Chapter 790
Jude cast a glance at Owen as he walked off the stage to thunderous applause. He scoffed dismissively before stepping up to the microphone to do damage control
himself.
“Mr. Owen Lance truly is a financial elite. That was an incredibly articulate speech, and you have my admiration p>
Jude then turned to face the audience.
“Ladies and gentlemen, some of the previous speeches by our executives and experts contained a few slips of the tongue that may have caused some misunderstanding.
On their behalf, I sincerely apologize. I am sorry p>
Dropping his previously arrogant and untouchable demeanor, Jude offered a humble bow to the crowd.
“What a shameless bastard. A slip of the tongue?
Didn’t he orchestrate their entire speeches? Didn’t he literally preach about ‘early market regulation’ just moments ago p>
Harvey cursed.
Wyatt scoffed. “The guy makes his living by being utterly thick-skinned p>
Up on stage, Jude continued, “But then again, nobody is perfect. Even experts and executives misspeak sometimes. Let us give them a little grace.
As for the Capital Markets Regulatory Association, I assure you it was founded entirely for your benefit.
Shortly, Mr. Lionel Merrick, Deputy Director of the Federal Securities Regulatory Bureau, and Mr. Charles Vance, a renowned international hedge fund tycoon, will be joining us.
Furthermore, Mr. Charles Vance is bringing billions of dollars in capital to invest directly into our domestic market p>
By name-dropping two absolute heavyweights, Jude instantly reignited the crowd’s enthusiasm, and a fresh wave of applause echoed through the room.
As he descended the steps, Jude tilted his chin up, shooting Owen a smug, challenging glare p>
Down in the crowd, the business owners who had just been siding with Owen immediately began flocking back toward Jude.
Hank looked at Owen. “I didn’t expect them to flip sides again so quickly p>
Owen chuckled. “These people never had any firm loyalties to begin with. The second they heard the words ‘billions of dollars,’ they swarmed like sharks to blood.
They don’t care about foreign scammers or business ethics. In the face of money and profit, all that goes out the window as long as they get a piece of the pie.
Did you really think they were acting out of some noble high ground p>
Hank nodded. “Still, those two trump cards Jude is holding are pretty damn strong.” “Strong p>
A hint of amusement flashed across Owen’s face.
“That Charles Vance is actually Jude’s uncle. They’ve been in bed together this entire time.
Charles has actually been in the country for a while now, letting Jude act as the frontman while he stays out of the spotlight.
As for those billions of dollars? That’s probably just a phantom lure thrown out to salvage the situation.
No one can force them to invest a dime, let alone decide who gets the money p>
Owen took a sip of his hot coffee, looking completely unbothered.
Harvey, Wyatt, and the rest were hanging onto his every word. Even Quentin Vance,
the general manager of Solflare Capital, was listening intently.
They looked like eager students absorbing a masterclass.
“But what about Deputy Director Lionel Merrick? Would the Deputy Director of the Federal Securities Regulatory Bureau really stoop playing these games with them p>
At that, Owen only smiled wider.
ет
Mira Mercer smiled as well. She had handed over the entire Jude Vance situation for Owen to manage. While she hadn’t micromanaged the details she was perfectly aware of the overarching strategy and the key players involved.
“Don’t just laugh, tell us p>
Hank urged impatiently.
“Lionel Merrick is actually one of the Lance family’s hidden political aces. He’s an alliance my grandfather has meticulously cultivated for years. never expected that reckless idiot to just throw him onto the table like this.
And all just to help some foreign heir save face!
Tell me, if this political ace gets burned because of tonight’s little stunt, do you really think Lawrence will still be the heir to the Lance family p>
Owen said with a soft chuckle.
“If this gets Lawrence stripped of his position as the Lance family heir, my love, you step up and take it p>
Whoosh! Hank and the others instantly snapped their heads toward Mira.
“We can’t swallow the Lance family through a hostile financial takeover with our current capital.
But why should we leave such a massive empire in their incompetent hands?” A predatory glint danced in Mira’s eyes.