Life at the Top

Fletcher replied grimly, “No matter what the actual situation was, he did break Ned’s arm. The Adkins family can forget about working in Reed City if I’m not even going to get justice for my son.”

Nodding, Len replied, “Alright, it seems like we’re on the same page, then. The Coine and the Adkins families have been close since our father’s generation. There’s no way I’d stand still and watch as someone bullies Ned.”

“Dad, Uncle Adkins, I don’t plan on giving the city government that 950 million,” Marcus spoke darkly.

“They’re obviously targeting us. The past few years of work would’ve been for nothing if I just gave them that money.”

Len was about to speak when Marcus’ phone rang.

“It’s Mr. Powers from the city government.” Marcus’ expression changed as he accepted the call.

After a moment, Marcus hung up the call angrily and spoke, “Dad, Uncle Adkins, Mr. Powers wants me to pay the 950 million bidding price within three business days as per the regulations. What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t spout nonsense!”

Len glared at Marcus who did not seem to know how to choose his words properly and growled. “There are some things that you can just keep to yourself, okay? You don’t have to exclaim every single thought that comes to your mind! How old are you, huh? Can you still not tell the difference between what you can and cannot say?”

Marcus replied angrily, “Mr. Powers sounded really stern on the phone. He said that if I don’t pay up, the city government will then sue us and we’ll be brought to court. By then, they’ll even investigate and charge me for defrauding state-owned property! It’s not even that big of a deal and they’re blowing this out of proportion!”

At that, Len’s expression changed as well.

He looked at Fletcher and spoke grimly, “It’s that person who newly took office in the city government, isn’t it?”

Fletcher sneered, “It has to be. He’s the only one who doesn’t like us. They’ve made quite a few moves against us recently so there’s no way they’d let go of this opportunity.”

isn’t their punching bag.” Len scoffed and turned to Marcus, saying, “You have three more days, right? So before those days are up, I’d like you to get something

it?” Marcus

man called Chad? Then go and think

…

in Reed City. The following night,

a skewers stall and saw Chad smoking by the road

snuffed out the bud

polite as before, Chad was also speaking to

this slight yet important change and glanced at the small pool of cigarette buds on the floor beside Chad with a smile. “Is something bothering you, Mr.

smiled bitterly. “You don’t have to address

tell

smiled at Jasper and spoke, “I love skewers, Mr. Laine, so much that I’d eat it every few days. So forgive me

food is, especially when it comes to supper. Nothing’s

at the owner, “I’ll have ten more lamb

two bottles of cold beer. He also handed Julian a few bottles of non-alcoholic drinks since he knew that Julian was Jasper’s bodyguard and did not

tell me, Mr. Wright. What happened?” Jasper

clocked out today. He said that he’s going to transfer me to a small

being demoted straight to a small

family’s work.” Chad scoffed and downed a large

exploded and vented all the unjust I’ve been keeping bottled up inside of me. If the Coine family wants to oppress and dominate, then I’d rather not work

thinking about working with you, Mr. Laine. So I was wondering if I still had a chance?” Chad glanced at Jasper with a look

leave his job because he had grown attached to this job he had done for more than half his life, he was not anymore now that he had seen through the truth behind the working system. He was