Ch. 621..630
Life at the Top Chapter 621
Skyward Aluminum’s share price began to fall without stopping until it arrived at the week’s first limit down.
It had been no more than three hours since the share price rose to the limit only to fall to the limit down. It was just in time for the morning market to close.
“We’ll wait for the afternoon market to open and buy everything there is. I’m going to forcefully raise that price at the limit down until it reaches the upper limit. That should be enough for 5% of shares.” Jasper leaned against the chair and smiled at Henry who was gaping in shock.
Henry gave him a thumbs up. “So this is what true power looks like.”
…
The unusual movement in the share market had also piqued the interest of Skyward Aluminum’s Investing Department that had been watching its company’s shares.
“Uh, Mr. Clark? Should we tell Mr. Monty about this?” A trader turned to ask Benjamin as he stared at the share price that had reached the limit down. Sweat was beading on his forehead.
Benjamin had a very weird expression on his face as well. The company’s shares had been rising to the limit when the market opened this morning and he naturally believed that it was because JW Capital was trying to buy more shares.
He was about to follow up on it when a sudden piece of news came to light. Then, the share price immediately plummeted.
The K-line for the share price was now in the shape of an upside-down V after reaching the summit only to plunge into a gorge.
“I’ve already called him, but it was the butler who picked up instead of Mr. Monty. He said that Mr. Monty is meeting with an important guest and can’t be disrupted no matter what.” Benjamin ground his teeth together. He could not help but feel like something big was going to happen.”
Pondering over it, there were still two more hours before the market opened in the afternoon, so Benjamin stated, “Watch the market during noon. Don’t do anything even when the market reopens without my instructions. I’m going over to Monty Manor.”
With that, Benjamin rushed to Monty Manor.
At the door to Monty Manor, Benjamin was drenched in sweat as he spoke to the butler, “Please tell Mr. Monty that Benjamin has come to see him. It’s really important.”
The butler frowned and replied distastefully. “What makes you think that Mr. Monty will meet you just because you want to see him? I told you on the phone, didn’t I? Mr. Monty is with a very important guest and cannot be disturbed no matter what.”
Benjamin glanced at his watch and realized that there was still an hour before the market reopened. He presumed that their lunch would be over in another hour anyway, so he had no other choice but to wait at the door.
Time ticked by slowly and Benjamin felt more anxious with each growing minute. The butler, though, looked at him calmly with slight disdain.
Up until two in the afternoon when it was time for the market to reopen, there was still no sign of Conrad. Benjamin was frantic now.
“What are you doing?” the butler shouted at Benjamin who was trying to force his way in. “Does Monty Manor look like a place for you to fool around?”
With that, around half a dozen bodyguards rushed out and stared Benjamin down.
“What the f*ck… I’m the investment manager of Skyward Aluminum. I have some very important news to tell Mr. Monty!” Benjamin was close to tears with how frantic he felt.
The butler scoffed. “I don’t care who you are. All I know is that Mr. Monty has ordered that no one is to disturb him no matter what. Either listen and wait, or I’ll throw you out. Understood?”
As the two spoke outside, sounds of conversation could be heard from inside the room as well.
At the next moment, out walked Conrad and Colin together.
Conrad had a small and satisfied smile on his face.
After personally sending Colin out the door, Conrad reached out to shake the man’s hand. “It’s been a pleasure talking to you today, Mr. Walter. So I presume that what we’ve discussed will be confirmed, then. I’ll have to thank you seriously once all of this is over.”
Colin hurriedly replied before looking at Benjamin weirdly. The latter looked like he was about to explode at any second. Colin smiled, saying, “Of course, of course.”
Seeing how the two were still dilly-dallying, Benjamin could no longer hold it back and directly spoke, “Something has happened, Mr. Monty! The company’s share price started off rising to the limit this morning only to suddenly drop to the limit down because of a false rumor! I suspect that Jasper’s doing this on purpose so he can sweep more of our shares!
“He’s going to end up buying all the shares on the market if we don’t do anything!”
Before Conrad could react, Colin’s expression immediately turned weird.
Life at the Top Chapter 622
“Haha. If you’re busy, Mr. Monty, then I shall leave you to it.”
Guilty, Colin did not dare to stay for too long and hastily told Conrad.
Conrad grabbed Colin’s hand intimately and spoke, “Then I shall trouble you with this, Mr. Walter.”
Colin bid him farewell and got into his car.
From the rearview mirror, Colin watched Benjamin speak to Conrad nervously and sighed.
Today might just be the last day Conrad treats him respectfully.
It would be a miracle if Conrad does not kill him the next time they meet.
In addition to the fear swirling in Colin’s chest, there was an inexplicable sense of pride as well.
Naturally, he knew of the situation that Benjamin just reported.
‘Benjamin’s a skilled man himself and he has precisely caught Jasper’s goal. It was a shame… that Conrad would never expect me to turn against him.
‘He probably won’t care about Jasper’s move, would he?’
Colin suddenly exhaled a long sigh. ‘Jasper’s terrifying. This was a simple plan, to have me pretend to agree to whatever Conrad requests. I’m essentially brewing a cup of poison and making Conrad drink it willingly.’
Hearing Colin fish, the driver asked curiously, “Why are you sighing, Mr. Walter?”
Colin replied calmly, “Change is coming to the Southeast Province.”
…
“So what?”
Conrad heard Benjamin’s report in the study and turned on his computer. It had already been half an hour since the afternoon market reopened.
The shares limit down had been opened but the share prices did not plummet. As if someone was trying to control the market and not let the share prices drop.
“Victory is already ours.”
Conrad was in a great mood as he thought about his agreement with Colin today and smiled. “We have 45% of the shares at hand, and with the Southeast Province Mining Co., Ltd on our side, Jasper can do whatever he wants and he’ll only have 20% of the total shares. What’s he going to do then?”
Scoffing, Conrad spoke, “This is merely his last crazed attempt.”
Benjamin was stunned and he asked instinctively, “Mr. Monty, so we’ll ignore him, then?”
Conrad laughed aloud and spoke, “He wants to buy shares, doesn’t he? Then let him. Instead of fighting for it, we’ll sell the 5% we bought with high prices over the past few days.”
“This 5% of shares had cost me more than a billion unnecessarily. Now we’ll make Jasper give me all that money back. I wonder how angry he’d look when he finds out.”
Benjamin’s eyes shone and he spoke, “I understand, sir.”
Watching Benjamin leave in a rush, Conrad realized that he liked this employee of his a lot. Ignoring everything else, this man’s sense of responsibility was a very rare trait.
Planning to promote Benjamin, Conrad walked over to the window to stare at the beautiful spring scenery. His emotions had also truly relaxed since all of this started.
…
“That’s a lot of transactions.”
Henry suddenly shouted at the computer monitor. The man sat in the study with a straw in his mouth as he drank his bottle of coca-cola.
“I saw.” Jasper’s eyes shone.
“That’s a huge business, he’s giving you control over the market.” Henry gasped.
Without hesitation, Jasper bought everything. Thus controlling the k-line to stay unmoving as it approached limit down.
“I’m more than happy to control it.”
Jasper stared into the monitor as if he could see Conrad through it and spoke calmly, “It’s him. He wants to earn all that money he paid unnecessarily for these stocks from me.”
Henry snickered. He was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang.
Picking it up, Henry conversed with the other end shortly before he waved his phone at Jasper. “It’s from Colin. He called and said that Conrad invited him to a two to three-hour lunch.”
“As you predicted, Conrad requested that he take a stand on his side. Colin’s acted just as you requested and Conrad must’ve been sold.”
The k-line moved around the limit down throughout the entire transacting day and along it tugged the heartstrings of thousands of investors.
Everyone stared at the weirdly moving market and was engulfed in utter turmoil.
Some people could tell that this market was the result a dealer wanted. These people wanted to join, but they did not dare. For the moment the dealer retreated, they would have to take up control next.
However, if they do not enter the market, not earning from a rapid jump in share prices would be as distressing as losing money.
Even organizations with professional teams were confused, let alone retail investors.
Countless professional analysis teams within organizations around the world were wracking their minds trying to analyze and predict what this dealer had in mind.
Amidst everyone’s internal conflict, it was currently twi0fifty in the afternoon, ten minutes away from when the market would close.
The moment the minute hand hit fifty, the renowned Skyward Aluminum’s shares suddenly skyrocketed.
A big upward trendline had pulled Skyward Aluminum’s shares from its lowest limit down price straight up.
The line truly resembled a rocket launch.
Countless organizations and retail investors cursed. They wanted to join in but the share prices were rising every second.
The price changed every second and by the time one wanted to buy it, all shares of that specific price were already sold out and the price would rise by another point.
Countless people were so impatient they wanted to break their keyboards, and they regretted their indecisiveness.
Just like that, a huge sum of 2.5 billion entered the market in less than ten minutes. It pushed the market price that was struggling by the limit down for the entire transaction day all the way up to rise to the limit. Locking it there.
In a single day, Skyward Aluminum had undergone a total trade of shares worth over 10 billion. This terrifying amount of transactions had undoubtedly created history in share market A for the year 2001.
Pme could only imagine how editors of financial channels would have to burn the midnight oil working tonight. For all financial news outlets would be reporting this incident tomorrow.
While the mastermind behind it all was sharing a celebratory glass of champagne with Henry.
“I currently have 24% of the shares on had right now. I’ve got to thank Conrad for that 5%, though. Coupled with the 30% premium shares from Southeast Province Mining Co., Ltd, I suppose it’s time for Skyward Aluminum to change its name.” Jasper chuckled, sipping on a glass of champagne with a relaxed look in his eyes.
This wasn’t even a true battle, but man was that f*cking exciting,” Henry exclaimed to Jasper with his eyes shining brightly.
Jasper was in a great mood too. He was about to speak when he suddenly received a call from Gale.
This old man must have been watching the share market as well.
“I may not understand the share market, but I do have the country’s best traders and analyst teams. I am an old man, sly child, but your work today has me dazed just from listening to them explain it to me.”
‘Do you know how they described you? They said that your work today would be entered into a series of actual analysis cases taught in countless Schools of Economics. You have shown textbook control of the stock market. Very well done. Good job!”
Life at the Top Chapter 623
“One can only do this provided that one is backed by a strong capital, Old Master Hurlbutt. In short, one should spare no expense in exchange for the greatest share of earnings in the shortest time possible.
“Even though this is a good method, it can’t be used often as the price-performance ratio is too low.”
Jasper said rationally, not losing his head just because Gale complimented him.
He needed to prepare Gale mentally lest he thought he was losing money upon finding out that he had merely purchased 25% of Skyward Aluminum’s shares with a whopping ten billion.
“Mineral resources are massive gold-swallowing beasts. Skyward Aluminum’s mine in the Southeast Province was initially worth 60 billion in exploration value. Even after several years of development, it is still worth about 40 billion. This money is worth spending.” Gale laughed.
Jasper grinned but did not proceed with the topic.
He could think of several massive mineral resources overseas off the top of his head. Once those mines were developed, each of them would have an output value worth hundreds of billions, and most importantly, the currency was in US dollars.
However, he could only set the plan aside because first of all, the time was not right yet; second of all, the funds and power he had were not enough for him to develop foreign resources.
Nevertheless, the mines would always be there. As soon as Jasper was competent enough, any mining site he chose to develop could easily surpass the mine that Gale and Conrad treasured so dearly.
“I plan to hold a shareholders meeting. I’ve submitted the application to the Securities Regulatory Commission this afternoon and an announcement will be made much later. Are you sending anyone over, Old Master Hurlbutt?” Jasper asked.
Gale was in high spirits, saying, “I am not going to make a trip there myself. I put you in charge. It is not that easy to earn my commission, you know? I still need you to run a few errands for me.
“Just do what you need to do. I do care about that young man Conrad Monty. His father Steven Monty used to be my good pal. I will talk to him.”
After receiving Gale’s promise, Jasper said, “I’ve been waiting for you to say those words. Well then, wait for my news tomorrow.”
That night, the Securities Regulatory Commission issued an announcement on their official website.
JW Investment Company now held more than 25% of Skyward Aluminum’s shares, and according to the company’s article of association under shareholder rights, an official request in convening a shareholders meeting in Skyward Aluminium Co., Ltd had been sent to the Securities Regulatory Commission and was approved.
Conrad had been notified by the Securities Regulatory Commission even before the announcement was made.
In the face of the inquiries made by the relevant person in charge sent by the Securities Regulatory Commission, Conrad let out a breezy smile and said, “Please do what you need to do in accordance with the company’s articles of association. He does hold 24% of Skyward Aluminum’s shares, and I have no right to refuse the convening of the shareholders meeting, so be it.
“Since he wants to be humiliated so much, don’t blame me for using this opportunity to teach him a lesson.”
After hanging up the call, Conrad summoned Benjamin.
“The shareholders meeting will be held tomorrow. I need you to make necessary preparations,” Conrad ordered.
Still unaware of the news, Benjamin was slightly stunned and said, “Why is he holding a shareholders meeting when he only holds 25% of shares? Does that even make sense?”
“He’s putting up a deathbed struggle, perhaps. Or maybe he’s just trying to release news into the outside world to tell them that he hasn’t given up yet.” Conrad chuckled, fidgeting with the cigar in his hand.
Benjamin sneered and said, “Does he have nothing better to do?”
“Doesn’t matter anyway. Victory lies in our hands. He can do whatever he wants in front of me but I will never let him slip through my fingers.
“That kid Henry is always with Jasper and that’s a bit tough to deal with.” Conrad found this problem slightly difficult to deal with.
He had no scruples about trampling Jasper to death, but when it came to Henry who had the Laws as his backing, he could not help being cautious when taking action against Jasper.
The Laws could not be more terrifying, and the higher one’s ranking was, the greater the effects one would experience.
Life at the Top Chapter 624
Conrad knew he could not offend this unruly young master in public.
After thinking about it, Conrad picked up his phone and made a call to Harbor City.
“Interested to come to Nauritus City to have some fun, Mr. Langdon? The flight’s tonight. You’re in for a great show tomorrow.
“Yeah, I just want to show you how I’ll end Jasper and Henry. Jasper is easy to deal with, but Henry…
“Okay, I’ll leave Henry to you, then. I’ll book your flight ticket and pick you up at the airport.”
…
With the outside world following this news, Skyward Aluminum’s shareholders meeting began on time at eight o’clock the next morning.
Downstairs of Skyward Aluminum, Jasper met up with the Securities Regulatory Commission’s retail representative.
“We meet again, Mr. Laine.”
This time around, the representative was a man called Dwayne Martin. He was from the Securities Regulatory Commission’s middle management, representing the Securities Regulatory Commission to oversee the shareholders meeting and to represent the retail investors.
Listed companies were required to accept the Securities Regulatory Commission’s supervision when it involved events that could bring major changes to the company.
Since this was a listed company, there were bound to be retail investors who held the company’s shares. The law stipulated that the right to exercise shareholder rights be given to these retail investors, but since it was impossible for a company to gather all its retail investors, a retail representative would be chosen instead.
As a representative, Dwayne was also here to protect the interests of a group of retail investors.
Jasper shook hands with Dwayne with a smile, saying, “How are you, Mr. Martin? I see you’re here to handle this in person today?”
Dwayne let out a wry smile. “Share prices have fluctuated greatly these days because of you. Yesterday, there was a record-breaking 60 billion direct trading volume and even the higher-ups were alerted. We even worked overtime till late last night just to investigate this.”
“Haha, this was done unintentionally. Please don’t come to me for your overtime pay, Mr. Martin,” Jasper joked.
Jasper would not hesitate to build good relationships with those who held true power and authority because he would never know when he might need their help.
After letting out a chuckle, Jasper and the rest walked into the company’s private elevator. Dwayne spoke under his breath, “Mr. Laine, it’s best if you lie low this time. After all, the share market is really volatile right now and many people are keeping an eye on this news. This won’t be easy for the higher-ups to handle.”
“Rest assured Mr. Martin. Everything will be carried out according to the rules and regulations. I won’t do things rashly.”
At the sight of Jasper’s indifference, Dwayne was a little puzzled.
If this kid knew better than to do things rashly, he would not have caused such a huge problem, and they would not have to deal with this massive headache either.
What was more, in Dwayne’s opinion, Jasper merely owned 24% of the shares. He simply had no ability to contend with Conrad in the shareholders meeting.
Why was he holding the shareholders meeting, then? He would only be tormenting himself, no?
Shaking his head, Dwayne then said with a sigh, “Mr. Laine, our meeting today is going to be a tough battle to fight. Have you made any preparations?”
Jasper could tell that Dwayne was sounding him out and grinned, saying, “Preparations? Well, I woke up early this morning and even changed into a new set of clothes before coming here. Does that count?”
Dwayne glanced at Jasper. This kid’s lips were clearly sealed. Not bothered to ask any more questions, Dwayne simply clammed up and said no more.
They were each occupied with their own thoughts. The elevator doors opened and closed several times. A moment later, the meeting on the 16th floor was ready to begin.
Life at the Top Chapter 625
Conrad and Colin were already in the conference room. After Jasper led Henry, Julian, Dwayne, and several of his employees into the room, the main door was closed.
The shareholders meeting had officially begun.
Countless forces and individuals in Southeast Province stared at the main door of the conference room.
In a sense, this was Jasper and Dawson, both emerging bigwigs, challenging the veterans of Southeast Province, the Monty family.
The result of this battle could potentially affect the trend of the entire upper class circle in Southeast Province.
In other parts of the country, the hot money market institutions involved in the mineral industry and even the real estate industry had their eyes fixed on this event today.
The shareholders meeting had a much wider scope of influence than anyone would have imagined.
In the conference room, Jasper and the group’s arrival caught everyone’s attention immediately.
After exchanging glances with Colin, they both tore their gazes away. Jasper was about to speak to Henry when he heard a fit of laughter.
Conrad walked toward them with open arms.
Obviously, he was here to greet Dwayne, not Jasper.
Conrad and Dwayne seemed really close.
“It’s been half a year since we last met, Dwayne. I remember you have rheumatoid arthritis, are your legs better now?”
Jasper mulled over Conrad’s deliberate show of friendliness.
Dwayne seemed a little awkward, but he still hugged Conrad lightly and said in a polite tone, “Thanks for your concern, Mr. Monty. My legs are much better now.”
“Much better means that they haven’t completely healed, then.” Conrad seemed to be unaware of how awkward Dwayne looked. He finished his sentence with a smile and turned around to say to Benjamin, “Remind me to send Dwayne a jar of my old medicinal wine after this. That’s the best cure for rheumatism. Even my father is drinking it.”
Benjamin said delightfully, “Alright, Mr. Monty. I’ll make sure to remember that.”
Dwayne waved his hands immediately and said, “You’re too kind, Mr. Monty. Should we get straight to business first?”
“Straight to business?” Conrad gave Jasper a meaningful look and said, “Of course, we should get straight to business.”
As soon as Conrad said those words, Benjamin said sarcastically, “I wonder what’s going through some people’s heads sometimes. Just because he got lucky and earned some money, he thinks he has become the richest man in the country? He should probably look at himself in the mirror and see who he really is.
“Just because he has a bit of stinking money, he thinks he can lay his fingers on everything? Be careful, because you might not even know how you got killed.”
Benjamin looked at Jasper as he said those words, sneering. “I’m talking about you, Jasper Laine. I really wonder what’s going on inside that head of yours. Why are you even holding this shareholders meeting? Just so you can get humiliated?”
“Does that have anything to do with you?” Jasper asked.
Benjamin said in disdain, “It has nothing to do with me, of course. Mr. Monty is a really understanding man. Since you’re so eager to be humiliated, I will very reluctantly work with him to give you a proper humiliation then.
“You’re holding a shareholders meeting just because you bought some shares on the share market? How hilarious! The shares you hold are only enough for you to do inconsequential things like that.
“Are you ashamed and angry because you’ve failed to acquire Skyward Aluminum after announcing it? Haha.”
Henry was most annoyed when someone behaved excessively complacent in front of him.
He cast sidelong glances at him immediately.
“Do you hear a dog barking? F*ck, I think only the boss has the right to speak here, don’t you think? You’re just a f*cking employee. Who do you think you are?”
“You!” Although Benjamin was furious, he still panicked when he caught sight of Henry’s sinister expression that seemed to be waiting for him to go berserk.
As soon as he panicked, Henry cut him off and spoke first.
“You what? I’ll drag you to a cesspit and throw you in if you keep looking at me with those smug eyes. Watch me!”
Henry’s words left more than a dozen people in the conference room dumbfounded.
Life at the Top Chapter 626
Those who could attend the shareholders meeting were either super big bosses like Jasper and Conrad, senior executives like Benjamin, or someone outside of the system like Dwayne.
To put it bluntly, they were all people who had inner qualities and class.
If they must compare, Henry had the highest status of them all.
The profanities that came out of his mouth were not only awkward and hilarious, but they also made one imagine things.
Most people subconsciously imagined Henry commanding a group of men to drag a middle-aged man to a cesspit…
Benjamin’s eyes turned crimson with anger, but what Conrad said next forced him to stifle his anger abruptly.
“That’s enough. Shall we begin now, Mr. Martin?”
Conrad darted Benjamin a cold glance as he spoke. The look in his eyes was obvious.
Conrad had hinted at Benjamin earlier to provoke Jasper, but not only did he fail to accomplish his task, but he was also cursed and berated by Henry.
Even though Benjamin was the one who got berated, everyone knew that Benjamin was his subordinate, so he was also humiliated by extension. Naturally, Conrad was unhappy about it.
Dwayne cleared his throat and walked to the head of the table before announcing loudly, “Today, Jasper Laine, the shareholder representing JW Investment Company, will be the initiator in Skyward Aluminum’s shareholders meeting.
“Official participants include Mr. Jasper Laine, chairman of JW Investment Company; Mr. Conrad Monty, chairman of Skyward Aluminium Co., Ltd; Mr. Colin Walter, general manager of Southeast Province Mining Co., Ltd.
“And myself, Dwayne Martin, director of the Market Management Office of the Securities Regulatory Commission.
“Next, as the retail investors’ representative and the supervisor of the Securities Regulatory Commission, I will preside over this shareholders meeting along with a consultant who will record the meeting. We will be fully present in this shareholders’ meeting.
“If there is any objection regarding my position as a notary, please raise it immediately; if there is no objection, then I announce that the shareholders’ meeting will officially begin.”
As Dwayne said those words, he paused for a moment to wait for anyone who might want to raise objections regarding his identity. Though, of course, no one would.
After a moment’s pause in the quiet venue, Dwayne motioned to the consultant who had video equipment with him to begin setting up in order to proceed with the audio and video recording later.
He then explained, “To ensure the fairness and legality of this shareholders meeting, we will record the entire meeting to be reviewed by the Securities Regulatory Commission.”
When everything had been set up, Dwayne turned to look at Jasper who sat at the far end near the door. It was because he held the lowest shareholding ratio. Dwayne said, “Since Mr. Laine was the one who proposed to hold this shareholders meeting, we ask you to please elaborate on your need for holding this shareholders meeting.”
Henry’s eyes gleamed when he heard those words.
At this moment, everyone had doubts about Jasper’s ability and believed that no motions he made would be passed at the shareholders meeting, hence everyone was just waiting to watch a good show and see Jasper make a fool of himself.
Henry was different. He knew that his future brother-in-law held the real trump card, and based on his understanding of Jasper’s character, he would surely not let Benjamin off the hook after how he had humiliated him earlier.
It was again time for Jasper to show them his true ability!
‘Spotlight, please! I need a spotlight over here! Point it at Mr. Jasper Laine. I’m ready to see the VIP Jasper showcase his true ability!’
In the midst of Conrad and the rest’s sneers, Henry was beyond excited for what was going to happen next.
Sitting at the very far end, Jasper chuckled and said his first words.
“I move that certain unqualified company senior executives be removed. Take, for example, Benjamin Clark, the current general manager of the investment department, and I ask that he be investigated for corruption.”
As soon as he said those words, Conrad and Benjamin sneered while looking at Jasper as if he was a fool.
“Secondly, I move for a reorganization in the board of directors of Skyward Aluminum, and that the current chairman, Conrad Monty, be removed.”
Swoosh!
The audience was in an uproar as soon as he said those words.
He had thrown a bomb during the opening remark itself!
Life at the Top Chapter 627
Henry was so thrilled that even his brows were knitted together.
It was as if he was the talented one.
At the same time, Henry observed the gap between him and Jasper.
When he showed off his powers, the most he would do was beat the other party up and destroy him physically.
Jasper’s attack, on the other hand, could cause devastating psychological blows to a person.
At the thought of this, Henry turned to look at Conrad with great excitement. Now that Jasper had placed the bait, anyone who so recklessly came forward to attack him would be crushed to pieces by this mega show-off.
Upon hearing Jasper’s first motion, Conrad responded with mockery and disdain, thinking that Jasper was simply playing to the gallery.
Even though he was already mentally prepared to hear the second motion…
Conrad still flew into a rage considering how Jasper was sitting in his company’s conference room and asking for the board of directors to be reorganized as well as for him to be removed from the position of chairman in front of him!
“Have you gone insane or am I hallucinating, Jasper Laine?!”
Conrad glanced at Jasper with a cold gaze before bursting out into laughter.
“You know what? I admire you a lot, really. You started from the bottom and accumulated so many businesses in such a short period of time. That’s really impressive.”
Conrad, who used a lofty tone to commend Jasper, suddenly switched the conversation around. “But you’re too arrogant, and it just so happens that arrogance will only bring you destruction in our society today.
“You’re sitting in my company in my conference room and asking me to be removed?
“You know that your motion cannot be passed yet you still insist on doing it. That alone makes you so childish, don’t you think?”
Conrad knocked on the desk and then pointed at the luxury decor around the conference room, saying at the top of his voice, “I, Conrad Monty, began working in my family’s business as soon as I graduated from university. Up until today, I’ve taken firm and steady steps, keeping my feet on the ground.
“Everyone praises me, calling me a rare genius that only appears once every half a century, but I never took them seriously. I firmly believe that there is always someone better than us, so I’ve always remained humble and prudent.
“What about you?
“You’re acting all haughty and so full of yourself just because you’ve gained a bit of profit, and that’s what sets us apart.”
With a faint smile on his face, Conrad fixed his gaze on Jasper and said, “You probably haven’t experienced any setbacks yet, but remember this day because you’ll pay a hefty price for your actions!”
Benjamin looked at Conrad in awe as soon as he was done speaking.
This was what real humiliation should look like.
There were no profanities involved, yet it was more than enough to humiliate anyone who still had the last bit of dignity in them. It made them eager to dig a hole in the ground and jump into it.
However, just as Benjamin was about to say words of flattery to Conrad, a deep and powerful voice sounded from the other end of the conference table.
“Idiot.”
It was only one word. It was short yet full of power.
The conference room was engulfed in silence as everyone turned to look at Henry.
Henry was probably getting uncomfortable from sitting down, so he simply leaned back on the chair, clasped his hands together, and cushioned them behind his head. He crossed his legs and rested them on the conference table.
He even shook his feet from time to time. His polished shiny leather shoes glinted in the light, and his haughty appearance looked extremely unpleasant to the eye.
When Henry noticed the crowd looking over, his mouth twitched as he cursed, “What are you looking at? Have you never seen a handsome man before? You’d better turn those eyeballs away. It sickens me to get stared at by all of you.”
Boom!
Life at the Top Chapter 628
Conrad smacked the table hard and roared, “Don’t be so full of yourself, Henry Law! Do you think you can disrespect us just because your father is rich?”
“Hehe…”
Henry removed his feet from the conference table and stared at Conrad before saying, “Anyone else is qualified to say those words but not you, you old braggart. Got it?
“Had it not been for your rich father, would you even have stood a chance to be here today? You’re just a f*cking idiot.
“Darn it. We’re both trust fund babies with hard-working dads, so don’t pretend like you’re some sort of VIP in front of me!”
As he spoke, Henry grinned at the sullen and livid Conrad, adding, “Oh that’s right, you forgot something. I not only have a hard-working father, but also an awesome grandfather. Your father is the only one you can fall back on, so stop boasting in front of me or I’ll smack you to death.”
Conrad was losing his mind.
He merely said one thing about Henry in a fit of pique earlier, but Henry shot back like rapid fire and said at least seven to eight things about him.
Moreover, there was no room for him to refute.
Truth be told, he had indeed relied on his family’s business to get to where he was today. Had he not been a Monty and had he not been lucky enough to be born in a well-off family, he probably would not have achieved what he had achieved today.
Conrad gritted his teeth, and with a trace of sanity left in him, he said with a sneer, “Just because you have a stronger backing than me, you think you can disregard me as a human? Fine, I’ll find someone who’s on par with you and see how you can handle that.”
As he said those words, Conrad got up and walked toward the conference room’s lounge. He opened the door and said, “It’s your turn now, Mr. Langdon.”
Having said those words, Mitch Langdon walked out of the lounge with a smile while everyone’s attention was on him. He first glared bitterly at Jasper and then looked at Henry while smirking. “Hey, Henry. Surprised to see me?”
Henry was surprised indeed. “F*ck me. No wonder Conrad is so full of himself. It’s because you’re here to back him up, huh?”
As Henry said those words, he chuckled and continued, “What’s wrong? The slap you received in Harbor City wasn’t painful enough? Do you want me to do it myself?”
Mitch’s expression changed abruptly.
He thought his presence would leave him shocked and stunned, but little did he know, both Jasper and Henry were completely unstirred.
The words that Henry said felt like a knife twisting in his wounds.
It had been absolutely humiliating for him to receive a slap in the face by his fiancée at the celebrity cocktail party in Harbor City. For a fine young master like Mitch, getting humiliated in public was worse than having his life taken.
All the old and recent grudges swept over Mitch, and he said coldly, “Henry, keep being so arrogant and someone will claim your life one day.”
Henry replied with a sneer, “Well, I’m already eager to die. Do you want to claim my life?”
“…” Mitch was livid, saying, “Calm down. It’ll happen one day.”
After Mitch spoke, he gave Henry no chance to rebuke and said to Conrad, “What are you doing, Conrad? This is your company, how could you allow outsiders to make irresponsible remarks like that in the shareholders meeting?”
Conrad had calmed down tremendously by now. He took a deep breath and replied, “That’s right. We’re in a shareholders meeting. Let’s not talk about things unrelated to the motions.”
Upon hearing his reply, Dwayne, who had long felt as though he was sitting on pins and needles, breathed a huge sigh of relief.
To be honest, he felt as though two gods were fighting each other, and he was afraid that they would take their anger out on him.
At this moment, he quickly said, “Back to the meeting. Mr. Laine, do you want us to vote on both of your motions?”
“Yes.”
Jasper did some stretches. He seemed as though he had just come back to his senses and became aware of the things he needed to do.
“Hurry up, I’m in a rush to go home for lunch!”
Life at the Top Chapter 629
As soon as he said those words, everyone’s faces turned dark and somber.
Conrad felt like the fire within him had been ignited. Even though he managed to keep a lid on it, it was at the brink of exploding at any time.
“How ignorant can you get?!” Conrad said with a sneer.
Henry was full of smiles as he was pleased to see Conrad and Mitch infuriated yet were unable to vent out their frustrations. They looked as if they had eaten a fly.
After clearing his throat, Dwayne turned to Jasper. He was unsure what Jasper had up his sleeve, so he asked, “Mr. Laine, are you sure you want to make those two motions you mentioned earlier?”
“I’m sure.” Jasper nodded, giving Dwayne his affirmation.
Dwayne sighed. Seeing how Jasper was determined to embarrass himself, he made no further attempts to stop him and said, “Now that Mr. Laine, holding 24% of the shares, has made the motions, we will begin voting on the first motion.”
“I object.”
Conrad expressed his opinion at almost the same time Dwayne finished his sentence.
Dwayne cleared his throat and said, “Mr. Monty, holding 40% of the shares, objects. I abstain from voting on behalf of the 6% shares held by all retail investors.”
As Dwayne said those words, he turned to look at Colin Walter who had yet to say a word so far. After thinking about it, Dwayne thought it was pointless for him to prompt the other man and announced straight away, “Because the majority voted against the first motion, I announce that Mr. Laine’s first motion is invalid—”
“Hold on, Mr. Martin. Mr. Walter has not spoken yet. Isn’t this against the standard operating procedure?” Jasper said calmly.
Dwayne was taken aback for a moment and gazed at Jasper with a look of dissatisfaction.
In his opinion, Jasper was too hard-headed that he had even failed to recognize his good intentions.
He was helping him out of the embarrassing situation lest he felt humiliated by the absolute majority. What was wrong with this guy?
“Haha, Mr. Martin, if he wants Colin to give his vote, then so be it. We still need to go with the standard operating procedure no matter what.” Conrad burst out laughing.
As he spoke, he slowly took off the gold-rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, slowly wiping the lenses with a glass cleaning cloth.
“Jasper, oh Jasper. You amaze me more and more. Does it feel that good to be humiliated in public? If that’s really what you want, then hey, move your face closer. Let me swing my arm and give you a good slap across the face.”
“I agree.”
The two unexpected words left Conrad’s hands frozen in the air. Thinking that he was probably having auditory hallucinations, his head shot up abruptly. He turned his incredulous and furious gaze to Colin.
Colin, however, was seen staring fixedly at the conference table without blinking. He did not meet Conrad’s eyes at all.
He looked so focused as though there was a rare treasure on the conference table.
Conrad was not the only one who was dumbstruck. Both Dwayne and Mitch looked as though they were looking at an alien.
Everyone’s heart was pounding frantically.
At this moment, Colin Walter, a man no one had paid any attention to since the beginning, seemed to have turned into the center of attention.
Henry looked at the scene before his eyes, itching to open up a bottle of fine wine to sip on while he admired the grand scene before his eyes. This was so thrilling to watch.
Even movies would not play out such plot reversals.
“What did you say, Colin Walter?” Conrad asked slowly, pausing after every word. His tone was cold and stern as if he was giving out the sternest warning ever.
Life at the Top Chapter 630
Colin wore a stiff expression, and his gaze remained fixed on the conference table. He did not look up as he was too afraid to meet anyone’s eyes.
Under tremendous pressure, huge beads of sweat were seeping out of Colin’s forehead at a speed visible to the naked eye. His throat moved and his lips quivered. Though slow, he remained firm as he said, “I said I agree with the motion Mr. Laine made.”
Boom!
Conrad smacked the conference table, no longer able to hold back the fury that tore through his heart. Amidst the thunderous boom, the frame of his expensive gold-rimmed glasses twisted and the lenses shattered in his hand. It tore the flesh of his hand, covering it in blood. The entire time, Conrad was unblinking.
“Do you have a death wish, Colin Walter?”
Conrad was so agitated that his voice changed. The sharp hiss made his voice sound particularly grating to the ears and especially terrifying.
Conrad stared fixedly at Colin, his gaze almost turning into two blades that threatened to slice Colin alive.
“Well, aren’t you really powerful?” Henry said sarcastically while leaning back in the office chair, looking at Conrad with a fascinated gaze as if he was staring at a monkey performing a show.
“We’re having a meeting, what’s with the rotten behavior? If you interrupt the meeting, then I will have no choice but to step in and take action.
“He has said it twice that he agrees with the motion. Do you not understand human language?”
Mitch stared at Henry with a sullen expression and sulked. “Can you shut up, Henry? What does this meeting have anything to do with you?”
“You want me to shut up?
“Who the f*ck do you think you are?
“Believe it or not, if I can bash all your teeth out in Harbor City, I can bash you up in the Mainland to the point where you can’t even find your teeth.”
Mitch was in a towering rage. He stood up and roared, “Don’t push it too far, Henry Law!”
“I enjoy bullying you, what are you going to do about that? Do you want to fight me one on one or do you want to call your parents? Why don’t we both call our fathers, or maybe go straight to our grandfathers?”
Henry stood up, looking sideways at Mitch while sneering.
Mitch’s breathing was getting labored, and his eyes were bloodshot. Clearly, his rage had gone through the roof.
Seeing how things were getting out of hand, Dwayne regretted not turning down the offer to preside over this meeting. His wrong move resulted in him getting sandwiched between two big shots and feeling the effects of their wrath.
Afraid that the situation would get out of hand, he said cautiously, “Should we continue with the meeting, gentlemen? If you have anything to say, say it after the meeting, okay?”
“Who do you think you are? Are you even qualified to speak? F*ck. Jasper has clearly bribed Colin, how the f*ck is this meeting supposed to go on?”
Mitch, who was in a towering rage, could not care less about his image anymore and turned around to spit curses at Dwayne.
Dwayne was livid. His expression then turned cold as he cast a chilly glance at Mitch, saying sternly, “The meeting still needs to go on no matter what. If you’re unhappy about this, Mr. Langdon, then feel free to report this afterward to the Securities Regulatory Commission so they can investigate it.”
Having said that, Dwayne announced straight away, “The first motion put forward by Mr. Laine of JW Investment Company is to dismiss certain unqualified company senior executives such as Mr. Benjamin Clark, the current general manager of the Investment Department, and investigate him for corruption.
“Those holding 54% of shares are in favor of the motion, 40% objected, and 6% abstained from voting. I declare that the motion is officially passed. This will be noted down in the meeting minutes. In the name of the shareholders meeting, this motion will be carried out with immediate effect.”
As Dwayne said those words, he turned around and looked coldly at Benjamin who was still in a daze, saying, “Mr. Benjamin, you’ve been voted out by the shareholders. Please leave the conference room and await further investigation.”