Everyone Can Hear My Thoughts, and Now They're Panicking

When Jim Jenson heard what had happened to the Lancaster family, he thought it was fantastic!

Hadn’t Jane Lancaster been blustering about coming to settle the score with him? He had worried all night, thinking the police would actually show up at his door.

But instead, the Lancaster family had been the first to get into trouble, offending the Hughes Family from Solara!

What an incredible turn of events!

He was in such a good mood that when he got a call from his old man telling him to come over right away, he didn’t even feel that gloomy about it.

His old man gave him the address of a private club, which surprised Jim Jenson. ’Why are we being so formal? Is there something he can’t say at home?’

When he arrived at the club, he tossed his car keys to the valet and walked straight to the private room.

The moment he pushed the door open, he saw someone he never expected.

"Sorry, wrong room." Jim Jenson turned to leave without a word of greeting.

"You little bastard, where do you think you’re going?" ’Strange,’ he thought. ’That’s my old man’s voice, and the room number is right.’

A second later, the color drained from Jim Jenson’s face as he hastily reopened the door.

BANG! The door hit the stopper and bounced back.

Holding the door open, Jim Jenson first called out "Dad" to the man sitting across the table.

Then, his expression turning wary, he looked at the young man opposite Old Master Jenson. "Jasper Sterling, what are you doing here?"

This man hadn’t just snatched the film studies project he’d had his eye on. He had also effortlessly thwarted Jim’s little schemes a few times when he’d tried to trip up Jared Thorne and his team.

Jim Jenson had been holding a grudge ever since. The only reason he hadn’t gone after Jasper Sterling was that he hadn’t had the time or a free hand to do so.

He had spent too much time abroad, far from the Jenson family’s center of power. As a result, even after returning, his attempts to make a name for himself and build a career were met with considerable resistance.

The Jenson family business wasn’t his alone. During the years he’d been kept abroad, too intimidated to return, his uncles had all started getting ideas, hoping to secure the position of heir for their own sons.

Old Master Jenson was getting on in years and was clearly losing his grip, which was why Jim Jenson had been so eager to return.

And speaking of being too intimidated to return, Jasper Sterling deserved a great deal of the "credit" for that.

Jasper Sterling chuckled, not even shifting his posture. "What’s the matter, Young Master Jenson? Am I not welcome?"

’Of course not!’ he thought. ’When enemies meet, sparks are bound to fly!’

Jim Jenson secretly gritted his teeth, but when he met Jasper Sterling’s detached gaze, his own bravado inexplicably deflated.

Old Master Jenson looked at his son with deep disappointment. "What are you just standing there for? Get in here and sit down!"

Considering how formidable Jasper Sterling was, Jim Jenson didn’t dare to be too disrespectful. After sitting down, he chose his words carefully. "I was just... very surprised."

"Surprised?" Jasper Sterling feigned astonishment. "Young Master Jenson shouldn’t be surprised. I’m the one who killed your three dogs last night. Weren’t you going to settle the score with me?"

Jim Jenson was dumbfounded. "Didn’t Jane Lancaster kill the dogs?"

’How is Jasper Sterling involved in this now?’

Jasper Sterling said, "It’s the absolute truth, I guarantee it. That’s why I’ve come to your door, waiting for Young Master Jenson to deal with me."

The young man before them smiled humbly, but Old Master Jenson was about to break out in a cold sweat.

He snatched the teacup from in front of Jim Jenson. "What are you drinking for? What kind of dogs did you raise to have disturbed President Sterling? Apologize at once!"

Jim Jenson: "..."

’I don’t even deserve a sip of tea?’

Jim Jenson thought his old man was giving way too much deference to a junior like Jasper Sterling. ’Why be so timid?’ he wondered. ’Besides, even though I raised the dogs, this isn’t just about me.’

"President Sterling, that’s not how it works. My dogs are very well-behaved and obedient. They only attacked because they were provoked, and it was just a minor bite. We paid compensation, the other party agreed to a settlement, and the matter is already closed."

Jim Jenson wasn’t completely unprepared. He had the guy in the leather jacket handle things that morning.

Alan Wallace didn’t want any trouble, so when he saw the man in the leather jacket had changed his attitude, he quickly accepted the settlement.

Jim Jenson continued, "I imported my dogs from abroad. They were meticulously raised and cost me a fortune. But since President Sterling didn’t do it on purpose, let’s just call it even."

He was willing to bet that Jasper Sterling had no idea about the dogs’ origins.

Jasper Sterling replied, "Call it even? No, we can’t just call it even."

He slid a manila envelope across the table.

Jim Jenson was surprised. ’Is he really going to pay me off to keep the peace?’ He reached for the manila envelope, but the moment he opened it and glanced inside, his expression changed.

"Jasper Sterling, you investigated me?" Jim Jenson couldn’t stay seated any longer and shot to his feet.

Old Master Jenson snatched the envelope, glanced at its contents, and promptly slapped Jim Jenson across the face. "You bastard!"

"Forgive my untrained eye, I couldn’t quite tell what breed those dogs were," Jasper began. "So I did a little digging and discovered there’s an entire industry chain for them."

Jasper Sterling’s unhurried voice filled the tearoom. "Crossbreeding highly aggressive and dangerous dogs—breeds that are illegal to even own abroad—disguising them as common dogs, training them daily, and finally, running a dog fighting ring for gambling—"

He couldn’t help but sigh. "Young Master Jenson, you really know how to have a good time."

Perhaps he thought legitimate investments were too slow, or maybe his life just wasn’t exciting enough, but at some point, Jim Jenson had started this business.

And business was surprisingly good, attracting a lot of participants, including a certain high-ranking member of the Stratton Animal Protection Association.

If these photos were to get out, it would become a massive scandal, and Jim Jenson would find himself in a world of trouble.

Old Master Jenson quickly tried to smooth things over. "He’s young and foolish..."

Jasper Sterling interrupted, "Foolish indeed. Some of your customers are already finding simple dog fights not exciting enough. They’ve suggested putting a man in the ring with a dog. What do you think of that, Young Master Jenson?"

Old Master Jenson’s eyelid twitched violently. He had a vague idea of what his son was up to, but he’d thought it was just a few dogs. If they died, they died; it wasn’t a big deal.

But if a person was put in the ring, someone could easily get killed!

Old Master Jenson stared at his son. A father knows his son best, and he understood in that instant: if someone offered enough money, his son wouldn’t refuse.

"You bastard! You’d actually consider it? You’re courting death!" Enraged, Old Master Jenson grabbed a teacup and hurled it at him.

Jim Jenson couldn’t dodge in time. Scalding tea splashed all over him, and the cup left a large welt on his forehead.

He’d never been so humiliated. "Dad, are you insane?"

"I think *you’re* the one who’s insane! You animal, we’re talking about a human life! Do you want to be a murderer?" Old Master Jenson was so furious he lashed out again.

Jasper Sterling lowered his gaze to his tea, his eyes filled with cold indifference.

Old Master Jenson was a self-made man; he still had his wits about him and wasn’t completely senile.

It was just that Jim Jenson was the son of his old age, and he couldn’t help but dote on him. He’d never had the heart to discipline him properly, which had fostered his son’s current lawless attitude.

Was it too late now to finally realize that with a personality like Jim’s, he was bound to cause a major disaster sooner or later?

"I’ll make this quick. Years ago, the Lancaster family accused that dog, Prince, of having rabies, but Young Master Jenson denied it. As for whether it did or not, I’m sure President Jenson has already reached a conclusion in his heart, haven’t you?"

Jasper Sterling looked at Old Master Jenson and smiled faintly. "You agreed to the Lancaster family’s demands so readily. Wasn’t that just to allay the Hughes Family’s suspicions?"

Old Master Jenson’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected this young man to see things so clearly.