The President’s chest surged with flames of anger. “What did you say? How dare you speak to your father like that!”
“So what.” Franklin elegantly pulled a wet wipe from the table and began to clean his fingers, as if he were polishing a piece of art rather than his hands.
The President, infuriated, sprang up from the sofa and raised his hand to slap Franklin’s handsome face. But the man caught his wrist. “You’re old… I suggest you calm down, or one day your anger might send you to heaven.”
With that, he released the President’s wrist and walked upstairs.
“Ungrateful son! You ungrateful son!” The President’s vision darkened with rage, nearly causing him to faint.
If not for the timely support of his assistant, he might have collapsed on the spot.
Glaring at Franklin’s retreating figure, he gasped for breath. “I really brought back a curse! You-”
But Franklin acted as if he hadn’t heard him, his long legs carrying him up the stairs.
The assistant adjusted his glasses sinisterly. “Sir, there’s no need to be angry. Don’t you still have… the eldest son? He has been in Aettosa for a long time and has yet to meet you!”
The President stood up angrily. “Let’s go find him! If this one doesn’t work, there are others. I refuse to believe they will all anger me. Does he think I can’t live without him? I have plenty of sons!”
The assistant smiled slightly. “You’re right. You are very popular with your other sons.”
“You’re good with words. Let’s go find the eldest!” The President stormed out. “Tomorrow I’ll take the eldest to the meeting and give him a position! What do you think would be good?”
The assistant bowed respectfully. “I don’t know, sir. I’m only good at taking care of you and handling minor matters.”
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.
He dared not easily express his own opinions.
Especially since the President was notoriously suspicious and might suspect and distrust him.
“Then let’s give him an easy job first!” The President said as he walked out. “I heard the administrative affairs office director is retiring soon. Let him take over and check attendance in various departments daily.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll notify them tomorrow.” The assistant quickly responded.
The next morning, the sun was bright, and the air was fresh.
The entire office building was abuzz with gossip.
“My God, I heard the new administrative affairs office director is the President’s eldest son.”
“Really? Isn’t Mr. Maskelyne the President’s son?”
“That’s strange.”
“Ding!” The elevator doors opened, and a man in a black suit stepped out. His face was stern, his figure tall, exuding an air of nobility.
The employees who had been gossiping scattered immediately. “Mr. Maskelyne is here.”
“Get back to work.”
Franklin frowned suspiciously and strode towards his office. As he passed the administrative affairs office, he saw a familiar figure.
“Isaac?”
Franklin looked Isaac up and down. Isaac was dressed in a silver-gray suit, looking tall and handsome.
He was sitting at the administrative affairs office director’s desk, with a nameplate on the desk reading “Director: Isaac.”
“I didn’t know Isaac became my colleague.”
“Franklin, you might not know this, but this is your elder brother.” The President appeared behind Franklin with a smile. “You two are brothers and should help each other.”
“Brothers?” Franklin’s cold eyes swept over the President. “I have no brothers. My mother only gave birth to me.”
“What kind of attitude is that? Did your brother provoke you? I’m telling you, you’re both my sons and share my blood. From now on, your brother is the director of the administrative affairs office. You must get along and not make a fool of yourselves, understand?” The President said gruffly.
Isaac smiled slightly. “Dad, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of my younger brother. After all, he’s two years younger than me; it’s normal for him to be temperamental.”
His words elevated himself while belittling Franklin.
It pleased the President greatly.
“You indeed have the demeanor of an elder brother. Franklin, learn from your brother and stop making me angry!” The President said before turning to leave.
Franklin sneered. “I didn’t realize you were so good at flattering people. It’s quite an eye-opener.”
He walked towards his office. The administrative affairs office was just a place for retirement without real power or capability.
So what was the President playing at?
Was he trying to create a balance of power?
Or did he want to see Franklin and Isaac fight so he could benefit? What could he possibly gain?
Isaac didn’t get angry at Franklin’s sarcasm. He watched Franklin’s back for a while before murmuring to himself, “Everything you have will one day be mine.”
Sitting at his desk, he took out his phone and called Sylvia. “Sylvia, I might not be able to accompany you to the Cultural Heritage Fair today.”
“Isaac, what’s wrong? Are you busy?” Sylvia asked while changing her shoes at the entrance.
“Yes, I have some things to take care of. Can you go by yourself?” Isaac’s gentle voice came through the phone.
Sylvia smiled. “Of course, it’s just a Cultural Heritage Fair.”
Besides, Franklin would be accompanying her today, so she wouldn’t be alone.
Meanwhile, Franklin was in his office handling a day’s worth of work with Jasper assisting him. “Young Master, aren’t we going to the Cultural Heritage Fair today? There’s so much work…”
“Leave the rest; bring it all along.” Franklin put down his pen and stood up, checking his watch. “It’s almost time; let’s go.”
Jasper followed Franklin out with a pile of documents.
As they passed the administrative affairs office, Isaac gave Franklin a malicious smile. “Franklin, you’re skipping work. Be careful; I’ll mark it down and deduct your pay at the end of the month.”
He knew Franklin was going to the Cultural Heritage Fair, so he deliberately waited there.
Franklin glanced at him. “Mr. Carr, do as you please. After all, unused power expires; don’t wait until it’s too late.”
With that, he continued walking.
Isaac was his half-brother!
What a joke.
Enemies meet on narrow roads.
He had long been accustomed to hiding his emotions; even though he was shocked to learn Isaac was his brother, his face remained calm.
He entered the elevator, and Jasper pressed the button for the underground parking lot on level B2.
As soon as Franklin left, Isaac called the President. “Dad, my brother just left; he said he’s going to the Cultural Heritage Fair… Dad, should I mark him as absent or on leave? But he didn’t submit a leave request.”
The President’s irritated voice came through. “Absent! Definitely absent! Leave? Does he even consider me his father? If he did, he’d ask me for leave!”
“Dad, don’t be angry; I just didn’t want you to get upset… that’s why I called.” Isaac quickly comforted the President before hanging up.
Isaac smugly looked at the attendance sheet and instructed his assistant to mark a big X for Franklin’s attendance that day.
Franklin and Jasper arrived at the Cultural Heritage Fair and waited at the entrance for Sylvia.
When Sylvia arrived, she saw two tall figures from afar and quickly walked over.
She wore a long coat with a light purple dress underneath, looking elegant and graceful.
“Honey.” Franklin waved at her. Sylvia walked over and took his large hand willingly. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, I just got here too.” Franklin looked down at her beautiful face with gentle eyes. “You look stunning.”
Sylvia’s red lips curved into a lovely smile. “Did you coat your mouth with honey this morning? So sweet.”
“Only sweet for you.” Franklin held her hand as they walked inside. “Are we gambling on stones today?”
They followed the crowd into the venue while chatting.
“Yes. This is a new addition this year. My teacher sent me here to represent him at the Cultural Heritage Fair mainly for this stone gambling event.”
“Stone gambling isn’t easy; do you know how?” Franklin raised an eyebrow in surprise on his noble and cool face.
“I know many things!” Sylvia smiled mischievously, showing her white teeth with a hint of playfulness. “Stone gambling is nothing; just wait and see.”
“I’ll be watching.”
As they spoke, they arrived at the stone gambling section.
There were many raw materials on display, with staff busy categorizing and pricing them.
A crowd had already gathered out of curiosity; some people were playing small bets, spending a few thousand dollars on small stones to see if they could find anything valuable.
Most found nothing; occasionally, someone would find some low-quality jade scraps.
Cassandra and her daughter also arrived at the venue. Matthew had been furious yesterday and had scolded Cassandra harshly after leaving the venue.
Today, Matthew planned to gamble on stones himself; he brought a lot of money for excitement and thrill.
Most of this money was sponsored by Cassandra and her mother from the Sweeney family; after being humiliated yesterday, they had to compensate him with some money to calm him down.
Cassandra and her mother also brought a lot of money; stone gambling is all about taking risks!
More people gathered as the start time approached.
The atmosphere grew increasingly restless among the crowd.