"I'm going to be a father… I should have noticed sooner…" The arrival of a new life enveloped Jordan in immense joy; he hadn't been this happy in a long time.
"When did this happen?" After his initial happiness, Jordan approached his girlfriend. Looking at her slightly bulging belly, the man felt a little flustered.
"It's been a month already." Naomi smiled at the man's dazed expression, then asked, "So, are you willing to come live in the countryside with me? We can have a simple wedding there, and then wait for the baby to be born…"
Evidently, the woman was already fantasizing about a simple yet happy future.
"This…" Facing the woman's hopeful gaze, Jordan was somewhat speechless.
On one side was family, on the other was becoming a rich man; the conflict in his life made the man momentarily unable to choose.
Moreover, a month ago, Jordan was frantically planning to transfer his assets.
Heaven knows how much pressure the woman endured at the time, but now it's better, someone can share the burden.
"Ding-a-ling… Ring-ring… Ring-ring…"
Just as Jordan was agonizing over his choice, the landline phone in his house rang.
The sound startled the man.
It was well-known that ever since Jordan had been targeted by the IRS and other relevant departments, his home phone had been under 24-hour surveillance.
Generally, no one would call this number.
"Who could it be?" Jordan walked towards the landline, puzzled.
"King Group… Mike wants to see me…"
Jordan, of course, hadn't forgotten the handsome young man he had met at Caroline's party.
However, times had changed; he was now plagued with troubles, while the other party had already become a new star on Wall Street.
"Okay, I'll be over in a bit."
After hanging up the phone, Jordan still had a look of bewilderment on his face. He and Mike had only met once, and their relationship wasn't deep.
For the other party to request a meeting at such a time was indeed very puzzling.
Yes, the call just now was from Chris on Wall Street, conveying Mike's request for a meeting.
"Naomi, when I get back, we'll talk about what we discussed earlier…" Jordan, making wild guesses in his mind, walked out while tying his tie.
Outside, as the luxury car drove towards Wall Street, two vans immediately followed behind, making no attempt to conceal themselves.
Jordan, driving the luxury car ahead, saw the scene behind him in the rearview mirror, and his brows furrowed unconsciously.
'Sure enough, just as Naomi said, the intensity of the surveillance on me is increasing.'
This conveyed a message: the people from the IRS, FBI, and other departments were also losing patience.
This situation was very bad news for Jordan.
…
In the Wall Street Building, Mike, accompanied by Chris, met with the King Group's current management team.
Aside from Jessie, everyone else was a new face, and they all looked very young, with the oldest not exceeding forty.
It was a vibrant team.
After understanding the team's basic business capabilities, Mike praised Chris's work during this period.
After all, most of these people were talents Chris had poached from elsewhere in the past month or so after Mike delegated authority.
It could be said that the efficiency was incredibly impressive.
After inspecting the King Group's management, Mike then encouraged them a few more times, and reiterated the company's welfare system: no regard for seniority, only ability—the more you work, the more you earn.
After winning their "loyalty," Mike leisurely returned to his private office, awaiting the arrival of his guest.
Not long after, Jordan, who had left in a hurry, arrived at Wall Street, a place he hadn't seen in a long time.
Yes, ever since he made a fortune from the stock market, Jordan had moved out of Wall Street long ago to avoid being pestered by investors who had lost money.
Returning to this place where his "dream" began, he felt a bit disoriented in a trance.
However, Jordan was indeed the man known as the Wolf of Wall Street; after tidying his appearance slightly, he had already blended into the atmosphere of the place as he walked.
"Mike, congratulations. You've become a new star on Wall Street, and you have a world of your own." Jordan, entering the luxurious private office, wore a "sincere" smile on his face.
Before he was plagued with troubles, this guy was best at dealing with rich people.
At this moment, Mike, who owned a luxurious private office on Wall Street and whose company occupied almost an entire floor, was undoubtedly a rich man in his eyes.
"Have one." Mike, holding a valuable cigar in his mouth, tossed one to Jordan.
This item was very popular on Wall Street; not having one seemed to imply you weren't rich.
Mike actually didn't understand this trend!
It was just that Chris had prepared them, and out of curiosity, he chose to try one.
"A genuine Cuban cigar, the taste is very mellow." Jordan took the cigar, smelled it under his nose, and continued, "If it could be paired with a glass of good red wine, that would be even more wonderful."
Elegance, right?
Mike understood his meaning, smiled, and then gave Chris a look.
The latter went straight to the wine rack in the office and picked a bottle of '82 Rafter from the shelf.
Soon, Jordan, with a cigar in one hand and red wine in the other, visibly relaxed as he puffed away.
Although his behavior and attire before were impeccable, he looked very tired.
He was not yet twenty-five, but he already seemed listless.
Now it was much better; at least he looked natural, like a living, breathing person.
On the other side, Mike, in his executive chair, put down his cigar and was holding red wine, leisurely observing the man below.
In just over two months, the man seemed to have aged ten years; not only his demeanor but also his appearance showed it.
It was clear how much torment the other party had endured during this time.
"Is it worth it?" Mike asked, looking at the man who had clearly gained weight.
Compared to his slightly youthful and handsome appearance a few months ago, the other party seemed to have passed his "prime" and turned into a "cured meat."
"There's no worth or not worth it; at least I enjoyed it." Jordan put down his cigar and wine glass, turned to stare at Mike, and asked, "What's your purpose in calling me here this time? Do you want to see me in a sorry state? Or do you want to ridicule me…?"
"No, I don't think you're that boring. So, tell me your purpose too."
Even though they had only met once, Jordan could feel that the other party wasn't that kind of "petty person."
Therefore, he chose to lay his cards on the table first.
"Join King Group, and I'll help you settle the matters outside. Of course, you might not be able to keep much of that ill-gotten gain in your hands…" Speaking with smart people was simple, Mike said directly, "I can give you three days to consider. During this time, the doors of King Group are always open for you."
However, it was only three days.
Once the deadline passed, if the other party still hadn't made up his mind, Mike would no longer inquire about his future affairs.
Talent? Can they be more formidable than Mike?
Therefore, to him, talent also had a price tag.
"Join King Group?" Jordan never expected that the other party's purpose in calling him was to recruit him.
He had heard a lot about King Group's strong momentum on Wall Street; such a rising group could find any kind of talent.
Why would they seek him, someone infamous on Wall Street?
Jordan was a bit confused, but after calming down, he quickly realized that this might be an opportunity for him.
If it had been before he knew his girlfriend was pregnant, as a lone wolf, he might not have cherished such an opportunity.
But now the situation was different; Jordan had more issues to consider, such as family and career.
The reason he was unwilling to give up that money and go live anonymously in the countryside was that once he did so, he would never be able to regain his identity and naturally couldn't work in finance again.
That situation was even more terrifying than being an undocumented person.
Now, Mike had given him a better option.
Money wasn't the issue; as long as he had a platform to display his abilities, Jordan believed he still had the capacity to "make a comeback."