On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 284

Anthony’s expression didn’t change. “Jessica Brown is with me. She’s my guest. Why don’t you call Albert Collins and ask him again?”

The assistant hesitated for a moment before forcing a smile. “In that case, please, Mr. George and Ms. Brown, come on up.” She was just an assistant; there was no need to offend Anthony George.

She led them to the top-floor office and opened the door.

Mr. Collins smiled when he saw Anthony, but his smile faded when he noticed Jessica. He stood up. “Come, have a seat.”

The three of them sat in the reception area. After serving them coffee, the assistant quietly left.

Mr. Collins took a sip and sighed. “Ms. Brown, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. Even for Mr. George’s sake, I would help if I could. But this time, my hands are tied. It wasn’t our platform that wanted to take it down, it was…” He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “The higher-ups.”

Jessica frowned.

Mr. Collins laid his cards on the table. “Honestly, someone bombarded the authorities with complaints through various hotlines, and your series landed on their radar. It’s a melodrama, so it’s bound to have some over-the-top elements. Normally, no one would care, but now they’re scrutinizing it with a fine-toothed comb.”

Jessica understood.

“You’re in business, and so am I,” Mr. Collins continued with a sigh. “We both know it’s all about the bottom line. If there were any other way, I wouldn’t want to pull it. I stand to make tens of millions from your two hundred million in revenue. I’m not an idiot. Why would I turn down free money?”

“Who exactly are the ‘higher-ups’?” Anthony interrupted.

Mr. Collins leaned in and whispered a few names.

A grim smile touched Jessica’s lips. “Mr. Collins, you truly are a ruthless capitalist.”

He looked baffled. “I’m sorry, I don’t follow.”

“Your goal was always to pass this problem onto Anthony, wasn’t it?”

Mr. Collins rubbed his nose. “You saw through me?”

“You ignored Rebecca’s calls and refused to see us because you knew we’d eventually turn to an ally,” Jessica said, taking a deep breath. “And Anthony George is our biggest one. By having him handle this, you get your problem solved without owing anyone any favors. Killing two birds with one stone.”

Mr. Collins rubbed his face sheepishly. “You figured it out. Ms. Brown, you have to understand, not everyone in business has a network as powerful as Mr. George’s. He can solve with a single phone call what we couldn’t fix even if we tried our hardest. In this situation, letting him take the lead was the best solution.”