Jasper was momentarily stunned before he quickly spoke, “What? No way, you worked even harder than I did for the project. How can you not be here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony?”
Dawson pointed at the representatives of Harbor City’s richest families as well as the officials from the Provincial and City Government, then said with a smile, “You’re more suited for this kind of event than I am.”
Seeing how Jasper was about to protest, Dawson spoke meaningfully, “I’m growing old, Jasper, but you’re still young. The stage will be yours in the future, and you’re meant to reach further heights than I have!
“That’s why I’m going to help you as much as possible while I still can. I’m an old man about to retire, what’s the point in me joining this kind of event?
“I have no intention of growing the Schuler Group anymore, it’s enough for me to have managed to obtain the majority market share of the supermarket industry. This is already way past what I ever imagined achieving, but I don’t have the energy to manage nor to fight in business anymore.
“However, it’s different for you. You need this event, so let the Southface River project become a halo over your head. This halo will help you find your footing among those people quicker and easier!
“So go!”
When he heard Dawson’s moving speech, Jasper stopped protesting and nodded solemnly.
He knew that Dawson was letting him take all the glory.
If both of them went up there, then the world would remember that this project that had shaken the entire country had been completed by two people.
However, if Jasper went up there himself, then Jasper would become the mastermind while Dawson would merely be the man that worked in the shadows.
The world was cruel in that it doomed its people with a horrible memory. Thus, people would only remember the first to achieve something, but never the second.
Dawson was too well aware of such a concept, so he decided that he would let Jasper enjoy all the glory.
Jasper then officially rearranged the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Zachary stood on the left with the Provincial official on the right. Following that was Jasper and Kennedy, who were located behind the former two individuals.
Kayden had declined the invitation to cut the ribbon, which was in line with the Langdon family’s low-profile style.
Jasper had also asked Bob out of respect if he wanted to join, but Bob had merely glanced at the position at the back of the stage before rejecting him darkly.
Under countless camera flashes from the reporters and the enthusiastic voice of the prettiest female host in the television station, the bigshots stepped onto the stage together.
Everyone, including celebrities, reporters, staff, and guests invited to the topping-out ceremony, all looked up at the decadent stage.
Everyone understood that only powerful people and those with extremely distinguished statuses could step up onto the stage.
Most of the people there were destined to never be able to step onto that stage.
Suddenly, the guest in attendance realized something strange.
Among the bigshots, Kennedy was considered one of the younger ones. This was despite the fact that the man was in his forties, and was almost halfway to his fifties.
Next was Zachary who was forty-nine.
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