CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 41: THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN A SCUMBAG IS AN EDUCATED SCUMBAG (4)

"He thinks he can just dictate that—what a big ego. Does he want to pressure us with public opinion? That’s just sick," Lawrence Winters scoffed, "You go ahead, I’ll talk to my uncle first."

"Thanks, Nora, you’re a lifesaver," Kenneth Osborne felt a bit happier in his heart; this New Year was really stressful.

He put away his phone, said a word to his parents, and then headed to the elevator on the Winters Family’s floor.

Lawrence Winters went to find Nick Zeller.

At that moment, Nick Zeller was still in the kitchen talking to Gabrielle Winters.

The three had just finished lunch, and Gabrielle was tidying up the kitchen while preparing for dinner.

Lawrence Winters knocked on the glass door of the kitchen and said loudly, "Uncle! Are you free? I need to discuss something."

Nick Zeller walked out of the kitchen with a slight, relaxed smile on his face, "What’s the matter? If you’re after a second New Year’s lucky money envelope, I can tell you upfront, there’s none."

"Uncle! It’s the New Year; can we not talk about such downer topics?" Lawrence Winters stomped her foot, her eyes darting around.

She had tried her best to act cute and coax Nick Zeller into giving her the New Year’s money envelope he had prepared for Connor Wells yesterday, but she didn’t succeed.

"How’s that a downer?" Nick Zeller walked into the living room with his hands behind his back, puffing out his chest. "I’ve already said all my assets are yours, so why are you anxious?"

"It’s not the same thing!" Lawrence Winters just wanted to roll her eyes.

The testament stuff meant nothing to her.

She hoped her uncle would live a long and healthy life; why would she covet his property after he’s gone?

So she still had to fight for her rightful benefits, taking whatever she could get.

"Alright, alright. Once you graduate from college, I’ll promote you and give you a raise, okay?" Nick Zeller teased her for a while before giving her a small concession.

Lawrence Winters pouted, sat next to him, and muttered, "Uncle, if you won’t give me double New Year’s money, can you at least do me a favor?"

"...As long as it doesn’t involve financial interests, I can help," Nick Zeller said kindly, knocking on the teacup on the coffee table in front of him, "Pour me some tea."

Lawrence Winters picked up the small teapot, poured him a cup of Pu-erh tea, and said with a smile, "Actually, it’s not my issue; it’s something for Sister Brooke."

"Brooke Osborne? What’s going on with her now?" Nick Zeller frowned, "During the festive season, is her husband causing trouble again?"

"Exactly him! Uncle, you’re amazing! Iron Mouth God Calculation!" Lawrence Winters clapped her hands excitedly, unleashing praise without reservation.

"Alright, alright, just tell me what’s going on," Nick Zeller took a sip of the Pu-erh, exhaling slowly.

Lawrence Winters explained Gregory Quinn’s situation.

She borrowed a car with Kenneth Osborne to teach Gregory a lesson, which Nick Zeller knew about and didn’t need much detail.

Nick Zeller squinted his eyes and chuckled, "...Is that so. An exorcism, huh... Well, we’ve never done it before, but it’s always good to explore a new market."

"Uncle! You agreed?!" Lawrence Winters’ eyes lit up, "Can I get back to Sister Brooke now?"

Nick Zeller raised his hand, saying meaningfully, "We’re just idle anyway today, so prepare a contract, something we can present and be convincing with, got it?"

"No problem! Leave it to me!" Lawrence Winters was overjoyed, standing up and repeatedly bowing to Nick Zeller with her hands clasped together.

After a few jokes between uncle and niece, Kenneth Osborne arrived.

Lawrence Winters quickly went to open the elevator door for him, letting him in.

"Happy New Year, Uncle Nick," Kenneth Osborne said, as it was his first visit to the Winters Family after the New Year, bringing two boxes of sticky rice snacks made by Brooke Osborne and a bottle of 1992 Wuliangye.

Although Nick Zeller didn’t lack these things, visiting someone during the New Year in River City meant not coming empty-handed—this was a common courtesy among the locals.

Only shameless people, like Gregory Quinn, would pretend to forget.

Nick Zeller looked at the bottle of Wuliangye, smiling so much that his eyes curved into a line, "1992 Wuliangye! Good wine, good wine!"

Gabrielle Winters happened to come out of the kitchen, seeing the gift Kenneth Osborne brought, she quickly said, "Kenneth, we’re all neighbors; the snacks Brooke made are enough, no need to bring such expensive wine."

A bottle of 1992 Wuliangye priced at five thousand yuan was quite a gesture for a gift in River City.

Kenneth Osborne smiled and said, "I only send Uncle Nick this one bottle a year, and it’s just a re-gift; my aunt brought it to us on New Year’s Eve. My mom doesn’t let my dad drink, so we have it to give away."

"Oh, good, as long as you didn’t spend money, perfect," Gabrielle Winters felt relieved, smiling and nodding, "Sit down, I’ll cut some fruit for you guys."

"No need to trouble yourself, Aunt Gabrielle, I have something to discuss with Nora; I’ll be leaving right after," Kenneth Osborne politely bowed slightly.

Gabrielle Winters smiled kindly and said, "Don’t be so formal, Nora has to eat fruit too."

She gestured for Kenneth Osborne to feel free to sit, turning back to the kitchen.

Nick Zeller turned that bottle of Wuliangye over and over, suddenly asking, "...This was brought by your Aunt Joan Lawson?"

"Yes, she’s a famous obstetrician at the city hospital, with a wide network, people literally beating down her door with gifts during the New Year. This is nothing," Kenneth Osborne smiled as he sat down beside Lawrence Winters.

Lawrence Winters quickly said, "Your aunt is really good to you; I remember when you were little, your aunt treated you much better than your sister."

Nick Zeller chuckled, "Their entire family treated him better than his sister."

Kenneth Osborne: "..."

He couldn’t respond to that.

He just looked at Lawrence Winters with a smile, "Nora, did you tell Uncle Nick about what I mentioned on the phone?"

"I did, my uncle agreed, I was just about to go prepare the contract; do you want to come and give me some advice?"

Kenneth Osborne was curious, "You guys actually have a contract?"

"Of course," Nick Zeller comfortably crossed his legs, holding an iPad while watching a show, and said, "We’re running a legitimate business here, with a company, accounts, and tax forms."

"Impressive!" Kenneth Osborne gave a thumbs-up, "Uncle Nick, you’re aiming big!"

"Hahaha! Well said! Our company, one day, will expand beyond River City and into the Capital City!" Nick Zeller waved his arm grandly, looking quite the part.

Lawrence Winters covered her mouth, laughing, and signaled Kenneth Osborne.

The two of them headed towards her suite on the second floor together.

Soon after the contract template was ready, Lawrence Winters showed it to Kenneth Osborne.

Kenneth Osborne almost burst out laughing when he saw the "psychological consultation fee" in the contract.

"...Wasn’t it an exorcism? How did it become psychological consultation?" Kenneth Osborne asked her, pointing at the document on the computer.

Lawrence Winters said confidently, "Exorcism, which isn’t in line with the core values of socialism, can’t be blatantly stated in a contract."

"Besides, there’s no such thing as evil spirits in this world—the so-called exorcism is actually dealing with the ghosts in people’s mind."

"When there’s a ghost in one’s heart, what they need is psychological counseling. So, I called it a psychological consultation fee, any problem with that?"

"No problem. No problem," Kenneth Osborne looked at Lawrence Winters intently, his eyes shimmering, his fine phoenix eyes catching a hint of delight.

Unfortunately, Lawrence Winters didn’t meet his gaze, just tilted her head, pondering, "How much should we charge? I’ve never done this kind of job; I need to ask my uncle."

She then opened her phone and called her uncle in the living room.

Nick Zeller answered the phone, thinking carefully, and then casually said, "Just leave the amount blank for now; we’ll set the price after meeting Gregory Quinn."

Lawrence Winters agreed, besides saving the contract on her phone, she printed it out, keeping two copies in her file folder.

On Brooke Osborne’s side, she could no longer hold Gregory Quinn off after dealing with him for a while, and she was calling Kenneth Osborne.

"Kenneth, is Heavenly Master Nick available today?" she asked anxiously.

Kenneth Osborne glanced at Lawrence Winters and mouthed, "Can we go now?"

Lawrence Winters nodded, "No problem, let’s go now."

She changed her clothes, carrying a briefcase with the contract, and went downstairs with Kenneth Osborne.

"Uncle, are we going to Sister Brooke’s place to check it out now?" Lawrence Winters hinted to Nick Zeller, blinking triumphantly, "Gregory Quinn is already waiting over there."