Life at the Top

“Ms. Garcia, not resting yet?”.

Jasper spoke first.

Ms. Garcia smiled and said, “There’s something I want to discuss with you privately.”

He recalled what Mr. McNeal had told him. If Mr. Mason was one of his men, then Ms. Garcia was obviously not one of them.

Jasper sighed to himself.

This was why he was unwilling to form connections with these political factions.

It was too confusing and torturing.

“Sure. Shall we look for a quiet space?”

Jasper might be thinking that, but obviously, he would not display his thoughts on his face. He smiled warmly as he spoke.

“Let’s talk in my room,” Ms. Garcia offered.

The layout of Ms. Garcia’s room was the same as Mr. McNeal’s. They were both suites that first led to a living room and then extended beyond into two bedrooms, a small study, and a parlor.

Jasper and Ms. Garcia headed straight to the parlor after entering her room.

“Ms. Garcia, how may I help you?”

Jasper cut straight to the chase and asked after sitting down.

When Ms. Garcia noticed the exquisite – looking ruby pendant in Jasper’s hands, she said, “That pendant is beautiful. It looks familiar too.”

Jasper smiled and replied, “Adele asked M r. McNeal to give it to me. She said that it used to be one of Grandmaster Brown’s playthings. I think it’s much too valuable, and I don’t know what to do with it now.”

Ms. Garcia was someone who gave things a lot of thought. When she heard Jasper’s choice of words in his explanation and noticed how he did not hide his ruby pendant but instead openly held it in his

hands, she immediately discarded what

she had previously prepared to say.

She replied, “There’s nothing to obsess about over this. You should accept it since i It was a kind gesture. Pushing the gift back and forth would do even more harm to your relationship.”

Jasper nodded and said, “You’re right, M s. Garcia. But friends should be polite and reciprocal too. I should take a look and see which gifts are more suitable so that I won’t always feel like I owe Adele something whenever I meet her in the future.”

Ms. Garcia’s eyes lit up when she heard

that.

Jasper had made his intentions clear.

This gift is an olive branch from the Brown family, and it’s terrifying me. However, I can’t refuse the olive branch if they’ve already extended it since it’ll harm our relationship.

However, this is merely a mutually beneficial relationship. If they give me some benefits, I’ll have to return the favor in the future once I get the chance to do so.

That way, no factions or bonds will be

formed. Everyone comes and goes as they

Ms. Garcia had been hoping

a good way

Laine,

so good

addition to doing business.”

too kind, Ms. Garcia. To be honest, I’m just someone who wants to carry out my responsibilities without any complications. Besides, the

for a while longer before further discussion. All friends have the same motive, which is to protect the environment where we live. Friendships are not as complicated and sinister as you think they are. Frankly, everyone’s just

for themselves.”

for your advice, Ms. Garcia. I’m

slightly more

the best outcome he

hoped for.

asked him a

and

after that.

engage in another

f wits.

the other’s stance and takeaways. After all, would not be wise to be too open or upfront about such

end

she would

Jasper had not formed any strong bonds with the

some other

Jasper be

the benchmark

also

deep with political

what her boss

unwilling to see.

in power

once factions

longer be done in

best interest.

identity and

could

matters as others did.

other reason behind

was that she wanted

Jasper’s stance.

Jasper had given

She believed

would be

not stay back after leaving

and returned

room instead.

opening time for

not have the extra

turbulence brewed in the outside world because

economic forum.