Chapter 1988 Before Coming To The End
The situation of Hayes Corporation in Southeast Astoria had finally improved. After Sebastian had left,
Solomon stayed back for a month to take care of Ian, who was injured. Solomon had only decided to
return to the country when Ian could get down from the bed and walk freely.
âIâve made all the necessary arrangements. Iâll deploy a few capable and trustworthy employees from
Hayes Corporation over. All you need to do is to handle all the important documents. You donât have to
go to the office daily,â Solomon informed Ian before leaving.
Ian nodded. He was grateful to Solomon. âThanks, Uncle Solomon. Sorry for all the trouble for the past
month.â âDonât mention it. Weâre family. Besides, all this happened because of my bad arrangement.
Iâm relieved to see that youâre fine now,â Solomon said.
He did not want Ian to make such a courteous remark as if he was an outsider. In fact, Solomon spoke
to Ian as if he was talking to his own child. That was indeed how Solomon thought of Ian.
Solomonâs eldest son Yoel was only ten years old. In other words, he might only be able to take over
the company in another decade or so. Moreover, it was still too early to tell if Yoel had the capability to
lead the company.
That was why Solomon hoped this young man could take over his position. After all, they were from the
same family. I would be able to take a breather and focus on my family if Ian could take up this
responsibility.
Ichika had not been in the pink of health ever since she gave birth to the twins. Fortunately, her mother
came over and helped her with the children. Otherwise, she alone would not be able to look after the
children.
âTake care of yourself. Once you feel better, Iâll discuss Hayes Corporationâs future with you.â âSure,
Uncle Solomon,â Ian agreed right away.
Soon, Solomon left Southeast Astoria while the young couple stayed back. As they focused on their
recovery, they also continued to expand Hayes Corporationâs empire in the region.
Time flew by, and it was already winter.
The elders in the family would always look forward to a family reunion during the winter season.
Jonathan, who had not been feeling well in the last half of the year, started mumbling, âWhen are they
coming back this year?â
âWe havenât received news from them yet, Old Mr. Jadeson. But Mr. Sebastian said he would make
them return to celebrate Christmas with us since most of them didnât come back last year,â Mark, who
had taken care of Jonathan for most of his life, immediately replied.
Yet, upon hearing that, the elderly man lying in bed started throwing a fit. âHow can he promise? He
said the same last year, and look what happened? Call them right away to find out if theyâre coming
back!â
Jonathan was so agitated that his chest heaved heavily.
Mark dared not delay the matter any further and went to look for Sasha.
Sasha said, âIâm not sure when theyâre coming back, but I suppose Ian and Susan canât make it. Ian
sustained injuries, and heâs not fully recovered yet, so I donât think he can take the flight.â
Mark continued asking, âHow about Ms. Vivian and Matteo?â
Sasha answered, âVivi should be able to join us for Christmas. She would have completed her
documentary by then. As for Matteo, I heard he has gone out for another mission. Even Nina and
Natalie have not seen him in a while.â
Worry was written all over her face when she thought of Matteo.
In other words, only Vivian and Kurt might return.
Markâs heart sank when he heard that. He looked at the woman and kept mum for a moment. He then
said in a deep, hoarse voice, âMrs. Jadeson, itâs best if you could ask every one of them to come back.
Iâm afraid Old Mr. Jadesonâs number is up.â
Sasha was rendered speechless by the remark. She was utterly thunderstruck.
As she stood still, she did not know what else to say. His days are numbered?
Her heart instantly sank.
When Sebastian returned in the evening, Sasha updated him about Jonathanâs condition. Sebastian,
too, remained silent for quite a while.
Sebastian and Sasha knew this day would come even if Mark did not tell them. After all, Jonathan was
already a nonagenarian. It was also rare for a veteran who had fought on battlefields for most of his life
to live to this age.
Most of his comrades in the military had already passed away.
That was why the couple could fully accept the frail state that Jonathan was in right now.
However, they were upset that Jonathan would never get a chance to see their children married and
give birth to the next generation. Above all, Jonathan would never be able to reconcile with his son,
who was no longer around.
The next day, Sasha rang the three children up.
On the other hand, Sebastian went to Aquene Temple.
He drove up the snowcapped mountain and arrived at the thousand-year-old temple at noon. To his
surprise, Shin was already waiting for him at the templeâs entrance.
âYou knew I was coming?â Sebastian asked the monk clad in a grey robe.
âYes. His life is coming to an end, but you donât have to be so upset. He had killed many lives in the
past, but he had also saved many. Thatâs why he could be at peace with his own death.â The monk
clasped his hands together and gazed peacefully into Sebastianâs eyes.