"Sara, don't you ever doubt my confidence? I am still scared. I can't imagine how things will turn out,"
Jacob said, his affectionate eyes boring into her.
Gently, she responded, "I know, Jacob. I am aware of how afraid this makes you. But please relax. It
doesn't matter. I mean it when I say it. I don't care how difficult our future will be. I don't care whether
you gain success or not. None of this matter. Only you do."
When she spoke, her eyes were bright with genuine determination. The two of them stood together, a
time bomb ticking in the background. Everything felt uncertain. They perhaps had failures awaiting
them.
"I can't afford to lose. Don't worry, Sara. Please have faith in me. I will do my best to fix everything,"
Jacob assured, his expression a mix of fear and bravery. He hadn't planned on getting so sentimental.
But he had an urge to tell Sara everything that was in his heart.
He knew if he didn't tell her, she would never know. She was his companion and he would confide in
her about everything.
He gazed steadily into her face. These events were nothing but a test.
"Well, I'll give you the money. You can do whatever you want with it. I have faith in you. Everything will
be fine," she promised and got ready to leave the room. Sara had full faith in Jacob.
"Okay," he uttered, his affection for her expanding. He watched her receding figure and once she was
out of his sight, he let out a heavy sigh.
Now he had to face the problem that he had been dreading.
Just the mere thought of it filled him with sadness. Ever since he had taken that wrong move, his life
wasn't under his control.
He tried to repel these negative thoughts. After all, he had a clearer picture of the future in his head
now. He began to wonder what James would do if he were still here.
'He would do the same, ' Jacob thought to himself and closed his eyes.
This was an old habit of his. Every time he found himself in crises, he would contemplate how James
would deal with it.
Therefore, even now, he found himself brooding over it. This was one thing that guided him to the right
path.
The next day, he carried the money Sara had given him and set forth to visit his biggest partner.
He arrived at the Ho Group, a group that focused on new energy development.
Although this business had nothing to do with daily necessities, Jacob was eager to give it a try.
Jacob was a bit confused, unable to figure out what a company should do on the next stage after it was
transformed.
He stood under the building of Ho Group and glanced up at it. His eyes scanned the huge skyscraper.
At this moment, he reminisced how he had been the CEO of such a big company. But now, he was
nothing but a lobbyist.
Jacob's shoes were caked with dust, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. Quickly, he walked towards
the Ho Group.
He remained calm, not an ounce of worry on his face. He knew what he was going to face wouldn't be
easy, but he was unperturbed.
He knew now that he wasn't a CEO of a big company, people wouldn't pay him attention. When he lost
his power, he had also lost his influence on people. Jacob was, in short, mentally prepared. He walked
confidently.
When Jacob was inside, he found the place to be filled with strangers. Fortunately, he wasn't the man
who felt afraid around strangers.
His eyes then fell on the signboard of the Ho Group. A sense of familiarity filled him. Perhaps it had to
do with the fact that both the buildings had similar interiors. He walked towards the reception hall on the
first floor.
And as expected, no one paid him any heed. This was quite different from the welcome he normally
received. Jacob knew that the moment he quit, his life had changed. He was no longer the revered
CEO.
These incidents brought a weird feeling within him. He no longer felt superior. His indifferent eyes
glanced at the crowd.
Fame wasn't going to stay with one forever. When fame left, people would leave too. Jacob understood
the harsh reality of life.
He couldn't rely on people. If he fell, it was his duty to rise again. This sudden shift in his position had
taught him discipline.
Standing near the front desk, Jacob looked at the receptionist with his bright eyes.
He put his hand on the counter. "Excuse me. I want to see Mr. Shawn," he said, trying to catch her
attention. She was at present busy with some other task.
When she looked up and caught sight of him, her eyes turned wide. She hadn't seen such a handsome
man before.
"Sir, do you have an appointment?" she asked, attempting to put a professional tone. This stranger was
handsome, but she couldn't forget her duty.
Jacob flashed her a smile as if he had been prepared for this question.
His smile was like a ray of sunshine.
Sheepishly, he said, "Well, I don't have an appointment. But perhaps you could tell Mr. Shawn that I am
here. I am pretty sure he will want to see me." He spoke in a persuasive manner.
The receptionist stood confused. She knew this was against their policy but she found it hard to say no
to him. She looked at Jacob, a blush suffusing her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, sir. I genuinely wish to be of your help. But what can I do? These are the company's rules. If
I don't follow them, my job will be at stake. I hope you will understand,"
she said, her blush deepening. The second she saw Jacob, she had developed a small crush.
However, at the end of the day, her job was important. She couldn't be petty enough to forsake her job
for a stranger. 'No, I can't break the rules, ' she thought to herself with determination.
"Well, you do have a point," Jacob said and pretended like he was thinking of a solution. He, however,
showed no sign of leaving. In the past, he wouldn't have had to deal with all this.
His previous position gave him the license to do whatever he wanted. But now, he had to persuade the
receptionist.
Patiently, he said, "I know you are in a dilemma. How about you ring call Mr. Shawn and mention my
name to him. Tell him Jacob Shi is here to see him. If he doesn't want to see me, I promise to not bug
you again."
His persuasive eyes bore into the receptionist. She found herself giving in.
"Sir, this is also against our rules, but since you insist so much, I will give it a try." The receptionist
quickly picked up the phone and informed about this man's visit. She knew she had heard the name
Jacob Shi somewhere but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
But now, all of a sudden, it dawned on her who he was. Only a few days ago she had read his name in
the news. He was the CEO of the Shi Group!
In the newspaper, he was mentioned as the playboy who had an indiscreet private life. Watching him
smile at her, she had a hard time believing this was the same man.
The receptionist's face turned red at this realization. She had given him her word so there was no going
back.
Jacob remained calm all through this.
"Mr. Jacob, the president is willing to see you. Please follow me," she said.
Her initial enthusiasm was gone. And the sudden shift in her manner didn't go unnoticed by Jacob. He
knew this had to do with his image.
Outer appearance wasn't the only important thing. The world cared a great deal about reputation.
Silently, he followed the receptionist's lead. She hadn't uttered a word but he didn't care. He was glad
he had gotten the opportunity to converse with Shawn.
If Shawn had refused to meet him, he would have been devastated.
Jacob was a confident man, there wasn't an ounce of nervousness in him. In spite of his current
position, he told himself he was on the same level as Shawn.
He didn't consider himself inferior to the other party. Perhaps he didn't have as many chips as the other
party. But at the end of the day, he hadn't come empty-handed either.
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