Life at the Top

Old Master Turner smiled widely and spoke. Turning to Ian, he suddenly asked, “You’re Ian Gardner?”

Ian had not expected Old Master Turner to call out his name and took two steps forward in surprise before replying courteously, “Yes, Old Master Turner. I’m Ian Gardner.”

Old Master Turner nodded. “Haddock’s Chamber of Commerce has been developing rather well these years. You’ve contributed a lot to your local economies. Especially the Waterhoof Branch, I heard that you pay hundreds of millions for tax now?”

Ian hurriedly replied, “Thank you for keeping an eye out for us, Old Master. It’s thanks to having a good environment and policies from the higher-ups that we’re allowed to develop.”

Old Master Turner pointed at Ian and smiled at Old Master Law. “See? These people are the backbone of our country’s business world. Not bad, right?”

Old Master Law asked intently, “Who’s Gale Hurlbutt to you?”

Ian’s expression turned solemn as he quickly replied politely, “Old Master Hurlbutt is the spirit of Haddock’s Chamber of Commerce. He has already retired because of old age but he’ll always be the honorary president of Haddock’s Chamber of Commerce nationwide. He’s my teacher.”

Old Master Law nodded and ignored Ian’s politeness, opting to turn to Old Master Turner instead. “Hurlbutt is a very sly man. He promised to send me some superior grade rosemary tea long ago but I haven’t received it yet. You ought to ask him for me the next time you meet.”

Turner smiled. “I didn’t know you

since then. He was doing business with foreigners and ended up getting

his life.

Norman, who could not add to the conversation, felt

was Gale Hurlbutt they were talking

Ian and Norman were still children when the man

retired, the man’s students were all over the world.

the two old masters took their seats, everyone else began to take theirs

could not randomly sit as they wished

sat in the middle, with Zachary,

left was

and Norman went to sit

seat from

such, he had Anna on his left