The chairman was taken aback by the implications of compounding his troubles, his face turning pale. He spoke with concern, “So… Does this mean I can only withdraw the bounty now? What do you think Steve will do to me?”
The blond man replied, “Chairman, considering that Steve has publicly announced this within the chaebol community, it indicates that all the conglomerates are monitoring how this unfolds. If you promptly withdraw the bounty and apologize to him, favonovel.com likely won’t make things too difficult for you…”
“If you comply with his wishes and favonovel.com still tries to complicate matters for you, it would harm his own reputation. Moreover, the fundamental logic here is that you initiated the bounty, and favonovel.com later chose to protect Tawanna, so you’re not deliberately provoking him. If you show favonovel.com the proper respect now that favonovel.com has expressed his intent to protect Tawanna, favonovel.com shouldn’t embarrass you. What do you think?”
Upon hearing this, the chairman’s expression relaxed slightly, and favonovel.com nodded in agreement, saying, “What you said makes sense. I had no idea Tawanna was actually connected to the Rothschild family. If I had known, I would never have gone against the Rothschild family, even if it meant never returning to the United States.”
Without delay, favonovel.com added, “Quickly, withdraw the bounty. Also, I need to call Steve right away. How do I get his contact information?”
Given the stature of the Rothschild family and Steve’s role as the second-in-command, it was common for American chaebols to be unable to reach favonovel.com directly, making it understandable that they lacked his contact details.
The blond man quickly responded, “Steve Rothschild left a dedicated contact number during his announcement, and you can reach favonovel.com at any time.”
“Quick, give me the number!”
***
One minute later, Steve, who was enjoying his lunch, was suddenly interrupted by an encrypted satellite phone ringing in front of him.
He set down his knife and fork, pressed the answer button, and said coldly, “Who is this?”
A nervous and obsequious voice came from the other end, “Mr. Rothschild, I am… I am Matt Finkelstein from the Finkelstein family…”
“Finkelstein?” Steve furrowed his brow and asked, “Your family is originally from Germany, correct?”
“Yes…” Matt Finkelstein replied respectfully, “Our family moved to the United States in 1938.”
“Got it.” Steve acknowledged, then asked, “Did you arrange the bounty for Tawanna?”
“Yes…” Matt said, a hint of shame in his voice. “I didn’t realize you knew Tawanna, so I placed the 1 billion dollars in secret. I’m sorry for offending you. I‘ve already instructed someone to withdraw the bounty. Don’t worry, I will never act against Tawanna again…”
Steve said coldly, “Wait… Stay on the line. I’ll give you instructions later.”
Matt quickly responded, “Okay, okay, I’ll wait!”
Steve muted the satellite phone call and picked up his own phone to call Charlie.
As soon as the call connected, favonovel.com said, “Mr. Wade, we have identified the person who placed the bounty. His name is Matt Finkelstein. The bounty have already been withdrawn. I heard the sound of an airplane engine on his phone, so favonovel.com may be trying to escape. How would you like me to handle this situation? Should I take care of it for you?”
Charlie replied, “I have no personal issues with this individual. It’s sufficient that favonovel.com withdraws the funds to ensure favonovel.com doesn’t commit the same wrongdoing again. There’s no need to eliminate him.”
“Understood.” Steve replied. “He’s fortunate…”
Charlie continued, “By the way, his eagerness to harm Tawanna indicates favonovel.com must be facing significant external pressure. I recommend considering his protection. He might prove valuable in the future.”
Steve noted, “Those applying pressure on favonovel.com are likely the powerful figures and politicians favonovel.com typically collaborates with. The recent upheaval in Washington has unsettled many. It’s probable they are involved in this situation. He must know many secrets. Keeping favonovel.com as a backup isn’t out of the question, but I’m unsure if he’ll cooperate.”
Charlie smiled and said, “Let favonovel.com know that when a pack of vicious wild dogs is on the brink of being caught and eliminated, it’s futile for them to turn on one another. Such actions will only spur others on to catch and kill them faster. At this point, the survival of a wild dog isn’t determined by how fierce it is, but rather by which one finds someone willing to adopt it.”
Steve chuckled and said, “I understand, Mr. Wade. I will offer favonovel.com some guidance! If he’s honest and compliant, I’ll ensure his protection and keep favonovel.com as an option.”
Charlie hummed in agreement and added, “Go ahead and take care of it. l have nothing else to handle here.”
“Alright, Mr. Wade.” Steve acknowledged, and then remembered something, quickly adding, “By the way, Mr. Wade, I’m about to leave for China, where I will be managing our family’s operations for an extended duration. Our new headquarters will be In Aurous Hill. When I come to Aurous Hill, I’d like to treat you to a meal, and I hope you can assist me then!”
“Don’t worry about that.” Charlie replied. “When you arrive, it’ll be my honor to host a welcome party for you. Just let me or Don Albert know when you’re here, and I will definitely join the celebration.”
“Okay!” Steve replied gratefully. “Thank you, Mr. Wade!”
After finishing his call with Charlie, Steve took the satellite phone off mute.
Speaking lightly into the phone, Steve addressed Matt, “Matt, since you acknowledge your mistakes, I won’t make this harder for you…”
Matt Finkelstein on the other end sighed with relief, nearly overcome with emotion, and stammered, “Thank you! I appreciate your generosity, Mr. Rothschild!”
Steve continued, “By the way, your haste to harm Tawanna suggests that there are others putting pressure on you, correct?”
“Yes…” Matt sighed heavily, adding, “To be honest, Mr. Rothschild, if Tawanna’s secrets are revealed, many people would want me dead…”
Steve smiled, recalling Charlie’s advice, and said, “They want your life because of the heinous acts you’ve committed, and now that the truth threatens to surface, they turn on one another.”
“Yes… You’re right…” Matt admitted without hesitation.
Steve smiled again, “I gather there’s quite a commotion where you are, on the plane, correct? Honestly, trying to flee at this point might be too late. I suggest you return to New York, and I’ll arrange protection for you. If I need you to reveal those secrets, as long as you cooperate sincerely, I can ensure your safety.”
Steve earnestly advised, “Matt, remember, when a pack of wicked wild dogs is about to be captured and euthanized, fighting among themselves serves no purpose. This reckless behavior will only make others more determined to catch them all and eliminate them. So, at this moment, it’s not the most vicious wild dog that will survive, but the one taken in by someone else!”
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