Henry was so rattled that he actually stammered into the phone:
"D-Deputy Director, let me explain—"
Deputy Director Hamilton cut him off coldly."I don't want excuses. I want the truth. Does New Vision Media actually have compliance problems, or are you deliberately making things difficult for them?"
His tone sharpened."The Deputy Secretary of Commerce just called me about this. If you're abusing your office for personal grudges, do you understand what the consequences will be?"
Deputy Secretary?
Henry's face drained of color. He felt like his body temperature dropped three degrees on the spot.
"That's right," Henry scrambled to answer, his voice trembling. "I… I received a report about New Vision Media, so we were obligated to check. If there's no issue, we won't cause them any trouble. We serve the people, and I would never use public office for private gain."
Hamilton's reply was curt."Good. Make sure you don't. Handle it properly."
The line went dead.
To anyone else, it might have seemed like the issue had been settled. But Henry's hands were still clammy, his pulse racing. He knew better. If he couldn't recognize that this was a warning from above, then he had no business staying in his position.
The Deputy Secretary had been alerted. That meant this incident was now on the books. If he mishandled it, his career could be over.
Henry muttered under his breath, sweat on his forehead:"Who the hell is this Jason? To have both the Deputy Director and the Deputy Secretary standing behind him…"
He pushed open the lounge door. The broad-shouldered young man who'd been fuming earlier caught sight of Henry's ashen face and froze.
"Brother, what happened?" he asked cautiously.
Henry ignored him and turned to Manager Yates."What good bottles do you have here?"
Manager Yates blinked. "We've got Louis XIII, and a case of Royal Salute."
Henry didn't hesitate."Bring out two bottles of Louis XIII and a full case of Royal Salute. Send them next door."
Manager Yates's eyes widened, but he rushed off to do it. He didn't know the details, but he could tell—if Henry, who had been so arrogant before, was suddenly bowing his head, then Jason's background had to be terrifying.
The broad-shouldered man leaned close, lowering his voice."Brother… does the other side have some serious connections?"
Henry's face was grim."Not just serious. Unfathomable. The Deputy Director called me personally. And he said even the Deputy Secretary had asked about Jason."
The man sucked in a sharp breath. All his earlier bluster vanished, replaced by dread. He knew exactly what it meant for someone to have a Deputy Secretary's attention.
When Manager Yates delivered the wine, Henry took it himself and crossed into Jason's lounge with his entourage.
Agela and Zoe stiffened the moment they saw him enter. They'd been expecting more arrogance, maybe even hostility. Instead, Henry's face wore an almost fawning smile.
He walked straight up to Jason, nodding deeply."Mr. Jason, I sincerely apologize for disturbing you earlier. To make amends, I'll be covering your entire bill tonight. I also brought some good wine—I hope you'll enjoy it."
Jason didn't even look at him. He simply turned, continuing his light banter with Grace beside him, as if Henry didn't exist.
Henry didn't dare show the slightest irritation. He stayed where he was, half-bent at the waist, waiting patiently for Jason to acknowledge him.
Alice and Zoe exchanged stunned looks. Just minutes ago, Henry had been swaggering, demanding that their streamer go sing for him. And now—now he was bowing and scraping like a subordinate.
Clearly, the one he feared wasn't Lewis, but Jason. Which meant Jason's reach… far outstripped Lewis's.
Alice found her gaze lingering on Jason, her admiration rising uncontrollably.Alice: Favorability +5
Zoe, too, looked at Jason differently now, his earlier doubts washed away by respect.
Normally, a regional officer of the State Commerce Commission wasn't the kind of person who treated businessmen with much politeness. In fact, if he held a position with real weight, merchants often had to send gifts just to stay on his good side.
But Jason had made a single phone call—and suddenly Henry, the same officer who was so arrogant minutes ago, was bowing his head. That alone showed Jason's power wasn't simply about having money.
Lewis, who was still on his own call, froze as he watched the scene unfold. After a moment of stunned silence, he told the person on the other end, "No need, it's been handled." Then he hung up.
Only now did Lewis realize that he might have severely underestimated Jason's identity.
Across the lounge, the employees who had been sneaking glances whispered among themselves, their excitement barely contained.
"That guy… wasn't he the one who wanted Agela and Zoe to sing for him earlier? Why is he apologizing now?"
"Obviously, our new boss has some serious connections. More than Boss Lewis ever did."
"Yeah. Even if Lewis had clout, he wouldn't have gone this far for his employees. He'd probably have told Agela and Zoe to just sing along—it's cheaper to sacrifice dignity than risk conflict."
"Exactly. Most bosses don't care about our pride at all."
"But Jason's different. Handsome, rich, and he actually protects us? That's next-level."
"The key is he has real power. He just said a word, and the other guy came crawling back to apologize."
"Ahhh!"
The female employees practically squealed.
At the same time, Agela and Zoe felt their hearts racing. The more Jason stood up for them, the more attractive he seemed.Agela: Affection +5.Zoe: Affection +5.
Jason finally let Henry stew for a while before glancing at him."Mr. Henry, what are you doing? Sending us wine, covering our tab—we're just ordinary people. We can't afford this kind of generosity."
Henry had once been proud when others called him "Chief." Now, just hearing Jason's words made his chest tighten. If Jason chose to report him, even that black leather chair in his office wouldn't be safe.
He forced a nervous laugh."Wherever I am, I'm still a public servant. I serve the people. Tonight I only want to apologize for earlier."
Jason tilted his head, a sly smile on his face."Earlier, you wanted Agela and Zoe to sing for you. Seems like you're someone who enjoys a bit of music. Since you've come here anyway… why don't you sing a couple of songs for us?"
Henry's face flushed crimson. Moments ago, he had been the one demanding performances from Jason's employees. Now Jason was turning the tables, treating him no differently than a karaoke entertainer.
Still, Henry didn't dare refuse. If humiliating himself could calm the matter, then it was the best possible outcome.
With a stiff smile, he nodded."Of course. I'll sing two songs for Mr. Jason."
He picked a pair of old American standards—"God Bless America" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Maybe it was nostalgia, or maybe he thought patriotic songs would sting less than pop ballads.
And then, in front of everyone, he sang with forced passion.
The room's atmosphere was awkward, but Agela and Zoe couldn't help exchanging glances. This wasn't just Jason putting on a show—this was Jason venting their anger for them.
From the moment they'd started streaming, they'd dealt with endless disrespect. People thought there was nothing wrong with making them sing, no matter how demeaning it felt. No one ever cared about their feelings.
But Jason did. He not only defended their dignity but also flipped the humiliation back onto the man who tried to trample them.
This man was a fortress.
Agela: Affection +5.Zoe: Affection +5.
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