Chapter 568: Chapter 568

After the trio found a table and seated themselves, Jasper picked up a coffeepot and poured the other two some coffee while saying lightly, “Mr. Winton has agreed to help, but he doesn’t care about the money. He wants something else.”

“What does he want?” Curtis asked.

Jasper shrugged in response. “You should already know he does not like to fight or want money at his age. All he wants is to spend his days drinking and playing chess with friends.”

“Mr. Winton...” Jefferson’s pupils dilated. “Could it be that Mr. Winton?”

Jasper gave a teasing smile. “For all the people in the world named Winton, he is the only one worthy of being addressed respectfully.”

Jefferson whipped around to face Curtis at those words with shock in his eyes. “You’re insane. You could have plotted a coup against Mr. Nicholson. Why must you ask for his help?”

“I think you’re both mad.” Jasper’s slim fingers rapped on the table as he sighed and shook his head. “Mr. Nicholson commands absolute power in Norwal City. How could he be brought down so easily?”

Curtis’ expression turned grim. “It will only take the slightest opportunity for them to rise again. Given his connections, Mr.

Nicholson could find a way to reach out to his contacts even if you sever all of his ties. Make a clean break of it. The possibility of his comeback makes me uneasy.”

The incident of Selena abducting Rayna, which had put the latter’s life at risk, right under his nose rattled him to the point of being afraid to even recall the incident. It also revealed the frailty of the power under his command.

I will not let something like this happen again!

After several moments of silence, Curtis asked Jasper, “Does Mr. Winton want the ivory chess set?”

Jasper glanced sideways at Curtis after a sip of coffee. “Even I covet that. The chess set was made during the war and is one of the prized possessions of Yeringham Museum. How are you going to manage that?”

Jefferson massaged his brow. “I’d hazarded a guess based on what you said about chess. Who would manage to acquire a treasured possession of a museum? Could his taste be any more expensive?”

“Don’t you rarely visit Chanaea?” Jasper asked curiously, rubbing his chin with his fingers as he did so. “You appear familiar with all of these. You even know Mr. Winton.”

Jefferson gave a faint smile. “My visits are indeed sparse, but that doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention to things that happen here.

I have once thought of a way to gain Mr. Winton’s favor and help my people by paving the way for an opportunity for them, but...”

His expression became increasingly dour, laced with a trace of helplessness. “Mr. Winton was too difficult to deal with.”

Jasper nodded in agreement before turning to Curtis. “Your love rival had also interacted with Mr. Winton before; he is indeed a wily old fox. Why don’t you go personally?”

“I’m not stupid.” Curtis glared at him. “He’s only taking it easy on you because he knows you’re poor. It won’t just be the ivory chess set when he finds out there’s something between us.”

Jasper spread his hands in exasperation. “Then what do you think we should do? Surely we can’t steal it from the museum?”

Curtis did not speak. He clasped his hands together and placed them on the table.

“I can’t get hold of the chess set, but...” Curtis paused before continuing quietly, “I know he is without an heir and is leaving everything to the son of his old comrade. He dotes on the little fellow.”

Jasper was taken aback. “Do you want me to lobby him?”

“There’s no need for that. Just have a chat with him, and he’ll be the one to approach you with an offer.” Curtis’ lips curled slightly, and his gaze flashed with confidence. “I have something he needs the most.”

“There’s something wrong with you!” Jasper could no longer be civil. “Why won’t you be direct and have him find the guy instead of beating around the bush?”

Curtis massaged between his brows and said wearily, “This is a gift I’m preparing on behalf of Mrs. Faymon. If I cannot get my hands on the chess set from the museum, I will not be able to bring my plans to fruition.”

If it were a vase or a painting, it would have been easy enough to find somebody to make a high-level forgery that would be adequately passable as the real thing.

Godd*mn it. An ivory chess set made during the war! How could this be forged?

Jefferson rapped on the table with his fingers, his expression turning cold. “You’re not married so watch your mouth!”

Curtis laughed. “I’m referring to my wife. Did I specifically refer to anyone?”

Jefferson reciprocated the smile, though it did not extend to his eyes. “Enough of speaking in parables, Mr. Faymon. Aren’t you aware of why we can sit at a table in peace?”

Curtis’ lips curled. He said carelessly, “Isn’t it because I, as your elder brother, am treating you to lunch?”

“Hah!” Jefferson sneered. “Don’t flatter yourself. That’s something I’ll never admit to. Don’t think I would overlook everything you do just because you gave me a pill! I still have a shot as long as Belle never says she would marry you. I would also be willing to be a stepfather to her child, so she would not have to go through the pain of childbirth again.”

Curtis narrowed his eyes. “It’s only a matter of time before she marries me. Don’t get carried away by your imagination.”

“We’ll talk about it when she actually marries you,” Jefferson retorted as he took another sip of coffee. “For now, she is not yet yours, so let us compete fairly. Don’t use the child as leverage. It does nothing to me.”

“Instead of being stubbornly set on having her, why don’t you go after another woman in Norwal City for a change?” Curtis scowled, displeased.

“With so many heiresses in Norwal City, why are you set on having her, Mr. Faymon?” Jefferson repeated those words back to him. “You’re already thirty years old yet you’re still deceiving young girls.”

Curtis was rendered speechless.

“That’s enough,” Jasper interjected hastily, worried that the private room would turn into a battlefield. “Can you talk about whatever that’s between you in private? We’re all here today to discuss something else, remember?”

At the thought of the important matter to be discussed, the pair ceased snapping at each other.

After a discussion lasting over half an hour, it was finally decided that Jasper would take care of asking Marcel for help while Jefferson would keep an eye on Noel’s people. Curtis would be making arrangements from the shadows for somebody to replace Noel when the time came.

Jasper was about to pass out from hunger when it was over. Taking advantage of Curtis’ hospitality, he ordered a feast.

While waiting for the food, Jasper drank coffee to pass the time and turned to Curtis. “I heard you mention that you’re Mr.

Hamilton’s elder brother, Mr. Faymon. How did that come about?”

Curtis glanced at him. “What does this have to do with our discussion?”

“It’s unrelated, but it’s just something I’d like to know more about.” Jasper stroked his chin with a look of intense interest.

Bending over to take a sip of coffee, Curtis ignored him.

Jasper turned to the other side to ask Jefferson.

“I don’t know,” the latter said crisply.

Jasper was dumbstruck.

What is going on? I’m dying to find out!

Soon after, the servers entered the private room and brought their food to the table.

After setting down the plates, the door had barely creaked shut behind the servers when a tall figure pushed open the door and strode into the private room.

Seated opposite the sliding doors, Jasper was afforded a glimpse at the newcomer when he looked up.

After a startled pause, he smiled after. “Hello, Ms. Sainz. You must be here for Mr. Faymon, no?”

Wendella nodded and said in an alluring voice, “I’d heard from the manager that you are dining with Curtis here, Mr. Snyder. It simply wouldn’t do to leave without dropping by to say hello.”

“Why don’t you join us for a bite, Ms. Sainz?” Jasper offered courteously.

“Thank you, but no,” Wendella declined before walking over to Curtis. Leaning over, she whispered in his ear, “I have something to speak to you about, Curtis.”

“Just say what you will.” Curtis helped himself to the food expressionlessly, though his tone was polite. “You are acquainted with my guests. There’s no need to be shy.”