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

outcome that Ms.

I think that’s a good

Laine, I didn’t

be so good

addition to doing business.”

wants to carry out my responsibilities without any complications. Besides, the storm is about to arrive at this point. It wouldn’t be a good idea to become

replied, “You don’t have to worry about that. Friends should be considerate of each other. If the situation is not suitable now, we can hang on for a while longer before further discussion. All friends have the same motive, which is

for themselves.”

your advice,

felt slightly

the best outcome he

hoped for.

asked him a

about work and made

after that.

not engage in

f wits.

where indirect words were enough for them to understand the other’s stance and takeaways. After all, would not be wise to be too open or

to end up becoming the

Ms. Garcia, she

confirmed Jasper had not formed any strong bonds

some other people,

Jasper be set

benchmark for the

also having

too deep with political

what her boss

unwilling to see.

power

once factions formed,

no longer be done in

best interest.

identity and position

and he could

matters as others did.

reason behind

that she wanted

Jasper’s stance.

Jasper had

answer. She

be

stay back

room and returned

room instead.

for the economic

He did not have the extra time

turbulence brewed in the outside world because

economic forum.