Chapter 263: Enrico’s Astonishing Growth
Enrico dribbled the basketball over to where Rafael and Jaden were resting, casting a disdainful glance at them.
“Enrico, don’t forget, your body’s age is about the same as ours, okay?” Rafael muttered as he slumped back, suddenly realizing, “Wait, that’s right, your body is like ours, and you were sick for three years. How are you still playing like a madman?”
It didn’t make any sense!
Enrico tossed the ball beside them and said, “I’ve been working out.”
At first, it was hard for him to keep up, but Paige, that woman, insisted on dragging him out of bed every morning until he finished his run. After a few days of pushing through, he found his body quickly adapted to the exercise, and it became easier to maintain the routine.
“Working out?” Rafael looked at him skeptically. “You’re living it up here in the new Rose Estate, working out and all. How long do you plan on keeping that up?”
While I’m out here working like a dog…
Enrico leaned against the chain-link fence. “At least until I get abs. That’s what she said.”
“You’re talking about Paige?” Rafael asked.
Jaden, sitting nearby, handed each of them a bottle of water. “Miss is concerned about the boss’s health. More exercise will improve his physique.”
“Yeah, right.” Rafael chuckled, taking the water. “Having abs is healthy now? Maybe Paige just doesn’t like how it feels.”
“Doesn’t like how it feels?” Enrico paused, confused, then glanced at Rafael, suddenly realizing what he meant. His handsome face flushed, burning even hotter than before from the workout.This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
Was Rafael talking about what he thought he was talking about?
Jaden, clearly not pleased with Rafael’s joke, elbowed him. Rafael looked at Enrico and, noticing his expression, finally caught on. “Ah, my bad. I forgot.”
Talking like that in front of someone with the mind of a nine-year-old was definitely out of line.
“How someone like you, Mr. President, has managed to stay in office this long with such lack of tact is beyond me,” Jaden teased, giving him a sidelong glance.
“Mock all you want, but my five-year term is almost over, and soon I’ll have to vacate the presidential residence anyway,” Rafael sighed, leaning against the fence and gazing at the sky. “If I hadn’t insisted on staying with you all back then, I’d have a pretty powerful backing by now.”
Jaden drew up one leg, saying, “I’ve heard the Smiths family and the Grissom family are preparing to put forth a presidential candidate.”
“Since the Jarnigan and Truette families were brought down by the Temple in Heaven, the Smiths and the Grissom families have been riding high. It’s natural they’d want one of their own in office,” Rafael said, a bit grimly. “I doubt I’ll be able to secure a second term.”
The Gustin Group’s financial influence isn’t what it used to be, and with Enrico now…
Rafael glanced at Enrico, feeling a mix of emotions. “If Enrico were still his old self, I wouldn’t be in such a bind.”
Enrico, meanwhile, was still replaying Rafael’s earlier comment in his mind-how it doesn’t feel right. When he was suddenly addressed, he snapped back to the conversation, recalling their previous discussion. He took a swig of water and said, “Anyone can run, as long as it’s not someone backed by the Smiths or Grissom families.”
Rafael and Jaden were both stunned by his words.
Jaden was particularly shocked. “Boss, what did you just say?”
Enrico didn’t notice their surprise. He thought they didn’t understand and explained, “The Smiths family has only recently risen to prominence and still knows how to keep a low profile. The Grissom family is different. They’ve always been a major financial group in A Country. Mr. Grissom is an extremely aggressive person, though he’s been kept in check until now. If he gains control, what do you think his first move will be?”
Rafael immediately recalled the Grissom family’s history and understood, “They’d get into the arms trade. But would the Grissom family really be that brazen?”
“Mr. Grissom is a pure businessman. From what we’ve seen of his actions over the years, he only cares about profit, nothing else,” Enrico said coolly.
The Grissom family, having been suppressed for years, would undoubtedly seize any opportunity to amass wealth, and the arms trade has the highest profit margins.
“Our country’s gun trade is regulated, but if the Grissom family wants to make money, they’ll be ruthless. That could throw the nation into chaos,” Jaden added.
“No way,” Rafael cursed. “If A Country falls into the hands of a money-grubbing businessman with no sense of patriotism, we’re finished. No way. I’ll have to go head-to-head with the Grissom family. No way I’m giving up this position to them.”
I may not have done a great job, but at least I want peace.
“If you don’t want to lose, then you’d better start improving your public image. Focusing on the economy for the people is your best bet,” Enrico advised, taking another drink. He didn’t notice Rafael and Jaden’s stunned expressions as they both turned to face him, staring in disbelief.
“Economic reform?” Jaden asked, confused.
“Ninety percent of the country’s economy is controlled by one percent of the population. Economic monopolies make the presidential election seem like a circus to the average person. If you can’t outmaneuver the capital, you win votes by promising sweeping economic reforms. Stir up the tension between the elite and the common people, and you’ll have the upper hand.”
Enrico gazed into the distance, his voice deep and magnetic. “Of course, it’s just an empty promise. Even if you can’t deliver, it won’t matter. Politicians love making grand promises. Just make the biggest one.”
The only sound left in the court was the wind.
He glanced over, and Rafael and Jaden were staring at him, almost in shock. Rafael, his voice full of disbelief, asked, “How… how do you know all this?”
Isn’t he supposed to have the mind of a nine-year-old?
“I read some news and figured it out,” Enrico replied nonchalantly.
“Just from reading the news, you came up with a strategy to win votes?” Rafael’s voice rose in surprise. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he grew excited. “I get it! Even though you’ve lost most of your memories, your growth isn’t going to be like a normal child’s. You have a fully mature brain-you could grow up overnight.”
Jaden’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked at Enrico.
If that’s true, then it’s wonderful! The boss could quickly return to the company, and I could finally relax and just be a loyal follower.
Enrico remained silent, unsure why the two were suddenly looking at him with such fervor.
“It’s like a jigsaw puzzle. Even if all the pieces are scattered, you’ve put it together once before. So, the second time around is much easier,” Rafael said, growing more and more enthusiastic. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll bring you all the major records of the past few years about A Country and the financial groups. You just read them. You need to grow up fast. My re-election depends on you.”
“I’ll bring over the company’s business affairs for you to look at, too. From now on, I’ll follow your decisions,” Jaden added.
“How he grows is up to me.” Just then, a cool female voice suddenly echoed across the court.