The secretary thought for a moment and replied, “Rafe has a son named Percival.”
“Then call Rafe and ask this so-called father to come and educate his son.”
“Alright.” The secretary quickly fetched her phone and dialed Rafe’s number.
The Food and Drug Administration was not far from here. Sweating profusely, Rafe appeared before Ronald in just over ten minutes.
“Mayor Timothy, did you summon me?” Despite his internal confusion, Rafe’s expression was respectful.
Ronald simply gestured for him to listen carefully to the conversation happening in the adjacent office.
“Boss Fanny, it’s just a matter of choice. Why is it so difficult?” Percival lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, puffing on a cigarette.
“Since I’m here today, I’ll make things clearer for you. Although you only get thirty percent of the profits, cooperating with me will bring you considerable benefits.”
“The cosmetics industry is highly competitive nowadays, as you are well aware. After our collaboration, as long as I have a word with my father and put some pressure on Langstel’s other cosmetics companies, your market share will undoubtedly increase significantly. By then, even with just thirty percent of the profits, you will still make a fortune.”
Rosemary completely rebuffed Percival’s proposal, saying, “Mr. Percival, we run a legitimate business and absolutely do not engage in illegal competition. I have full confidence in our products and do not need your so-called help.”
Percival flicked the ash off his cigarette and threatened, “Boss Fanny, I don’t think you’re someone who doesn’t know what’s good for you. Are you sure you don’t want to be friends with me?”
“We are humans, not dogs. Besides, our product quality meets national standards. A clear conscience fears no accusation. What can you do?” Leo brushed off Percival’s threat with a smile.
Percival chuckled, “Kid, you are so naively adorable. You say your cosmetics are of good quality, so they are? Let me tell you the truth, only when I say they are good, can they be considered good!”
In the adjacent meeting room, Ronald glanced coldly at Rafe and asked, “Rafe, judging by your son’s tone, it seems like the Food and Drug Administration has become your family’s property. Is that so?”
Ronald’s words made Rafe shudder involuntarily.
The secretary had only informed him over the phone that Secretary Shi was at Leo & Rose Cosmetics and urged him to come over as quickly as possible, but she hadn’t mentioned that Percival was also there.
Percival’s words, coupled with Ronald’s question, frightened Rafe.
In order to prevent Percival from saying anything more outrageous, Rafe, disregarding much else, stormed angrily into the adjacent office.
Rafe’s sudden appearance first stunned Percival, who then exclaimed joyfully, “Dad, what are you doing here? You’ve arrived just in time, they…”
Before Percival could finish, he was wailing in agony as Rafe rained down blows on him.
“Dad, why are you hitting me…” Percival yelped as he scrambled to shield himself, not fully comprehending what was happening.
Fuming with anger, Rafe grabbed a nearby chair and swung it at Percival without hesitation.
Percival never expected his own father to throw a chair at him. Unable to dodge, he was struck in the middle of his back, letting out a miserable cry as he fell to the ground in a humiliating position.
Clutching his back in pain, Percival writhed on the floor and indignantly exclaimed, “Dad, have you gone mad? Why are you hitting me?”
“Unfilial child, what sins did I commit in my past life to have given birth to a son like you!”
Seeing that his son still had no idea of what had transpired, Rafe was beside himself with rage. He grabbed an ashtray from the coffee table, seemingly intending to take drastic measures.
Ronald and the secretary had already entered. Upon Ronald’s instructions, the secretary hurried to intercept Rafe. “Director Fei, don’t act rashly. Please put down the ashtray.”
“This unfilial son has disgraced our family. I need to uphold our honor. Don’t stop me!”
Of course, Rafe couldn’t possibly harm Percival himself. His statement was partly out of genuine anger and partly a show for Ronald.
With a loud bang, the ashtray was thrown, but it missed Percival and landed on the wooden floor.
Ronald didn’t want Rafe to continue causing a scene. He said sternly, “Rafe, this is Miss Fanny’s office. What kind of behavior is this? If you want to discipline your son, do it at home.”
Rafe sighed dejectedly, his tensbody relaxed, and with a despondent expression, he said, “Mayor Timothy, I have failed as a father. I am not worthy of being the director of the Food and Drug Administration. I will go back and submit my resignation.”
“Rafe, that’s enough. Your son made a mistake, and while you bear some responsibility, it doesn’t warrant sacrificing your job,” Ronald’s tone softened.
Ronald understood Rafe’s character. Rafe had dedicated most of his life to the Food and Drug Administration, and he approached his work with dedication, free from any hint of corruption.
Today’s incident was likely just his son acting under his father’s name.
Seeing Percival getting up from the floor, Rafe couldn’t help but step forward and give him a slap. “You rascal, apologize and own up to your mistakes!”
Ronald’s presence had already drained the color from Percival’s face. Trembling, he approached Ronald and stammered, “Mayor Timothy, I was wrong. It was my own mistake, and it has nothing to do with my father. Please, deal with me.”
“Young man, if you want to make a place for yourself in society, you can’t resort to underhanded methods. I’ll give you a piece of advice: be honest and straightforward in your actions,” Ronald lectured in a cold tone.
The previously arrogant Percival now seemed like a student standing before a teacher after making a mistake. “Mayor Timothy, I will remember your guidance.”
“Rafe, I’m giving you face today. Let’s consider this matter settled. Go home and properly discipline your son. I do not want to see something like this happen again,” Ronald stated firmly.
“Mayor Timothy, rest assured, I will teach him a good lesson when we get back home!” Rafe hastily replied.
After his words, Rafe kicked Percival once more and scolded, “Apologize properly!”
Percival didn’t dare to disobey. He hurriedly apologized to Leo and Rosemary, “Boss Fanny, Mr. Bloomer, I’m a jerk, I was wrong. Please forgive me, I won’t dare to cross you again.”
“Mr. Percival, I don’t hold grudges. As long as Horse Cosmetics is willing to cooperate with us, I will stand by my previous offer of a fifty percent profit share for you,” Rosemary generously said.
As a strong businesswoman, Rosemary naturally knew how to maximize profits. Compared to the immense profit that could come from working with Horse Cosmetics, the recent minor grievances were not worth mentioning.