Bill said without hesitation, "Go ahead and say it. No need for formalities between us. If it's something I can help with, I definitely will." Harrison said, "I heard Microsoft has a data center in Northern Europe. I want to buy it." "Buy it?" Bill was slightly taken aback but quickly replied, "Mr. Rothschild, if Microsoft's cloud services were a Boeing 747, then the data center in Northern Europe would be one of the plane's four engines. An airline can't just remove one engine from an operational plane and sell it. If we sold it, cloud services for half of Europe would collapse, and the other data centers wouldn't be able to handle such a huge load in a short time. We didn't design the system with that much redundancy." "Impossible." Harrison said casually, "I was one of the guests to fly in a Boeing 747 when it was officially launched 50 years ago. You were just a teenager then. I know the plane better than you do. Even in a twin-engine plane, if one engine fails, the other eng
The abrupt gathering and meeting made the members of the branch families wonder if Harrison would hand over the position of the family head to Julien today. However, what made them confused and curious the most was that Julien and Royce seemed to be the saddest men in the room. Logically speaking, Julien and Royce should have been the happiest people in the room if Julien were to take over the position of the family head today. However, judging from their expressions, they assumed that today's meeting didn't seem to bode well for Julien. Could it be that the successor was being replaced? Because of the uncertainty, a cluster of branch family members gathered together, whispering among themselves, unable to keep quiet. This kind of scene made Julien feel as though he was sitting on pins and needles. After all, he was someone who valued his dignity. Being constantly watched and discussed in private made him feel like a maiden for sale in the Middle Ages, embarrassed and uncom
Harrison, beaming with joy and excitement, sat in the main chair in the meeting room. He then looked at the crowd around him and said with a smile, "Everyone, please sit down!" Everyone sat down one by one. Harrison smiled as he looked at the crowd and began, "It's the first time so many people have gathered in this meeting room. I see many of you don't have formal seats. Originally, I planned to convene everyone at the group headquarters so that it would be more comfortable for everyone. However, I haven't been to the company in the past few days, so I could only have you come here. I apologize for the inconvenience and the discomfort it may have caused. Please don't take offense." "N-None taken." The members of the branch families quickly waved their hands with humble expressions, not daring to show any signs of discomfort. Not even the slightest hint of fatigue could be seen on their faces. They didn't expect Harrison, who had always been very cold to them, to suddenly bec
But this time, Harrison's perspective on the matter had undergone a complete transformation compared to before. He came to understand one thing—what he truly needed to care about now was no longer the future of the Rothschild family, but his own future. As he grew older and remained unwilling to pass the position of family head to his sons, it was inevitable that discontent would arise among them. In the future, it was possible that one of his sons might attempt to overthrow or sideline him. Therefore, he decided to first extend goodwill to the collateral branches of the family, offering up a portion of the family's benefits in exchange for their absolute support, ensuring a safer future for himself. At this thought, he stood up amidst the crowd's applause, full of vigor, and said, "From today, remember that as long as you remain steadfastly united with us, we will never let you suffer losses or endure humiliation, because we are family!" The thunderous applause, like a wave o
Harrison's promise made Jennie so excited that she kept crying as she expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Harrison! Thank you!" Jennie had long since run out of options and had no effective way to resolve her situation. Initially, she didn't dare seek help from the Rothschild family, fully aware that they looked down on distant relatives like her. But today, this was a stroke of luck! Harrison had suddenly extended an olive branch to the collateral families, and this immediately made Jennie realize that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seeing Harrison's sense of responsibility for the collateral families, the others were very grateful and excited. Harrison stood up and announced with a calm smile, "If anything similar happens in the future, do not hesitate to visit the Family Relations Office at any time. I will have my most trusted subordinates stationed there to help solve your problems." When Harrison said the word "subordinates", all his sons realized tha
It would be the easiest if they were dead. All that had to be done was to find their bodies and bring them home to Jennie. If it was the second or third possibility, the mission was to find Edmund and Salem, whether they were hiding voluntarily or involuntarily. It would be considered done when they were brought back to the United States. Hence, Harrison looked at the direct family members on either side of the table and asked, "Who among you wants to volunteer to go to Oskia and help Jennie locate her husband and son?" The crowd exchanged sheepish and uneasy glances. No one was willing to leave New York at a time like this. If something were to happen while they were in Oskia, they would lose their competitive edge completely. Seeing that no one was stepping up to respond, Harrison became irritated. His descendants, who usually acted confident and obedient, were now showing no initiative. He would die of embarrassment if no one took the lead. Just when Harrison was stari
Harrison believed that Helena's delivery of the elixir was a gesture of Julien's filial piety. So, naturally, Julien's voluntary offer to take on the task made him very pleased. He looked at everyone and loudly declared, "Additionally, I would like to announce something here today: effective immediately, Julien will officially become the next heir to the Rothschild family! After my retirement, he will be the one to lead the family forward!" Upon hearing this, the branch family members began to applaud, but Julien's brothers and nephews remained expressionless. They all knew that once Harrison made such an announcement in front of the family, it was unlikely to be changed. This also meant that after Harrison's passing and Julien's assumption of the title of the family head, they would slowly become part of the collateral branch. Their descendants would eventually end up in a position like those of the other collateral families—sitting on the sidelines, grateful for the smallest of
As the golden sunlight bloomed on the eastern skyline in the early morning, the plane Charlie was on landed at Aurous Airport facing the rising sun. At that moment, Charlie had no idea that Julien, who was far away in the United States, was eagerly planning a trip to Oskia to meet him. Charlie instantly called Vera as soon as the plane landed. When the call was answered, Vera's gentle and delicate voice echoed into his ear. "Mr. Wade! Why did you call me so early?" Charlie said with a smile, "Good morning, Miss Lavor. I've just landed in Aurous Hill. I'm not sure if it's a convenient time for you, but if it is, I can go to Scarlet Pinnacle Manor to meet you." Vera responded with a bright, cheerful laugh, saying, "I've prepared some drinks and snacks and was just about to boil some water for tea. If you don't mind, would you like to join me for a bite?" "Give me half an hour," Charlie replied with a chuckle. In the hangar, Albert was standing beside a car and waiting patie
Ares LLP was the biggest law firm in the States, and only the best of the best were recruited as associates.If Jimmy got to pick ten of their partners, he was basically taking a huge chunk out of their human resources.Moreover, the partners' salaries would be very expensive. With Jimmy included, eleven of them meant over a hundred million US dollars at minimum. Ares would definitely be maimed if they had to pay that much money while losing ten of their elites! Naturally, Jimmy didn't feel confident about achieving that, and he asked Charlie, "Mr. Wade… Don't you think it's too much? Would Nate even agree to that?"Charlie shrugged. "Of course he won't agree if you're the one asking, but he would definitely say yes if it were Julien."Julien almost rolled his eyes.The man was truly ruthless, ready to inflict so much damage at the drop of a hat.Worst of all, he was going to play the villain for Charlie.Still, he said confidently, "Don't worry, Mr. Wade! I will pressure him
However, Jimmy realized something important even as he sighed in relief. "Wait, Mr. Wade… I know I should settle things in the family Stateside, but won't I be arrested upon arrival?""That's Julien's department," Charlie chuckled and turned toward the man. "Tell your butler not to send the evidence to the feds. If it has reached them already, ask to have it back and tell the feds they saw nothing."Julien promptly nodded. "I'll text him right now. You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Wade."Jimmy remained worried. "But sir, I think Nate's not going to let this slide. The man is cunning—he deliberately dug a pit so we'd fall into it, and he gathered all the dirt he could on us to be used as leverage when necessary."Charlie shook his head. "That's no big deal. Julien can make sure that you're fine even if the feds get the evidence."Julien nodded nearby. "Don't worry, Mr. Wade. The decision remains in your hands, either way. Just say the word, and it's 25 to life… otherwise, not e
The fact that Jimmy was a partner in Ares LLP already meant he had skill, while Matilda had herself been retired for years and definitely had lost her touch a little. So, having someone like Jimmy who had stayed on the frontlines all this while would definitely be no issue.And in turn, it was a good thing for Jimmy as it was better than the kennels either way.Charlie then asked Jimmy pointedly, "You say you're interested, but are you sincere about it?"Jimmy nodded without hesitation. "Yes, absolutely!""No regrets? We're talking about ten years here.""None, absolutely none!""Do you know what to say if anyone asks?""Yes, of course! I chose to further my career here in Oskia, and it was absolutely voluntary! That's what I'd say even if my family asked!"Charlie nodded. "Good. Then, you will have two weeks. Go home and set your affairs in order and report in for work afterward.""No problem!" Jimmy nodded repeatedly, actually surprised and grateful that Charlie would let hi
And yet, Julien was suddenly clapping his hands, and exclaiming excitedly, "Yes, right! We should get his wife and son over too for a happy reunion!"He then paused and quickly corrected himself, "Wait, no! I mean, they should each be caged with one empty cage separating each of their cages. They can see each other and talk, but there will be no touching. How dare he flex on me—I gotta teach him a lesson to remember!"Jimmy dropped limply on his rump, and Matilda beckoned for Paul to help him up while turning toward Julien as she pursed her lips. "Please, Mr. Rothschild… Even if you don't accept his apology, don't bring his family into this. It's against Oskian tradition—you'd insult your family's name!"Julien shrugged, not hesitating to retort, "What do your traditions have to do with me? If I mean to hurt him, forget his family—I'll drag his dogs over too!"Seeing that Julien was so furious, Charlie decided to stop him, or he might actually go through with it."That's enough, J
Holding up a thumb at Charlie, Julien exclaimed in approval, "You're right, my friend! That's far more exciting than having him jailed!"Just hearing that he would be sent to a kennel, Jimmy knew nothing would come of it—even if he didn't know the details, it was so obvious that Julien was thrilled by the very idea!Turning nervously toward Charlie, he was sobbing as he asked, "Mr. Wade…? What's this about a kennel…?"Julien chuckled coolly even before Charlie said a word. "A kennel is where you keep dogs, of course. Though there are literal dogs and metaphorical dogs, and you are the latter."Oh, don't worry. It's a really nice place where you get your own cage, and you'll be fed every day. You don't even have to work, so just sit tight and keep eating until the day you die."Jimmy's soul left his body in that instant.He was going to be locked in a cage?! That was way worse than being locked up and sent to jail! Where was the humanity around here?!Even as the thought struck h
Matilda was actually caught off guard by Jimmy's pleas, and even Paul found it hard to watch.Turning to Charlie, he said, "Please, Mr. Wade—my uncle can be a little despicable, but he is my father's brother. Please, let him have a chance to turn over a new leaf, seeing that he's earnestly repenting."While Paul spoke with Charlie, Jimmy was still confused and wondered why Paul would plead his case with Charlie instead of Julien. If there was anyone Paul should ask, it was Yolden since he was Julien's friend. So, why would he ask some young man instead of Yolden?That was when Charlie asked in curiosity, "You want to let him off? After he tried to take away your parents' legacy?"Paul smiled awkwardly. "I mean, I know the guy. He made sure to travel all this way to make a scene because he had nothing legal that could help him claim Smith Group Corporate Law from us. Otherwise, he'd have already filed the lawsuit in the States. Sure, it's a dirty move, but that's basically a des
As Julien finished, he realized something was wrong and turned toward Charlie before he knew it.Charlie held his gaze in turn, his expression quizzical and amused.Julien cleared his throat right then. "See, there are people who can order me around, but they have my utmost respect. However, a third-rate lawyer like you? Who do you think you are?"That was when Julien's butler called, and he reported respectfully as soon as the call was answered, "Sir, I've spoken with Nate Ellis, the owner of Ares LLC. He has since agreed to fire Jimmy Smith right away as well as disbar him nationwide."Julien asked, "Good. Anything else?""Well, Mr. Ellis also delivered some documents that can be used as evidence against Jimmy Smith, which he claims is enough for a lifetime sentence. If you deem it necessary, we can have it sent to the FBI.""Yes, let's go with that!" Julien replied, his tone satisfied. "And ask the director to handle it personally—I want this prick to never set foot stateside
Jimmy was sweating profusely in fear, but he argued back before he knew it, "That's impossible! Everything you say is bullshit! Gaiman simply thought he had a fair chance of winning and didn't want to pay Ares that much, and I have no idea who he partnered with, and I'm certainly not involved. Don't you try to slander me!"Nate chuckled. "Come on, Jimmy. We're all adults here, so there are things we shouldn't have to be so direct about. Mills Gaiman and your old classmate met in private many times, not to mention the private conferences you three had in secret, discussing your overall strategy and decisive points. Just so you know, Gaiman recorded every conversation, and I have the tapes with me."Jimmy's heart was left pounding as he blurted, "B-Bullshit! That's impossible!""Grow up, Jimmy," Mr.Goodman chuckled. "Every partner in every law firm always strives to rise higher, so I'm going to need as much leverage as I can. Otherwise, I'm not about to let them advance any further, e
Although the ringtone and vibration frequency were the ones Jimmy always used, this call somehow felt more urgent, leaving him exceedingly uneasy.When it abruptly stopped and left a missed call on his log, Nate Ellis soon sent a text: [Answer your damn phone this instant!]Just seeing the text left Jimmy feeling like his throat had gone dry, and as he gulped, it felt like his throat was being ripped, leaving him hurting.Still, he couldn't care less as his boss called again.Having seen the text, Jimmy didn't hesitate this time and promptly answered, watching Julien's smug face as he started tentatively, "Y-Yes, boss...?"Nate immediately yelled at him hysterically, "What the hell did you do?! Why did the Rothschilds call to complain about you?! And the complaint was from their heir apparent, at that! I worked hard for them and always toed the line for years, and I still haven't gotten a chance to meet the man, so how the fuck did you upset him?!"Jimmy's heart sank to rock bott