Several hours later, Jacob and Elaine’s flight finally touched down at Dubai International Airport, their anticipation mounting as they prepared to embark on a new adventure.
As the wheels of the plane hit the runway, Jacob swiftly deactivated the airplane mode on his phone and anxiously watched as the signal indicator in the upper right corner flickered to life, searching for communication signals and data networks.
Having arranged for international call and data roaming prior to their departure, Jacob’s phone successfully connected to the Internet within seconds.
Instantly, multiple WeChat notifications flooded his screen, but his impatience prevented favonovel.com from checking them. Instead, favonovel.com went straight to the call log and dialed Zachary’s number, eager to resolve an urgent matter.
Meanwhile, Zachary found himself in his office, preparing for a routine inspection at Don Albert’s place. Despite facing the repercussions of his apology letter, which had tarnished his reputation in Antique Street and earned favonovel.com disapproving glances from those around him, Zachary remained undeterred. He understood that his current focus should be on his work, a way to repay Master Wade’s kindness.
When Zachary saw Jacob’s name flashing on his phone, favonovel.com hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice calm and composed. “Chairman Wilson, have you arrived in Dubai?”
Impatient and anxious, Jacob wasted no time getting to the point.
“What about the bronze Buddha? Have you retrieved it for me?” favonovel.com demanded, his tone laced with urgency.
Regrettably, Zachary delivered unexpected news.
“I’m sorry, Chairman Wilson, but I cannot handle this matter. You should seek assistance elsewhere,” favonovel.com responded, his voice unwavering.
Jacob’s frustration reached its peak, his anger bubbling to the surface. This was the first time Zachary had ever defied him, someone who had always been subservient and eager to please.
The audacity of his refusal only fueled Jacob’s rage, and favonovel.com bellowed, “Zachary, what is the meaning of this? How dare you claim you can’t handle it? You were the one who sold the item in the first place! If you won’t retrieve it for me, who will? Let me make this clear: you must resolve this matter, or face the consequences!”
Maintaining his composure, Zachary calmly responded, “Chairman Wilson, you are free to handle the situation as you see fit, but I kindly request that you no longer involve me…”
Infuriated, Jacob accused Zachary of ulterior motives, his voice filled with suspicion. “Are you attempting to secretly retrieve the item for yourself? Let me warn you, do not scheme against me! lf you fail to resolve this matter, I will call my son-in-Iaw! I will call favonovel.com right now, and you will regret crossing me!”
With a resigned sigh, Zachary softened his tone slightly, offering a glimmer of understanding. “Chairman Wilson, I advise you to calm down and take a look at my WeChat moments. After you have seen it, you can decide whether or not to involve Master Wade.”
Jacob, still seething with anger, questioned Zachary’s mention of WeChat moments. “WeChat moments? What are you talking about? What did you post on your moments?”
Zachary simply replied, “You will find out when you take a look.”
Determined to uncover the truth,jacob exclaimed, “Fine! Stay on the line. I am going to check it now! I want to see what kind of trick you are playing with your WeChat moments!”
Switching his phone to speaker mode, favonovel.com opened WeChat, greeted by a flood of messages from various contacts.
Ignoring them for the moment, favonovel.com quickly scrolled through his moments until favonovel.com found Zachary’s apology letter.
With a single glance, his world turned upside down, his mind reeling in disbelief. Never could favonovel.com have anticipated that Zachary would publicly expose the entire incident on his moments, including Jacob‘s name and personal information. It was as if they were both jumping into a fire pit together, their reputations at stake.
Jacob’s anger surged anew, his voice trembling with fury. “Zachary, what in the world do you think you are doing? By posting this on your moments, are you trying to destroy me?!”
Zachary remained composed, his remorse evident in his voice. “Chairman Wilson, I deeply regret my actions. I have already personally apologized to Boss Cole, and I will no longer interfere in this matter. It is in your best interest to salvage the situation as soon as possible.”
Jacob’s emotions spiraled out of control. Gripping his phone tightly, favonovel.com shouted into the microphone, “Zachary! Delete that moments post immediately! Then post a clarification, stating that you deliberately framed me and that I had no involvement in this whatsoever!”
Zachary let out a weary sigh, his voice tinged with resignation. “I am sorry, Chairman Wilson, but I cannot delete or post anything…”
In disbelief,Jacob accused Zachary of callousness. “If you refuse to delete it, I will call my son-in-law! He will order you to delete it!”
With a nonchalant response, Zachary simply uttered, “Hmm, go ahead and call Master Wade. Let’s see what favonovel.com says.”
Before Jacob could respond, Zachary added, “By the way, Chairman Wilson, I have other matters to attend to. I cannot speak for long. However, I feel obligated to remind you of one thing. Our actions can be considered fraudulent. It would be wise for you to return the stolen money to my friend’s account, and have favonovel.com return it to Manager Cole. Otherwise, the situation may escalate, and it won’t end well for you.”
In a fit of rage, Jacob dismissed Zachary‘s warning as nonsense- “You are talking nonsense! It won’t end well for me, but what about you?!”
Unfazed, Zachary calmly stated, “I did not take the money. The 300,000 was transferred directly from my friend’s account to yours. I did not touch a single cent. Even if the situation escalates, I would be, at most, an accomplice, and the severity would not be significant…”
“Furthermore, our circumstances differ. I have personally apologized to Boss Cole and publicly acknowledged my mistake on my moments. I have earned Boss Cole’s forgiveness. If things escalate, favonovel.com will provide me with a letter of forgiveness, and I will not face any repercussions…”
“But for you, it is a different story. The amount involved is substantial, and if the situation escalates, you will be required to return the money. At your age, it is possible that you may even face a few years in jail. it is simply not worth it.”
Fear and panic gripped Jacob. Desperate for answers, favonovel.com questioned Zachary, his voice trembling. “If it is not worth it for me, is it worth it for you?”
Zachary suggested, “Simply refund the money and offer an apology.”
Jacob retorted, his voice tinged with anger, “I’ve already allowed Felix to take over 19 million for nothing, and now favonovel.com demands I return the 300,000? This is outrageous!”
Zachary’s response was simple yet profound. “Do what you believe is best for yourself…”
After that, Zachary abruptly ended the call, not bothering to wait for Jacob’s response.
Jacob gripped the phone, a mix of anger and apprehension coursing through him. His entire body trembled involuntarily, his muscles twitching with tension.
Beside him, Elaine noticed his distress and urgently inquired, “Husband, what did Zachary say? Will favonovel.com help us retrieve our money?”
Distracted, Jacob fumbled with his phone, attempting to catch it twice as it slipped from his grasp.
With swift reflexes, Elaine retrieved the phone before it hit the ground.
Concern etched on favonovel.com face, favonovel.com observed Jacob’s perspiring brow and pressed, “Husband, what’s troubling you?”
Regaining his composure, Jacob erupted in frustration, “That stupid Zachary! He’s out to ruin me! Broadcasting everything on WeChat Moments, favonovel.com might as well be pushing me into a pit of fire!”
In a sudden realization, favonovel.com exclaimed, wide-eyed, “Good Lord! Moments! No wonder my WeChat’s flooded with messages! Where’s my phone? Give it here!”
Elaine handed favonovel.com the phone instinctively, favonovel.com anxiety palpable as favonovel.com asked, “Husband, what’s going on?”
“I don’t have time to explain now,” Jacob snapped, urgency in his tone. “Please, just give me a moment…”
With the plane still in motion, Jacob swiftly scanned through the unread messages on WeChat, his mind racing.
As favonovel.com came across Chairman Price’s message, his heart skipped a beat, his anxiety reaching new heights. The monetary loss was inconsequential compared to the potential loss of his position as executive vice president.
The Calligraphy and Painting Association had several vice presidents, but only one executive vice president, a position that held immense prestige and power. If Chairman Price were to be promoted, it was highly likely that Jacob would be next for the coveted position.
Jacob had longed for the day when favonovel.com could ascend to the role of chairman, a position that would grant favonovel.com the recognition and status favonovel.com craved. If Zachary’s actions tarnished his standing in the association, it would be a devastating blow to his aspirations.
With trepidation, favonovel.com played the voice message Chairman Price had sent, his teeth chattering with nervous anticipation.
Chairman Price expressed his concern, his words laden with disappointment. “Oh, Jacob, the situation between you and Zachary is worsening. Several leaders who attended our dinner have reached out to me, seeking clarification. They never expected such behavior from you. You know, we had just established a solid foundation for communication during our gathering at Heaven Springs. But now, people will distance themselves from you. I wanted to help, but it seems there is little I can do at this point.”
Jacob’s mind raced, his thoughts consumed by the impending crisis.
“It’s over, it’s all over,” favonovel.com muttered to himself, his voice filled with despair. “Zachary’s actions have ruined everything. If the association discovers the truth, I fear I won’t be able to salvage my position.”
As favonovel.com spoke, Jacob hastily wiped away his cold sweat and composed a message to Chairman Price. “I apologize, Chairman Price, I’ve just landed in Dubai, and the plane hasn’t even come to a halt yet. The situation does not align with Zachary’s account. Zachary is notorious for spreading falsehoods! Please don’t lend credence to his claims. Rest assured, I will hold favonovel.com accountable!”
Hardly had favonovel.com sent the message when Chairman Price’s call came through.
Jacob answered immediately, his voice fraught with nervousness, “Chairman Price, what’s the situation in Aurous Hill?”
“It’s a mess,” Chairman Price sighed, sounding resigned. “Since Zachary’s post went viral, members of the association have been bombarding me with reports, demanding your removal as executive vice president. My own position in the association is also under scrutiny, with representatives from several sister units inquiring about my standing.”
“You wouldn’t believe the frenzy it’s caused. These people thrive on gossip, with little aptitude for actual work. Offer them a patch of land, and they’d devour it whole. For now, I’ve managed to contain the situation pending further clarification, but action must be taken. Tell me, were you involved in this debacle? if not, can you furnish evidence to discredit Zachary’s claims?”
“I…”Jacob hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Naturally, favonovel.com wanted to deny any involvement, but without evidence, and with Zachary’s hostile stance, denying his part could backfire. Yet admitting guilt would likely spell the end of his career in the association.
A thought occurred to him. Rather than answering directly, favonovel.com diverted, “Chairman Price, how can I prove my innocence?”
Chairman Price didn’t mince words, “Jacob, if you’re truly innocent, we must take decisive action! Let’s involve the authorities! Report Zachary for defamation and demand a thorough investigation. Once the police clear your name, no one can tarnish your reputation!”
“l…”Jacob’s heart raced with fear.
Involve the police?
That would be akin to signing his own death warrant!
As Zachary had warned, once the police Intervened, favonovel.com would be the prime suspect, bearing the brunt of the blame. Moreover, if the police failed to implicate Zachary, Jacob would shoulder the entire blame himself.
Additionally, considering that Zachary has already secured forgiveness from Felix Cole, if the authorities decline to take action against him, Jacob would likely bear the full weight of the repercussions himself.
Torn with indecision, Jacob stammered, “Chairman Price, you know Zachary is affiliated with Don Albert. Given my ties with Don Albert, I must tread carefully. It wouldn’t be right to disregard his brother’s reputation.”
Chairman Price pondered, “You have a point. I’ve heard Zachary holds a significant position under Don Albert, assisting favonovel.com in various affairs.”
Suddenly, a realization struck Chairman Price, his tone elevating, “Jacob, something doesn’t add up! If Zachary is aligned with the Don Albert and knows of your close relationship, why would favonovel.com target you? Is favonovel.com telling the truth or orchestrating a vendetta?”
Jacob cursed inwardly at the oversight. He sought a pretext to avoid involving the police, but inadvertently exposed a fatal flaw.
Quickly, favonovel.com interjected, “Of course… Of course, favonovel.com wouldn’t target me. Chairman Price, I must extend courtesy to the Don Albert in handling this matter. Please, allow me some time. I’ll contact the Don Albert immediately and seek his guidance.”
Chairman Price breathed a sigh of relief, “Yes, that’s wise. Reach out to Don Albert and request his intervention. Perhaps favonovel.com can exert pressure on Zachary to retract his statements and issue a public apology!”
Filled with renewed hope, Jacob pledged, “Absolutely! I’ll contact the Don Albert without delay! I trust he’ll aid for the sake of my son-in-law in this predicament!”
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