[Chapter 286: Feeding Fish in the Pacific]
That night, Linton kept his promise. After work, he didn't return to the estate but went straight to Winnie's villa. Winnie was as happy as a songbird in spring.
They spent a sleepless night together...
The next morning, Winnie lazily lay in Linton's arms, a lingering blush still on her face.
"Darling, being with you is simply wonderful," she said, her cheeks flushing again as she recalled their wild night.
"Baby, you're amazing too," Linton replied with a mischievous grin. Seeing Winnie's shy expression, he couldn't resist starting their morning workout again.
After finishing their morning routine, the two lingered over breakfast.
Linton realized he would be away for at least three months, which meant he would miss the April tax season. He thought about it and decided since Winnie was managing his wealth and knew his finances well, he would have her call Goodman and Henry to meet at the Charity Foundation.
...
At the Charity Foundation office, Linton informed Goodman and Henry about his upcoming trip and signed an authorization, confirming that Winnie would sign off on the personal and charity foundation's tax filings from last year.
Winnie was deeply moved and vowed to help Linton manage his vast fortune responsibly. Goodman and Henry also confirmed Winnie's important status in Linton's life.
According to Henry's estimation -- though not the final figure -- Linton's personal tax would be around one million dollars. The charity foundation's tax would be under two hundred thousand. The foundation's main expense last year was charitable donations, totaling eleven million dollars. This year, the donations would exceed sixteen million.
As for the film company's taxes, the process was simpler since the company had a finance department. Goodman and Henry helped monitor and advise, while the final signing was delegated to General Manager Robert. However, the company made over four hundred million dollars last year, even after purchasing Miramax Films, a private jet, a new office building, and investing in five films and equipment. The estimated tax base exceeded ninety million.
Under tax laws allowing maximum charitable deductions, Linton had already donated nine million to the charity foundation through the company. After other tax avoidance measures, the total tax bill was about twenty-six million dollars.
...
After handling authorization, Linton stayed behind with Goodman to discuss the progress of the lawsuit against the Gesler Architectural Design Firm for breaching confidentiality.
"Boss, there's been a snag. We probably won't get as much compensation as we hoped," Goodman reported.
"This signed confidentiality contract is clear, and the breach evidence is here. How is there a snag?" Linton asked.
"I thought it was straightforward too, but the other side recently submitted evidence. Gesler didn't breach confidentiality -- they didn't leak any farm project info."
"Then how did those people get the blueprints on site?"
"It turns out two construction workers who participated in the site work had already quit Gesler. Before leaving, they stole blueprints and sold them privately. Gesler is also a victim."
"Can they avoid responsibility with that?"
"Legally, the two former employees bear most responsibility, and Gesler will share some. So now there are three defendants: the two former employees and Gesler."
"Then sue all three. The two ex-employees probably earned a lot selling blueprints and can pay."
"Based on precedents, the $1 million breach penalty probably breaks down to $400K each for the ex-employees and $200K for Gesler."
"That's acceptable. As long as someone pays the $1 million."
"The problem is that the ex-employees did cash deals for the blueprints, no bank transfers. We don't know how much they made, and the money likely isn't in the bank. Even if the court freezes their assets, we might not get much."
"That's a trick?"
"Yeah, wealthy people wouldn't risk that. Only low-level employees desperate for money would."
"Wait, do they have resignation dates for those two on the submitted materials?"
"Yes, I checked carefully. They quit on February 9th. They claimed several buyers came to Gesler to buy farm blueprints, but due to our confidentiality agreement, the company didn't sell. Then the theft and resignations happened."
February 9th was just three days after his Trial.
February 10th, multiple parties were found holding blueprints at the farm. Quitting, stealing, and selling all on the same day -- what a scam.
Damn, this looks like a premeditated, organized scheme by Gesler to evade the law and protect their reputation.
"Keep an eye on Gesler, make sure we settle their legal responsibility and compensation," Linton ordered.
"Their lawyer contacted me yesterday to propose an out-of-court settlement -- $300,000 compensation," Goodman said.
"This case isn't complicated. Normally, they'd owe $200,000. Why offer $300,000?"
"I don't fully understand either."
Looks like Gesler's Chairman and CEO, Migras, is scared after the violent farm security incident. He wants to settle quickly to escape trouble.
But what Miglas doesn't know is that they've already learned from the mob boss that he's the mastermind. No matter what, he won't let him off. Since he dared cross him, no one can save him. At best, he has a few months left before meeting the reaper.
As for the two small-time henchmen, if they got involved, they can't expect mercy.
"Fine, let's accept the settlement and get the compensation paid quickly."
"What about the two ex-employees? Should we keep going after them?"
"Forget it. Give me their info."
"Got it, I'll copy it for you."
...
After Goodman left, Linton called Danny and handed him the copied details of the two former employees who sold the blueprints.
"Send some men to San Francisco to capture these two and throw them into the Pacific to feed the fish. Each agent gets a $100,000 bonus. Make sure they stay safe."
Since the law can't punish you properly, let the Pacific's fish handle it. He was still kind -- he didn't want the fish to starve, so he was feeding them a few hundred pounds of fish food.
"Also, send two people in two months to check Migras's routine and security at Gesler. Stay on the perimeter; don't alert them and keep safe."
"Understood."
...
Then Aunt Kelly came to Los Angeles.
First, to visit Linton -- after the big commotion at the farm, her family in San Francisco had been worried.
Second, to report last year's charity fund spending and this year's plans.
Linton asked her to increase this year's charity donations in Cauca to five million dollars, aimed at building schools and improving roads in underdeveloped areas, starting with the province where his grandmother's hometown is located.
Before leaving, Linton gave Aunt Kelly a quartz pendant carved into a dog for her to wear. He also gave her two more pendants carved with patterns favored by her husband and daughter for her to pass on.
He specially instructed that these pendants must be worn 24/7 at all times.
*****
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