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The appearance of Audem did shock Liu Rumei, but it wasn’t that she was afraid of this guy who could eat in both the underworld and the upperworld internationally. Because Liu Rumei believed in her own country—no matter how formidable this terrorist was, there was no way he could run wild in China!

However, the arrogance and overbearing tone with which Audem claimed that M Corporation had already decided to cooperate with their H Corporation, just that it hadn’t been announced yet, was full of confidence. On this point, Liu Rumei felt there was a certain degree of truth to it; it didn’t sound like Audem was just bragging. You had to know, this man had started as a terrorist, and in just a few short years had become the head of the strongest mercenary organization in the world. More importantly, he had somehow, without lifting a finger, brought the world’s second-largest H Corporation under his name. Without a certain level of power, that really would have been impossible.

Audem was an extreme terrorist, even the government of Country M had no way to deal with him. That alone showed how powerful, how domineering, how arrogant he was. Very likely he had used some despicable means, forcing M Corporation to agree to cooperate with their H Corporation on this major project. This was something Liu Rumei could imagine. But right now, what Liu Rumei was worried about was not that Sea King Group might fail to secure this major project with M Corporation; what she was worried about was that this guy Audem wanted to stir up trouble in China!

In the secular China on Earth, this was indeed a country that had suffered humiliation for a long time, and had finally risen. Of course, this nation praised as a slumbering lion had risen at a very fast, very frightening pace, to the point that other nations in the Mortal World even felt panic. Meanwhile, in the mercenary world, these powerful mercenary organizations and terrorist organizations were all stronger and more arrogant than the last, claiming they could leave behind terrorist attacks in any country and still walk away untouched. Especially in recent years, the rapidly rising mercenary organization headed by Audem had been outrageously arrogant and overbearing.

But ever since China rose, ever since this slumbering lion awoke, the country had been hailed as a forbidden zone for mercenaries. No matter how powerful the mercenary organization, they had never managed to launch a terrorist attack in China, never managed to swagger around here. This myth had never been broken. No matter how many times the number-one power in the Mercenary World changed hands, the myth of China as the mercenary forbidden zone was something no one had ever been able to shatter!

So then, did Audem come this time merely to let everyone know that M Corporation’s biggest project was choosing to cooperate with H Corporation? Maybe others would believe that, would think it was just Audem being arrogant and domineering. But Liu Rumei didn’t think so. She believed that his visit this time, on the surface, was to strut around and announce that M Corporation and H Corporation would cooperate on the biggest project, but in reality it was to cover up his true intentions. His greatest conspiracy was to personally deploy and launch a terrorist attack in China, to satisfy his Audem’s twisted desires and shatter the myth of China as a forbidden zone for mercenaries. That was his real goal!

While everyone was still somewhat stunned and hadn’t reacted, Audem strode onto the stage acting absolutely invincible. He glared directly at the person in charge of M Corporation, frightening that representative into a shudder and making him hurriedly retreat to the side, not daring to utter a single word. That alone showed how arrogant this man had become.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Audem, the largest shareholder of H Corporation and the most powerful figure in international mercenary organizations. I believe I don’t need to introduce myself, do I? I now announce that the cooperation for M Corporation’s largest project this time has been reached with our H Corporation. I trust none of you present have any objections, right? If you do, you can stand up and say so!" Audem swept his gaze arrogantly over everyone below as he spoke.

Hearing Audem’s words, everyone froze, shocked and angry, but no one dared say much. You had to know, those who could attend this press conference for the world’s largest M Corporation were all top tycoons of some of the strongest companies internationally. These people were the true overlords of business empires, the real upper echelon of Earth’s secular world. Could any of them not recognize Audem? This was a man whom even the governments of the most powerful countries in the Mortal World couldn’t do anything about—who else would dare provoke him?

"Since no one’s standing up to oppose, it seems you’ve all given up competing for this major project. I really feel sorry for you. Weren’t there a few big companies that were very aggressive earlier? Weren’t you determined to win? Why aren’t you speaking up now? Don’t be afraid of me, Audem. I’m a very fair man, and I have a very kind heart, wouldn’t you say?" Audem was utterly arrogant, taking advantage yet still playing the hypocrite, mocking everyone present.

Audem’s words had many people shaking with rage, practically wanting to kill him on the spot. After all, who among those present wasn’t a high-level figure? Who wasn’t a standout among elites? When had they ever swallowed such humiliation?

Unfortunately, they were all daring to be angry but not daring to speak. Because no matter how capable, how rich, how powerful they were, no matter how vast their business empires, they still couldn’t compare with Audem and didn’t dare offend him. You had to know, this was a man even the government of Country M couldn’t deal with, someone who dared go head-to-head with the Country M army. He was far from a simple businessman.

"I object!"

All of a sudden, a woman’s voice rang out boldly through the press conference hall. Everyone was stunned and turned toward the direction of the voice. They saw Liu Rumei, eyes steadfast and utterly devoid of fear, staring at Audem as she stepped up toward the stage of the press conference one step at a time. This left everyone dumbfounded, and even made Audem frown. He had never imagined that Liu Rumei would dare stand up, would actually stand up to oppose him!

"It’s Chairman Liu of Sea King Group..."

"What is Liu Rumei doing? Is she openly challenging Audem?"

"No way. We businessmen, no matter how powerful, don’t dare offend someone like Audem!"

"Audem is no longer just some underworld and upperworld figure. He’s the head of the most powerful mercenary organization in the world, a man who dares go up against national governments. Those so-called big shots of the underworld and upperworld are all just clowns in front of him!"

"Unless Liu Rumei has something to fall back on?"

"Maybe. Have you heard a certain rumor?"

"What rumor?"

"Ye Tianchen, Young Master Ye, has returned!"

"What? Ye Tianchen is back? He disappeared for nearly ten years and now he’s back?"

"Yeah."

"If that’s true, perhaps only Ye Tianchen can contend with Audem!"

Liu Rumei walked up onto the stage of the press conference step by step, not even sparing Audem a glance, and not showing the slightest fear of those eyes of his that looked like they could kill her. Instead, she picked up a microphone, looked out at everyone below, and said, "Hello everyone, I’m Liu Rumei, chairman of Sea King Group. The most important purpose of M Corporation’s press conference this time is to announce who the partner for this major project will be. I think many of our companies are competing for this opportunity and don’t want to give it up. Chairman Peter of M Corporation has also come to China but has yet to appear. I believe when it comes to certain people declaring on their own that M Corporation is cooperating with them, none of you believe it; you’re all questioning it. If Mr. Peter doesn’t personally show up and say it himself, at least I will not acknowledge it!"

"Right, Chairman Liu is absolutely right!"

"Exactly. Since Mr. Peter is already here, if it doesn’t come from his own mouth, we won’t believe it!"

"What logic is that, announcing it yourself on behalf of someone else’s company? We don’t recognize it!"

"We oppose it!"

At this moment, after hearing Liu Rumei’s words and with her taking the lead, many people began to echo her. At the end of the day, they all felt somewhat disdainful and dissatisfied with Audem’s arrogance and overbearing attitude. This guy was just too outrageously cocky, treating everyone as if they didn’t exist!

"Liu Rumei? A mere woman, interesting!" Audem ground his teeth and glared at Liu Rumei as he spoke.

"What about a mere woman? Isn’t your mother a mere woman too?" Liu Rumei shot back without the slightest politeness.

"You... do you know what happens to those who oppose me?" Audem stared at Liu Rumei, his eyes flushed with rage, as he spoke.

"Then do you know what happens to those who act arrogant in China?" Liu Rumei replied coldly once more.

"Hmph, China? Even the most powerful country in the world can’t do anything about me, Audem. You think a little developing country can do anything to me?" Audem snorted coldly as he asked.

"That’s only because you haven’t come here yet. Now that you’re here, there won’t be any waves you can stir up." Liu Rumei slapped him in the face verbally without hesitation.

Hearing Liu Rumei’s words, Audem glanced down at the people below. These people had originally been seething in silence, letting him be as arrogant as he pleased, giving him free rein to be as cocky as he wanted. He had never expected Liu Rumei to stand up and slap him in the face like this. It truly infuriated him, yet he still laughed in his anger and said, "Interesting, really interesting. I’ll let you see how terrifying it is to offend me, Audem. I’ll also let you see that a little China is incapable of doing anything to me, Audem!"

Liu Rumei glanced at Audem, then said calmly, "Then I’ll be waiting. I also look forward to seeing the moment you fall flat on your face in China. I believe I will see it, because I believe in my country. Also, everything you just said represents only yourself and cannot represent M Corporation. I think Mr. Peter will make the announcement in person. Don’t you agree?"

"Hahahaha, Mr. Peter? I’m afraid he’ll never appear in this world again. Not only will M Corporation’s major project this time cooperate with our H Corporation, but I believe that very soon M Corporation itself will also be under my name!" Audem laughed wildly as he spoke. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)