Chapter 24: A Request from Iggy Harrison

"Yes!" With a respectful response, Jephthah Harrison stepped forward, speaking indifferently, "You've all heard it. Will you leave on your own, or shall I call someone to escort you out?" Jarell instantly lost his nerve, knowing well that against the Harrison family, he stood no chance of resistance or excuse. With Jephthah determined, his only option was to leave quietly. But Kocsis was angered. This Mr. Harrison had always been a thorn in her side, belittling Jarell like a child and ignoring her completely. By what right? Just because he's wealthy? However, she was well aware that Jarell was not to be underestimated. He had mentioned more than once that Yuill Group was trying to poach him, offering a whopping annual salary of two million dollars—double his current salary at Accord Group. She had often urged Jarell to switch jobs, given such an opportunity, but he, loyal to his current manager, refused to be ungrateful. Now, being fired? She couldn’t ask for more! Resolved, Kocsis spoke up, unguarded and scoffing, "What's this, just a worthless Accord Group? Jarell didn't even want to work here." "Since you're the ones firing him, let's settle it with the labor contract, shall we? N+1 compensation." "His contract still has two years left, so that makes it two million dollars. Pay up now, and we'll leave immediately." Jarell was stunned. He never imagined Kocsis would dare speak to Jephthah Harrison in such a tone. Had she lost her mind? Before he could react, Jephthah sneered, "Compensation? I'd be willing to pay. Ask him if he dares to take it." In panic, Jarell hastily said, "No need, Mr. Harrison. You know how she is—hit by a flowerpot and a bit out of her mind. I'll take her away now." As he tried to lead her away, Kocsis shrugged him off, insisting, "Why not take it when Mr. Harrison is willing to pay? We must get this money, or we'll sue them!" "Alright!" Jephthah took out his phone, dialing while speaking nonchalantly, "Since you're so principled, I'll have my lawyer talk to you. But before we discuss compensation, I'll have someone check whether you, as the procurement manager, have been embezzling company funds." Boom! Jarell was struck as if by lightning, almost collapsing on the spot. How could he, a 'competent' procurement manager, resist the temptation of corruption? Hearing Jephthah's threat to investigate, he was petrified, quickly kneeling and begging, "I'm sorry, Mr. Harrison. She’s lost her mind and talking nonsense. I’ll leave right now, please let me off this time." Kocsis, still oblivious to the gravity of the situation, unbelievably said, "What are you afraid of, Jarell? If worse comes to worst, just accept the offer from that manager who wanted to hire you at Yuill Group. They value you so much, offering two million dollars a year. They’ll surely protect you!" Jephthah and others were taken aback. Yuill Group? A two million dollar salary? Was he really that capable? Before they could ponder further, Jarell suddenly leapt up and slapped Kocsis across the face, shouting furiously, "Can't you just shut up? You believe the crap I made up?" "You… you were bluffing about Yuill Group wanting you?" Kocsis was dumbfounded, unable to accept, "You mean all that talk about Yuill Group was a lie?" "Of course!!!" Jarell yelled angrily, "If it weren’t for my cousin’s connection, I couldn’t even get into Accord Group, let alone Yuill Group, a corporation nearing a market value of fifty billion dollars." "People offering two million dollars to poach me? That’s a fairy tale you believed? Are you stupid? Did a donkey kick your brain?" Kocsis was stunned, unable to believe that even this was a deception. But the next moment, Jephthah glanced behind him and said indifferently, "Check who his cousin is and fire them together." Jarell nearly slapped himself in frustration. He knelt again, desperately pleading, "Mr. Harrison, please forgive me. I…" Disgusted, Jephthah commanded, "Drag him out. I don’t want to see him anymore." Several hospital security guards who had arrived rushed forward, ignoring Jarell’s cries, and dragged him out. "And you lot," Jephthah's gaze fell on the few hooligans, saying coldly, "Leave now, or I’ll make sure you can’t." Big Brother and his gang, nothing but a bunch of nobodies, had never seen such a scene. They immediately fled in terror. The only one left in the room was Kocsis, staring blankly for a moment. She then glared at Fabricio with a venomous look and quickly turned, pushing through the crowd to make her escape. Unconcerned by the drama, Fabricio approached Jephthah, asking, "Mr. Harrison, what brings you here?" Smiling from his wheelchair, Iggy Harrison said, "I wanted to see you. Do you mind having a private chat with me?" After a moment’s thought, Fabricio nodded, "Alright." Shortly afterward, he and Iggy went into the 16th-floor doctor's office alone. Iggy spoke first, "To be honest, I still find it hard to believe. The one who cured my sudden cerebral infarction is such a young man. You must have graduated not long ago, right?" Fabricio nodded, replying with a smile, "Just over half a year." "Incredible. Truly, the world of geniuses is something we ordinary folks can never fathom," Iggy remarked softly. Then he got to the point, "I've heard about the conflict between my brother, Raiden, and you. Here, I'd like to ask a favor, if I may." Fabricio waved his hand, "If it's about not holding a grudge against him, I’d rather you didn’t bother. It’s not that I don't respect you, but because..." Locking eyes with Iggy, Fabricio continued, "My tolerance would only encourage his worse behavior. Don’t you agree?" "You’re right," Iggy sighed softly. "That's why I never intended to ask for reconciliation. I was hoping you could give him a bit of leeway at the crucial moment. I think he should learn to restrain himself after this lesson." Fabricio understood. So, the elder gentleman was using him as a sharpening stone for his brother?