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.

up and saw Jasper. Only then did he put the chip down, speaking

You

“I am. You must be the businessman the head

himself after seeing how

with his palm and replied,

I help you?” Elbert

come to invite you to be my company’s chief

head. “No way. I just want to do my research in peace. I don’t want anything to do with businessmen

the sake of profits. His research that he had spent time and effort on would only become money-making tools

how capable a researcher you

attitude, and he debated back in the calmest

expected, Elbert opened his mouth a few times only to close it

applied for 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

cut costs with his projects, for the institution itself had limited research funds. There was too much demand than

research 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

Elbert found himself deeply entranced by the treasure in his hands. The papers were filled with technical data and sketches that

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

…

Institute of Sciences, in