As soon as Jacob spoke, Peter couldn’t help but burst into laughter. The idea of someone regretting a charitable donation and wanting it back was utterly absurd. Today had truly opened his eyes.
However, the operator seemed more experienced in handling such situations.
They calmly explained, “Sir, according to the country’s regulations, donations made to charitable, disaster relief, and poverty alleviation organizations cannot be revoked at will…”
Jacob quickly interjected, “I made a mistake. I actually intended to donate 30,000 dollars, but I accidentally pressed an extra zero and donated 300,000 dollars. Can you please talk to your supervisor and refund me 270,000 dollars?”
The operator apologized, “I‘m sorry, sir, but we have strict financial regulations here. We do not have the authority to freely use the funds in the charity account. Every expenditure requires a clear approval process. lf you believe there has been a major misunderstanding in your donation, you can hire a lawyer and submit an application to the court. If the court supports your claim, your donation can be revoked. Then, based on the court’s ruling, we can refund the money to you.”
“This is so troublesome?!”Jacob exclaimed, growing anxious. “Can’t you just give me back the excess amount? It was my money in the first place. Isn’t it only fair?”
The operator patiently explained, “Charitable donations are serious matters that require strict adherence to regulations. Additionally, there are tax exemption rules for donations, so we must follow the proper procedures. Just imagine, if a company donates 10 million dollars at the end of the year to avoid paying taxes, effectively saving millions of dollars, and then requests the money back, wouldn’t we be aiding them in tax evasion?”
Jacob blurted out, “But I’m an individual, not a company!”
The operator continued, “Individuals are also subject to tax-related issues. Personal income is subject to personal income tax. If you donate a portion of your income that is subject to personal income tax and then attempt to retract it, claiming a donation mistake, we cannot bear the legal responsibility involved. So, if you wish to refund the donation, the only way is through the People’s Court or an authoritative arbitration institution to revoke it.”
Jacob suddenly felt hopeless and frustrated. He said, “I have to go to court to get my money back. It will take forever. This money is a matter of life and death. My wife is sick and needs this money for surgery. Can’t you make an exception for me?”
The operator replied, “I’m sorry, sir, but this is a matter of principle. We truly cannot resolve it. Besides, I‘m just an operator and do not possess that level of authority.”
Jacob still didn’t give up and said, “Can I speak to your supervisor?”
The operator responded, “It’s already after working hours now. If you want to speak to the supervisor, you can come to the foundation during working hours on a workday.”
Then, the operator added, “But to save you from making a wasted trip, I suggest you consult with a lawyer first. A lawyer will provide you with professional advice.”
Jacob felt annoyed. He didn’t want to give up the 300,000 dollars. However, favonovel.com realized that continuing to argue with the operator would be pointless. So, favonovel.com could only say, “Okay, I’ll think about it myself.”
After hanging up the phone in frustration, Jacob noticed that Peter was still sulking. He didn‘t want to continue entangling with him, so favonovel.com smiled and said, “Mr. Wilson, I’m closing up now. If you don’t have any other matters, please excuse me.”
Jacob snapped out of it and looked at Peter, awkwardly rubbing his hands together. He said, “Mr. Cole, actually, I have another favor to ask. It’s a small matter for you, but it’s a matter of life and death for me. I hope you won’t refuse…”
Peter smiled and said, “I can’t promise anything in advance, but you can tell me, and I’ll listen…”
Jacob quickly approached favonovel.com and said flatteringly, “Mr. Cole, I’m sure you’ve seen the post that Zachary made. Honestly, that post has had a very negative impact on me. It has even affected the foundation of my Calligraphy and Painting Association. You’ve made a lot of money this time, even if you donate 10 million dollars, you still have 10 million dollars left, and the net profit is 9.7 million dollars. So I’m asking for your help to post on social media and deny the rumors. Just say that everything Zachary posted is false.”
Peter thought to himself, “Being accused of fraud would definitely have a significant negative impact on Jacob. If I don’t completely help favonovel.com clear his name, favonovel.com will indeed have a hard time in the Calligraphy and Painting Association, and favonovel.com is also Charlie’s father-in-law. I should give favonovel.com some leeway…”
But then favonovel.com realized another problem, “Zachary exposing this matter definitely means it’s what Charlie wants. This shows that Charlie intends to teach his father-ln-law a lesson. If I let Jacob off the hook without Charlie‘s consent, it might go against Charlie’s intentions…”
After realizing this, Peter politely said, “I’m sorry, Jacob, but I might not be able to help you with this. After all, I don’t know the whole situation, and I can’t verify who is telling the truth between you and Zachary.”
Jacob quickly said, “Zachary is a liar. He scams people all the time on Antique Street. He never speaks the truth. Please don’t believe him!”
Peter nodded and said, “It’s true that Zachary has a bad reputation for deceiving people. But I can’t get involved in this matter. I suggest you confront favonovel.com face-to-face. As long as you can win the confrontation, you will naturally be innocent, and your reputation won’t be affected.”
Jacob awkwardly said, “I… I’ve already fallen out with Zachary. I don’t want to confront favonovel.com face-to-face.”
Then, favonovel.com looked at Peter and pleaded, “Mr. Cole, please consider my situation. Compared to Zachary, I’m definitely more trustworthy. Zachary is always scamming people, but would favonovel.com donate to a charity organization? No! But I would!”
As soon as these words came out, Jacob realized that his previous phone call to return the money contradicted what favonovel.com was saying now. He quickly tried to save the situation and said, “Of course, I was willing to donate 30,000 dollars. That’s not a small amount!”
Peter smiled and said, “It’s already commendable that you donated 30,000 dollars. After all, love and care cannot be solely measured by the amount of donation.”
After saying that, favonovel.com added, “But what you just mentioned, I really can’t help with. I’m new here, and the last thing I want is to get involved in trouble or stir up conflicts. So, please find another way, Mr. Wilson.”
Jacob didn’t want to give up and quickly said, “Mr. Cole, if you don’t want to post on social media, I can bring our president to talk to you face-to-face. Just explain the situation to our president, and there won’t be any talk of fraud or not. As long as our president has your statement, it will be convincing to everyone in the Calligraphy and Painting Association.”
Peter shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, but I really can’t do that. Jacob, please find another solution.”
Saying that, favonovel.com didn‘t want to continue wasting time with Jacob, so favonovel.com opened the shop door and said to him, “If you’re not leaving, I‘ll leave first. Can you please lock the door from the outside when you leave?”
Jacob knew that Peter was politely dismissing him, so favonovel.com could only walk out while muttering, “Alright, Mr. Cole, please think about it. I’ll come back tomorrow. if that doesn’t work, I can offer you some money. When I get the 300,000 dollars back, I can give you 100,000 dollars. Don’t think it’s too little. You’ll earn an additional 100,000 dollars for yourself. Who wouldn‘t get along with money, right?”
Peter smiled without saying anything, implying, “Jacob, get your 300,000 dollars back first.”
Jacob nodded and said, “Okay! I’ll take care of it first thing tomorrow. Oh no, I’ll find a lawyer right now!”
Peter smiled and said, “Then I won’t see you off.”
Jacob waved his hand and said, “Please stay, I’ll leave now.”
After speaking, favonovel.com turned around and left Antique Street, intending to find a law firm for consultation.
Peter saw favonovel.com leaving and went back into the shop. In fact, favonovel.com didn’t intend to leave, favonovel.com just didn’t want to continue dealing with Jacob, so favonovel.com said favonovel.com was leaving earlier. However, to avoid trouble, favonovel.com hung a sign outside the door indicating that the shop was closed and locked the door from the inside.
At this moment, a man suddenly approached the shop. Through the glass door, favonovel.com asked, “Boss, can I still have a look at something?”
Without looking back, Peter was about to refuse, but suddenly realized that the person speaking was Charlie. So, favonovel.com quickly turned around to look and indeed saw Charlie standing outside the shop.
A smile appeared on his face, and favonovel.com quickly walked a few steps to open the door and smiled, “Mr. Wade, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other…”
Charlie knew that Peter recognized favonovel.com based on his current identity. Ever since favonovel.com was expelled from Vintage Deluxe, favonovel.com had no contact with Peter. He smiled and said, “Uncle Cole, it’s been a while. You’re running your own shop now.”
Peter humbly said, “It’s a small business, nothing worth mentioning. What brings you here, Mr. Wade?”
Charlie casually took out an amulet made of chalcedony and said, “I came across something by chance and wanted to ask you to take a look.”
Peter nodded and made a welcoming gesture, saying, “Mr. Wade, please come in.”
Charlie stepped into the shop, and Peter closed the door again. He then smiled and said, “Charlie, it seems your father-in-law doesn’t know about your visit…”
Charlie laughed and said, “He doesn’t know. I was waiting in the teahouse across the street until favonovel.com left.”
After that, favonovel.com asked Peter, “Uncle Cole, what did my father-in-law come to talk to you about?”
Peter smiled and said, “First, favonovel.com said favonovel.com donated all his money and begged me not to report favonovel.com to the police. I told favonovel.com I had no intention of doing so, and then favonovel.com quickly called the charity organization to ask for the money back. They told favonovel.com it needed to go through legal channels, so he’s planning to find a lawyer. Before favonovel.com left, favonovel.com wanted me to help favonovel.com refute Zachary’s social media post. I didn’t agree, but I didn’t completely block the possibility either.”
Charlie shook his head and smiled, “It seems that people don’t change their nature easily. I thought favonovel.com would truly realize his mistake, but it turns out his mind is still focused on money and position…”
After that, Charlie said, “Uncle Cole, you don’t have to pay any more attention to favonovel.com in the future. This matter shouldn’t leave favonovel.com any room. If favonovel.com can get the donated money back, it’s his own ability. As for his reputation, if it’s stained, let it be stained.”
Visit VIRTUAL NOVEL for more available chapters of this title!
