“Stop it!”
“It was Gale’s choice to let Dean take up the position as the head of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce. How much has Gale contributed to the group when he was alive? Aren’t you afraid that karma will hit you in the face if you dare say that Gale has chosen the wrong person?!”
Shawn let out a deep breath after speaking. He was old now. He did not wish to earn a fortune. He only wanted the members of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce to be united so that all of them could run this organization well. Besides, Gale was to be credited for everything that the Haddock Chamber of Commerce had achieved thus far. As Gale’s close friend back when he was still alive, he would not allow anyone to cause trouble.
“Stop making noise!” Rio was evidently impatient.
Everyone in the Haddock Chamber of Commerce was scattered now that Gale was gone. Everything was now out of order. He could only gain control by suppressing everyone with absolute strength.
“Dean, why don’t we get down to business? Let me ask you this one last time. Are you going to give up on your position or not? Even if you don’t give up on your position, we can carryout a vote to select a new candidate as the leader of the group. What do you think are the odds that you’d win?”
“You!”
This was a blatant threat!
Dean did not expect Rio to go to such crazy lengths over this position!
“I’ll give you a minute’s time to consider this.” Rio smiled and raised his hand to look at his watch.
“You have 58 more seconds.”
Plenty of people were giving Dean “advice” by the side.
“Dean, you’d better give up your position.”
“Your abilities can’t compare to that of Rio’s. If you continue taking up this position, you’ll only delay the development of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce!”
“Yes, you aren’t suitable for this position. There’s no need for you to keep holding onto it.”
Everyone who spoke up were all on Rio’s side. At this moment, Dean’s heart wavered. Sometimes, one’s will would crumble under extreme pressure.
Suddenly, Dean felt like he caught sight of Old Master Hurlbutt…
“I…”
At this moment, Dean really wanted to give up on his position and just let things be… However, just then, a figure slowly strode into the hall.
It was Jasper Laine!
He did not say a single word, but Rio and the others all lowered their heads guiltily as soon as he cast a single glance at them. The atmosphere within the hall instantly dampened.
Dean was about to give up on his position. Why was Jasper here? Should he not be back in Nauritus City?
“Jasper Laine, you’re in no place to be involved in the Haddock Chamber of Commerce internal affairs, right?” Rio’s voice no longer sounded as confident as it did just now.
“I didn’t say that l’d be involving myself in your affairs,” Jasper said with a faint smile.
There was a nonchalant expression on his face.
Rio let out a sigh of relief after hearing what he said. However, in the very next moment, Jasper laughed out softly.
“I can’t involve myself in the Haddock Chamber of Commerce’s affairs, but I’ll definitely involve myself in my friend’s affairs.”
‘Friend?’
Everyone was stunned. They all knew who was the friend that Jasper was referring to. That was right. It was Dean!
Jasper never went around telling everyone who his friends were. However, he came here just to tell everyone in the Haddock Chamber of Commerce that Dean was his man. Nobody could touch him!
Rio’s expression darkened as he said, “Jasper Laine, I won’t touch Dean, but you shouldn’t think of controlling what goes on in the Haddock Chamber of Commerce either! You don’t get a say in whether Dean decides to give up on his position or not. I don’t get a say either!”
“The employees of the Haddock Chamber of Commerce will have a vote. Those who agree that Dean should give up on his position, raise your hands!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Rio was the first to raise his hand. Dio was the second to do so. Jethro glanced at both of them. He then looked at Jasper as well. He raised his hand slowly after hesitating for a few seconds.
Rio had unleashed a clever move. He tried to make everyone raise their hands to force Dean to give up on his position. Half of the people within this hall was on his side. As long as these people raised their hands, he could call for a selection of a new leader for the Haddock Chamber of Commerce even if Dean was not willing to give up on his position. Unexpectedly, nobody except the three of them raised their hands even after a few seconds!
“What are you guys doing? Raise your hands to show your stance!”
Rio glanced at the people on his side. However, those people intentionally avoided making eye contact with him. They all pretended to be lost in thought!
“Stop calling them out. They won’t dare to raise their hands,” Jasper said slowly as he laughed mockingly.
“Cowards! You’re all a bunch of cowards!” Rio shouted out in anger. “Mr. Leon, Mr. Weiss, and the few of you! Didn’t you agree to help me out today?”
“Say something!” Rio roared as he pointed at a few people.
However, the few people that he pointed at all sat in place quietly. They did not say a single word…
Everyone knew how to weigh the pros against the cons of the situation. It definitely was not a good thing if they offended Jasper in Somerland.
Just then, Jethro lowered his raised hand as well.
“Jethro?!” Rio’s eyes widened as he roared out loud.
Jethro was not in a good mood either. He felt extremely hesitant right now. He went to Dean’s place with Rio and Dio yesterday where they had all met Jasper. He was aware that Jasper knew that he was on Rio’s side. However, he was now afraid. He was terrified that Jasper would seek revenge against him.
Just then, Jethro made a bold decision…
“I’ve decided to quit the Haddock Chamber of Commerce from today onwards!”
His decision to quit the Haddock Chamber of Commerce was definitely the most shocking thing to everyone within the hall. That was because the Haddock Chamber of Commerce was extremely reputable within the business world. One could obtain first-hand news and extra resources within the group. It would be immensely helpful for those operating businesses.
At the same time, it was almost impossible for outsiders to join the Haddock Chamber of Commerce. One would no longer be able to join the group again after they quit!
Meanwhile, Jethro had just firmly told everyone that he would quit the Haddock Chamber of Commerce!
From this alone, it was evident just how much pressure Jasper had put him under with just these few words alone!
Jethro decided to quit the Haddock Chamber of Commerce after clear reasoning. There was no other way for him to cut ties with Rio. He was hoping to just survive by quitting the Haddock Chamber of Commerce, and at the same time, he was telling Jasper that he had cut ties with Rio. He no longer had anything to do with the Haddock Chamber of Commerce anymore.
