BXBX NOVEL Chapter 388 - 388 Quiet Venue_1
The news of the formation of the business alliance, like a tornado, swept through Gonzalez City in an instant.
The next day, everyone gathered at Bran Cook’s private club to start discussing the specifics.
Almost every local businessman with some capital in Gonzalez City was invited to participate in this meeting.
But what was most surprising was that Quella Radcliffe, the CEO of Radcliffe Group, who had recently been the center of everyone’s attention, also came to attend!
The club was already packed to capacity, and because Quella Radcliffe arrived late, she had to sit with Julius Reed near the entrance.
Many looked at Quella Radcliffe with discussions buzzing around, their eyes filled with contempt and disdain.
The Radcliffe Group was already on the verge of bankruptcy, and Bran Cook had plainly stated the night before that he intended to be the first to acquire Radcliffe Group, setting an example by making a ‘sacrificial chicken to warn the monkeys.’
So, many looked at Quella Radcliffe with pity in their eyes.
However, one person, disregarding everyone’s strange looks, came over and sat next to Quella Radcliffe.
That was Yasser Davenport, Quella Radcliffe’s classmate and friend.
“Quella Radcliffe, you shouldn’t have come today,”
Yasser Davenport said in a low voice.
“What’s wrong, brother Davenport? Isn’t this a gathering of Gonzalez City entrepreneurs? As the CEO of Radcliffe Group, how could I not come?”
Julius Reed had a good impression of Yasser Davenport, especially after last night, his esteem for him had greatly increased.
In these profit-driven times, it was very rare to find someone like him.
“After the humiliation last night, Bran Cook was already holding back his anger. By coming here today, aren’t you just asking for further humiliation?”
Yasser Davenport sighed, “The man is too narrow-minded. He won’t stop until he has destroyed you and your family.”
After Julius Reed and the others left last night, Bran Cook publicly vowed to make Amos Davenport and Quella Radcliffe kneel like dogs and beg for mercy.
Otherwise, he would not carry the Cook name!
“It’s okay, how do you know that I can’t cause his family to be ruined?”
With a faint smile, Julius Reed didn’t seem to be concerned.
At that moment, Bran Cook walked out slowly, holding a wine glass, and deeply bowed to the entrepreneurs present.
Then thunderous applause erupted within the clubhouse.
“Yesterday, I’m sure you all became familiar with my plan. Originating from Gonzalez City, I naturally think about benefiting our city. The business alliance we are preparing to establish is aimed at driving every enterprise in Gonzalez City to become stronger.”
Bran Cook walked to the center of the stage, saw the smiling faces of the entrepreneurs below him, and said, “Previously, everyone was scattered, each minding their own business. Now, I want to twist us all into a single rope so that we can exert more strength together! It’s like clenching five fingers into a fist and throwing a powerful punch—that’s when we’ll have the greatest impact!”
Thunderous applause once again filled the room.
“But for us to form such an unbreakable alliance will not be easy.”
At this point, Bran Cook’s tone shifted, “Radcliffe Group has now become a target for all. This company is heavily in debt due to poor management, and such a company deserves our support even more. How do we support it?”
“Acquisition!”
People in the crowd began to jeer.
“Exactly! Radcliffe Group is also a decades-old company, with commendable experience and brand effect within the industry. In the electronics sector, Radcliffe Group currently ranks within the top five in Gonzalez City. It would be a pity to see such a company go bankrupt.”
Bran Cook showed a look of regret, sighed, and said, “But what surprises me is that the CEO of Radcliffe Group has actually come to attend this gathering of Gonzalez City entrepreneurs today! I’m curious as to what face she had to attend?”
“Where is she?”
“She dares to show up?”
“What shameless audacity!”
Everyone actually knew long ago that Bran Cook was dissatisfied with Quella Radcliffe, so whenever Quella Radcliffe was mentioned, they were filled with malice.
Insults erupted for a moment, and many unpleasant words came from the mouths of these well-known entrepreneurs.
“I’m right here!”
Facing the curses, Quella Radcliffe stood up and shouted loudly.
The venue immediately fell silent, all eyes turned to Quella Radcliffe, curious to see what this young lady was going to do.
“I just want to ask, isn’t this the Gonzalez City Entrepreneurs’ Conference?”
Under the gaze of many, Quella Radcliffe asked with neither servility nor arrogance.
“Exactly! It’s written clear as day!”
Bran Cook pointed at the banner overhead and spoke, “The words ‘Gonzalez City Entrepreneurs’ Conference’ – can’t you see them clearly?”
“Exactly! Are you blind?”
“Can’t you even read?”
“Making a mystery out of nothing!”
Everyone expressed their discontent.
As long as you insult Quella Radcliffe at this conference, you are politically correct.
“Since it is the Gonzalez City Entrepreneurs’ Conference, then I would like to ask Young Master Cook, does the Radcliffe Group not count as an enterprise?”
Quella Radcliffe asked bluntly.
“Ha, under your management, the Radcliffe Group is facing closure, and even the employees’ salaries…”
“Mr. Cook, I asked whether the Radcliffe Group counts as a local enterprise of Gonzalez City!”
Quella Radcliffe fired back, looking directly into Bran Cook’s eyes.
Her gaze seemed to penetrate the heart, making Bran Cook very uncomfortable.
“Yes. No matter what, the Radcliffe Group is a local enterprise of Gonzalez City, I admit that. But…”
“But the Radcliffe Group is facing losses and is likely to drag down your business alliance, is that it?”
Quella Radcliffe interrupted him, saying loudly, “You go on and on about benefiting the locals, but at the first sign of trouble, you swallow up the enterprises that are truly in difficulty. This is kicking someone while they’re down, pulling the rug out from under them!”
After saying these words, Quella Radcliffe looked around, eyeing the entrepreneurs present, “The predicament of the Radcliffe Group is well known to all of you; it simply boils down to you all cutting orders and breaching contracts. Otherwise, the Radcliffe Group would be a large enterprise with profits exceeding a hundred million. Who among you can guarantee that the same won’t happen to you in the future?”
“Many of you here are probably suffering losses, hoping to turn things around by joining this so-called business alliance, right? But what if you were in my shoes? Would you be left with nothing but the bones to pick over? Then, when you have had your fill, you will use the same tactics you applied to the Radcliffe Group on yourselves!”
“In the end! The entire Gonzalez City will be left with Bran Cook alone! And you, you will all be his employees!”
By the end, Quella Radcliffe’s voice drowned out everyone else’s murmurs.
And many of those who had been cursing her fell silent.
The venue became instantly quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Each person was thinking whether they might indeed be devoured bit by bit by Bran Cook, just as Quella Radcliffe had described.
The Radcliffe Group faced crisis not due to poor management, but because both suppliers and distributors turned their backs, leading to its current situation.
If there ever came a day when they were treated the same, they too would likely end up being acquired.
“Nonsense!”
Bran Cook was red-faced from being called out, but when he criticized Quella Radcliffe again, unusually, there were no echoes of agreement from the crowd.