Brian's tone was casual, "Well, I got it from you after all. Years ago, you had canceled the 'crystal'
project just for Shirley, didn't you?" Harrow slightly furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't know much about
what had happened in the Long family in the past.
But Tony knew almost everything. That was why he held his breath when he felt the atmosphere in the
room get heavier. It seemed like there was an invisible hand grabbing his neck, making it hard for him
to breathe.
Years back, when Mr. Long was still in charge of the Dragon Island, there was a big oil project on Sun
Island which was worth about a billion. The entire money of the Dragon Empire Group was invested in
this project. If the project was canceled, there would have been unspeakable damage, not only to the
Dragon Empire Group, but also to the economy of the Dragon Island. This would have also affected the
power of the Long family on the island. But Mr. Long still canceled the 'crystal' project for his wife
despite everyone's objection.
Richie stared at his cold and arrogant son for a moment, then the corners of his lips lifted into a smirk.
He said in a cold tone, "I had a back-up plan that would have definitely worked. How about you?"
Brian also had a smirk on his face after hearing his father's words. His sharp face showed confidence
that couldn't be ignored. He opened his mouth and slowly asked his father, "How are you so sure that I
don't have a back-up plan too?"
"Your back-up plan? You mean throwing Justin in jail, thus making the conservative faction and the
reformist faction stop their fight due to societal pressure?" Richie's tone was extremely cold, as if the
person he was talking to was not his own son at all. His words were laced with mockery. It sounded like
he found it very funny that his son would have such a ridiculous back-up plan. With his sharp gaze on
Brian's face, he continued, "Is that really your so-called back-up plan? Is that really your trump card? If
so, I don't know what to say."
Brian squinted his eyes at his father and his jaw tightened a bit. He replied in an indifferent tone, "I will
handle the consequences. This is my choice and my decision. You don't need to worry about it!"
"I believe in your ability. I truly do," Richie said in a firm tone, "But I cannot let you risk the status of the
Dragon Island. Even if there's only a one in a million chance that you might fail, I just can't allow it."
After those harsh words, Richie withdrew his gaze from his son, and turned around, ready to leave. A
few steps away from the door, he stopped. He slightly turned his head back to look at Brian, then said
to him, "Brian, sometimes you have to think twice before you act, even if you have the capability to deal
with the consequences. If you really choose to go through such self-inflicted harm, then it means that
you have already lost."
Richie saw the slight change in expression on Brian's face, but he didn't say anything more. He turned
around to continue walking. And when he was at the door, he said, "Go and pay Sheridan a visit." After
that, the door closed with a loud bang.
Richie quickly left the place. He had visited Brian only because he wanted to know what Brian's attitude
was and what he was thinking. Apparently, Brian didn't possess any crisis awareness because his life
had always been so easy until now. But that would change soon. He wouldn't deny that his son was
doing good and had great abilities. Hell, he even believed that Brian could single-handedly take care of
this situation. But...
Richie got into the car and stared into the distance. He mumbled to himself, 'Brian is very sharp, almost
too sharp. If he continues acting like this, I'm afraid that he will end up hurting others and himself one
day.'
Brian had to become more sophisticated and smooth in his actions. Only then could Richie completely
handover the business to him and leave with Shirley.
*
The report created a huge argument everywhere. Justin, Jenifer, and even Jonny at the State
Parliament hadn't expected that things would turn out like this. Moreover, what threw them off the most
was that Mr. Brian Long belonged to the Dragon Island, and that he was Richie's son. Richie was once
very famous and was known all over the world.
The public opinion was quite scary at the moment. And to make matters worse, a document which
revealed the truth from years back was sent to the military court. Things seemed to be getting out of
control. The reformist faction and the conservative faction reached a consensus about it. They had
used the wrong target during this fight.
Edgar held the phone to his ear and listened to Jonny's orders with a very serious look on his face.
Until the call was disconnected, the look on his face remained the same.
"Mayor, Jenifer is here. She is waiting for you outside." Bill didn't have his usual lollipop in his mouth.
There was a deep frown on his handsome face, showing his worries.
Edgar didn't reply. He stared at the thin crust of snow on the ground outside the window. Then he
mumbled, "No wonder we couldn't get Mr. Brian Long's information." Edgar was a bit surprised that a
man like Brian would do so much just for Molly. He had very mixed feelings about this. On one hand,
he was glad that Brian was protecting Molly. But on the other hand, he couldn't help but worry about
their relationship. 'Should I just be happy about it and get over her? Or should I...'
Edgar squinted his eyes, then said in a cold tone, "Tell her that I don't have time for her now."
Bill watched Edgar's strong back. He opened his mouth to say something. But decided otherwise and
left the office without saying a word.
Edgar stood in his office, listening to Jenifer curse at him viciously outside his office because she
couldn't get inside to see him. A satiric smirk appeared on his face as he listened to her. To be honest,
he didn't give a damn about her. Hell, he even found it ridiculous that Jenifer had become such a
nuisance. The whole process had not gone exactly as he had planned and wanted. But still, he got
what he wanted in the end. He was quite satisfied with the result. Right now, the conservative faction
and the reformist faction were still in the middle of a terrific fight. And no matter how things would turn
out in the end, he would not be threatened anymore. And he was happy about it.
Edgar grabbed his phone and casually dialed a number he remembered well. He put the phone to his
ear, waiting for the other end to pick up. After he heard the click on the other end, he slowly said, "The
matter has been taken care of and the result is apparent."
"It looks like we will all get what we want after all."
Edgar's lip curled into a knowing smile, "Yeah. Everything is settled. It is a good feeling, now that we
are all back at the start line again."
There was a loud laugh from the other end. Then the voice said, "Good luck to you. Hope you get what
you want and be happy with Molly."
"Yes." Edgar ended the call. He withdrew his gaze from the screen of his phone and walked back to his
office table. There was a document on his computer screen. It was the project which Jenifer had sent to
Justin. He deleted the document with a cold smirk on his face.
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