Wizard Earl

Seeing everyone's attitude, Butler Martinez nodded slightly in satisfaction, then said, "Mr. Fiorillo, the headmaster of Ferguson Family High School, is sixty-six years old this year. He told me last month that he is getting old and his energy is not keeping up, so he wants to retire. Mr. Fiorillo has served our Ferguson family for thirty years, nurturing many of our family's scions. He is a great contributor to the family!"

"Although it's very difficult, since Mr. Fiorillo has proposed retiring, I'm willing to respect his decision. Therefore, during this period, I've been searching within the family for a new headmaster for Ferguson High School!"

"Everyone here is a elder of the family, and you all understand the importance of education to a family and a clan! As the first choice for the children of the family to learn, Principal Ferguson is, without exaggeration, the family's lifeblood, continuously providing the family with high-quality talents. It is with the support of these talents that the family can continue to prosper!"

"Therefore, the position of headmaster of Ferguson High School is a very, very important one within the family. As the family's head steward, I have recently focused my energy on finding a suitable successor for Fiorillo. I believe the new headmaster of Ferguson High School should possess the following characteristics!"

"First and foremost, a high level of education is required; one must be a graduate of a prestigious university, at least with a master's degree. Otherwise, how can a school principal command respect?"

"Secondly, Ferguson High School currently has nearly 500 teachers, students, and staff, which is not a small number. Therefore, the new school principal must possess rich management skills, and preferably have experience in a family business!"

"Third Ferguson School, as the family school of the Ferguson family, is somewhat different from other public schools. Here, students not only learn book knowledge but also the spirit and traditions of the Ferguson family. As the school principal, you should take the lead and have a deep understanding of the family's spirit and traditions so that they can be passed down from top to bottom to teachers, students, and staff!"

When Butler Martinez finished stating his three requirements, the others were still somewhat confused, wondering why Martinez was saying these things. At that moment, the elderly man in military uniform sitting next to him, Domenech, seemed to have already sensed something and glanced with some pity at Jack Ferguson, who was bowing his head and immersed in humiliation.

Butler Martinez, oblivious to Domenech's subtle movements beside him, finished outlining his three requirements and then remarked with a hint of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret), "Excuse me, gentlemen, I have a shortlist of ten candidates for the position of new principal at Ferguson High School. The fact that any of them is on this list speaks volumes about their excellence!"

"Unfortunately, most of these candidates, while possessing sufficient academic qualifications, either lack management skills or do not have a deep enough understanding of the Ferguson family's spirit and traditions. Only one person can perfectly meet these three requirements I desire!"

After speaking, Butler Martinez did not directly reveal the name of the perfect candidate he had mentioned. Instead, he turned to look at Jack Ferguson, who was sitting opposite him with his head down.

Seeing Butler Martinez's actions, the family elders sitting in the conference room immediately understood what he was up to. All eyes turned to Jack Ferguson, some with schadenfreude, others with excitement thinking of the lucrative positions Ferguson had left vacant after his transfer, and still others with a sense of shared vulnerability…

Meanwhile, Jack Ferguson, who was sitting with his head down, was slightly dazed from the humiliation he had just suffered. However, feeling the gazes of everyone and carefully considering the words of Butler Martinez, he immediately understood what Butler Martinez wanted to say. He could no longer bear it and suddenly raised his head, glaring angrily at Butler Martinez sitting opposite him.

Butler Martinez was not surprised by Jack Ferguson's angry glare. Pretending not to notice, he continued, "I believe everyone here has already guessed that my most perfect candidate to succeed Mr. Fiorillo as the new headmaster of Ferguson High School is Jack Ferguson!"

"Jack holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Frosinone and has decades of experience managing the family business. As a core member of the family, his understanding and inheritance of the Ferguson family's spirit and traditions are evident to everyone present. Since this is a meeting of elders, I, as the family's head steward, formally propose to the elders that Jack Ferguson succeed Mr. Fiorillo as the new headmaster of Ferguson High School!"

No sooner had Butler Martinez finished speaking than Jack Ferguson, in order to defend his interests, stood up again and said, "Butler Martinez, I am honored that you consider me the perfect candidate to be the principal of Ferguson High School, but as you know, my doctorate in economics at the University of Frosinone was obtained through correspondence courses; I haven't attended more than a few classes!"

"Furthermore, although I have managed the family business, I have never been involved in education. Therefore, I am afraid I am not up to the task of being the principal of Ferguson High School. I hope that you, Steward Martinez, and the other elders will find someone more suitable!"

At this moment, Jack Ferguson, like the other family elders present, was well aware of what this old man Martinez was doing. The position of principal of Ferguson High School was indeed a very important one in the Ferguson family, in charge of the family's education. It had always been held by a highly respected member of the family, but this position had virtually no say in matters other than education within the family!

Moreover, although Ferguson High School has its share of lucrative opportunities, compared to the family businesses he currently manages, it's a meager operation. It's a problem that it can't even support his current standard of living, let alone support the group of underlings around him!

Martinez transferred him to this position with the aim of cutting off his financial resources and removing him from the power center of the family. Without money and power, it would be like a dream for Jack Ferguson to replace Connor Ferguson as the new head of the Ferguson family and the new Earl of Ferguson.