Supreme Mars novel Chapter 76

"Hello, sir!"

Forrest enthusiastically shook Leo’s hand.

Seeing this, Thomas, who was about seventy miles away, was scared out of his wits. His knees wobbled and he fell to the ground.

Forrest, the general manager of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, whose sprawling business empire covered the Sallton, Winham, and New Queensland regions, was behaving like he had just met his childhood here?! Who on earth was this young man?

Suspecting that his vision was blurry due to fatigue, he rubbed his eyes and pinched himself hard, just to make sure this is real, before looking again.

Thomas felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He desperately tried to get a clear view of the young man's face.

However, the busy airport was full of travelers and on top of that, Forrest had his back to him, blocking his view of the other person. Soon, Forrest and Leo disappeared into the sea of people.

"Hello Forrest." Leo acknowledged the polite greeting from him.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

Forrest straightened his back as he carefully observed the owner and CEO whom he had never met before.

His first impression was that he was very young.

Too young, in fact.

However, his eyes had a brilliance likened to a full moon on a starless night, incredibly deep and intense, impossible to interpret his emotions or thoughts.

When they got into the car, Forrest finally revealed the purpose of his visit to Emerdale.

"Mr. Cohen, I was sent by Mr. Maestro to assist you. If you need anything from me in the future, please feel free to let me know. Here is my business card with my contact information on it."

Forrest handed over his business card.

Leo gave it a glance then put it away. With a faint smile, he nodded. "Thanks Forrest. I'll remember that."

Forrest felt flattered. For a man that even the business greats respected, if Leo were to remember him and engage his assistance, his future would incredibly promising.

Leo smiled and continued, "Well, I do have two things to trouble you with."

Upon hearing this, Forrest was overjoyed. "Sure, please go ahead to let me know what they are."

Even if offered at an extraordinary high price, Forrest wasn't the kind of person who would be of service to just anyone. But Leo was a powerful and influential business man. If only he could be his right-hand man. He was eager to assist him every day, so as to elevate his status in the business circles here.

Leo told Forrest about the issue on the sponsorship. When he was done, Forrest was surprised. "Is that all?"

Leo smiled and nodded. Forrest laughed and said, "That's not a problem at all. Leave it to me."

"What about the second matter?"

Leo pondered for a moment before asking, "I wonder if the Kingston Chamber of Commerce still has any membership spots allocated? A friend of mine would like to join the chamber."

Forrest was silent for a long while before he said, "Mr. Cohen, to tell you the truth, the chamber sets very high requirements on who is eligible to be a member. It depends not only on the personal wealth, but also the network and connections this person has. Only those who have a comprehensive score of S or above are qualified. How influential is your friend in Emerdale?"

Leo thought for a moment then gave an impartial answer, "Quite good, I imagine. Alan Russell holds him in high regard, anyway."

Although Justin Cox worked for him, he couldn't openly facilitate personal favors for them. Putting in a few good words for him was fine.

"Then it shouldn’t be a problem. Where is your friend? I can go and see him."

Leo informed Justin, then he and Forrest headed to the highest floor of the International Commerce Center.

Justin was already waiting when Leo and Forrest arrived. Justin immediately greeted them with a smile. "Mr. Cohen, this is..."

"I'm Forrest Barker."

Because Justin works for Leo, Forrest was extremely polite to him.

Justin furrowed his brows. Forrest Barker, why did that name sound so familiar?

Suddenly, he became extremely excited, so much so that he almost started to stutter.

"You... you are..."

"The general manager of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce?!" He said as he recalled why Forrest's name sounded familiar.

Forrest smiled and nodded at him. It was common for him to encounter people who get just as excited when they first meet.

"Mr. Cohen..."

Justin seemed to have realized something. He turned around abruptly and glanced at Leo.

That glance expressed many emotions, including gratitude, shock, and... loyalty.

Leo smiled slightly and waved at him.

Forrest followed Justin into his office. Next, he would conduct a series of assessments to determine if Justin was eligible to join the chamber.

Leo and Nadine were the only ones left in the quiet corridor.

Leo stood by the window, lost in thought as they looked at the darkening sky.

Nadine stood beside Leo and watched the night sky with him.

"Mr. Cohen, I can see from his eyes that he reveres you like a God."

After a long time, she retracted her gaze and let out a faint sigh.

Hearing what she said, he grinned. "I am not God."

"For some people, you are."

She stubbornly said, "We are not from the same world. The reason you can sit together with them and live together with them is because you were once an ordinary man. Even more so, it is because of their ignorance. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss."

"Yes, ignorance is bliss..."

Leo was still looking at the bright moon in the sky. He chuckled, "That's why, my friends are living a good life, while my enemies are long dead."

When Justin re-emerged from the office, he looked like a completely different person.

His radiant face glowed with energy, as if he had found the passion he once had when he was working against all odds to start up a business.

He wanted to ask Forrest to stay for dinner, but he had declined.

Justin didn't mind that he couldn't do dinner. After watching Forrest get into his car, he returned to his office.

He looked at the evening skyline of Emerdale and couldn't help quietly exclaiming. "The night is so beautiful."

Henceforth from today, Kingston Chamber of Commerce would have another new member.

Everything had been bestowed upon him by one man.

Even Justin would not have thought that his admiration and reverence for Leo Cohen would have transformed into unconditional trust.

He was like a star in the sky - extremely fascinating.

Bang!

Just as Justin was immersed in his own world, the office door was rudely kicked open.

Peter charged in with an ugly face. He slammed his hands on the table. "Justin, what right do you have to interfere with the matters of my company?"

Justin's smile disappeared and he narrowed his eyes intimidatingly. "Peter, do you know who you're talking to?"

Peter was so angry that he laughed. "Still pretending? Tell me, I recruited a couple of men from the Henderson family, and they were transferred to the grassroots level. Are you the one behind this?"

"And what if it was me?"

Justin's attitude was indifferent. He said forcefully, "They are all new employees. How can new employees be in charge as soon as they join? What do you want the other senior employees to think?"

"That's my call!"

Seeing that Peter had the guts to go against him, Justin's eyes flashed with coldness. "You're no longer the owner of the International Commerce Center. Do you know what are the consequences if you offend the Lawsons?"

"Oh, I’m no longer the owner. Are you threatening me?"

Justin stood up slowly, with an authoritarian look.

"Smack!"

He flung a contract at Peter's face. "Take a good look at this!"

Peter had always wondered why Justin would still dare to interfere with his affairs even after he had relinquished his rights as the landlord of the International Commerce Center. However, when he saw the what was on the cover of the document, his face turned pale.

"You’re now a member of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce?!"