The following afternoon, the Senior University’s calligraphy and painting lecture experienced a change in speakers. Jacob, the vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, was absent and had sent a substitute teacher from the association in his place.
Matilda, accompanied by Mr. Riley, arrived with an invitation card for Jacob, only to find that favonovel.com was not present at the lecture.
After the class, Matilda approached the substitute teacher and inquired, “Excuse me, may I ask why Vice President Wilson didn’t attend today?”
The substitute teacher replied, “Vice President Wilson has been occupied with the association’s affairs recently, so favonovel.com asked me to give the lecture at the Senior University.”
Curiosity piqued, Matilda asked, “Do you know when favonovel.com will return?”
The substitute teacher responded, “I believe favonovel.com won’t be back for a while. He provided me with the topics for the upcoming classes and asked me to prepare the PowerPoint presentations. It seems I’ll be substituting for favonovel.com indefinitely.”
He then asked Matilda, “Is there something you need from Vice President Wilson?”
Matilda nodded and expressed favonovel.com gratitude, saying, “I’ll contact favonovel.com myself. Thank you.”
After leaving the classroom, Matilda dialed Jacob’s number.
On the other end of the line, Jacob found himself bored in the office of the Calligraphy and Painting Association. Despite holding the title of executive vice president, favonovel.com had little actual work to do.
It wasn’t because favonovel.com was excluded by others, but rather due to his lack of skills. During discussions and research on various topics, favonovel.com either remained silent or resorted to making jokes when favonovel.com did speak up.
However, because Chairman Price held favonovel.com in high regard, no one dared to openly ridicule him. Chairman Price was well aware of Jacob’s limited abilities, so favonovel.com refrained from assigning favonovel.com any substantial tasks.
When Matilda returned to China and became a guest professor at the Senior University, Jacob volunteered to collaborate with the university. Chairman Price saw the Senior University more as a social club for seniors rather than an academic institution, so favonovel.com agreed.
During this time, Jacob had been actively involved with the Senior University. However, today, favonovel.com had suddenly decided not to attend, leaving favonovel.com with nothing to do.
Feeling annoyed, favonovel.com received a phone call from Matilda. His mood instantly soured as favonovel.com knew the reason behind favonovel.com call, favonovel.com must have wanted to give favonovel.com the invitation card that favonovel.com hadn’t received.
Although favonovel.com had no intention of attending the wedding, rejecting the invitation card would be inappropriate.
Reluctantly, favonovel.com answered the phone and said, “Matilda, are you looking for me?”
Matilda responded softly, “Hmm,” and asked, “Jacob, you didn’t come to the Senior University today. The substitute teacher mentioned that you may not return in the future. Is that true?”
Jacob quickly replied, “Oh, about that… It’s true. The association has been swamped with work lately, and as the executive vice president, it’s not easy for me to be at the Senior University every day. Chairman Price called me last night and stressed that the association couldn’t function without my assistance. So, I returned to help for the time being and will go back when I have some free time.”
Matilda knew that Jacob was making excuses, but favonovel.com chose not to confront him. Instead, favonovel.com simply asked, “Then, when will you be available? I can bring the invitation card to you.”
Jacob hurriedly replied, “Oh, for just an invitation card, there’s no need for you to make a special trip. How about giving it to Stanley Finch? He’s the substitute teacher who assisted me. Let favonovel.com bring it to me when favonovel.com returns to the association.”
Since Jacob insisted, Matilda didn’t press the matter further and said, “Alright, I’ll give the invitation card to him.”
Jacob was in a foul mood and didn’t wish to engage in a lengthy conversation with Matilda. He said, “By the way, Matilda, Chairman Price summoned me for a meeting. I have to go now. We’ll talk later.”
“Alright, you go ahead.”
Jacob hung up the phone, threw his mobile onto the table, and sank back into his office chair, feeling weary.
Though his concerns about Elaine had diluted his sadness over Matilda’s impending marriage, whenever favonovel.com had a moment to reflect, unhappiness washed over him.
He even pondered that perhaps it would have been better if Matilda hadn‘t returned at all.
Feeling frustrated, favonovel.com suddenly heard a knock on his office door. Before favonovel.com could respond, Chairman Price pushed the door open and entered.
Chairman Price smiled and said, “Jacob, Jacob, it’s a rare sight to see you, the executive vice president. Haven’t you been at the Senior University all day long? It’s been a while since you returned.”
Jacob swiftly removed his legs from the table and politely replied, “Oh, Chairman Price, I’ve been engrossed in projects with the Senior University lately. But now that I’m back, I’ll make it a point to come to the association every day and learn from you, Chairman Price.”
Chairman Price waved off the formalities and said with a smile, “No need to be so polite!”
Continuing, favonovel.com said, “Jacob, since you’ve just returned, I have a favor to ask. If you can assist me, that would be fantastic. If not, it’s alright.”
Jacob replied, “Chairman Price, with you as my mentor and leader, I will follow your lead and give my all. If I can handle it, I’ll do my utmost. If not, it’s not a problem.”
Chairman Price was delighted by Jacob’s flattery and said, “Jacob, you can speak like that, and as your mentor, I won‘t hold back either. I have a friend who works in a higher-level department in our province. He is looking to advance his career and wishes to invite key individuals to a dinner…”
“He had arranged a luxurious private room at Heaven Springs through his connections, but the person favonovel.com entrusted with the task failed to secure it. The golden private room favonovel.com intended to reserve is no longer available, and they are left with a silver private room…”
“It’s quite disappointing for my friend, and favonovel.com invited me to join him. So, I thought, since you have a good relationship with Don Albert Rhodes, could you arrange a better private room? And if possible, negotiate a discount on the meal. My friend doesn‘t have much money, and though favonovel.com can afford it, it still pinches the wallet a bit.”
Booking a private room at Heaven Springs had always been a challenge, and often, the private rooms remained unoccupied rather than being made available to the general public.
This wasn’t due to Don Albert’s aversion to making money, but rather a result of his original intention in establishing Heaven Springs. It wasn’t solely for profit, but rather for prestige and socialization.
During his struggles in society, favonovel.com realized that face mattered greatly to many socialites and influential individuals. They sought the finest and most expensive when it came to wining, dining, and daily expenses.
Furthermore, high society placed great importance on privacy and exclusivity. Heaven Springs ensured a top-notch environment, cuisine, and service while maintaining the exclusivity of its clientele.
Similar to underworld kingpins who never frequented the establishments their subordinates patronized, even if they had the means, the subordinates dared not casually visit the same places as their superiors. Such actions would be seen as presumptuous.
Thus, Heaven Springs had stringent requirements, and when there were no customers, they would rather leave the private rooms vacant than admit clients who didn’t meet their standards.
This approach had allowed Heaven Springs to maintain its reputation as the most prestigious restaurant in Aurous Hill, unparalleled by any other establishment.
The diamond, gold, silver, and bronze private rooms were designed similarly to airline cabin classes and membership levels.
Due to Don Albert’s insistence on maintaining a high threshold, Heaven Springs had become the epitome of fine dining in Aurous Hill.
Jacob couldn’t help but question Chairman Price’s explanation. “Why would someone agree to this if they can’t guarantee the golden box? Sounds like a scam.”
Chairman Price offered a bitter smile. “Society’s full of these types. ‘Better a porcelain doll than none at all,‘ they say. They’d rather gamble than admit defeat. Take the money first, figure it out later. Works out? Profit. Doesn’t? No loss.”
“Jacob…” Chairman Price continued, “Beware of those who make casual promises. I had a friend seeking help for his son in the city. He met a fool who claimed a million could secure it. A year later, nothing. When my friend demanded a refund, the guy resisted. Finally, the police were involved, and the money was returned immediately. But…”
Chairman Price scolded, “This kind of idiot is the worst. He had no solution and never intended to help. He just wanted an interest-free loan. When pressed, he’d stall with excuses. Eventually, the money is returned, but a year’s worth of interest is lost. You can’t call the police, you just suffer the loss of being naive.”
“These idiots cast a wide net,” Chairman Price elaborated. “They brag and never refuse anyone. A million from this one, a million from that, they do this a few times, and suddenly they have tens of millions. Just sitting on the interest could bring millions in a year!”
Curiosity piqued, Jacob asked, “Chairman Price, how do you know this so well? Have you been fooled?”
Chairman Price sighed. “To be honest, Brother Jacob, my son studied abroad at Pheasant University for years. He returned to the city to attract talent, but no one recognized him. I didn’t even activate his household registration. In the past few years, I’ve encountered all sorts of pitfalls and Charlatans, but haven’t found a truly reliable path.”
Waving his hand dismissively, Chairman Price said, “Enough about that, Jacob. Can you do me a favor and secure the golden box at Heaven Springs?”
Jacob, eager for the golden box, readily patted his chest. “Chairman Price, that’s a small matter! I‘ll ask my son-in-law to speak to Mr. Rhodes. It should be fine!”
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