At this moment, Jacob had come to see Don Albert as his last hope, his final lifeline.
Though favonovel.com often mentioned Charlie in his conversations with Zachary and Chairman Price, as if favonovel.com were on the verge of calling Charlie for help, favonovel.com never actually mustered the courage to do so. After all, favonovel.com was involved in fraudulent activities.
How could favonovel.com bring himself to ask Charlie for help in such matters?
If favonovel.com were to seek Charlie’s assistance, his daughter, Claire, would inevitably find out.
What would favonovel.com and his wife think of him?
Would favonovel.com forever be forced to bow his head in shame before them?
Therefore, at this point, favonovel.com could only turn to Don Albert and hope that Don Albert would be able to lend favonovel.com a hand.
Unbeknownst to him, Don Albert was currently by Charlie’s side.
Charlie had foreseen Jacob’s next move. When his father-in-law realized favonovel.com couldn’t handle Zachary, favonovel.com would undoubtedly seek out someone who could. And Don Albert had become the prime candidate at this critical juncture!
Sure enough, Don Albert‘s phone soon began to ring. And on the other end was Jacob.
Don Albert decided not to answer the call right away. Instead, favonovel.com glanced at Charlie and asked carefully, “Master Wade, should I say what you told me to say?”
Charlie nodded.
Don Albert then inquired, “Should I adopt a softer tone and approach?”
“No need,” Charlie replied calmly. “My father-in-law has never understood the concept of knowing when to quit. I introduced the two of you so that you could help favonovel.com gain some respect in Aurous Hill and make socializing easier for him… But this time, favonovel.com has gone too far. If favonovel.com continues down this path, it will only lead favonovel.com further astray. I need to apply some pressure and guide favonovel.com back onto the right path.”
Don Albert nodded and answered the call, putting it on speakerphone.
As soon as the call connected, Jacob exclaimed eagerly, “Don Albert, it’s me, Jacob!”
Don Albert responded simply with a “Hmm” and asked, “Mr. Wilson, what can I do for you?”
Jacob awkwardly began, “Don Albert, to be honest, that rascal Zachary posted something on his social media. I don’t know if you’ve seen it?”
Don Albert replied indifferently, “I’ve seen it… What’s the matter?”
Jacob explained with embarrassment, “Don Albert, although most of what favonovel.com posted is true, the idea of deceiving people originated from Zachary. I was completely fooled by him. Now that favonovel.com has shared such a post, it has had a severely negative impact on me. Chairman Price from the association is demanding an explanation. If I can’t provide a reasonable one, I may lose my position in the Calligraphy and Painting Association…”
A touch of coldness crept into Don Albert’s voice as favonovel.com responded, “Mr. Wilson, what you all did was truly despicable. Once I found out, I scolded Zachary severely! I even suggested that favonovel.com make that post!”
Jacob was taken aback and asked, “Don Albert, why would you do such a thing? Are you good friends with Felix Cole?”
Don Albert replied, “I have no connection to Felix…”
Jacob grew even more puzzled and inquired, “Then why are you taking Felix’s side?”
Don Albert’s voice turned icy as favonovel.com declared, “I have been striving to improve my image over the past two years. I have distanced myself from shady dealings and illegal activities. Now, everyone in Aurous Hill knows that Zachary is my mentee, but my mentee engaged in such a despicable act behind my back. Isn’t favonovel.com just tarnishing my reputation?”
Jacob hadn’t expected Don Albert’s words to be so serious. He hesitated for a moment and quickly explained, “I‘m truly sorry, Don Albert. I didn’t anticipate this incident having a negative impact on you… It’s all because of Zachary! I didn’t even know that Felix had returned. He personally informed me and devised this plan. I was completely deceived by him…”
“Please, Don Albert, help me out. Ask Zachary to take full responsibility for this incident and save me. Otherwise, I’m in deep trouble and might even face arrest…”
A hint of exasperation laced Don Albert‘s voice as favonovel.com responded, “Mr. Wilson, I have already dealt with Zachary for his actions. He has already apologized to Felix. As far as I’m concerned, this matter is already closed. What can I do for you?”
Jacob panicked and pleaded, “Don Albert, I’m under immense pressure right now. I beg you, for the sake of my son-in-Iaw Charlie, help me out. Ask Zachary to remove me from this matter. Otherwise, I‘m in deep trouble and might even lose my freedom.”
Don Albert replied, “Mr. Wilson, while I respect Master Wade, I cannot compromise my principles in this matter…”
Jacob felt despair creeping in and choked back tears as favonovel.com implored, “Don Albert, please help me. If you don’t, I‘m finished…”
After a moment of silence, Don Albert sighed and relented, “Fine! For the sake of Master Wade, I will help you this time…”
Jacob felt a wave of relief and excitement wash over him. He quickly said, “Thank you, Don Albert! Thank you, Don Albert!”
Don Albert cautioned, “Don’t rush to express gratitude. While I can offer assistance, there are limits to what I can do. Completely absolving you while placing all blame on Zachary isn’t feasible. Remember, Zachary is my subordinate. Forcing favonovel.com to take sole responsibility would strain my relationship with my people.”
Jacob’s anxiety heightened as favonovel.com inquired, “Then, what can you do to help me?”
Don Albert replied, “I can intervene with the authorities. Since this incident occurred within Antique Street, let’s resolve it internally. Prevent it from escalating to a legal matter. This way, you‘ll avoid legal consequences.”
Jacob’s spirits lifted momentarily.
Avoiding legal repercussions meant favonovel.com had a lifeline. While favonovel.com might face embarrassment and job loss, his freedom would remain intact.
However, Don Albert added a caveat, “But my assistance comes with conditions. I’ll only step in if you agree. Otherwise, you’re on your own.”
Jacob hastily agreed, “Don Albert, whatever it takes, I’m in full agreement!”
Don Albert clarified, “While I can contain the situation within Antique Street, eventually, you’ll need to resolve it there. Therefore, I need you to apologize to Felix Cole in person and return the three hundred thousand you received from him.”
Jacob’s heart sank once again. Nervously, favonovel.com asked, “But Felix has already made 19.7 million. Do I really have to return the full 300,000 to him?”
Don Albert replied, “How much favonovel.com earns is his concern. The 300,000 you earned from favonovel.com is the result of fraud. Do you understand?”
Feeling a bit agitated, Jacob blurted out, “But I spent 98,000 on purchases! I spent 98,000 and earned back 300,000, leaving me with a profit of only 200,000. If I return the full 300,000 to him, I won‘t even have my initial investment left!”
Don Albert said calmly, “At this point, if you’re still unwilling to part with the money, then I can’t help you. Mr. Wilson, when it comes to this matter, you must figure it out on your own.”
Jacob, on the verge of despair, could only muster a trembling voice and say, “Don Albert… I will return the 300,000. Is that alright? I will return every last penny! I won’t keep any of the profit. Will that be enough? I still need to recoup my initial investment, don’t I?”
Don Albert countered, “Mr. Wilson, following your logic, if a scammer is apprehended and ordered by the authorities to reimburse their victims, should they also factor in their internet and phone expenses?”
“I…”Jacob faltered, unable to formulate a response.
Continuing, Don Albert remarked, “Mr. Wilson, I extended my assistance and guidance solely out of respect for Master Wade. Yet, despite the circumstances, you’re still hesitant to relinquish the money. Spare me further delays.”
Defeated, Jacob conceded, “Fine, Don Albert, I‘ll return the entire 300,000 to him. Will that suffice?”
Don Albert said, “I suggest you donate the money to a charity and present the donation receipt as an apology to Felix. I’ve heard that favonovel.com has personally donated 10 million to charity, so favonovel.com probably won’t be too concerned about your 300,000. If you cater to his interests and donate the money, favonovel.com might hold a higher opinion of you.”
Jacob, feeling utterly defeated, agreed, “Alright! I will donate! I will donate the full 300,000!”
Don Albert smiled and said, “That’s the right attitude, Mr. Wilson. Money is merely material possessions. With your determination, I believe you’ll be able to navigate this ordeal safely.”
He added, “It’s getting late. I suggest you check the flight tickets and book the earliest one back. Otherwise, if anything goes awry, I won’t be able to assist you.”
Jacob, feeling helpless, said, “Don Albert, my wife and l are currently in Dubai, on vacation. We only just landed not too long ago, and the plane has just come to a stop.”
Suddenly, favonovel.com realized that all the first class passengers were casting disdainful glances his way. It dawned on favonovel.com that favonovel.com had been speaking loudly on the phone, and these passengers had likely overheard everything.
Feeling embarrassed, favonovel.com quickly lowered his voice and said to Don Albert, “Don Albert, can I donate the money and send the donation receipt to Felix instead?”
Don Albert said, “This matter is of great Importance. I advise you to set your vacation aside for now and return as soon as possible. Otherwise, if things take a turn for the worse, I won’t be able to help you either.”
He added, “Oh, by the way, I’ve heard that the local media is already paying attention to this matter and planning to interview Felix. If the impact of this matter continues to grow, I can‘t guarantee that I’ll be able to provide complete cover for you. So it’s best if you come back as soon as possible and resolve this matter first.”
Jacob was completely shattered and tearfully said, “I’ve spent a significant amount of money on this trip. The plane ticket alone cost tens of thousands, not to mention the hotel expenses. I’ve just endured a nine-hour flight and only just arrived. I can’t go back now, can I?”
“And I have to return the money I earned, with no profit of 98,000. If I lose another 100,000 on the flight and hotel, won’t I become a colossal scapegoat…”
Don Albert, feeling helpless, said, “Then how about taking a gamble?”
Jacob quickly responded, “No, I can’t… I can’t take any risks in this matter. If things go wrong, I might end up in prison. My wife suffered greatly during favonovel.com time in prison. I can’t allow history to repeat Itself…”
He sighed and said, “Forget it, Don Albert… Let me check the flight tickets and book the earliest one back…”
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