors in Harbor City!”
Ian’s eyes widened as he heard the words from his confidant.
“How could it be?! Our import and export trade has been steady this entire time, and the people in Harbor City have never come to trouble us before. Why did they suddenly detain our ships?!”
“Our people in Harbor City have already asked around, but the customs seem very adamant this time. They claim that they’ve found illegally smuggled goods on our ships.
“They’re refusing communication and even issued a restraining order on our people there. No one’s allowed to leave Harbor City until the incident has been fully investigated so they can be subpoenaed.”
Ian felt his scalp grow numb as if he had been struck by lightning.
Life at the Top Chapter 506
“How could that be? We’ve been importing and exporting all this while and it’s always been through Harbor City! We’ve never had this problem before so why now?!
“Did you contact the leaders we have there? What did they say?” Ian frowned and asked sternly.
The Hull family had already shifted their entire business focus from real estate in the Mainland to the import and export trade.
While it may not sound like a big deal that only two of their cargo ships were detained, those two ships carried hundreds of tonnes worth of goods. It was accumulated to a backlog of 600 million of the Hull family’s funds!
If something happened to this batch of goods, the Hull family would not be able to sustain such a huge loss no matter how wealthy they were. After all, there was still 500 million of the one billion Somer Dollars they had lost in the Southeast Province to account for.
“The same thing, Mr. Hull. The leaders aren’t willing to pick up our calls at all, and we don’t even have the opportunity to meet them… Excuse me for speaking excessively, Mr. Hull, but I think there’s more to what’s happening here.”
Ian’s expression darkened. He suppressed the unease and anger within him. “Tell me what you think of this.”
His confidant on the other end replied, “Ignoring our goods, Mr. Hull, there are no businessmen within the country in this industry who don’t smuggle at least some sort of goods. Ours are minuscule in comparison, and it’s an unspoken rule that both the Mainland and Harbor City’s customs are very well aware of.
“But it’s because of this that we’ve never forgotten to tip them every month. This time, our ships are the only ones being detained and without us getting any wind of it at all. Aren’t they just targeting us here?”
Ian quickly calmed down after the initial panic. He snapped back to reality with his confidant’s reminder.
Indeed, this incident was too unexpected and there was no way it was pure coincidence.
However, Harbor City’s customs and their inspectors…
Ian came to a realization and hammered his balled fist onto his thigh. With his jaw set, he replied, “I know who did it!”
Ian had not expected Jasper to retaliate so soon, and straight at his weakness as well.
Having two ships detained when doing import and export trade came with huge losses.
Ignoring the 600 million worth of goods, all of which Ian had to shoulder, he also had to pay at least 200 million in compensation for the breach of contract in this partnership.
The most horrifying part was that once he was charged with smuggling, Ian’s name would then appear on the wanted list.
‘Jasper himself may not have the ability to influence Harbor City’s customs and customs inspectors, but what about the Law family?
‘All the Law family need to do is put in a word for this to happen.’
At that moment, Ian realized that he was screwed.
“Alright. Make a trip to Harbor City right away… Actually, never mind. There’s nothing you can do even if you went over anyway. Instead, contact the corresponding people and see if you can try and get our men back.
“Bribe who you have to. We’ll be executed and shot the moment they have our men and everything gets confessed!”
After giving his instructions, Ian hung up the phone abruptly.
The unease and distress remained in Ian’s eyes even after he hung up the phone. After pondering for a moment, Ian decided that he would sound Jasper out. As such, he stepped on the pedal back to Waterhoof City and took the initiative to call Jasper.
The call was quickly connected.
“I hope you die in a ditch, Jasper!” Ian ground his molars and roared.
Life at the Top Chapter 507
Jasper’s calm tone echoed from the other end of the line.
“And here I thought you called to beg for mercy. I thought you’d call to ask for an easier and more painless death, but it seems like I misunderstood.”
Ian raged and growled. “Don’t think that I’d be afraid of you now just because you did something in Harbor City, Jasper. I’ve seen these tricks before. Do you think they’ll stop me?”
“Of course not.”
Jasper’s tone was laced with deeper intent.
“It’d be too easy if I kill you off in one go. That’ll be too painless, no? I’d much like to play with you slowly.”
Ian scoffed. “So it really was you!”
“I know you’re calling to sound me out, but I never had the intention to hide it from you anyway. I would’ve come looking for you at your house even if you didn’t call me. It would only be a matter of time before you knew anyway, so you might as well just ask me straightforwardly.”
Ian was stunned and he immediately caught on. He questioned Jasper coldly, “Come looking for me at my house? What do you mean?!”
Sitting at the rooftop bar on the 14th floor of the Peninsula Hotel in Waterhoof City, Jasper stared at the calm Harpoon River beneath his feet and the bright Pearl Tower on the opposite shore of the river. He chuckled. “I don’t think I need to explain what I mean for you to understand, hmm?”
“I still have guests here, Mr. Hull, so I’ll have to cut our conversation short. But tell your driver to drive a little slower and steadier on your way back from Suesville, Mr. Hull. It’d be a shame if you died in a car accident and missed out on the large play I’m putting on for you.”
Jasper hung up the phone and stood to walk toward the entrance of the rooftop bar, approaching the man who was entering with John.
“This is Jasper Laine, the friend I was talking to you about, Vita. The youngest millionaire entrepreneur within our country,” John introduced as the middle-man.
“Jasper, this is my old colleague, Vita Layne. The office manager of ICBS Waterhoof City branch. He’s in charge of the branch’s asset management office.”
“Hello, Mr. Layne. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Jasper reached out to shake Vita’s hand with a smile.
Vita was a slim and highly capable man in his early 40s, and it was evident that he had heard of Jasper on the way here from John.
ICBS was the first of the country’s top four major banks, and as a senior executive of the branch in a financial center like Waterhoof City, Vita had seen his fair share of wealthy businessmen. It could be said that Vita’s clients were all society’s elites.
Still, Vita could not help the shine in his eyes when he first saw Jasper.
After all, Jasper was too young. The wealthy businessmen whom Vita met on the daily were all in their 40s and 50s.
If one wanted to start from scratch and accumulate a wealth of billions of Somer Dollars, it would take the average person a decade or two, if lucky. Growing rich overnight was a rarity that only existed in myths and novels.
However, Jasper was different from all the other wealthy businessmen he had met. Jasper was young and gentlemanly. Instead of a businessman, Vita felt that Jasper seemed more like a university student from a scholarly family.
Vita reached out to shake Jasper’s outstretched hand and replied, “What a promising youth you are, Mr. Laine. I didn’t believe it when John told me such an outstanding person existed. I almost thought that he deceived just to make me come.”
Jasper smiled. “You’re too kind, Mr. Layne. I just realized how similar our surnames are. No wonder I felt such a sense of familiarity when I first saw you, Mr. Layne. How about we sit down to talk?”
…
At the same time on the highway back to Waterhoof City, Ian found himself in a huge internal conflict triggered by Jasper’s offhand comment. Meanwhile, the man in question was happily immersed in a conversation with Vita, oblivious to the effect of his own words.
Life at the Top Chapter 508
On the highway between Suesville and Waterhoof City, Ian told his driver to stop the car just as they arrived at the southern entrance of Suesville. His expression was cloudy.
The man was wondering what Jasper meant by his last words.
“But tell your driver to drive a little slower and steadier on your way back from Suesville, Mr. Hull. It’d be a shame if you died in a car accident.”
‘Was Jasper warning me?’
Ian took a long drag of his cigarette and looked up at the sky above. The highway stretched onward to the horizon, curving from time to time like a large dragon. The unease in his chest grew.
It was like there was a sinister plan waiting to devour him somewhere under the dark night ahead.
“Motherf*cker, this b*stard! If he has no qualms playing dirty and hurting Benny and Hans, then there’s no saying whether he’ll let me go unharmed or not.”
Ian abruptly tossed the cigarette onto the ground and looked up at the driver. “Send me to the airport instead. I’ll fly back to Waterhoof City. You can drive over.”
The driver was stunned. “Mr. Hull, it’ll only take two more hours to drive back. If you choose to fly, with security checks and everything, it’ll take you at least three hours. It’ll be much more expensive too—”
“Enough. Just do as I say. Am I the boss here or are you?”
Ian chided darkly. He knew how stupid his decision looked to others, but he did not dare take risks with his life.
Especially not when he had already gotten Gale’s support. The large support would arrive tomorrow, and he would get to start his revenge plan against Jasper by then.
He would rather act foolishly than risk his life on this highway.
If Jasper turned out to be crazy and attacked him while he was on the highway, then he would truly be screwed.
After being chided, the driver did not dare to comment further and turned the car around, heading to the airport instead.
At the same time, Jasper and Vita’s conversation had slowly arrived at its climax with John’s input.
“As John’s old colleague, Mr. Layne, I’d say we aren’t complete strangers. I’d like to just get this out there. I’m very interested in the piece of land opposite where your branch sits.”
Jasper pointed at the right side of Pearl Tower, on the other shore of Harpoon River, as he spoke.
From the beautiful scenic pictures in his past life of the Harpoon River, the current view lacked a symbolic skyscraper—the Waterhoof City Financial Tower.
Where Jasper pointed was precisely where the tower would be built.
Vita smiled. “The land does belong to our branch now, and John has already told me of your intention, Mr. Laine. Our branch does intend to sell, but the price… It’s a little high.”
“The price, huh? We can always negotiate.” Jasper smiled.
The ICBS Waterhoof City branch had sold it at a final price of 230 million in his past life.
However, Jasper did not expect to buy the plot of land at such a price now.
After all, it only cost 230 million because the ICBS Waterhoof City branch had been searching far and wide for buyers while the plot of land was left unsold for two years. That was the reason behind the large reduction in prices when they sold it to a state-owned real estate company.
Even if the ICBS Waterhoof City branch was willing to sell the plot of land now, there was no reason for the price to be so greatly discounted.
“The branch has already evaluated the plot of land and we’ve decided that it’s worth 500 million Somer Dollars. However, since we’re doing market trade here, we also understand that we can’t just follow the evaluated cost. As such, we’ve come to the final price of 450 million Somer Dollars,” Vita spoke after a moment of thought.
Jasper turned to John to see the man nod almost indiscernibly.
It seemed that Vita was not playing any tricks on this issue and was speaking the truth.
Life at the Top Chapter 509
“Since you’re in charge of the asset management in your branch, Mr. Layne, could you give another discount on the price? After all, this is a valuable plot of land and it’s practically impossible for your branch to get rid of it so quickly,” Jasper spoke.
A business negotiation was an art of deception.
450 million Somer Dollars had not exceeded Jasper’s price, for the plot of land would easily appreciate, amounting to over tens of billions in a decade.
Yet if its price could be reduced, then he would be an absolute moron not to reduce it.
Vita was placed in a difficult situation.
In truth, the branch had been wanting to sell the plot of land a long time ago.
Its market price evaluation had long been completed before the meeting to discuss it being sold was held.
Vita was very aware that Jasper was speaking the truth.
This was a valuable plot of land, but it was difficult to sell.
In other words, those who could afford it might not be interested in the plot of land. After all, there was no guarantee about how Waterhoof City’s economic development area would turn out.
While most of those interested in the plot of land did not have the funds to buy it. They just want to make a cheap gamble at best.
Seeing Vita’s inner struggle appear on his features, Jasper smiled. “I plan to move my company’s headquarters to Waterhoof City in the future, Mr. Layne. Plus… for the latter half of next year, I think I’ll need to borrow an emergency loan of about eight billion Somer Dollars.
“Of course, I’ll have enough strength and assets as a mortgage, but I was wondering if your branch would be interested in such a business transaction?”
Vita’s head shot up at the words, and he stared at Jasper in utter shock. “Do you mean it?”
When it came to working in a bank, attracting customers to make deposits had always been their most important goal.
Fixed deposits came with interest rates.
The bank needed funds from deposits for investments and financial management. This was how they earned an unfathomable amount of profits.
Among the banking businesses, the main source of profits was through commercial loans.
A commercial loan of eight billion Somer Dollars, 20 years into the future before Jasper reincarnated, was already considered a huge transaction. It was one which countless banks would pounce and steal if they caught wind of it.
It would be a great deal for Vita’s future development if he managed to secure such a transaction.
“I wouldn’t joke about something like this, Mr. Layne. Should you lower the price of this plot of land to its extreme, then that loan transaction belongs to you.
“I can sign a contract with your bank as well if necessary so that you can verify my assets and capital. I’ll sign the loan for eight billion Somer Dollars first, and I promise to take it before the end of next year.”
Jasper’s words quelled all of Vita’s doubts.
By stating that Jasper’s assets would first be verified before he was given the credit to the loan would destroy any risk of Jasper speaking baselessly or going back on his words.
“300 million! That’s the lowest I can go and the lowest price the branch is willing to offer. But it has to be paid fully and in cash. If you’re willing to accept it, Mr. Laine, then I shall persuade the bank tomorrow and try to sign that contract with you as fast as possible!” Vita spoke with his jaw tight.
Jasper’s eyes shone at the words.
He had not expected a discount of 150 million at all. This way, he would manage to save the interest for the eight billion Somer Dollar loan he would be taking to host the International Capital Carnival Feast next year.
Jasper smiled and stood, reaching out an arm toward Vita. He spoke, “It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”
Life at the Top Chapter 510
After a friendly negotiation with Vita, the trio’s conversation then shifted from business-oriented into something more laidback to better acquaint themselves with each other.
While they were talking about issues of faraway lands, Jasper was very willing to put a bit of hard work into what looked like nonsensical chatter.
Within the country, business was always a game of favors.
People like Vita were not eye-catching characters, and he would be considered as someone from the lower classes among those whom Jasper dealt with on a daily basis.
However, Vita held a very important position.
Even if Jasper had called for a meeting with the chief of ICBS’ Waterhoof City branch, there was no guarantee that he could haggle the price to 300 million Somer Dollars.
Yet with Vita, he could.
While the chief of the branch would certainly hold more authority than Vita, the chief had much more things to think about. Vita was only in charge of this singular aspect, so mediation became much easier.
That was why, in some ways, the lackeys held more power than the boss.
With John here helping the process, Jasper hoping to get Vita on his side, and Vita hoping to have a millionaire like Jasper supporting him, the trio had a very joyful conversation.
The night deepened, and Vita bade them farewell first. John had a study meeting to attend the next day, so he left Waterhoof City for the Southeast Province overnight as well.
Jasper did not say much about it, considering his friendship with John ran much deeper than his friendship with Vita. The two shared tacit understanding, so there was no need for unnecessary pleasantries.
“Isn’t he just the office manager of a branch? Why’d you spend five whole hours entertaining him…”
Henry immediately began to complain once Jasper returned, having lost his patience due to staying in the room for a long time.
“Characters like him don’t even have the right to talk to me in Harbor City!”
Jasper hung his jacket on the clothes rack and huffed a reply. “This infinitesimal character that you look down on just saved me 150 million tonight. You still think the five hours was a waste?”
“30 million in an hour?!”
Henry’s eyes widened, and he looked at Jasper suspiciously. “What kind of profitable business did you do? You’re not conspiring to commit crimes, are you?”
Jasper smiled. “We definitely are. Want in on it?”
Henry immediately shook his head vigorously. “Forget it. My dad’s going to beat me to death if he finds out.”
“Alright, enough joking around. How did the thing I asked you to do go?” Jasper asked.
Henry grinned and replied, “Don’t worry about it. I might not be able to do much else, but there’s no one better than me when it comes to playing dirty tricks. I’ve already found everything.”
Henry then tossed over a freshly printed research document and replied, “Everything you need is here.”
Jasper took the document. His tone was pleased when he replied, “Not bad. I’ll remember your hard work when this is over.”
Flipping through the document, there was an introduction to a character right at the start.
“Derick Mallin, 48 years old. He’s the general manager of the Hull family’s G.S. Trading Export Limited Company. He’s the aforementioned company’s second-in-command with a longstanding friendship with Ian, the company’s president. He’s the only confidante there is.
“Derick’s the one who deals with all of G.S. Trading Export Limited Company’s business transactions, so if you want to know whether the company’s doing anything fishy or problematic, Derick would be the one with the most blackmail material.”
“Think you can deal with him?” Jasper asked.
Henry pursed his lips and replied, “From what I got on Harbor City’s end, the man has migrated to Harbor City permanently with his entire family. He has embezzled quite a bit from the company over the past few years and all his family’s businesses are based in Harbor City. I can deal with him with my eyes closed.”
Jasper smiled. “He shot his own foot. I’ll leave this to you, then.”
Henry snickered. “What do I get in return?”
Jasper gave it some thought and replied, “I’ll let you join me in taking over a large fortune next year.”
“Deal!”