âLetâs steer clear of work talk, Scott suggested. Heard youâre making a move to the company?â
âYeah, Abel replied. âAfter the merger, the entire backyard office building became vacant. Iâllâset up two offices there, do some simple decoration, and Iâll be practically living at the company for a year or two.â
âGoing all out, huh?â Scott chuckled. âYoung people should not be underestimated!â
âWeâve invested a lot, and Abel has already taken out a bank loan. We have to go all out, right?â
Regarding that bank loan, Abel was well aware of it himself. Granting benefits exclusively to Scott had taken up two hundred thousand.
âA loan of three to four million. Abel, are you afraid?â Scott asked with a smile.
âSaying Iâm not afraid would be misleading, but what can fear achieve? In this lifetime, thereâs always something worth going all out for! Abel confessed.
âIn this lifetime, there has to be a person worth going all out for!â Scott looked at his daughter and then turned to Abel.
Abel avoided his gaze, his expression growing colder.
âWhen are you moving in, Abel?â Scott asked, feigning concern.
âSoon, Abel replied. âLucaâs already at my place packing things up.â
âAlright, Iâll lend a hand too. Scott said to Alana. âGrab two sets of new sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases. Get everything ready for Abel.â
âNo need for the trouble,â Abel interjected. Tve already got it covered.â
Meanwhile, Alana had already sweetly agreed and promptly went off to execute the task.
After leaving Scottâs office, Abel lit a cigarette. Finding a secluded spot, he dialed the financial directorâs number, Landon Harrison.
âMr. Ryker.â Landonâs voice was low. âAre you looking for me?â
âDid you submit a leave application?â Abel got straight to the point.
âYes, Mr. Ryker.â
âWhy didnât you inform me?â
âMr. Yendall said it was arranged by you.â
*D*mn itâ Alicl cursed softly. âCanât you talk to me and clarify everything?â
âYou didnât know about this, Mr. Ryker?â
âIf I had known, why would I be calling you now?â
Landon took a deep breath on the other end. âAbel, is it convenient for you to talk right now?â
Abel glanced around. Iâm alone. Go ahead.â
âIâve been set up, Landon said. âScott told me that you have a relative coming to take over the finance department, and Iâm supposed to be laid off.â
âThat cunning old fox!â
âHe mentioned that if I submit my own application, the company will cover my pension for three years,â
Landon continued. âI know that if youâve made up your mind, I wonât be able to persuade you. Any boss would prefer to have their people managing the finances. So, instead of being fired after the staff meeting, I thought itâs better to go along with it.â
I see now, Scott wants to control me.â Abel remarked. âBut you canât leave your position.â
âScott has already taken care of it, Landon explained. âThe Finance Department of the Development Zone Mechanical Factory has reserved a position for me.â
âThat was fast.â
âAbel, who did Scott arrange to manage finances?â
âHis daughter.
âWow, thatâs quite audacious!â
âLandon, Iâm giving you a headsâup now. After the staff meeting, the Audit Bureau will investigate my companyâs accounts, and you must be rehired. I canât use anyone else! Abel whispered.
âWhat about Scottâs daughter then?â
âSheâll just be a figurehead. I only trust you!â
âAbel, you canât afford to offend Scott. After all, he still has influence over you,â Landon warned.
âIâm well aware of that. Iâll handle him, Abel asserted. âDonât take the position in the Development Zone.
Iâll make up for your lost salary.â
âAlright then, Mr. Ryker!â Landon agreed. âSince you put it that way, I feel relieved now. Weâve got a solid trust thing going after seven or eight years of working together! Iâd rather follow your lead than go to another unit. Iâll go with your arrangement!â
âGood!â
The call ended with mutual agreement.
Emmeline and Janie enjoyed a shopping spree, picking up various household items for Abel.
After finishing their shopping, the two returned to the RetroWave Advertisements to take a break.
Emmeline remarked, âAbel cleared out the apartment today, so tomorrow, Tony can start renovating the new house.â
âThanks to both of you.â Janie expressed her gratitude. I really appreciate Abel.â
âDonât mention it. Emmeline smiled. âWeâre all good friends.â
âEmma, I never expected things to turn out like this,â Janie said. âLast time, it was all gloomy clouds, and now, itâs all sunshine.â
Emmeline shared her wisdom. âThatâs why, in times of crisis, itâs crucial to stay composed. We shouldnât act hastily, and we definitely canât give in to despair.â
Whatâs gotten into you all of a sudden?â Janie laughed. âItâs not like that last time. I didnât cry but I ended up making you cry out of worry.â
Before they could say more, Abel arrived.