Return Of The Prodigy
Return of the Prodigy Chapter 197

The person that alighted from the car was none other than Leroy Ortiz.

"What's he doing here?"

"Perhaps he wants to show Dragon Conglomerate who's the boss around here."

"Look at the cars in the rear. The people alighting from them are all big shots!"

"Leroy Ortiz should be here to flex his muscles."

The reporters chatted among them themselves while looking forward to what was to come.

Leroy walked up to Lucas.

Lucas smiled and stretched out his hand. "Mr. Ortiz, thank you for coming despite your busy schedu-"

"Mr. Carter," Leroy interrupted, "this is supposed to be an opening ceremony, but the square doesn't look that lively."

Lucas' hand stiffened in mid-air. He said with a shocked expression, "Mr. Ortiz, you must be joking. With you here, how can the square not be lively?"

"Yes, I'm here," Leroy said calmly, "however, I didn't say I was here to participate in your opening ceremony. Who knows, perhaps I was just passing by and decided to drop in."

Lucas wore a puzzled expression, but he was clear about Leroy's intentions. Most likely, he was going to ask him to drive Adam and Katie out.

Leroy continued, "Anyway, I'm free at the moment. If Mr. Carter shows some sincerity, I might participate in your opening ceremony."

Heh, you're overestimating yourself! Lucas snickered inwardly but kept a puzzled expression on his face. "Mr. Ortiz, what do you mean?" Leroy snorted and did not bother replying.

A man stepped out of the crowd behind Leroy. It was Jenkins Poe, the same man that had mocked Katie at the restaurant a couple of days ago.

Jenkins narrowed his eyes and said in a cold tone, "Mr. Carter, I'll clear out your confusion. You've just come to Lisle, but you didn't even bother checking out who you should and should not invite to your opening ceremony. "That couple you greeted a moment ago is at odds with Mr. Ortiz. They've been sanctioned by the Chamber of Commerce, and they'll be out of business in a week or two.

"By inviting them to the ceremony, aren't you making a mockery of Mr. Ortiz's sanctions?"

Lucas furrowed his brows and asked, "What do you want me to do then?"

Jenkins said with a snort, "It's very simple. Make them leave so that they can stop annoying Mr. Ortiz with their presence. If you do that, Mr. Ortiz might join your opening ceremony."

Lucas turned around to look at Katie and Adam. He then shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, but that would be inappropriate. After all, Ms. Hartley is one of the guests I invited."

Leroy's face fell. He said coldly, "Mr. Carter, are you saying that you'd rather leave us all hanging here than kick a single person out? Since you just arrived in Lisle, I'll give you a second chance. Ponder carefully before you reply." Lucas raised his eyebrows and said without a trace of fear, "Mr. Ortiz, I respect you, but you shouldn't overstep your boundaries."

Leroy was dissatisfied with Lucas' reply. "Open your eyes and take a look around. Is it really so hard to choose the right side?"

Leroy turned around and pointed at the dozens of important businessmen behind him.

Jenkins added, "The more people there are at your opening ceremony, the more opportunities you'll have to make connections. If there are only a bunch of people attending the party, you'll become the laughingstock of Lisle's business circle. "Mr. Carter, you're here to do business, so I'm sure you wouldn't want your company to become a joke before it even starts operating. Moreover, without the support of our Chamber of Commerce, you won't be able to trade with anyone in this city!" Lucas' face fell.

Jenkins continued, "It's so cold outside. You shouldn't make us wait too long."

The reporters, who were also shivering due to the cold, pointed their cameras at Lucas.

"I didn't expect these businessmen to be so ruthless. They aren't even hiding their intentions."

"Yeah, Hartley Group is too much of a hot potato right now. I think they'll be driven out."

"That's going to be awkward. If they get booted from this opening ceremony, it'll only accelerate their demise as they'll lose another potential business partner."

The reporters whispered among themselves.

Leroy wore a smug smile. He was sure that Lucas would drive Katie out.

Katie walked up to them and said coldly, "Leroy Ortiz, why are you trying to drag others into your war with Hartley Group? Your actions are only bringing shame to Lisle's business circle!"

Leroy sneered and said, "There's no shame in what I'm doing. If anything, you're the one bringing shame upon yourself.

"Ms. Hartley, how many members are left in your new Chamber of Commerce? Haha, why didn't they come here with you?

"Weren't you all pumped up and full of fighting spirit when you created your own Chamber of Commerce? I remember that you wanted to fight against our chamber and see who would have the last laugh. Are you satisfied with the outcome?" Katie furrowed her brows and stared daggers at him.

Leroy continued taunting her, "Do you think that you're my equal just because I call you 'Ms. Hartley'? Don't think too highly of yourself. As I've warned you before, you were done for when you decided to challenge the Camdens. I really want to see how long Hartley Group can last!"

Then, he turned to look at Lucas and said impatiently, "Mr. Carter, I've waited long enough. What are you waiting for to kick them out?"

Lucas furrowed his brows and said coldly, "Who told you that I want to kick them out?"

Leroy's face stiffened, and he looked at Lucas in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Lucas curled his lips and said, "I said that you should scram!"

Leroy's expression changed. Being humiliated while trying to show off made him feel extremely embarrassed.

"Lucas Carter, I didn't expect you to be stupid enough to reject our offer. Let me spell it for you, if I don't participate in your opening ceremony, no other businessman in Lisle will. You should do as I say or be prepared to face the consequences!" Lucas chuckled and said casually, "What consequences?"

Leroy narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "You'll get sanctioned! You'll end up the same way as Hartley Group!"

Lucas sneered. "Oh, who's going to sanction me? You?"

Leroy said coldly, "Yeah, that's right. I'm the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and I have the backing of the Camdens. If you want to keep doing business, your only choice is to join my Chamber of Commerce!"

Lucas shook his head and said, "You overestimate yourself. If you don't want to make a fool out of yourself, you should leave. It's laughable that you're trying to threaten me with Lisle's tiny Chamber of Commerce. Do you even know who I am?" Leroy was stunned and started wondering who the person behind Dragon Conglomerate might be.

"Who are you?" asked Leroy gingerly.

"I'm not telling you!" Lucas said with a snort.

Leroy was left speechless as were the reporters. This answer was out of their expectations.

With Lucas making fun of him, Leroy lost his temper. "I can tell you in advance that you and your company are done for! No one will join your opening ceremony without my permission!" Vroooom!

Suddenly, there was a rumbling sound, and a red Ferrari drove over.

Is that the person that David contacted?

Lucas snickered inwardly and asked, "Mr. Ortiz, do you enjoy getting slapped?"

Leroy frowned, not understanding the meaning behind Lucas' words.