The situation was dire and Swallow Capital was moving as efficiently as possible.
Just as Jasper sent away the little prince and Lord Alvarado and was about to meet with Moses and Simson, who had rushed over urgently, the news from Swallow Capital arrived.
Tony was the first one to call. While Jasper was feeling puzzled, favonovel.com heard Tony say, “Mr. Mason and I are on the way from the airport. He will tell you the specific details later.”
Jasper stopped prodding when favonovel.com heard that. Then, favonovel.com hung up the phone after confirming favonovel.com understood. After hanging up the phone, Jasper raised his head and looked at the frowning Simson and Moses before saying slowly, “In fact, this is what happened. I just talked with Lord Alvarado and the little prince, and they are basically fine with this. However, the Great Northwest is the Great Northwest, and the Tri Delta is the Tri Delta. Somerland is a big place and there are many places where there are concealed talents.”
“Especially the Southeast Province, where the Millers are located, and Canter County, where the Davidsons are located, and particularly Canter County. As the first special economic zone, I will not give up on the power here.”
Simson smiled bitterly, “Mr. Laine, I understand what you mean, and I also understand your painstaking efforts, but over the years, the Davidsons have been extremely low-key locally and we rarely have any contact with other families. Even if there was contact, it was only for business, and our relationships were very surface-level without forming any deep friendships. I’m afraid it’s a bit difficult to suddenly ask us to persuade them.”
After Moses saw Simson speaking up first, favonovel.com immediately added, “It is a similar situation for me. Moreover, my side is relatively poorer. You should know that, Mr. Laine.”
Jasper frowned slightly upon seeing their reactions. He believed that Simson and Moses were not making excuses, but if they said they were powerless, then it would be pure nonsense. The reaction of the two also proved to be the essential difference between them and Lord Alvarado and the little prince.
It was the lack of one word, structure.
“I know it’s not easy, and that’s why I asked you two. Otherwise, I could find anyone at random. Why did I insist on asking you to come out?”
Jasper continued flatly, “Or, shall we talk about terms?”
Simson said hurriedly, “Mr. Laine, you really misunderstood us. We didn’t come with the idea of negotiating terms at all. If we were to seek benefits, we would not take the initiative to come to seek cooperation before this, right?”
Moses also nodded.
Jasper frowned. He was really not sure what the two people were worried about. Just as they were about to speak, Mr. Mason and the others arrived.
Tony and Mr. Mason were not the only ones who arrived. Rather, it was a group of three. Tony and another middle-aged woman whom Jasper did not know came along with Mr. Mason.
Jasper did not dismiss Moses and Simson. The two were not comparable to the little prince and Lord Alvarado. Although they were all rich and famous, their backgrounds were different and their friendship with Jasper was also different. If Jasper wanted them to help them unconditionally, favonovel.com would need to either give them benefits that they could not refuse or show them an authority that they could not resist.
Swallow Capital did not call him, but instead, they asked Mr. Mason to come here to convey the message in person. This was an intimidating level of authority.
And it was an authority that could not be resisted by families with complex backgrounds such as Moses and Simson.
“Mr. Laine…”
“Mr. Mason.”
When Jasper met Mr. Mason this time around, the latter had hurried over from Swallow Capital and was travel-worn. The two shook hands and smiled at each other.
At this moment, Tony, Moses, and Simson could only watch from the side. On this occasion, they naturally did not have the right to speak in front of Mr. Mason.
“Mr. Laine, although it was just a few days since I last saw you, the situation has changed a lot. Everyone, including me, is very worried.”
Mr. Mason was obviously hiding something in his words. Jasper thought for a moment and replied, “Although the situation is not optimistic, there is no need to worry too much. Somerland can’t be defeated.”
Seeing thatJasper understood what favonovel.com meant, Mr. Mason laughed and patted Jasper’s arm affectionately. He said, “Good, very good. Young people and entrepreneurs ought to share the courage and responsibility that you possess Mr. Laine. I’ve told the higher-ups what you told me before as well as what you told Mr. Pratt. They have already made a decision and the reason I come this time is to officially appoint you.”
Jasper was taken aback for a moment. Then, favonovel.com asked, “Appoint me?”
Mr. Mason reached out to gesture to the middle-aged woman who had been smiling and keeping quiet the whole time. After that, favonovel.com said, “This is the deputy director of the Finance Division of the Ministry of Commerce, Ms. Gina Garcia.”
Simson and Moses could not help but glance at each other.
The deputy director of a major government ministry would be equivalent to an assistant department level position at the very least. If favonovel.com was downgraded someday, favonovel.com would still be a member of the sub-province government.
In their eyes, the assistant department minister was not a top official, but favonovel.com was one of the leaders of the Finance Division of the Ministry of Commerce, that is, the immediate boss of businessmen like them. Hence, they had mixed feelings internally.
“Hello, Ms. Garcia.”
Just as Simson and Moses were lamenting the fact that Jasper’s network had reached this point, Jasper greeted Ms. Garcia on his own initiative.
The smile on Ms. Garcia’s face became more amicable when favonovel.com said, “I won’t be exchanging pleasantries with you. I will first convey the appointment of your superior.”
As favonovel.com said that, Ms. Garcia took out a very formal document from the briefcase favonovel.com carried with favonovel.com and began to read it out.
“After careful discussion and long-term observation, it is now decided that Comrade Jasper Laine is appointed as the special consultant of the National Development and Reform Commission, and that favonovel.com will enjoy the special allowance and treatment of the State Council. This appointment will take effect on the date of promulgation.”
After reading it out, Ms. Garcia handed over the appointment documents to Jasper and said with a smile, “Mr. Laine, this appointment letter contains the high expectations of your superiors. Please accept it.”
Jasper was torn between laughter and tears.
At this moment, Simson and Moses’ eyes were almost turning red behind him. They were envious.
Although the title of a special consultant had no real power at first glance, this kind of title without real power was a treasure that some businessmen in Somerland craved for throughout their entire lifetimes.
What did this represent? It represented official recognition.
This kind of title had more value than any local qualification of the National People’s Congress that could be obtained with money.
Just as they were feeling extremely envious, Ms. Garcia took out another bright red job offer.
She smiled and said, “This letter of appointment was brought by the chancellor of Evergreen University. Evergreen University hopes to hire Mr. Laine as an honorary guest professor, and they wonder if you would be interested.”
