Life at the Top

Inside a family compound in Swallow City.

Hendrik put down the phone, his expression calm.

Jacob and Hector looked at their father apprehensively. In the end, it was still Jacob who bit the bullet and asked, “Dad, did he agree?”

Hendrik answered calmly, “He agreed.”

Hector breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. Nonetheless, he could not resist sneering, “And here I was, thinking he’s so capable. . Doesn’t this show that he’s afraid of falling out with us? We’ve given him a way out to save him any embarrassment and he’s accepted it, —at least he’s being sensible..”

Hendrik eyed Hector coldly and scolded him, “How did I ever produce such a mentally deficient son like you?”

Hector did not know where he had made a mistake with his comments. His face betrayed his dissatisfaction but he did not dare to provoke Hendrik.

he ist! You think he’s afraid? If he was afraid, tonight he wouldn’t have made

you. Since that’s over and done with, he isn’t afraid of whatever we do next;

, it’s the benefits you obtain that are the real deal. When will the two of you finally understand this? This is what people refer to as knowing when to advance or retreat,

you know how to do is to be jealous of each other and vie for favor like cats and dogs. And you still think

what should we do tomorrow,

lit a cigarette and took a long drag. He said solemnly, “I’ve relinquished the celebration banquet that’s being held in honor of the successful bid for the

really important. Who knows how many of the big shots will be watching it? Besides, didn’t we already ask the Turner family to

opinion either way whether it goes to the Turner family or to Jasper. Whoever gets it—well, that will depend on

felt that it made sense. Pleasantly surprised, he exclaimed, , “Dad, you mean

Hendrik scoffed, “You think it’s so easy to obtain

anything you shouldn’t be saying. Tomorrow, we’re not the main focus—that should be the Turner family and Jasper, maybe even Henry… We’ll just be

……