Jacob wasn't the type of person that forced people to do his will. Despite his influence, he always gave
room for people to make their own choices. Of course, if Cindy was unwilling, he wouldn't force her.
Jacob saw through everything now. The most important thing in life was to be happy. He understood
that no matter the mishap that may occur, humans needed to find a reason to be happy.
Jacob felt that his wealth and influence were useless if he couldn't be happy. Material things didn't
matter to him anymore. Now, he just cared about his happiness.
Previously, he had thought that he would be happy if he fulfilled his late father's wish. He had tied his
happiness to the prospects Michael had for him.
He had worked hard to restore the Shi clan to its glory. He fought tirelessly for the reputation of the
family. Sadly, all his efforts were futile. Everything was in vain. And he lost in the end.
This was Jacob's choice. He parked the car in front of the magnificent Shi Group building. If things
went as planned, this would be the last time he would come to the company. He wanted to be done
with all the pending things once and for all.
Jacob was aware that his actions made him seem like a coward. And that he was running away from
his problems. But he concluded that it was best he did that than to be used by other people. He didn't
want to be cajoled into doing anything again.
The only reason he still had an attachment to the company was probably because of Michael. The
business carried the memory of his late father. And he felt sad because of this.
'I'm sorry, Father. I let you down. I didn't fulfill your last wish. Assuming you were still alive, would you
be mad at me? Will you blame me for all this?' Jacob thought.
As he walked to the entrance, the sun shined brightly. And Jacob's shoes sparkled under the sunlight.
Many of the employees were walking around. Although most of them recognized him, none of them
greeted him. They just averted their gaze. Some of them even whispered to their colleagues.
Jacob chose to ignore this attitude. That wasn't why he was there. In fact, he cared less about the
fickleness of the world. Human beings were unstable. He reasoned that if anyone greeted him, that
might create problems for that particular employee. The management might sanction him or her.
Because of this, no one was ready to be the scapegoat. They were all afraid that they might lose their
jobs. Jacob knew what they were thinking of. He fully understood that they were just trying to protect
themselves.
He just strode into the first floor. Then he went to the reception desk and stated his mission.
"I want to see Jonathan," Jacob said with a serious look on his face. He had no time to waste.
"Okay...Mr... Mr. Jacob," the receptionist stuttered after she remembered that he was no longer the
president.
Jacob didn't care about this. He just nodded indifferently. After all, he had resigned himself. Although
he hadn't confirmed if he was still the president, his instincts told him his position was no longer vacant.
He felt it because of the stares he received.
Jacob's heart sank as he thought about this. When the receptionist finished speaking with Jonathan on
the phone, she told him to go to the finance department. The management had already sorted out
Jacob's assets in the company. However, because of the setback that his departure caused the
business, his total assets had to be slashed. He would be getting only half of his shares.
A certain percentage would also be deducted from James' stakes. Jacob refused to say anything about
this. He didn't have the energy for a fight. In fact, he didn't deem it necessary. This was probably
Jonathan's way of getting back at him. How pathetic of him!
Jacob remained mute. He just walked to the finance department to calculate his shares. He wanted to
be done with all this immediately. The company didn't have much cash. They were going through
difficult times. Because of this, Jacob didn't get a lot of money.
But this didn't matter. He was more concerned about severing his ties with the Shi Group. And the
sooner he did that, the better for him. Jacob's eyes were on his future and what he wanted to do.
As long as he had nothing to do with the company again, he didn't care how much he got. The money
wasn't all that he was concerned about. Jacob would just take the rest of the money that Jonathan
didn't give him as his filial piety to his late father, Michael.
The reason why he had worked hard in the first place was because of his old man. Now, that he was
gone, it was only right that his money was used to honor him.
After everything was calculated, Jacob walked out of the department with a check. The manager of the
finance department looked at Jacob disappointedly. He had thought that he would start a fight because
of the amount of money that was given to him. Jonathan had already told him what to do if that
happened.
Unfortunately for him, Jacob didn't cause any squabble. And this made him shocked and disappointed.
This also shocked the other employees. They had thought Jacob would throw a fit. And the whole
company would be in disarray.
Regardless of the reason why Jacob chose to resign, the employees thought that he was good and
capable. After all, he had tried his best for the company. From the expression on their faces, they were
unhappy that he was leaving.
While he was the president, Jacob had offended a lot of people, but they now understood the reason
for his actions. He was just trying to take the business to the next level. Even though at that time it
seemed that he was wicked. After all, being the good guy doesn't pay. If every rule pleased everyone,
then the world will not work well. It was impossible to act according to the preferences of everyone.
In fact, anyone who couldn't take a decision that would offend others always ended up on the losing
side. Oftentimes, such a person would be left to lick his wounds alone. And those he tried to please
would all abandoned him.
Jacob stood at the entrance door of the first floor. He brought out his phone and dialed Cindy's number.
"Hello, Cindy. Where are you? I'm in the company's premises. Come and see me. I have something to
discuss with you. I will be waiting," Jacob said as he took a look at his surroundings. He watched all the
workers as they went about their businesses.
Now that he wasn't the focus of the company, he was relieved. He sighed heavily and put his other
hand in his pockets. A high place wasn't the best place to be. While Jacob was the president of the
company, he wasn't particularly happy about his position. However, as he tried to stay away from these
people, Jacob sometimes felt that he was behaving unearthly. He had what people prayed for. But he
didn't want it.
Of course, this idea of his no longer existed. Even if it no longer existed, he was ready to start all over
again. But he didn't want to have a fresh-start while he was still in the Shi Group. He wanted to do his
own thing.
Jacob smiled and he continued to stare at the workers. For some reason, he couldn't take his eyes off
them.
"Mr. Jacob, I am still at home. I resigned yesterday. How about you come over and I'll treat you to
dinner? Is that fine by you?" Cindy said in a friendly tone. She no longer spoke in an official tone as she
used to before. She sounded as if she was talking to a close friend.
Actually, Cindy had her reason why she invited him over. But she wouldn't tell him over the phone. She
wanted him to get there first.
"Hmm... Okay, I will come over. I'm on my way now." Jacob hesitated for a few seconds before he
replied.
Immediately, he left the building and walked gingerly to his car. Many employees stood by the door and
watched as he entered his car. Their hearts were breaking because this was probably the last time
Jacob would come to the company. They all looked with sad eyes like children whose parents had
abandoned them.
Jacob was oblivious to this. He didn't know that the workers were saddened by his departure.
Honestly, the workers felt sorrier for themselves. It was as if they had just jumped from frying pan to
fire.
This was because Jonathan had only been the president for a few days and the company was already
hell. Jonathan wasn't an easy-going person. He didn't take it lightly with the employees. Everyone was
on their toes.
Right from the first day Jonathan resumed that position, the new rules that he released told the
employees that they were doomed. He drastically reduced the salaries of the employees with the flimsy
excuse of the company's recession.
No matter how strict Jacob used to be, he never reduced the salaries of the workers. They were always
paid in full.
What's more shocking is that the prices of commodities have been soaring high. Things were now
costly in the market. Wouldn't it take the employees' lives if he reduced their wages? They were
already under so much pressure. Not to mention that the salaries were overly reduced. The staff were
practically being paid peanuts. How would they cater to their families with such meager pay?
In the past, the salary of the workers in Shi Group was the talk of the whole city. Because the company
was very large and popular, the management was generous. They paid their employees handsomely.
Many people wished they could work at the organization. If there was any vacancy, thousands of
qualified applicants applied for the position.
At the same time, the employees were proud that they were among the selected few. They always
walked with their heads held up high. At any function, they were given preferential treatment. People
looked at anyone who said they worked at the Shi Group like a god. This was the kind of respect that
just the name of the company had commanded!
But now, all that was fading away. The employees couldn't help but sigh because of their ill fate.
Perhaps this was how they would become ordinary people in the society. It seemed like Jonathan was
out to clip their wings with his new rules.
The entire staff was sad at that moment. But they were more concerned about what would happen in
the future. Jonathan might even introduce more choking regulations later on.
If the company didn't have someone that would handle it well, the entire organization would be in
jeopardy. With the recent happenings, it seemed like they were heading towards a cliff.
The workers had reminisced about Jacob's kindness and leniency when he was about to leave. Sadly,
it was too late. The water had already passed under the bridge.
As Jacob drove out, the employees stopped watching him. They went about their businesses with sad
faces.
Meanwhile, Jonathan sat in the president's office. He was listening to his assistant as he reported what
happened when Jacob came to the company. When he heard that the employees had watched Jacob
with sad eyes, his blood boiled.
Jonathan was so angry that he smashed his teacup on the floor. Then, he thumped his fist on the table.
His eyes became bloodshot. Jonathan resembled the devil at that instance.
"I don't believe that this company can't run without Jacob. That is hogwash! Write down the names of
the employees who stood and watched Jacob leave. I want to know who those miserable people are!
They must leave the company if they would continue behaving like this. Useless lots!"
Jonathan clenched his fist tightly in anger. His bones were cracking and his veins were protruding. The
assistant stepped back in shock. Jonathan's appearance was very scary. He didn't dare to even
breathe.
Jonathan looked as if he was ready to tear the employees into pieces. Because of this, the assistant
just kept quiet.
He didn't want to be the scapegoat. He wasn't ready to suffer for the sins of others. After thinking for a
few seconds, he finally said, "Sir, I think this is a great opportunity. If you achieve some feats, those
gossips would naturally disappear. The employees would no longer talk about you if you prove to them
that you are better than Mr. Jacob."
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