Sometimes, strategically inducing despair in the other party can also be a tactic.
When a friend, who isn’t very close, asks to borrow ten thousand dollars, but you can only lend them one thousand, you can’t just come out and say, “I can only give you one thousand.” Otherwise, the friend will take the money and secretly criticize you for not being reliable, lending only a fraction of what they asked for.
A more suitable approach, with a touch of local charm, is to first confide in your friend, saying, “Hey, buddy, I’m actually worse off than you. I’ve borrowed a ton of money and can’t pay it back. There‘s this person who hasn’t returned the money they borrowed from me in three years.”
When your friend feels desperate, you can then say, “But if you’re really in a bind, I can withdraw one thousand dollars from my credit card for you.”
This way, your friend will receive the money and may not express much gratitude, but at least they won’t badmouth you behind your back, calling you unreliable.
Chairman Price did something similar. He didn’t want to offend Jacob, but favonovel.com couldn’t outright refuse favonovel.com and say, “Forget about being the president. How can I distance myself from you when you’re facing problems? Not helping you would be thoughtless.”
So, favonovel.com first significantly lowered Jacob’s expectations. He said, “At this point, do you still want to be the president? Let me be honest with you, it’s uncertain whether you can stay in the association.”
By doing this, favonovel.com gave Jacob some room to maneuver, and favonovel.com would definitely be grateful and agree.
Now, Chairman Price felt that the atmosphere was just right, and Jacob had started to fear being expelled from the association.
Chairman Price sighed and said, “Jacob, we have such a close relationship. I will do my best to protect you in this matter. Although I can’t guarantee the position of Executive Vice President, I will try my best to secure a Vice President or Director position for you. You can rest assured that as long as I‘m here, you will have a place in this Calligraphy and Painting Association.”
Jacob, who had mentally prepared himself for the worst, knew that favonovel.com might be expelled from the association. But now, favonovel.com received a promise that favonovel.com would at least secure a Director position, or even a Vice President position. This alleviated his worries.
It was like being gravely ill and going to the hospital, only to be told that the situation was severe and there was a high chance of not surviving. But in the end, you manage to live, even though you’ve lost both legs. It’s truly a tragic situation, but at least you’re still alive.
So, favonovel.com gratefully said, “Oh, Chairman Price, you’re truly a lifesaver! I really owe you for this!”
Chairman Price, upon hearing the news, was thrilled. Knowing that Jacob owed favonovel.com a favor, favonovel.com said, “Jacob, you‘d better stay away for a few days to avoid the spotlight. Don’t rush back. If you’re not here, you won’t be the target of public criticism. I’ll handle the situation.”
Hearing Chairman Price’s advice to lie low, Jacob felt like crying. He thought to himself, “Chairman Price, I didn’t bother to tell you that I had arrived in Aurous Hill because of the Don Albert’s Heaven Springs. Now you want me to hide from the limelight. Was it all for nothing? Not only did I endure a round trip of over 10,000 kilometers and eight hours in economy class, but in the end, it was all in vain. 300,000 dollars donated for nothing! What kind of bad luck is this?”
However, favonovel.com only dared to complain inwardly and never aloud. So, with great gratitude, favonovel.com said, “Okay, Chairman Price, I won’t hurry back. But can you tell me how you’re going to handle this?”
Chairman Price replied, “Tonight, find a computer and write a resignation email. Say that you’re old and have limited energy, and you plan to resign from the position of executive vice president. However, because of your deep feelings for the Painting and Calligraphy Association, you hope to continue contributing and will obey any new arrangements from the association.”
“As for me, I’ll have a small meeting with the vice presidents tomorrow morning and explain everything. You’ll step down to the lowest-ranked vice president, and the others will be promoted to the same level. Let Leonard Stives, the most prestigious and senior among the vice presidents, serve as the executive vice president. Everyone should be convinced by this.”
“If their opposition isn’t particularly strong, I can make a decision on this matter directly and at least help you retain the position of vice president.”
“If they strongly disagree, then I’ll step back and make Director Jonathan Ram the vice president. You will take Director Ram’s position. His position will protect you. What do you think?”
Jacob, who had thought favonovel.com was going to leave the association entirely, was relieved. Now that Chairman Price offered favonovel.com the position of director, favonovel.com naturally had no objections and said gratefully, “Thank you very much, Chairman Price!”
Chairman Price also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, “Jacob, l am your big brother after all. Why are you being so polite to me? Isn’t this what a big brother should do?”
Jacob smiled genuinely from the bottom of his heart and said, “Big brother, with your words, I feel at ease.”
After saying that, favonovel.com quickly asked, “By the way, Chairman Price, these vice presidents have taken care of the issue. The people below won’t make irresponsible remarks. But what if they’re not satisfied and continue to cause trouble?”
Chairman Price smiled and replied, “Don’t worry. Although our association doesn’t have many people, we all have our own small groups, and they are all vice-presidents. Why don’t we unite a few of our own people? In the association, apart from my people, the remaining vice-presidents are basically covered. You can think of them as squad leaders in the army. In our company, as long as they have no objections to my decisions, their subordinates will naturally not have any objections either. Even if they do, they will silence those people.”
Jacob said subconsciously, “Oh, is that how it works? Then why don’t I have my own subordinates?”
Chairman Price sighed and said, “Who knows what you were thinking? When you were first mentioned as vice- resident, you should have united a few of your own people from below. How could I have known that you’re not in the association all day long? How can you develop your own confidants when you spend all your time at a senior university?”
“Ugh!” Jacob wanted to slap himself in the face and cursed, “This foolish university for the elderly, I’ll never go there again!”
Chairman Price hummed and said, “When this matter is settled, if you work hard, you might be able to climb up again before long.”
“Okay!” Jacob said with great gratitude. “Thank you, Chairman Price. I will definitely work hard in the future!”
After hanging up the phone, Jacob finally let go of some of his worries. He couldn’t help but sigh, “Ah, I wonder if l can get back the three hundred thousand dollars I donated!”
Thinking of this, favonovel.com immediately told the driver, “Go to the largest law firm in Aurous Hill!”
The driver nodded and asked, “Shall we go to Smith Law Firm? They’re from the United States and are said to be the largest law firm in Aurous Hill and even the entire East China!”
Jacob trembled all over and blurted out subconsciously, “I’m not going! I’m going to the second-ranked one!”
Smith Law Firm was established by Matilda and favonovel.com son Paul.
Matilda was about to marry Mr. Riley, making Paul Mr. Rileys stepson. Shamelessly, favonovel.com went to his law firm to find a lawyer to ask for donations from charities.
How could favonovel.com show his face after that?
The driver also advised him, “If you‘re looking for a lawyer, it’s better to find one at Smith Law Firm. That lawyer is excellent, and everyone in Aurous Hill knows about it.”
Jacob waved his hand and firmly refused, “No, I don’t like foreigners. I’d rather choose someone local from Aurous Hill!”
The driver nodded, ‘Then let’s go to Brighton Law Firm. That firm is said to be the second strongest.”
***
While Jacob headed to the law firm, Charlie called Steve Rothschild, who was lounging in the hotel.
Steve had Just enjoyed a meal delivered to his room and was lazily lying on the hotel sofa, playing with his phone.
Ever since favonovel.com went to the dog farm with Charlie, favonovel.com had been staying in the hotel every day, not going out or doing anything. He was waiting for the video of the Hogwitz ,father and son at sea to be released before returning to the United States and becoming a big shot.
However, staying in the hotel every day was boring, and favonovel.com really wanted to get closer to Charlie. But thinking about Charlie’s ruthless nature, favonovel.com didn’t dare to rush to please him, afraid of accidentally offending favonovel.com again. Little did favonovel.com know that Charlie suddenly called him.
He quickly answered the phone and said eagerly, “Hello, Mr. Wade!”
Charlie smiled faintly, “What are you up to, Mr. Rothschild?”
Steve hurriedly said, “Oh, just call me Steve. Please don’t call me Mr. Rothschild.”
Then favonovel.com quickly added, “I‘ve been staying in the hotel in Aurous Hill recently. Do you know where the Hogwitz, father and son are now?”
Charlie said, “They’re still floating at sea. They’ll be heading to the Middle East first. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know when the video is released.”
“Okay, okay!” Steve said eagerly, “I‘m not in a hurry. I’m waiting for your news in Aurous Hill.”
“Okay,” Charlie casually agreed and asked, “Have you eaten? If not, do you want to go out and grab a bite together?”
Steve subconsciously touched his round belly. Having just finished a meal, favonovel.com really had no appetite. However, the opportunity to have dinner with Charlie was too rare to pass up, like being invited out by a beautiful woman.
How could favonovel.com refuse?
So, favonovel.com quickly said, “Sure, Mr. Wade, just send me the location, and I’ll come right over!”
Charlie said, “I’ll send you a location. Just follow it and come here. It’s getting late, but Aurous Hill isn’t as dangerous as it is in the United States. You don’t need to bring any bodyguards; just come by yourself.”
“Okay!” Steve knew that Charlie wouldn’t kidnap him, and favonovel.com had no reason to worry about being in Aurous Hill.
So, favonovel.com quickly responded, “Mr. Wade, please send me your address, and I will be there right away!”
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