?


    There were two middle-aged men inside the room.


    One of them was dressed in a suit and had a schrly air.


    The other was dressed much simpler. He had a square jaw, which made him look rather intimidating.


    Patrick greeted nervously. "Hello, Zac."


    Zachary grunted expressionlessly before returning to his seat.


    The older man with a square jaw said with a cold expression, "Mr. Thompson has traveled far to be here. You should have reached sooner!"


    The elegant older man was Shein.


    He looked Patrick up and down, smiled, and said, "An aplished man will have an equally capable son. Patrick, you seem very capable. If you be a civil servant, your achievements are sure to equal your father''s!"


    Clifford Simpsonughed. "Everyone has their own ambitions. He doesn''t want to be a civil servant, and I can''t beg him to do so, can I?"


    Shein was secretly disappointed, but he chuckled and said, "Have a seat, Patrick. Your father and I are old friends, so you don''t need to stand on formalities."


    Clifford worked in politics in Yorksle. He wasn''t in a high position, but he did have authority and managed the approval of important resources across the country. All the governors treated him with deference.


    His connections in politics were deep-rooted and had created a strong foundation. If Patrick had chosen to be a civil servant, he would have a smooth career path in the future.


    Unfortunately, Patrick had no interest in working for the government. He was majoring in business management at Caltopia College.


    After Patrick sat down, he opened a bottle of white wine and filled his ss. He looked apologetic as he said, "I''m sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Thompson. Let me drink with you to express my regrets."


    Shein hastily waved a hand. "No, no. We''re a family. We don''t need to do anything like that." Clifford was sitting right there. How could Shein let Patrick drink?


    "Since he chose this path, he should learn the etiquette for business meetings. He waste, so it''s natural that he should drink." Clifford said sternly.


    Both the fields of business and politics were yed by the same rules.


    There were unspoken rules in society.


    If one did not learn these rules, it would only hinder them in the future.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Sheinughed in resignation. "Alright, just one ss then!"


    Patrick was 22, and having a drink or two wouldn''t affect his sses the next day.


    "Thank you, Mr. Thompson." Patrick raised his ss and downed it.


    Shein smiled and nodded. He said to Clifford, "With his degree from Caltopia College, Patrick will be in great demand among the bestpanies in Yorksle. Wouldn''t it be beneath him to go to Thompson Group?"


    Thest part of his sentence was what he really wanted to say.


    As Clifford was a government official, it would be no trouble at all to arrange for Patrick to join any of the toppanies in Yorksle.


    Why did he want Patrick to join the Thompson Group?


    Clifford was a shrewd man. He immediately understood what Shein was implying.


    He raised his teacup to take a sip and smiled as he asked, "We''ve known each other for more than 20 years, haven''t we?"


    Shein nodded and said, "22 years. Back then, something happened in your family, and you were left with nothing. You didn''t even have enough money to eat.


    "Mrs. Simpson had to wash clothes for people at aundry shop to earn money, even though she was heavily pregnant. She was once insulted by the owner of theundry shop because she identally damaged some clothes while washing them.


    "I happened to go to theundry shop that day to get the rent, so I spent money to help Mrs. Simpson settle the matter. After that, you came to the Thompson Group to thank me."


    Clifford sighed. "That''s right. It''s already been 22 years. Time really flies. Over the past 20 years, I''vee to understand what people are like, and I''ve had many realizations about life.


    "Rather than trusting those Yorksle entrepreneurs, I would rather trust you. You''re an old friend, and our friendship has endured for 22 years."


    Shein understood what Clifford was worried about. He was afraid that outsiders wouldy traps for Patrick. Not only would it ruin Patrick''s future, but it would also affect Clifford.


    "Alright. Let''s drink!" Shein raised his ss and clinked it with Clifford''s.


    After Clifford downed his drink and put down his ss, he said, "If my son joins yourpany, don''t treat him any differently from the rest. It would be best if you let him start from the lowest position."


    Sheinughed heartily. "Well, since you''ve said so, I have no objection."


    In Room 306, Carlisle gulped down a couple of sses of liquor.


    Wendell was telling Carlisle about how heavily guarded the psychiatric rehabilitation


    hospital in Maple Hill was.


    Wendell had drunk a few sses of white wine and was feeling tipsy. He said, "That ce is even more scary than the ce we went to carry out the executions-"


    "Ahem!" Francis coughed violently all of a sudden.


    Wendell suddenly came to his senses and hastily backtracked. "I-I drank too much. What I mean is that i-it''s even stricter than the ce where we used to keep watch over criminals."


    Carlisle suddenly mmed his ss down on the table and shot upright.


    Wendell and Francis both jumped with fright.


    Carlisle narrowed his eyes. sand said, "I remember who he is now!"