Ch. 1081..1090
Life at the Top Chapter 1081
“As for the details, I’ll have JW Real Estates hold a special briefing to reveal more later. This is good news, after all, so all of you are welcome to attend and join.”
Dudley’s gaze was dark and sinister as he stared at Jasper, who was surrounded by countless reporters desperate to talk to him.
“Should I get rid of those reporters, Mr. Ball? There’s no reason to let Jasper appear so magnificent,” A bodyguard leaned over to whisper in Dudley’s ear.
Dudley harrumphed before he smiled wretchedly. “We’ll let him feel gleeful for now. The more people seek him out now, the more people will laugh and trample over him after the forum is over and he’s lost everything. He’ll soon become the subject of public mockery.”
At that moment, Dudley’s phone rang.
He waved his bodyguards away and walked to a quieter area before picking up the phone.
“It’s me, Dudley.”
Lisa’s voice sounded from the other end of the line.
Dudley’s gaze flickered when he heard the voice, and he chuckled lowly, “Is something wrong, Lisa?”
Lisa replied softly, “The forum’s about to start, right? Will your plan work?”
Dudley chuckled arrogantly and replied, “Don’t worry. My dad’s the one attacking him this time, so it will definitely spell the end for Jasper. I can’t promise anything, but he’ll definitely be made a fool of, and the entirety of Waterhoof City will know that Jasper’s a piece of trash with looks and no skills.
“Hmph. His JW was only founded a year ago, so how can it compare with my Seatreasures International? And to think that he’s ignorant enough to join this forum. As if a fight between the Haddock and Teo Chambers of Commerce is something trash like him can interfere with.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to give him a lesson he’ll never forget.”
Lisa’s tone was filled with glee and admiration. “You’re so cool, Dudley. I’m sure nothing will go wrong with you and Uncle Ball attacking him together, I have faith in you.
“However, Jasper’s a very crafty and dangerous man. You have to be careful not to fall for his tricks. He’s ruthless, so the slightest misstep will cause you to immediately fall into his trap.”
Dudley sneered and replied, “Don’t worry. With my dad here, there’s no way he can do anything crazy.
“But Lisa, you promised me that you’d spend a few days with me after I helped you with this. Don’t forget that.”
“Oh my God, stop. We’ll talk about this after you’re done, okay? Why’re you in such a rush? It’s not like I’ll run away or anything.”
Dudley laughed out loud when he heard Lisa’s coquettish voice. He was about to speak when a bodyguard came over to remind him of something.
“It’s time, Mr. Ball. The interviews outside are over, and Jasper’s entered the venue as well.”
“Alright, Lisa, I’ve got to hang up and go. I’ll see you next time in the room I booked for us, hahaha,” Dudley laughed loudly and hung up the phone. Then, he turned to ask the bodyguard.
“Do the people from the other companies, and especially that professor, know our goal?”
The bodyguard snickered and replied, “Don’t worry Mr. Ball. These people took the money, so they’ll know what to do. The other companies won’t dare to fight against our Seatreasures International anyway. As for Professor Mack–he just came over and personally requested to target Jasper, haha.
“You’ll always be supported when you’re standing on the right side of history. Jasper’s just too arrogant, so there’ll always be people who won’t stand for it!”
Dudley laughed out loud and continued energetically, “Let’s go to the venue. I want Jasper to know what it feels like as he slowly walks toward his own death!”
Life at the Top Chapter 1082
W Hotel’s main conference hall.
W Hotel was Waterhof City’s best and most luxurious international five-star hotel, so its layout and decorations were extremely luxurious. Its most important high-end conference room took up an entire floor.
At the reception, where attendees of the conference would arrive first, Jasper had just gotten his attendance card when he heard Henry’s voice from behind him.
“What do you mean I’m not on your name list? F*ck you! The fact that I’m coming to your conference is an honor for you! How dare you throw me out?!”
Jasper turned around and frowned at the middle-aged manager in charge of handling the attendance. He asked, “What’s going on?”
“My apologies, but this man isn’t on our list of invitees so he cannot join the forum.”
The middle-aged man looked polite, but he was hiding a mocking sneer behind his expression. He looked at Jasper and Henry as if they were a joke as he spoke indifferently.
“I’ve already sent someone to pass you a list of people attending the event with me. There’s my name and Henry Law, so how can he not be on your name list?” Jasper asked.
The middle-aged manager shrugged and replied uncaringly, “I have no idea about that. After all, this forum is held by us, Seatreasures International, and we get to decide who we want to invite. While you do have the right to invite others, Mr. Laine, the final say is ours, and we still have to review your request.
“After all…”
The middle-aged manager then glanced at a furious-looking Henry arrogantly before he said in a neutral tone, “We can’t just let questionable people in.”
“F*ck you!”
Henry’s anger exploded and he almost flipped over the small receptionist counter.
“Did you just call me a questionable person?!” Henry narrowed his eyes and stared at the other person. His being exuded a dangerous aura.
The middle-aged manager had not expected Henry’s huge temper and took a wary step backward. He shouted fiercely, “What are you doing! Are you trying to cause havoc? I’ll call security on you right now!
“Open your stupid eyes and take a look around. Does this look like a place where you can go around causing trouble willy nilly?!”
At that moment, everyone’s attention was fixed on them. The crowd looked at Jasper and Henry with curiosity, but no one came forward to seek justice for them.
It was evident that these people, whom Jasper had stolen the spotlight from, now wanted to see Jasper made a fool of.
“Motherfcker! You’re fcking crazy!”
Henry was enraged and he raised his leg to kick the middle-aged manager in the stomach.
The scene shocked everyone.
Everyone present had established identities, and they all thought of themselves as upper-class. Hence, it was rare for them to be in situations where people started fighting physically from the very offset.
Despite this, Henry had shown physical aggression before their eyes.
The scene was a mess, and quite a few people were in an uproar.
Hotel security guards who were in charge of maintaining order were shocked as well and they immediately stepped forward pull the fight apart.
They did not dare to do anything against either party, so all they could do was pull away Henry, who was aggressively throwing punches, away from the middle-aged manager.
Henry kicked the middle-aged a few times amidst the chaos and pushed the security guard away once he had been pulled off. He glared at the middle-aged man darkly. From the way Henry was standing, he still appeared to be infuriated.
“Ow, it hurts so much. How dare you hit me? Fine, then. This isn’t over! I’ll make you pay for this!”
The middle-aged manager whimpered as he shouted painfully with a bruised face and body.
“Motherf*cker, this guy is really a moron,” Henry spat and said.
Just then, Jasper walked over as well.
He stood in front of the middle-aged manager with an indifferent look in his eyes.
The middle-aged manager must have been terrified that he would get beaten up again, so he looked at Jasper warily and threatened, “Are you going to hit me too, Mr. Laine?”
“You think you’re worth my energy?”
Jasper fired back calmly.
Life at the Top Chapter 1083
Despite his mortification, the middle-aged manager did not dare to say anything to retort.
After all, Jasper was still the vice president of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce’s Waterhoof City branch as well as the majority shareholder of JW.
Meanwhile, he was just a middle-ranked employee in Seatreasures Group.
Their statuses were miles apart.
He did not know who Henry was, and had merely thought that he was Jasper’s subordinate, so he thought he would use this chance to put Jasper in a horrible position while gaining the favor of the heir, Dudley, by humiliating Henry. He did not expect Henry to be such a difficult person.
Even so, this manager might have been petrified if he came to know Henry’s identity.
A name card was tossed onto the middle-aged manager’s body before Jasper’s voice piped up.
“Since you consider the people I bring in to be questionable, then perhaps you should question my status as well. Until you’ve straightened that out, I don’t believe there’s any need for me to attend this forum.”
Jasper then turned and walked toward the exit.
The scene stunned everyone in attendance, let alone the middle-aged manager.
They did not think that Jasper would take the issue sitting down, so they did not expect Jasper to suddenly throw aside his name card and leave.
This forum was held with the sole purpose of targeting Jasper, the vice president of Harddock’s Chamber of Commerce’s Waterhoof City branch. If he left, then was Seatreasures International supposed to perform this play alone?
The middle-aged manager instantly paled in terror.
Similarly, Henry raised his hand to poke the middle-aged manager and sneered, his expression arrogant.
“Seatreasures International, right? You think you’re so capable, huh? Fine! Just you f*cking wait. I won’t waste my time dealing with nobodies like you. I’ll screw your employer over. Just you wait, your boss will be the one to deal with you!”
Henry then turned to leave furiously.
In the short moment it took Jasper to talk, Henry had already come up with tens of ways to blow the things Seatreasures International did to him out of proportion while reporting it to his dad.
He already knew of this company, which a large local group from Mustiece Province. It was located by Cavern City, and it was also coincidentally listed on Harbor Stocks.
That place.
Was Young Master Law’s territory!
Just as Jasper and Henry were about to take their leave together, a slightly chubby man appeared while being surrounded by a crowd of people.
He resembled Dudley, but this man had a long-lasting smile on his face. He looked kind and easy to talk to.
This man was Seatreasures International’s majority shareholder, and Dudley’s father, Alban Ball.
Alban had a shocked expression on his face when he saw Jasper. “Mr. Laine, the forum’s already begun. Where are you going?”
Jasper looked at Alban calmly and said with a subtle smile, “You sure came at the right time, Mr. Ball.”
Alban pretended to not understand what Jasper was implying as he replied with a crescent-eyed smile, “I was held back by some things. I just got here a few moments ago.”
“Just your motherf*cking foot. You were watching everything gleefully just now, weren’t you? Henry scoffed and scolded as he stood beside Jasper.
His profanity caused everyone’s expressions to change drastically.
As the president of the Teo Chamber of Commerce and the chairman of Seatreasures International, Alban was a formidable figure over at the borders of Mustiece Province. No one would dare to scold him so blatantly.
Alban was the only one whose smile did not falter. It was as if he was not the one getting scolded.
“You’re Mr. Law, right? Oh my, who angered you, Mr. Law? I’ll be sure to make it up to you on his behalf.”
“Make your f*cking foot up, stop acting so ambiguous in front of me! It’s disgusting!
“Alban, right? Seatreasures International, hmm? You think you can step all over me like I’m your carpet?
“Just you wait, I’m calling home right now! There’s no point in me continuing to exist if I don’t get your f*cking Seatreasures International’s share prices to plummet!”
Life at the Top Chapter 1084
This scene here.
Was an absolute classic!
Alban was a top-notch wealthy businessman who had a certain degree of influence in Mustiece Province and even most of the southeast region. Yet, here he was, being pointed at and scolded by Henry.
Henry even threatened Alban by saying that he would cause Seatreasures International’s share price to plummet.
This scene reminded the crowd of something.
It was like their neighbor’s child was pointing fingers at them and threatening to light their house on fire.
Everyone present felt their scalp grow numb.
Their gazes all instinctively shifted to Alban, wondering how this huge figure that dominated the southeast region was going to react.
Alban’s smile slowly vanished as well.
He had to be crazy if he could still smile at such a time. After all, this had nothing to do with how complex the man’s thoughts were.
“Mr. Law, there has been no history of resentment between us and the Law family. I was also polite to you, so why do you have to force my hand right from the start?” Alban suppressed his fury and asked.
Everyone else became even more confused when they heard Alban admit defeat so quickly.
They began to wonder who exactly Henry, and this Law family, was.
There was no powerful Law family in the Mainlands.
Therefore, why was Alban, such a powerful figure, terrified of a young man’s threats?
Henry sneered and said, “Stop acting in front of me. As if your dog would dare to bear its fangs at me without your instructions!”
Alban looked back and saw the pale-faced middle-aged manager. He asked in a deep tone, “What the hell happened?!”
Someone immediately stepped up and relayed the whole incident to Alban.
Alban was infuriated when he heard the story and he looked at the middle-aged manager who was trembling on the ground. His eyes were cold as he shouted, ‘Do you even know who Mr. Law is?!
“It’s our honor to invite someone like him, yet you dare to shoo such an important VIP away! Are you f*cking stupid or what?!”
The middle-aged man fell backward with a thud when he was shouted at. He now understood that he had gotten himself in deep trouble.
“Mr. Ball, forgive me, please. I didn’t know. All I knew is that Mr. Dudley doesn’t like Mr. Laine so I purposefully tried to pick on them. I was only doing it for our group and the Teo Chamber of Commerce’s sake, Mr. Ball. Please forgive me!”
“Yo, what a loyal dog you’ve got there.”
Henry sneered. “For the sake of your Teo Chamber of Commerce and the group, huh? Is that why you thought you could trample all over me?”
Alban’s expression was grim and he felt the urge to swallow this brainless middle-aged manager alive.
How could he say something like that in public?
As expected, the crowd all looked at Alban weirdly, as if he had just been made a fool of.
“Mr. Ball, since this has matter has already been clarified, then I believe it’s best Henry and I leave. It’s only natural we do so.”
Jasper suddenly said calmly.
“Since this forum is of such high standards, then it’s best if neither of us joins in case someone interrogates us for being questionable people again.”
Jasper’s words caused Alban’s expression to turn even darker.
He forced a laugh and said, “Gentlemen, this is indeed a huge misunderstanding. It’s completely my fault, so please forgive me.
“You two are extremely important guests in this forum conference, after all. The forum will be considered a failure if you two leave.”
Alban then turned to look at the middle-aged manager and snapped coldly, “You useless b*stard! Get lost! I never want to see you in front of me again! Leave!”
The middle-aged man quickly scrambled off while Alban turned back to look at Jasper and Henry. “Please follow me inside, gentlemen. I promise I’ll make this up to you in the future, is that alright?”
Henry lifted the corner of his lips insincerely and turned to look at Jasper.
He made his stance clear.
It meant that Jasper would decide whether Young Master Law stayed or left.
“Since this is just a misunderstanding, then it’s only right we be respectful to you too, Mr. Ball.”
Just as Alban thought that Jasper was going to exploit the issue and make things more difficult for him, Jasper caught him off guard by suddenly extending him a warm smile.
Alban narrowed his eyes as he gave Jasper a good look over. While Alban remained smiling, he internally raised the perceived danger level of this youth that was two years younger than his son by a few good notches.
They were all formidable members of society, and they understood that some things could only be resolved through formal means.
These small misunderstandings and mistakes, regardless of who committed them, did not influence the big picture too much. These were nothing more than appetizers before the main dish.
If Jasper thought that he had won from this alone and became prideful over the matter, then Alban would continue to see Jasper as an easy target.
However, Jasper’s current reaction caused Alban to sigh internally. That old crafty man, Gale, had truly sent him a difficult opponent this time.
“That’s wonderful, then. Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Laine, Mr. Law. Let’s go inside, they’ve been waiting for a long time already,” Alban beckoned them with a crescent-eyed smile.
They had just entered the main hall of the forum when Alban excused himself.
He walked into the room inside with a dark expression on his face. Dudley was already waiting for him inside.
“How was it, Dad? Jasper and that Henry’s faces must’ve looked so sour, right?” Dudley rushed over to say pridefully when he saw Alban walk in.
Alban asked Dudley grimly, “You instructed that imbecile?”
Dudley replied pridefully, “I didn’t actually tell him anything, I just gave him a hint. Hmph, take it as a show of our power to Jasper and Henry. Let them know who’s territory they’re in.
“What a shame that I didn’t get to see how pitiful they looked. It must’ve been exciting, haha!”
Alban’s expression darkened with every word he said. Dudley was about to ask what was wrong when Alban suddenly raised his hand as if to slap him.
Dudley was shocked and he raised his hand to defend himself instinctively. He shouted, “What’re you hitting me for, Dad?!”
Even so, Alban’s suspended hand did not connect with Dudley’s cheek. The man simply replied harshly, “Keep these lowly tricks of yours to yourself. You’ll only make a fool our of yourself!’
Dudley was stunned. “It failed? No way!”
“Do you even know who Mr. Law is? His status or identity? How dare you use your tricks on him!” Alban reprimanded disappointedly.
Dudley said indignantly, “I checked. It’s nothing special, he’s just the young master of the Law family. So what? I’m also the young master of the Ball family!”
“Young master my foot!”
Alban scolded, “You must be out of your mind. You think the bit of money our family made these years can compete with what the Law family has?
“We’re not even on equal footing!
“I’m warning you. Picking on Jasper is one thing, but you do not attack Henry! Otherwise, the both of us are screwed!”
Life at the Top Chapter 1085
Dudley was extremely pissed by Alban’s warning, but he had no choice but to endure it.
“Alright.”
Alban harrumphed upon seeing Dudley agree. “Good then. Alright, it’s almost time to go out there. Don’t forget what I told you!”
Alban then walked out of the room first.
Dudley followed after him, his expression so stormy that rain might as well have begun to fall in the hall. His fists were bunched up tightly and his gaze was frigid.
The forum conference began after the host gave a passionate opening speech.
As the core representative, Jasper was of course invited to sit at the platform on stage.
Alban quickly rushed over to sit beside Jasper. Just then, a knowledgeable expert who had been working in the financial industry for thirty years and had experience working abroad began to speak.
Alban took this time to shift his body toward Jasper with a smile as he commented, “You’ve founded such a large enterprise at such a young age, Mr. Laine. Perhaps there are some experiences you can share with all of us?”
Jasper replied with a smile, “There’s no comparing my experience with seniors like you, Mr. Ball. Therefore, I think I’d rather just listen and learn instead of speaking.”
“You’re too kind, Mr. Laine. But I’m afraid a lot of people are eager to hear wise comments from your mouth, Mr. Laine,” Alban said with a meaningful tone.
Alban had just finished speaking when the previous expert walked off the stage amidst a round of applause. The next person to speak was a balding Professor Mack.
As one of the renowned experts in Waterhoof City’s financial field, Professor Mack was quite the formidable figure. Therefore, before he started speaking, applause rang out again below the stage.
Professor Mack was rather prideful. After basking in a round of applause, he began.
“Hello, I’m sure all of you know who I am. I’m Perry and I’ve been working in the financial industry for more than twenty years. I am part of the first batch of financial practitioners that grew up alongside our country’s financial industry.”
“I’m currently the chief professor employed by Waterhoof City’s Financial Policy Office.”
“I’m here today to discuss with everyone how future development of our economy will look like.”
After saying that, Professor Mack cleared his throat and his gaze turned stern as he continued.
“There’s been a new thriving and especially hyped-up industry as of late, and the public consensus seems to be that as long as a business is related to this industry, then it will instantly be viewed as a high-end and sophisticated company. However, not many people understand it at all. I’m referring to the dot-com industry.
“I believe that finance and economics should still lie on solid principles. What can the internet contribute to our society and lives?
“I admit that it’s made many people’s lives easier, but that does not mean it’s important. It’s just an accessory to our economy. Yet, some people claim that it’s the direction of humanity’s future, and I find that ridiculous.
“Attending today’s forum, I know that Mr. Laine has the country’s huge dot-com enterprises in his hands. Both Sena and Terizone are his property.
“Everyone knows Sena, the company that started with web portals and is now shifting to develop games. This is an enterprise without a physical factory, yet it’s worth tens of billions on the market. It even experienced caused a wave of investments after listing on the Nasdaq.”
“This is evidently the second time the capitalist market is intentionally blowing the dot-com industry out of proportion. Despite this, some people seem to have lost their minds and think that they’re truly the owner of a capable business. If they just gave it some thought, they would know that an enterprise that does not benefit our country’s employment tax should have no right to such a high market value.
“All of this is fake! It’s a bubble that will pop at the slightest poke! What a shame that our Mr. Laine here is still drowning in his own delusions. He has no idea that he’s lying on a cliff, and that a large gust of wind will have him falling to his demise!”
Perry’s words instantly caused quite an uproar within the audience.
Life at the Top Chapter 1086
The situation outside the country was the same as within it when it came to the dot-com industry, where people were split into two main groups.
One group believed that it was a fluke, that the industry was pretty much useless and a mere concept the capitalist market overhyped to get people to invest money.
Meanwhile, the other group of people believed that the industry would be the driving force behind the third industrialized revolution. Or at the very least, it would surely change the way people lived and worked.
Regardless of which group one belonged in, they were still rather conservative when it came to expressing their own opinions. This was still the year 2001, after all, and everything was still unclear.
However, Perry’s words were heavily opinionated.
He was essentially pointing at Jasper’s nose and accusing him of being a huge conman.
Perry then proceeded to raise examples that would further support his theory. Everything he said both blatantly and implicitly targetted Sena and Terizone.
However, everyone knew that Perry was truly targeting Jasper, the man who sat on the panel that day.
One had to admit that Perry’s oratory skills were impressive. After his speech, people under the stage who did not understand the internet began to sway to his opinion.
Everyone now looked at Jasper strangely.
Even so, Jasper remained calm where he sat.
“Things sure took a quick turn for the worse, Mr. Laine,” Alban smiled calmly at Jasper.
Jasper glanced at Alban and replied unaffectedly, “What a great play you’ve arranged, Mr. Ball.’
Alban narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “You misunderstand, Mr. Laine. I have no control over what these experts and professors say. Why would I need to arrange anything?”
“Let me guess, there should be more after this Perry, correct?” Jasper asked.
Alban pursed his lips but did not speak anymore.
As Jasper expected, Perry turned to look at Jasper pridefully after he was done, while the following few speakers all took Perry’s side.
Each of them spoke harsher than the last. They started targeting the dot-com industry in the beginning, before they decided to stop beating around the bush and began slamming JW Company and Jasper directly.
“That’s why I believe that a person without the basic ability to make decisions or have a good heart has no right to qualify as a businessman.
“He spends all day basking in the glory of being wealthy, but didn’t he earn his first big money through pure luck? People like this might rise quickly, but they meet their ends even faster!
“This is precisely what people refer to as the heartless rich. His enterprises bring no positive value to society!
“He’s just a village boy, a rough and bossy son of a farmer that’s never received any high-end elite education! He has no right to sit with highly educated people who possess masters and degrees like us! He should be struggling for his life at the lowest class of society!”
All sorts of opinions flew about the room.
It was not until the last person had finished speaking and shot Jasper a taunting smirk that Alban finally turned to Jasper and said with a happy chuckle, “It’s your turn to speak, Mr. Laine.
“Of course, the current atmosphere isn’t quite in your favor, so I’d understand if you have reservations, Mr. Laine. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. After all, you are our esteemed guest. Hahaha.”
However, Jasper ignored Alban’s mockery and walked toward the podium.
Life at the Top Chapter 1087
Most people present at the forum conference did not have the right to speak at the podium.
So when Jasper got up, everyone’s gaze fell on the man.
They wanted to know how Jasper planned to deal with this situation when almost the entire conference seemed to have come to a tacit agreement to target him.
Perry, who had just gotten off the podium, was currently taking credit in front of Dudley.
“Mr. Ball, I did just as you asked, right?” Perry said with a wide smile.
Dudley nodded in satisfaction, his expression arrogant. “Not bad, you’re not completely useless, old man.”
Perry was not angry at all. Instead, the man lowered his voice and said with a chuckle, “Then about the things you promised me, the money and the women…”
Dudley glared at Perry and said in annoyance, “I already promised you, so I won’t go back on my word. I’ll have someone transfer 100 thousand to your bank account later.
“F*cking hell, what easy money this must be for you. You only earn 100 thousand a month, no? And that’s already considered an above-average pay. Work under me in the future, I’ll make sure you’ll earn much more benefits.
“Women aren’t a problem either. I’ll have one join you in bed at anytime. But can you even play, old man? I won’t be responsible if an old man like you dies in bed.”
Perry snickered and replied, “Don’t worry, Mr. Ball. I may be old but I’m still vigorous.”
“Jesus Christ. I love insincere experts like you the most. All of you are monsters are driven by selfish desires–you’re all fake!”
Not too far away was Henry, who watched Dudley and Perry conspire with a dark expression on his face. Had Jasper not reminded him to be patient, Young Master Law would already have gone after the pair to wreak some havor.
Even so, did not mean that Henry would leave Dudley alone.
Henry got up from his chair and walked over in a gangster-like manner.
Dudley, who was talking to Perry, suddenly felt a tremendous force attack him from behind. Dudley staggered, caught off guard, and he turned angrily only to see Henry’s evil face.
“You motherf…”
Dudley was about to burst into a rage, but was met with Henry’s narrowed eyes, the latter just waiting for him to start cursing.
His father Alban’s warning surfaced in Dudley’s mind, and he forced himself to swallow his words that were already forming on the tip of his tongue.
“Why’d you stop?” Henry sneered.
Dudley clenched his jaw and asked icily, “What are you doing?!”
“I want to take a piss. What’s it to you?” Henry pouted as he replied and pushed Dudley away harshly.
Henry was strong and Dudley had taken the full force of the shove. The latter staggered four to five steps backward before he knocked into the wall and dropped, falling to the floor embarrassedly.
“Are you picking on me, Henry?!” Dudley roared, infuriated.
“Yo, not bad. Can’t believe you could tell,” Henry chuckled happily and leaned over to Dudley. “So what if I’m picking on you? Don’t like it? Come at me then.”
Dudley drilled his bloodshot eyes into Henry. His anger was already at his limit and the only thing stopping him from exploding was his last thread of rationality.
“Coward.”
Life at the Top Chapter 1088
Henry was disinterested when he saw that Dudley had held himself back. He mocked the latter with a pout and then ignored him.
Henry turned around only to see Perry, who he proceeded to mock with a sinister tone, “How much money did this coward give you to turn you into his dog, old baldy?”
Perry was stunned for a moment before he replied, mortified, “What nonsense is that! I’m a truly knowledgeable intellectual! A real expert! How could I be bribed? Stop defaming me! ”
“Yo, what a knowledgeable man indeed. Such formal terms even when you’re scolding people, ” Henry chuckled. “If It’s not money, then maybe it’s women? or perhaps he promised both money and women?”
Perry’s pupils contracted and he silently wondered who this young man was. This was someone that Dudley did not dare to fight back against even though he had been pushed around. Someone who seemed to be very aware of his deal with Dudley.
“My dad got tired of such immature slander years ago. What’s the point in acting like you’re some sh*t in front of me?” Henry said disdainfully.
“You know, old baldy, sometimes it’s easy to say things, earn easy money, and sleep with easy women. But these things all come with a price.
“The more you benefit, the more you have to pay. Unless, of course, you were born in a f*cking awesome family like I was. But seeing how you’re already so old, I doubt that you’ve been blessed in that area.
“Since you didn’t get born in a great family, then you should think twice before you take or sleep with anything. Think first if you can afford to pay the price, because if you can’t, then all that’s left for you is a tragic end.”
Henry patted Perry’s chubby cheeks arrogantly and snickered happily before he turned to leave.
Perry was a man reaching his sixties and this was the first time he had been humiliated so thoroughly. Mortified, he turned to Henry and scolded, “ Uneducated! How did your parents raise you for you to end up so disrespectful and undignified! You’re an eyesore and shame on your family!”
He had set himself up for trouble.
Henry’s head snapped back as he stared darkly at Perry, a storm brewing in his eyes.
Perry was startled by the look in Henry’s eyes, and he took an instinctive step backward while exclaiming, “What, what are you doing?! ”
“What am I doing?”
Henry scoffed. “Didn’t you say that I was uneducated and that my parents didn’t teach me well?
“Then let me show you how an uneducated and undignified person behaves when they’re angry!”
Henry dragged Perry by his collar and pulled him into the toilet a short distance away like he was a little chick.
Perry struggled for his life and tried to pry Henry’s hand off, but the difference in their age and strength was evident as Perry simply could not break free.
“Mr. Ball, save me!”
Dudley’s expression paled when he heard Perry shout. The memory of Henry’s dark gaze from earlier reminded him of the fear associated with Henry, such that the man did not dare to stand in latter’s path. Thus, he could only pretend that he did not hearanything.
Perry’s tragic yelling slowly faded as Henry dragged the man further away. Dudley exhaled deeply. ‘All that matters is that I’m fine. As for what happens to Perry… Well that has nothing to do with me!’
At the same time, Jasper had already reached the podium.
As he faced dozens of pairs of eyes and cameras, the corner of Jasper’s lips curled slightly into a charming smile that brimmed with confidence. This alone was charming enough that all the women present, regardless of age and status, instantly took an innateliking to Jasper.
It was the same feeling men got when they looked at women.
Jasper cleared his throat, his voice echoing throughout the entire conference room.
“My apologies, ladies and gentlemen, that you had to hear a bunch of insincere experts babble on about nonsense that they had no idea about. Now, let me tell you what the future actually is.”
Life at the Top Chapter 1089
Jasper’s first sentence had defined the future, and thus overturned everything the previous speakers had preached.
“The Internet is the future!”
No one could be certain of the Internet’s power in the future, so no one could step up and make the final call. All this required time and facts to prove.
Therefore, Jasper did not plan to persuade these people to believe him. He merely stated his line of loge.
“During the first industrial revolution, the steam engine’s appearance changed to world.”
“For the second industrial revolution, global capitalism erupted and humanity entered the era of electronics.”
“Now, the third industrial revolution will be a revolution of advanced technology, represented by computational atomic power and space biotechnology. This, is the era of information.”
“Every piece of technology I refer to today is closely related to our daily lives. It has the ability to change the way all of us live and even… Our understanding of the world.”
“The Internet can close the distance between people, making communication even easier and convenient.”
“With Sena, we can consume news and information from abroad much quicker, easier, and cheaper. If you click on Sena’s web portal, every important incident from around the world within the past 24hours will be clearly displayed before your eyes.”
“With Terizone, communication between you and your colleagues, family, and friends becomes much simpler. There’s no need to pay telephone bills at all, as you’ll be able to converse at a moments notice through texts or a network cable.”
“All of this will only become more convenient and quicker in the future. And before we’ve realized it, the new era will have already quietly arrived.”
“The people quickest to embrace the changing times will lead us down the path to the future, while those who choose not to improve will only be eliminated!”
Jasper’s words had put the entire room in an uproar. The topic of the Internet’s future was still a hot topic of discussion, but neither the people against it nor supporting it dared to come out and say anything with absolute certainty.
After all, everyone was terrified of being proven wrong, so they preferred to speak ambiguously, leaving them with room to backtrack.
Even so, Jasper’s words countered the mocking and disdainful speeches from the previous experts. No matter how you looked at it, Jasper’s speech was clearly a counterargument.
Alban’s expression was sour when he saw how easily Jasper had gained control of the situation.
Alban glanced at a few helpers he had employed advance to cue them in. Then, he scoffed and closed his eyes slightly, no longer reacting to the situation.
The few helpers shared a look after they received Alban’s cue. One of them suddenly stood up.
“Nonsense!”
The word was spoken loudly, instantly shaking the venue.
This middle-aged man pointed at Jasper and scolded, “Don’t think that you can say whatever you want just because you got lucky and managed to make a small business for yourself. How old are you, huh? You’re just in your twenties, so who gave you the right to pointfingers and comment on the world? Every entrepreneur here has managed their business since before you were even born! ”
“Exactly! A young man like you should be humbler instead of trying so hard to curry favors and rise in social status. Take a look at yourself first, at least.”
“Haha. I knew that the Internet was just a con industry. It’s not a serious industry at all! Look at him, this is supposed to be the so-called number one figure in the country’s Internet Industry. He’s just in his f*cking twenties-even my son is older than him. What does he know about commerce?”
Life at the Top Chapter 1090
“That’s right. Without physical businesses like us supporting it, the Internet is completely useless. Seriously, it’s almost like anyone can get on the stage and start talking. It’s like they’re not even afraid that their ridiculous claims will be made fun of! ”
“Haha. The older generation like us has seen enough of huge waves like this to understand. I’ve seen my fair share of people like this. They think they’re so successful in the beginning, but they’ll just vanish overnight.”
“Doing business requires true strength and capability. How stupid can they be if they think having the ability to talk and persuade people is all they need?”
People who had been stunned by Jasper’s opinions slowly began to look at him doubtfully as they were slowly influenced by the opinions of the people around them.
Many of them now expected Jasper make a fool out of himself.
After all, Jasper’s words were too sharp and definite, so it only made sense that he would anger the group of people who did not agree with the Internet industry. This was their so-called revenge.
Jasper stood behind the podium as the scathing remarks grew louder. Even so, the man pretended not to hear any of them.
If this was anyone else, they might have walked off the stage in embarrassment after being doubted by everyone.
However, Jasper was different.
As a reincarnated man, Jasper had knowledge of the next 19 years. He knew that what he said was reflective of the genuine future of the world.
Instead of doubting himself, these words of opposition or even direct humiliation only furthered his belief that this was a group of imbeciles. No wonder almost all of these businesses would disappear 19 years later.
Jasper did not feel the need to fight with people destined to be eliminated by the changing of times. Thus, before Jasper walked away from the podium, he said one last thing.
“The truth will not change just because it has little support, nor will it disappear because it’s greatly opposed. Our society isn’t something decided by one person or a group of people.
“I never planned to persuade anyone here today, and whether you choose to believe it or not matters little to me. You can’t affect me, let alone the development of the Internet or the world.
“So with that, I urge everyone present to take a look back to today in five, ten, or even twenty years time. I’m sure who’s right or wrong will be very clear then.”
Jasper then turned and left coolly, walking away from the podium whilst leaving a crowd of people questioning him behind.
Back at the panel, Alban turned to smile at Jasper while the people’s opinions stewed in the crowd. “You’re a promising young man, Mr. Laine, to fight such a large group on your own.”
“Isn’t this what you wanted to see, Mr. Ball? Me cooperating with this show you put on?” Jasper asked calmly.
Alban answered calmly, “Is that necessary, Mr. Laine? You’ve been stating that this is an act ever since we began.”
“The conflict between the Teo and the Haddock Chamber of Commerce has never been reconcilable. I’m sure everyone already knows the goal of this so-called asset forum conference. The fact that you continue to hide, Mr. Ball, makes me wonder if I’ve overestimated you.”
Alban raised his brows at Jasper’s words.
“Alright. If that’s the case, then I’ll get straight to the point” Alban sneered.
“I’m very interested in your electronics company’s MP5 patent rights, Mr. Laine. I wondering if you’re willing to give it up to me.”
Jasper’s gaze immediately fell on Alban when the man said this. Jasper’s ocean-deep gaze focused on the other’s face as if he was trying to see through what the other man’s thoughts.
Despite this, Alban maintained his kind smile, showing no indication ofhis true emotions.