"A Level 4 incident?" Jeffrey stood up abruptly, looking at Ma Er Si with a grim expression. "What exactly happened? How did Cyril get involved in this Level 4 incident? And why is he being targeted by the people at Basti Prison?"
"President, this is what happened. A dozen days ago, Goodinia and..." Ma Er Si didn't dare to slack off in the slightest and recounted in detail how Goodinia and Devo got into trouble with the Restaurant Mai Mi, and how Gabriel, one of Devo's men, got involved in a Level 4 incident. After Cyril received money from both families, he used various means to gather information from Basti Prison, bribed people everywhere, and tried to pull strings to get the two out.
After listening to Ma Er Si's words, Jeffrey remained silent for a moment, then looked deeply into Ma Er Si's eyes and asked, "Ma Er Si, how many years have you been by my side?"
"Twenty three years, President." Ma Er Si replied, lowering his eyes and avoiding Jeffrey's gaze.
"Ever since old Jack died, you've been by my side. You and your father have served me for most of your lives. How have I treated you?" Jeffrey continued to ask.
"When my father was alive, he often spoke highly of you, President. He started as a coachman and followed you all the way. He was always grateful for your kindness. I have been by your side for more than 20 years, and you have treated me like family." Ma Er Si lowered his head even further.
"Since that's the case, I'm not dead yet, so why are you in such a hurry to take sides? Remember, as long as I'm alive, I will still be the head of the Morton family, the president of the Aden Square Merchants' Union, and the number one businessman in Chaos City. I will still be Jeffrey • Morton." Jeffrey laughed, a somewhat mocking laugh.
"Yes...yes..." Ma Er Si lowered his head, his forehead hair already soaked with sweat. Although he had been by Jeffrey's side for more than 20 years, but every time he stood in front of him, he would still think of the president who had scolded his father so harshly when they first met when he was a child.
He was like a lion, when he lay down, he inspired awe, but when he roared, everyone bowed their heads.
He was the king of this manor, the king of the Aden Square Merchants' Union.
"Go and call that idiot here." Jeffrey's smile vanished, and he turned his gaze away from Ma Er Si, looking at the maple trees in the distance that were beginning to turn red. He said indifferently, "From today onwards, don't ever appear in front of me again. Choose the furthest shop below."
"President..." Ma Er Si's expression changed drastically. Looking at Jeffrey's expressionless profile, he swallowed back all his words. No one could change Jeffrey's decision.
"Take care of yourself." Ma Er Si bowed deeply, his expression somewhat somber as he turned and left. As he walked out of the garden, Ma Er Si glanced back at the gray-haired old man in the garden, suddenly remembering his father's dying words: "Remember, there is only one President in this world. What you need to do is be absolutely loyal to him. That's enough."
"Father, perhaps I should listen to you." Ma Er Si clenched his fist, turned and left, his steps heavy. He knew that once he left, he might never return to this beautiful manor. It felt as if something was suddenly missing in his heart.
From childhood to adulthood, he watched the manor prosper and the young and vigorous president gradually grow old. The morning sun shines on this luxurious manor, but it seems to be sprinkled with the afterglow of the setting sun, giving it a somewhat gloomy feeling.
"If the first young master hadn't chosen to become a teacher back then, perhaps this manor could have become even more magnificent? At least... it wouldn't have declined so quickly." Ma Er Si thought to himself, but quickly shook his head with a smile. He remembered the happy look on the first young master's face when he received the teaching acceptance letter from Chaos Academy. "This is probably the life he truly wanted. Even without this manor, having the children would have been enough."
...
"Dad, please let me explain, I…" Cyril arrived at the garden, his face pale. Ma Er Si had already explained the situation to him and said goodbye.
Ma Er Si was the most trusted person by his father's side. Although he usually just acted as a messenger, but he was the only one who could understand Jeffrey's meaning with just a glance or a cough. He held a special position in the Aden Square Merchants' Union.
But now he has been directly dismissed and will no longer hold any position in the Merchants' Union. He can only work in a shop under the Morton family and become a truly marginal figure.
Cyril wasn't stupid, he knew what this meant. Jeffrey was angry, very angry.
"Slap!!!"
Before Cyril could finish speaking, Jeffrey turned around and slapped him across the face. The crisp, clear sound startled the insects in the flowerbed, silencing their chirping.
"Thump!"
Cyril knelt on the ground, his left cheek swollen high. He looked at Jeffrey with a terrified expression, trembling as he said, "Dad, I was wrong, I know I was wrong..."
"You know you were wrong?" Jeffrey withdrew his hand, his hand trembling slightly within his wide sleeve. Looking at Cyril, his voice rose slightly, "Then tell me, where did you go wrong?"
"I…" Cyril opened his mouth, but choked up. His eyes darted around, unsure of what to say.
"If you won't tell me, then I'll tell you exactly where you went wrong." Jeffrey looked down at Cyril as if he was a clown, with a mocking smile. "First, you shouldn't have touched my people. The Ma Er Si, father and son have been with me for decades. Loyalty is the most basic principle for a servant. When you make him obey you, you have an unfaithful servant."
"Secondly, you shouldn't have changed the rules I set. The rule that the Merchants' Union's restaurants should make up half of the food ranking list was set by me back then, because any restaurant that can enter the Merchants' Union can be on the list anyway. However, improving the ranking can increase a restaurant's revenue to a certain extent, which has already caused resentment among many ordinary merchants. And yet you've taken 90% of the list, and even used a bidding system for ranking. As the second young master of the Morton family, are you that short of money? Is this all you care about? Do you even understand what rules are?
Our Morton family's current status is built on rules, and even if we established those rules, we must abide by and uphold them. Only a relatively free market can foster vitality and room for further improvement. And you are stifling that freedom, what is the point of our control then?"
"Third, you shouldn't provoke people or forces you can't afford to offend. Businessmen seek profit and avoid harm. This is the foundation of our survival. A true businessman should have some fear and know how to protect his own interests, ensuring that he always stays in a safe place.
And you, for a few tens of thousands of copper coins, actually touch the Basti Prison and got involved in a Level 4 incident. Do you know what a Level 4 incident means? Even if you're the city lord's son, if you commit a Level 4 incident, you'll spend your entire life in Basti Prison. Who do you think you are? Trying to get someone out of Basti Prison? If you get arrested because of this incident, don't worry, I won't bail you out."
"Dad, I was wrong, I was wrong, I was wrong…" Cyril's face was pale. He knelt on the ground and crawled forward a few steps, trying to hug Jeffrey's leg.
"Don't think that just because the Morton family will be handed over to you after my death, you can do whatever you want." Jeffrey withdrew his left foot with some disgust and said coldly, "From today onwards, Gloria is one of the candidates for the Morton family's successor, and has the same right to inherit the Morton family as you."
"This!" Cyril was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground, looking up at Jeffrey with disbelief on his face.