Chapter 702

Michael beamed with pride at the praise and quickly responded with false humility.

“Aunt Tiana, you flatter me. What I shared just now is only the tip of the iceberg. I’ll prepare a detailed market analysis for you later—a summary of everything I’ve learned during my time at the company. It’s the least I can do.”

Lauren shook her head and let out a quiet snort. “Showboating. I bet that ‘research’ was just copy-pasted off the internet. You’re not fooling anyone.”

Michael, unfazed, grinned smugly. “So what if it was? Everything’s on the internet these days. I learn from what I find there, and I think it’s brilliant!”

Lauren’s lips twitched into a cold smile. “Learning? Is that what you call hiding in your office watching Eastonian adult films all day?”

Michael’s face turned beet red. He clenched his fists and snapped, “Lauren, this is a professional meeting. I’d appreciate it if you stuck to relevant topics!”

Tiana’s gaze shifted to Andrew, her expression amused. “Mr. Lloyd, what happened to that sharp tongue of yours? Didn’t you just have a lot to say about our strategy? Why so quiet all of a sudden?”

Andrew sighed, shaking his head as if bored. “Talking to idiots is exhausting. Might as well save my breath.”

Tiana’s gaze darkened. “Andrew, if you really know what you’re talking about, then speak up. Otherwise, stop pretending to be some enlightened genius. I can’t stand people who act profound when they have nothing of substance to offer.”

Andrew gave a cold laugh. “So, all of you are Rhodes Corporation executives, right? People with impressive resumes, top-tier degrees, and years of corporate experience? Yet when Michael spouted his idiotic theory just now, you clapped like a bunch of trained seals."

“Honestly, I’m starting to think Rhodes Corporation isn’t a top-three company in Jayrodale after all. It’s more like a flashy pyramid scheme with better branding. All of you here are mediocre at best.”

Tiana slammed her hand on the table, her face twisted with rage. “What did you just say? Who the hell are you calling mediocre?”

The other executives also bristled with anger.

Andrew’s expression remained calm as he locked eyes with Tiana. “Whoever agreed with Michael’s nonsense. If you stood with that trash logic, congratulations—you’re part of the mediocrity. Any objections?”

Tiana’s body trembled with barely contained fury. “All right, then. If you think Michael’s ideas are so stupid, prove it. Go ahead. Enlighten us with your brilliance. Otherwise, I swear I’ll teach you a lesson about running your mouth in my boardroom.”

Andrew shrugged. “Mrs. Rhodes, I don’t talk big. I just have a low tolerance for stupidity. And by the way, I’ve invested five billion dollars into Rhodes Corporation. Do you really think I’m going to sit back and let you guys flush it down the drain?”

Michael forced himself to smile, though his eyes were venomous. “Andrew, enough with the theatrics. If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. Because when it comes to products, markets, and business strategy, I’m in the stratosphere while you’re still stuck in the dirt.”

Andrew gave him a long, emotionless stare. “Let me get this straight—you said the key to success is targeting the wealthy because rich people don’t care about price, right?”

Michael lifted his chin. “Exactly. That’s what I call superior business acumen.”