Return Of The Prodigy
Return of the Prodigy Chapter 196

The meeting lasted until after midnight. Once Lucas was done explaining the plan, the guests left one after the other. Adam waited upstairs for a few minutes, eventually, Lucas and Sandra came to him.

"What do you think? What's your impression after observing them for several hours?" asked Lucas.

Adam looked at him coldly and said, "I should kill you."

Lucas was dumbfounded. He shook his head nonchalantly and said, "It's sad that you have no sense of humor."

Sense of humor my ass! I'll make you regret saying those things!

Adam said with a snort, "You don't need to investigate the Ultimate Fighting Championship as I'm the one behind it. It's all a ploy to lure out the enemies of the Drakes."

"What, you're the one behind it?" Lucas was astonished. "How were you able to organize something of that scale? I'm getting more and more curious about your identity. First, all that money, now the Ultimate Fighting Championship... What have you been up to these years?"

Adam did not reply and simply continued, "If someone comes looking for you tomorrow and asks you to join the Chamber of Commerce, what will you do?"

"Isn't that obvious? I'll tell them to sod off," said Lucas.

Adam nodded. "That's fine, but be careful not to expose your relationship with the new Chamber of Commerce. In the meantime, I'll have someone invite you to Alameda County's Chamber of Commerce."

Lucas' eyes lit up. He was even more curious now. "From the way you speak, it feels like nothing is beyond your reach. You have money, organized the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and can mess with Alameda County's Chamber of Commerce. Did you become Superman in the six years you were away?"

Adam was at a loss for words. You read too many comics.

After discussing with Lucas, Adam drove away and returned to the hotel.

When he got into his room, he saw that Katie was already asleep. He did not disturb her and headed to another room.

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

During this time, more and more companies left the new Chamber of Commerce. These companies either joined the old Chamber of Commerce or kept a neutral stance, keeping an eye on both sides but choosing none.

As a result, Hartley Group became the main target of Leroy Ortiz's offensive. The plan was the same as before, sanction Hartley Group and try to isolate them as much as possible.

It was something Katie had expected, so she was ready for it. Although Hartley Group took a huge hit and was on the verge of bankruptcy, its operations did not stop. Overall, the estate construction project and the development of Plot No. 3 were not affected. At the same time, Dragon Conglomerate's opening ceremony was approaching.

Lucas had advertised the event nonstop over the past two days, inviting all the important companies in Lisle.

At this moment, at Dragon Conglomerate's headquarters.

The square in front of the building was decorated with banners and flowers, and the red carpet went from the road directly to the building's entrance.

The staff had set up a platform with a huge poster behind it. Two rows of cannons were on both sides of the platform, ready for a gun salute; they only waited for the guests to arrive to open fire.

The reporters, who had also received the news, stood on both sides of the carpet, waiting for the magnificent scene that was to come.

What was strange was that despite it being 10 a.m., there were only a few spectators, and none of the people invited had arrived.

Lucas wore a white suit and stood on one end of the carpet with Sandra, ready to greet the guests that had yet to arrive. However, rather than the guests, what greeted him were the bone-chilling cold and the whispers of the reporters. "What's going on? Not a single person came."

"Yeah, wasn't this event advertised for two days? I heard that a lot of companies were invited."

"I've heard that they sent an invitation letter to Hartley Group as well."

"Eh, is that true? I wonder what they are thinking. Don't they know that Hartley Group is now under attack?"

Although Lucas heard the comments, he was unconcerned. His smile was as radiant as ever. He asked proudly, "Sandra, what did you learn today?"

Sandra, who was dressed as a secretary, blinked her eyes in confusion.

We've been standing here for two hours. What was I supposed to learn? Was I careless and ended up neglecting something important?

Sandra pondered for a few seconds and tried to make a guess. "Are you telling me that you have to keep smiling no matter what happens?"

Lucas turned his head and looked at Sandra in surprise.

Sandra smiled, thinking that her guess was correct.

In the next moment, Lucas' face fell, and he said in a deep voice, "No, what I meant was that you have to remember to always wear long johns during the winter!" Sandra was dumbfounded. Was that the lesson I was supposed to learn?

Puzzled, she whispered, "I did hear them. You didn't?" She then glanced at him and saw that his legs were shivering nonstop.

Isn't this financial advisor that Master hired a bit too unreliable?

"It's fine. This is just a temporary setback, and things will turn for the better soon," said Lucas without batting an eye.

Sandra was speechless.

The duo waited for another half an hour, but no one came.

The atmosphere was getting more and more awkward, and some of the reporters were ready to leave.

"Should we leave? It seems nothing is going to happen today."

"That guy was a fool for sending an invitation to Hartley Group. Now, he's also going to be targeted by the Chamber of Commerce." "They just started doing business, and they already have a target on their back. I'm afraid Dragon Conglomerate won't last long." Some of the reporters discussed among themselves.

At this moment, a car slowly approached the square, stopping before the red carpet.

The door opened, and Adam and Katie alighted from the car.

Lucas smiled and hurried to welcome them. "Ms. Hartley, thank you for coming to our opening ceremony despite your busy schedule! It's a pleasure to meet you." Katie smiled and shook hands with Lucas. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Carter. Congratulations, and may your company do well in the future."

Lucas' name was on the invitation letter and that was why Katie knew it.

"Thank you, Ms. Hartley. I hope your words come true!"

Then, Lucas went to shake hands with Adam.

"This mister here looks really imposing. You must be Ms. Hartley's husband. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Adam smiled and stretched out his hand.

Lucas grabbed it with both of his hands and refused to let go.

Adam was taken aback.

Lucas whispered, "Let me hold onto your hand for a little longer. It's so cold outside!"

Adam forcefully pulled his hand away and glared at Lucas.

Lucas looked at him with an aggrieved expression.

Right then, a motorcade of luxury cars approached the square.

The reporters were stunned at the sight.

"Damn, is a big shot about to make their appearance?"

"Is Dragon Conglomerate owned by some tycoon?"

"Quick, let's take pictures. We can't miss this moment!"

The reporters grabbed their cameras and pointed them at the motorcade.

The door of the car in the lead opened, and a man alighted from it.

When they saw the man's face, the reporters were stunned.