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

that Ms.

I think that’s a good way of

things. Mr. Laine, I didn’t

so good with

addition to doing business.”

without any complications. Besides, the storm is about to arrive

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

for themselves.”

for your advice,

felt slightly more

best outcome

hoped for.

merely asked

work and

after that.

engage in

f wits.

understand the other’s stance and takeaways. After all, would not be wise to be too open

be easy to end up becoming the

she

confirmed Jasper had not formed any strong bonds

like some other people,

to watch Jasper be

benchmark

also having ties

too deep with

was what her boss was

unwilling to see.

power

factions

be done in

best interest.

and position

and he could

matters as others did.

other reason behind Ms.

was that she wanted

Jasper’s stance.

Jasper had given her

answer. She

would be

stay back

and returned

room instead.

time for the

approaching. He did not have the

Jasper rested, turbulence brewed in the outside

economic forum.