Chapter 252: Chapter 252: The Tide Has Turned
Chief Sutton’s words seemed harsh, but they were actually a reminder to James Langley not to let the situation escalate further.
James Langley gritted his teeth, knowing that staying any longer would be pointless, so he decided to leave and think of another solution.
His solution was to contact Warren Prescott’s "guardian."
He couldn’t communicate with the younger one, but surely he could reason with the older one, who wouldn’t act impulsively, right?
After all, under Prescott Group, there were numerous entertainment industries, and with James Langley around, many of the Prescott Family’s errands would proceed more smoothly.
Bringing him down served as nothing more than a means of satisfaction with no real benefit.
With much effort and through connections, James Langley finally managed to get in touch with Lars Prescott.
Lars Prescott, upon hearing it was about Warren, didn’t even let James Langley finish explaining the situation before promptly saying, "He has a mind of his own and a big temper. I can’t help with his matters, apologies."
With that, Lars Prescott immediately hung up the phone.
Mr. Rowan beside him spoke up with a reminder, "Chairman Prescott, James Langley, although not in a high position, holds a key role. Are we really going to ignore him?"
Lars Prescott looked at Mr. Rowan with a half-smile.
"Mr. Rowan, you’re getting old. What’s important isn’t James Langley as a person, but the key role he holds."
Lars Prescott’s words instantly enlightened Mr. Rowan.
Indeed, without James Langley, there would just be another "Langley Shadow."
No matter who sits in that position, they would always have to show face to the Prescott Group.
They don’t lack for a James Langley, but anyone in James Langley’s position can’t do without the Prescott Group’s money-spinner.
That’s the way the world works.
A mere James Langley is of no concern.
In fact, replacing him this time could bring in someone more obedient.
Mr. Rowan chuckled, handed over a report, and said, "Indeed, I’m getting old and cloudy-headed."
"I’ll get you some walnuts another day to help you nourish your brain."
Finished speaking, Lars Prescott took the report handed by Mr. Rowan and glanced at it.
"What are these figures?"
"These are the viewership data for the survival reality show broadcast for three hours."
Lars Prescott’s eyes brightened.
"Within three hours of broadcasting, it’s already such high figures?"
"Yes, it’s already set records for top online viewership and retention time on the streaming platform. Moreover, the data is still climbing today."
A clear smile appeared on Lars Prescott’s face.
"This young man didn’t let me down."
Mr. Rowan nodded repeatedly.
"You can rest assured, once Mr. Prescott Jr. returns to headquarters, no one will dare question him again."
Lars Prescott agreed, happily about to continue the conversation when he suddenly remembered something else, causing his smile to fade.
"How is the current situation with the Lynch Group?"
The smile on Mr. Rowan’s face also froze.
Reported truthfully, "Not well. It seems they won’t get another chance to start over like last time."
Lars Prescott reached for a cigarette, appearing irritated.
"Useless! Finally turned things around, only to fall back again."
"Do you need me to look into who exposed them for using a dummy model at the press conference?"
"Why bother with these futile efforts now? The Lynch Group is finished."
"Then our planned project collaboration with them..."
Lars Prescott didn’t respond but said, "Wait a couple of days and find time to arrange a meeting with Gavin Lynch. I want to discuss acquisitions with him."
Mr. Rowan lifted his eyelids; discussing acquisitions at this time was practically taking advantage of their crisis.
But this was typical of Lars Prescott’s style.
"Yes," Mr. Rowan nodded, "I will keep an eye on it and arrange the most suitable time for you to meet him."
"Hmm, I trust your work."
Elsewhere, after failing to get results from his communication with Lars Prescott, James Langley tried every means to contact Elder Prescott.
Elder Prescott had already been informed, aware that it was James Langley’s daughter who bullied Ashley Shaw.
Upon receiving James Langley’s call, he didn’t give him a chance to speak, immediately scolding James Langley harshly before hanging up and blocking his number.
James Langley, wanting to cry but having no tears, had no choice but to try contacting the Xaviers.
But Mr. and Mrs. Xavier were currently busy finding the best doctors for Ivy Bond and had no time for this matter.
With no help in sight, James Langley finally realized he was entirely defeated.
With no other option, he decided to self-report to the disciplinary committee, hoping for leniency through a confession.
Better to expose himself than to be exposed, in hopes of receiving a lighter sentence.
Meanwhile, Sean Langley in the juvenile detention center was still dreaming about his parents quickly rescuing him from inside.
Of course, that’s a concern for two days later.
At this moment, back at the pastoral shop.
After James Langley left, Warren Prescott also dismissed Chief Sutton.
Before leaving, he even made sure Chief Sutton took a good look at Ashley Shaw’s face.
Chief Sutton, terrified, wished he could engrave Ashley Shaw’s face into his bones, just in case he accidentally offended her one day.
"Alright, get on with your work." Warren Prescott brushed off his hands, signaling that Chief Sutton could leave.
Chief Sutton bowed and got into his police car.
Once the car drove some distance, the assistant driver couldn’t help but ask, "Chief Sutton, even if Warren Prescott is the Crown Prince of Prescott, he’s still just a kid. Why are you so afraid of him?"
"What do you know?" Chief Sutton glared over.
The assistant immediately dared not say another word.
But a moment later, as Chief Sutton looked at the receding greenery outside the car window, he seemed to be talking to himself, saying, "I should thank him for my current position."
The assistant, realizing Chief Sutton was talking to him rather than to himself, dared to ask, "Because of him? But you only rose to this position within the last couple of years. He was just starting high school at the time. How could he have had such power?"
"That kid is exceedingly capable."
"Huh?"
"The last person who held my position was taken down by him. That guy was very meticulous in his work, but guess how Warren Prescott caught him?"
"How?"
"A honey trap."
"What?"
"That guy somehow offended him, so he approached the man’s daughter. With a few words, he had her spill all her father’s secrets. After that guy fell, I seized the opportunity to rise... Do you think I have reason to thank him?"
The assistant, having worked with him for many years, knew it was fine to speak about such matters.
Seeing the assistant’s eyes widen in disbelief.
"He, he..."
"He’s a genuine scoundrel, much harsher than his father."
"..."
"I’m telling you, in this world, the last people you want to offend are women and scoundrels."
"..."
The police car soon disappeared from sight.
Claire Xavier was inspecting each of the store staff, checking if any were injured.
Her staff had a "fine tradition" of hiding their woes behind their smiles, so she felt uneasy unless she checked herself.
Everyone else seemed fine, except the assistant manager, who had a chunk of skin scraped off his wrist when breaking free from James Langley’s subordinates.
There wasn’t much bleeding, but it looked frightening.
Claire Xavier’s face turned stern.
"Where’s the medical kit? I remember we put one in the store."
The assistant manager immediately said, "It’s just a small injury, doesn’t matter."
"What do you mean, it doesn’t matter? Our new product development depends on you, your hands are the store’s assets, and I can’t allow my assets to suffer losses! Quickly, get it, I’ll apply the medicine for you."
The assistant manager sighed helplessly.
"Okay, I’ll go get it."
"I’ll get it!"
Ashley Shaw volunteered and was just about to run to the storeroom when her arm was seized by a large hand.