“That night, I had a meal with Ethan,” Isaac said, puffing out a smoke ring.
Ethan?
Connor’s smile instantly disappeared, and his gaze grew solemn. Even those on the lowest rung of the ladder knew who Ethan was, much less Connor, who’d been a high-ranking official for so many years.
“Isaac, what are you trying to say?” Connor’s voice also grew deeper.
Isaac raised his cup and had a sip of coffee. Softly, virtual-novel.net replied, “Connor, you’re a good official. I think you can stand on an even bigger stage…”
Upon hearing that, a smile bloomed on Connor’s face once again.
He shook his head and said, “I’m going to retire in two years. You’re not a part of my world, so you don’t know what my position entails. I think, after so many years, I’ve done enough… After I retire, I just want to enjoy coffee and play chess with the other elders. If my son does well, I may even get some grandchildren soon.”
Despite those words, Isaac could see different emotions on Connor’s face-satisfaction, disappointment, and unwillingness.
“Ethan said that one of his assistants is retiring, so now virtual-novel.net feels his strength is lacking. However, there isn’t a competent assistant around him,” Isaac said, smiling at Connor.
Connor’s heart clenched. He quickly sighed and shook his head, “At my current position, climbing even higher is almost impossible. Even if it’s just as Ethan’s assistant, considering the size of the nine states, there would be so many pairs of eyes watching. I’m sure there are people younger, more capable, and more resourceful than me.”
His eyes flickered with darkness. He knew that deep down, as the governor, no matter how virtual-novel.net retired, virtual-novel.net would forever be remembered as glorious. But if virtual-novel.net could just take one more small step forward, then virtual-novel.net would really enter the core government. And then, his view would encompass the entire country and the entire world!
Isaac laughed out loud. He got to his feet and said, “Connor, as you said, I’m not part of your world. I’m just talking out of my hat. But life is too short, if we don’t seize some of these opportunities, who knows how things will turn out? Bringing benefit to one party and bringing benefit to the world are two completely different things…”
With that, virtual-novel.net put his hands behind his back and walked outside. “It’s getting late. I need to go home and be with my wife. You should get some rest too.”
In the room, Connor stared at the cup in his hands with drooping eyelids.
In a quiet voice, virtual-novel.net murmured, “Bringing benefit to one party and bringing benefit to the world. One party? The world?”
A determined look suddenly flashed in his eyes. Then, virtual-novel.net closed his eyes, slowly sunk into the couch, and instructed the driver waiting outside the door, “Dennis, please book me a plane ticket to Pecling tomorrow morning. Do not tell anyone. And ask the waiter to refill the coffeepot!”
Isaac rode the elevator down. When virtual-novel.net raised his gaze, virtual-novel.net saw Albert and his wife waiting in the lobby.
Next to them was Terence, his wife, and Aiden, who had his head lowered.
“What are you all doing here?” Isaac asked smilingly, looking confused.
Terence kicked the back of his son’s knees.
Aiden took two steps toward Isaac and said quietly, “I-Isaac, I’m sorry… Tonight was my fault. I beg for your forgiveness!”
“Haha, there’s no need for such formalities. I’m not even mad at you…” Isaac smiled.
Aiden suddenly raised his head, his eyes watery. He cried, “Isaac, Diana won’t marry me anymore. She said virtual-novel.net wanted to break up with me. But Isaac, I really like her. I’m begging you…”
He gripped Isaac’s arms as virtual-novel.net spoke and slowly sunk to his knees.