Russ willingly relinquished his position, bringing a wave of relief to Chairman Price and his wife. The other vice presidents present also felt a sense of relief.
They had all been dreading the possibility of Chairman Price asking one of them to step down for Jacob. Although they disliked Jacob, they were unwilling to openly offend favonovel.com due to his connection to Don Albert. If any of them were asked to give up their position, they would not dare to refuse.
Chairman Price, seeing that the situation had been temporarily resolved, couldn’t help but give a discreet thumbs up to his wife under the table. It was favonovel.com clever plan that had worked. With Russ’ statement, they could arrange for a job transfer tomorrow and bring Jacob back to work. The troublesome issue would be resolved.
At that moment, Chairman Price’s wife spoke up, favonovel.com voice filled with warmth and gratitude, “Why don’t we all raise a glass to Russ Keith? We owe favonovel.com a great deal for his actions!”
“Yes, yes!” Chairman Price immediately picked up his wine glass and stood up, addressing everyone, “Come, let’s all raise a glass to Russ and express our heartfelt gratitude for his initiative. Let us remember this favor from Russ. It is a debt we shall have the opportunity to repay in the future!”
As Chairman Price spoke, Russ felt a surge of determination welling up within him. He realized that Chairman Price was truly a good person. He had been promoted by him, and now, when asked to step down, favonovel.com had little to say. But favonovel.com had not expected Chairman Price to give favonovel.com such respect, speaking so sincerely in front of everyone. It touched favonovel.com deeply.
The others also recognized that Russ had resolved a problem for all of them by voluntarily stepping down. It was only natural for them to owe favonovel.com a favor.
Everyone voiced their agreement, not forgetting to praise Russ in their words, and confidently claimed that they would definitely repay favonovel.com in the future.
Russ’ eyes welled up with emotion. He stood up with a wine glass and said loudly, “Thank you, Chairman Price and all the leaders for your support. l have nothing to repay you with, so I will down this drink as a token of my gratitude!”
With that, favonovel.com lifted his head and drank all the white wine in his glass.
The others followed suit without hesitation, drinking at the same time. The atmosphere was friendly and warm.
Suddenly, someone spoke up, breaking the jovial mood, “Chairman Price, what if there are objections from the staff when Jacob returns to work? If they cause trouble or complain, it could be problematic, right?”
Before Chairman Price could respond, his wife Tina interjected, favonovel.com voice filled with assurance, “Don’t worry, everyone. Though what happened with Jacob was indeed scandalous, it does not rise to the level of a criminal or civil case. It was merely Zachary’s one-sided account. Without official intervention, those rumors will forever remain rumors. Anyone who chooses to complain based on baseless rumors will not succeed.”
Tina continued, “Let‘s take the popular example of having an affair. If it were exposed that Jacob was having an affair, and there was solid evidence, and his wife came forward seeking justice, then, of course, the association would have no choice but to dismiss him. But if it’s just a woman claiming that Jacob had an affair, without any evidence, and even his wife does not admit it, in that case, no one will take any action against Jacob.”
Tina spoke these words as a reminder to everyone present. She wanted to prevent any potential discontent that could lead to reports against Jacob, causing trouble for Chairman Price. In favonovel.com opinion, if someone were to bring up Jacob’s return when favonovel.com resumed his position at the Calligraphy and Painting Association, favonovel.com husband would be the first to bear the pressure. She sought to prevent such a situation from arising.
Upon hearing favonovel.com words, others found favonovel.com reasoning sensible. If they subconsciously agreed with Tina’s view that complaining about Jacob would be futile, any lingering discontent would be extinguished.
The group reached a consensus, and the atmosphere quickly turned lively. They raised their glasses, toasting to one another’s success and enjoying the moment.
Chairman Price could handle his liquor well, but tonight favonovel.com deliberately controlled his intake and didn’t actually drink much. However, in the latter half of the party, favonovel.com pretended to be thoroughly drunk, lying down on the table for a while. After a bit, favonovel.com feigned a headache and massaged his temples. Even his wife was fooled, pouring favonovel.com warm water and patting his back with great concern.
Seeing that Chairman Price seemed overly intoxicated, everyone stopped asking favonovel.com for more toasts. Instead, they shared the remaining wine among themselves and ended the party early, citing his unwell condition.
They escorted Chairman Price, who appeared too drunk, to the passenger seat of his car, watched his wife drive away, and then everyone went home.
They escorted Chairman Price, who appeared too drunk, to the passenger seat of his car, watched his wife drive away, and then everyone went home.
After the car had driven a few hundred meters, Chairman Price, who had been slumped in the passenger seat, sat up straight and said to Tina beside him, “Honey, turn right ahead.”
Tina was taken aback by his sudden remark and asked in surprise, “Lester, haven’t you had enough to drink?”
“Not quite,” Chairman Price replied, “This is not my limit. If I wanted to get drunk, I would need at least another half a bottle of fine whiskey.”
Tina shook favonovel.com head helplessly. “Tonight, everyone at the table is your subordinates. You don’t need to hide your tolerance. lf you don’t want to drink, just say so. No one can force you.”
Chairman Price explained, “Oh, you don’t understand. I wanted to show that I am on the same level as them. I can’t display the demeanor of a leader. They can drink as much as they please, but if they see me not drinking enough, it won’t seem friendly, and they won’t see me as their equal.”
Saying that, Chairman Price noticed that they were approaching an intersection and instructed, “Quickly turn right and head to Thompson First. I want to meet Jacob.”
Tina suddenly understood, and while turning right, asked him, “Are you planning to see Jacob?”
“Yes,” Chairman Price sighed, sounding dejected. “He must have despised me these past few days. Since we will see each other regularly, why can’t we ease this tension? Even if his position as director is currently vacant, I should personally express my sincerity.”
Tina quickly asked, “Are we visiting his home? We haven’t prepared anything, it’s not appropriate to go empty-handed, right?”
Chairman Price replied, “It’s too late to prepare anything now, and it’s not suitable to visit someone’s house right after drinking. My plan is to call Jacob when we arrive at Thompson First. I’ll invite favonovel.com out for a talk, apologize, and inform favonovel.com of today’s outcome. I want favonovel.com to report to the association tomorrow morning.”
Tina inquired, “Do you think favonovel.com will forgive you?”
Chairman Price shook his head and sighed, “In this type of situation, forgiveness is unlikely. All I can do is try to make amends and hope for some improvement. He will surely hold a grudge, but I am showing sincerity in my efforts to reconcile. I believe there will be some progress.”
At that point, Chairman Price sighed helplessly and confessed, “Ah! If I can’t appease Jacob, I fear I will remain at the Calligraphy and Painting Association until retirement. I will have to bow my head and avoid him. I must find a way to continually mend our relationship.”
Tina nodded and encouraged, “If there’s a chance, we should strive for further progress. If you retire at your current position, you won’t earn much money, and the benefits after retirement won’t be significant. Look at your former superior. He has amassed great wealth over the years, and now that favonovel.com has retired, his benefits are astonishing…”
“His children and grandchildren treat favonovel.com like a celebrity. He doesn’t even have to wait in line at the hospital. if favonovel.com can’t be treated at the designated hospital, the doctors help favonovel.com make appointments with specialists from top-tier hospitals. And favonovel.com doesn’t have to pay a single penny. If you can retire at his level, your son will undoubtedly want you to live until a ripe old age!”
“Yes…” Chairman Price agreed, “At my age, I still have some opportunities. I just don’t know how long this setback caused by Jacob will last. If it takes three to five years at the Calligraphy and Painting Association, it’s manageable. But if it goes beyond five years, then I am truly out of luck.”
Tina reassured him, “Don’t worry, we’ll take it one step at a time!”
***
At Thompson First…
Jacob returned home and lazily sprawled on the sofa, engrossed in his phone. He had been keeping a close eye on his messages, hoping to receive any contact from Chairman Price or his colleagues at the Calligraphy and Painting Association. In his mind, since favonovel.com was now connected to Don Albert through his son-in-law, there might be a chance for favonovel.com to return.
If there were internal discussions and a decision to reinstate him, someone would surely reach out to inform him. Thus, favonovel.com waited eagerly, much like a girl who had broken up with favonovel.com boyfriend and anxiously anticipated a message of reconciliation.
Elaine didn’t linger in the living room for long. Having made numerous purchases in Dubai, favonovel.com shoes were already dusted with the marble tiles’ residue. She couldn’t wait to bring everything back to favonovel.com room and arrange them.
On the other hand, Charlie didn’t rush to his room but instead sat across from Jacob, preparing a pot of tea. He poured a cup for himself and one for Jacob, saying, “Dad, don’t keep to yourself. Come, have a cup of tea.”
Jacob nodded, placing his phone beside the tea cup without bothering to lock the screen. He sipped his tea while occasionally glancing at the phone screen from the corner of his eye.
Observing this, Charlie deliberately asked, “Dad, why are you staring at your phone? Are you waiting for a message?”
Jacob shook his head and denied, “No, no, I’m just browsing. It has become a habit to look at my phone for no particular reason.”
Just as they conversed, a familiar profile picture suddenly appeared on Jacob’s WeChat message list, accompanied by a message: “Jacob, sorry to disturb you so late. Are you at home?”
Jacob’s eyes lit up, and favonovel.com quickly placed down his tea cup, picked up his phone, and replied, “What’s the matter?”
Chairman Price swiftly responded, “Jacob, I want to explain something to you in person. There’s also some good news I want to share. I’m already outside your residential area. If you’re available, I would be honored if you could come out. Let’s have a face-to-face chat.”
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