Stellar Group had only been founded recently, so they didn't have many employees. The two young women in charge of the exhibition were merely interns. They had never been to such a grand event before, and had exercised caution the whole time.
"I'm so sorry, Sir. Miss Pierce is a very busy person. If you have any issues you'd like to bring up, please inform us instead."
"Fine then!" The man scowled. "The Global Technology Summit has provided a list of mandatory requirements for participating companies of this annual exhibition. Not only has your company only been established less than a year ago, you don't even have any independently produced products! Clearly, your company does not meet the requirements. I'm giving you three minutes to get out of this exhibition hall, or I'm calling security!"
"B–But we received an invitation from the summit, which means that they allow us to participate. If you chase us out now, doesn't that mean you're going against the organizers?"
Hearing the intern talking back to him, the large man felt so humiliated that his whole face turned red in rage. He kicked down their board and bellowed, "That was before! This is the present we're talking about! If the higher–ups won't allow you to participate, then it's final! If you refuse to cooperate, then don't blame me for taking matters into my own hands!"
After that, the man used a walkie–talkie to summon a group of security guards, ordering them to smash up Stellar Group's exhibition area in order to force them out.
There were quite a few people from the industry crowded around them, but none lent them a helping hand. Instead, they seemed happy that such misfortune was dawning upon the small company. The truth was that the people working in internationally renowned big enterprises despised their existence. They figured that small companies like Stellar Group would only be sullying the name of the summit.
"Well you can certainly try! I dare you!" Joanna walked over to the crowd, her head held high and eyes blazing. Although her lovely voice wasn't loud, her powerful aura was more than enough to compensate for it.
"Miss Pierce!" The two young interns immediately hid behind their boss. Although they'd only been working for her for two weeks, they were thoroughly impressed by Joanna's capabilities.
They looked at Joanna like she was some kind of invincible warrior, and were quick to explain the situation to her. "This guy keeps saying we have no right to participate in the exhibition, and he's trying to chase us out! He even threatened to smash our exhibition if we don't cooperate!"
"So you're the one in charge, huh?" The large man behaved more arrogantly when he realized that Joanna was just a woman. "Stop dilly–dallying then! Get lost, and take your rubbish with you!"
Joanna absolutely resented bullies, especially those who stepped on the weak to feel good about themselves. Her gorgeous face was now as cold as ice, and she clenched her jaw. "Apologize. On your knees, right now. Maybe it's not too late for you just yet."
"What did you say?" The man thought he was imagining things, and his features twisted in outrage.
"Do you know who I am? I can force you out of this industry with just a snap of my fingers if I wanted to!"
"Why would I know a nobody like you? No matter, I'll allow you thirty seconds to introduce yourself," Joanna said calmly, checking the watch on her wrist.
Her dismissive attitude was pure insult in the man's eyes. He grabbed Joanna by the collar, scowling horridly. "You have a death wish, don't you?!"
Joanna looked down at the hand in front of her neck. "Take your filthy hands off me."
"How dare you talk back to me?" The man intended to teach her a lesson after being humiliated in front of everyone. He raised his hand and brought it down harshly towards Joanna's cheek.
Suddenly, everyone heard a loud cracking noise, like a bone fracturing.
"Ah!" Everyone was silent as a horrible scream echoed through the halls.
Everyone thought Joanna was doomed, only to realize that the scream had actually come from the large man's mouth.
"Ah! My arm is broken! It's broken!" The man howled in agony, but still had the strength to continue threatening her. "You wretch! You should know that I'm the head of security for this summit! Anyone in the industry would know to give me the utmost respect… Now that you've provoked me, I'll make sure you and your company are wiped from this plane of existence if it's the last thing I do!" He snarled, his eyes bulging in fury.
Joanna loomed over the man, crushing his shoulder with her foot this time. "I'm counting to three. Apologize to me and my employees, or I'll break your other arm too."
The man was quite unwilling to admit defeat at first, but as Joanna stepped harder on his shoulder, he felt as if his arm was about to be dislocated.
Chickening out, he yelped in pain. "I… I'm sorry! I was wrong for behaving like that! I was wrong! Please let me go!"
As more people gathered, the gossip and discussions increased.
"Who is this woman? How could she possibly dare to provoke Jason Scott, of all people?"
"Isn't he Ace Moran's employee? Is she trying to get herself kicked out of this industry?!"
"I heard the summit is going to elect a new president soon, and that person is the largest investor of this exhibition!"
"Yeah, I heard they're close to Ace Moran too! Looks like this company is going to be closed down! They're done for!"
Hearing the gossip around them, the interns trembled with fear, and whispered to Joanna. " Miss Pierce, this person is Mr. Moran's employee! We can't afford to make an enemy out of him. Why don't we just apologize to him now? Let's beg him to let us go, and to not ostracize Stellar Group in the industry!"
The name 'Ace Moran' was truly a trump card in the City. The name itself was more powerful than the law, as no one could ever imagine offending the legendary man himself. So, logically speaking, if Jason was Ace's employee, Stellar Group was surely going to have a hard time later on.
Joanna finally came to the realization as well, scoffing. "Oh, so that's it. I was wondering why our invitation was suddenly revoked. So, a certain someone was playing tricks behind the scenes.'
The woman lifted her leg from Jason's shoulder and said, "Tell Moran he should come at me directly if he has something to say. It's childish to play tricks on me behind my back! Who does he think he is, using a public event like this to take revenge on me?"
Suddenly, the noisy hall turned silent as the crowd parted respectfully. It was obvious that a powerful figure had shown up.
Jason, who was a mess on the ground, looked up with much effort. His eyes widened. It was as if he had seen his savior, and he crawled over to the figure with his broken arm.
"Mr. Moran! You're here! I did as you said I tried to make them leave! But this woman has the audacity to refuse! She even openly challenged your authority! If you don't teach her a lesson, she'll trample all
over you and Moran Group!" Jason figured that Ace would stand up for him, since he had personally appointed him as the head of security.
Ace was no longer as s*y as when he had just gotten out of the shower. Wearing a neat gray suit, his hair was brushed back, enhancing his beautifully defined features. He had the potential to be a model, and was born to be a leader through and through. The man was able to strike fear in people's hearts without even saying a single word.
Ace dismissively glanced at Jason, who was currently whimpering at his feet. Then, he turned to look at Joanna and asked, "Do you do this to his arm?"
"I did. He deserved it!" Joanna said defiantly, already prepared to fight. She lifted her chin arrogantly and declared, "If you'd like to avenge him now, go right ahead!"