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.
