Return Of The Prodigy
Return of the Prodigy Chapter 206

Eventually, Katie decided against exposing Adam's identity as it would bring him unnecessary trouble. Moreover, his position was too special. Even if she were to tell them that he was a general, the reporters and Leroy Ortiz might not believe her.

What's more, she was not at a dead end yet. It was time to fight back and set her plan in motion.

Katie looked at Leroy coldly and said, "What makes you think I didn't come up with a plan while you were busy sanctioning my company? Do I look like the type that will only watch as you try to bankrupt my company?"

Leroy was stunned, he had not expected Katie to fight back. However, he soon recovered from his shock and clapped back, "Who are you trying to fool? What plan could you have possibly come up with? Are you hoping the Hamiltons will help you again? Unfortunately for you, they're busy trying to save their skins. They don't have time for you.

"You should give up already. No one will help you! The fact that you don't have the courage to show us your balance sheet speaks volumes about your company's financial situation!"

Katie said with a sneer, "Leroy Ortiz, you're overestimating yourself. You should stop looking down on Lisle's businessmen.

"Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you have the backing of the Camdens? It seems you don't understand the concept of 'strength in numbers'!

"Earlier, you said that no one would lend me money, right? I'll prove you wrong immediately!"

Katie glanced at the businessmen in the room and said loudly, "Which one of you is willing to help me by giving Hartley Group a loan?"

The room was silent. None of the businessmen spoke.

Leroy could not help but burst out laughing. "Did you see? Like I told you, you should just give up. No one will-"

Before he could finish, a man in his fifties stood up. It was Marriot's owner, Johan Bird.

"I'll help your company by giving you a loan," Johan said. His voice was not loud, but it reverberated like thunder in the room.

The smile on Leroy's face froze. He turned around and looked at Johan with an expression of disbelief.

"What did you just say? Can you repeat it?" Leroy said, still in shock.

Johan did not shy away from Leroy's gaze and repeated, "I said that I'm willing to give Hartley Group a loan. Also, I'm ready to leave your Chamber of Commerce." Leroy narrowed his eyes and snarled, "Johan, have you lost your mind?"

Johan snorted and did not reply.

Jenkins Poe, who had taunted Katie back at the restaurant, stood up and started cursing, "Johan, have you gone mad? Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Ortiz!"

"Why should I apologize?" Johan retorted coldly. "You're scum, all of you are. You have no respect for the rules and are willing to use any means to gain even the slightest bit of advantage. "You abuse your power continuously... you're the type of people that won't stop at anything to get what you want. Even if I go bankrupt, I won't side with you!"

"Is that so?" Leroy made a face. "I assure you that you'll pay dearly for what you just said. No one will be able to save you!"

At this moment, another man stood up and shouted, "I'm also willing to support Hartley Group!"

Leroy was dumbfounded, and he looked at the man who had stood up in disbelief.

As if that was not enough, more and more people chimed in.

"I'm also ready to give Hartley Group a loan!"

"I'm fine with lending money to Hartley Group!"

"Same here! I'll help them as well!"

Their words echoed like thunder in the room, stunning all the bystanders.

Leroy was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. He stared in shock at the people that had spoken.

"Have... Have you all gone mad?!" Leroy bellowed.

They all turned to look at Leroy, not bothering to hide their disgust and contempt.

"Leroy Ortiz, are you surprised? I'm sure you didn't foresee this outcome."

"Ms. Hartley spoke the truth. You underestimated the stubbornness of Lisle's businessmen."

"Did you think we would give up just because you have the backing of the Camdens? Never, because there are no cowards in Lisle!"

Leroy's face was beet-red, and his allies were also shocked by this sudden turn of events. They stood rooted to the spot with their mouths agape.

After being indirectly labeled as cowards, they felt a great sense of shame. Some of them wished they could leave the place immediately.

"Is this a revolt? Fine, fine! I'll remember every single one of you, and I'll tell the Camdens to make your lives miserable! I'll make you regret everything you said today!" Leroy roared.

He had been so sure of this win, but his plan was ruined when some of the businessmen switched sides. At this moment, he was so angry that he wished he could scream at the top of his lungs. Faced with Leroy's threat, the businessmen who had spoken sneered.

"It seems someone is still lost in his delusions. Let me spell it out for you-we aren't afraid of you or the Camdens!"

"If we were afraid of the Camdens, we wouldn't have joined the new Chamber of Commerce in the first place."

"If you couldn't even figure out something so simple, you must be really stupid!"

Leroy was stunned. He could not believe that these businessmen were insulting him before all these people. Unable to accept the situation, he tried to replace an explanation that suited him. "No, this isn't right. "Katie Hartley must have blackmailed you and threatened to use the Hamiltons against you, right? Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for you to leave the new Chamber of Commerce and join mine."

The reporters and the businessmen in Leroy Ortiz's camp nodded. They could not understand what was going on either.

The people in Katie's camp shook their heads, looking at the others disdainfully.

Johan scoffed and said, "In that case, let me explain. We left the new Chamber of Commerce because Ms. Hartley asked us to. It was part of her plan."

All the people in the room were dumbfounded. They turned to look at Katie in shock.

Was it all part of her plan? But why did she ask them to leave? By staying by her side, these businessmen could have helped her weather this crisis!

Countless thoughts flashed through their minds.

"Nonsense!" Jenkins Poe interjected. "There's absolutely no reason for her to do that. By staying together, you could have shared the pressure. She gains nothing by making you leave her Chamber of Commerce. Without you guys, she has had to bear the brunt of the attack, and as a result, Hartley Group is on the verge of bankruptcy. Unless she's an idiot, she has no reason to ask you lot to leave the new Chamber of Commerce!"

The reporters nodded. They also felt that it was stupid of Katie to drive those businessmen out of her camp.

Johan glanced at Jenkins and sneered, "You're the one who's an idiot!"

Jenkins Poe was astounded, and the reporters also wore awkward expressions as they felt those words could be applied to them as well. However, they were more curious about what Katie had in mind.