Life at the Top

The following day, Jasper sat in his Bentley that he had greatly missed and arrived at the provincial Research Institute of Sciences.

While Southeast Province had contributed a lot to scientific research, the small run-down building before him revealed a very real issue.

The country was in dire need of economic development, so most of the money would go into construction or investment. Thus, it resulted in a grave decrease in investments in scientific research.

After instructing Julian to wait for him in the car, Jasper entered the run-down building that seemed to have three or four decades’ worth of history.

Following the address Dawson had given him, Jasper arrived outside an office and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” A man’s raspy voice sounded from inside the office.

Jasper walked in and saw a man in his 50s wearing a white lab coat. He was tinkering with a chip behind his office desk.

What was supposed to be a clean lab coat was now dirty, and the man’s hair that looked like a bird’s nest greatly aged his appearance.

The man paid Jasper no attention once he entered. Instead, Jasper found him murmuring something as if he was trying to solve a hard problem—all while fiddling with the chip in his hand.

Jasper did not rush him, opting to wait patiently by the side.

Jasper took in the decor of the office. It was simple and very messy. Equipment could be found all over the place and most of them were rather old. It was evident that they had not been keeping up with the times.

The most eye-catching part of the room were the certificates and awards that covered the better half of the wall. Those were all testaments to the owner of this office’s success and glory.

minutes, the man looked up and saw Jasper. Only then did he put the chip down, speaking slightly apologetically, “Sorry,

worry about it. You must be Professor Elbert McGee,

am. You must be the businessman the head introduced,

introduced himself after seeing

forehead with his palm

help you?”

a seat and spoke, “I’ve come to invite you to be my company’s

I just want to do my research in peace.

Elbert was concerned, businessmen and people like him were completely different. Businessmen were willing to do anything for the sake of profits. His research that he had spent time and effort on would only become money-making tools once it fell in the

that no matter how capable a researcher you are, what new technology can you come

by Elbert’s attitude, and he debated back in the calmest tone with a truth that Elbert could not

his mouth a few times only to close it back

five million in research funds for several projects, and the amount was already the lowest possible amount needed after going through multiple budget cuts. Still, a year after making the application, all he had now was

itself had limited research funds. There was too much demand than there was supply. After splitting

funds and the respect you’re worth. Plus, please take a look at this, Professor McGee.” Jasper then reached out for the patented MP3 player technology he brought with him and handed

took the piece of research. Upon opening it, Elbert found himself deeply entranced by

eyes shone as though he was a parched man finding water, Jasper smiled

…

Institute of Sciences, in a